Is there anything better than a festive period spent cruising down wide open slopes, relaxing in front of the fire in a cosy chalet and making the most of unique festive events in a charming Alpine town? Didn’t think so. However, Christmas and New Year in some resorts can be far from relaxing, with the holiday period bringing with it busy slopes, loud parties and crowded streets. Yet there are some ski resorts where you can still experience the lovely ‘silent nights’ as well as the joyous celebrations of Christmas.
For the ultimate family Christmas away from the crowds this year, Les Gets could be the perfect destination. This gorgeous resort nestled within the huge Portes du Soleil ski area provides the perfect balance of traditional charm, family friendly fun and incredible skiing that makes it one of our favourite resorts in which to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
So what makes Les Gets so special at Christmas? Well firstly, Santa Claus is well and truly coming to town in Les Gets this winter. Spending most of his year in the enchanted forests surrounding the village, preparing gifts for children, even Santa Claus can’t resist the magic of Christmas in Les Gets, coming out to celebrate in sparkling fashion.
Families can hitch a ride with the elves to visit Santa Claus in the heart of his magical forest kingdom, with dedicated storytelling sessions and workshops to ensure young visitors truly immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas. They will even be able to channel their inner elves and create Christmas-themed objects they can take home to show their friends.
On Christmas Eve, you can see Santa off on his way to deliver presents around the world, as he takes part in an incredible torchlit ski descent under a sky of fireworks. Truly a magical way to see in Christmas.
Alongside Father Christmas’ visit, a number of activities for the whole family will be running throughout the Christmas week. A Christmas market will be taking place, allowing you to purchase local goods and unique gifts to take home to your loved ones. Ice sculptures will be displayed around the village and indoor and outdoor shows will be taking place, as well as a number of Christmas fairs.
Or if you fancy more activity after a day on the slopes, head ice skating on the picturesque outdoor ice rink, explore the village on the Petit Train, or simply take a mountain walk through this winter wonderland landscape. Plus, did we mention Les Gets offers some of the best hot chocolate we’ve ever tried? Definitely something to put on your Christmas to-do list.
When it comes to the New Year, they say start as you mean to go on, so why not start 2019 in the best way possible? An amazing day’s skiing, a relaxing evening enjoying a delicious meal and a huge fireworks display over the beautiful mountains – there’s nothing better. Seeing in the New Year in the mountains is truly spectacular and an event you will always remember.
All of this takes place against a backdrop of some of the best skiing in Europe, with Les Gets giving skiers access to the enormous Portes du Soleil ski area. 650km of piste spanning 12 resorts, skiers of all abilities are sure to find something to their liking. Experts will delight in the sheer breadth of possibilities both on and off piste, whilst freestyle fans are sure to find entertainment in the area’s 11 snowparks.
For those that may not quite feel the need for 650km, the immediate Les Gets/Morzine area itself is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers, with a number of varied slopes ideal for building confidence on the skis. It’s one of the quietest areas on the Portes du Soleil circuit, meaning you can still benefit from the fantastic skiing but won’t have to worry about crowded slopes or large lift queues. From the picturesque tree-lined runs to the cosy mountain huts, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the festive season for both adults and children alike.
In fact, Les Gets is one of our top picks for families all season long. It’s a postcard perfect village at the best of times, but with twinkling fairy lights and Christmas decorations throughout it’s a magical Christmas paradise sure to inspire children’s imaginations. The village square is the perfect place to sip on a mulled wine and watch the world go by, with a beautiful recently resorted merry-go-round (dating back to the 1800s!) for youngsters to enjoy. The majority of shops, bars and restaurants here remain family-run, with none of the neon signage and familiar franchising that have begun to infiltrate some other resorts. Whilst it retains a lively sense of hustle and bustle over the festive period, it’s not too busy and holds a lovely ambience that families enjoy. Plus, it’s just over an hour’s drive from Geneva airport, meaning no lengthy transfers and “are we there yet?” choruses.
Chalet operator Chalets1066, specialists in the Les Gets area offer unique tailor-made holidays that are ideal for families, meaning you can create your perfect Christmas. Chalets1066 operate solely in Les Gets, meaning that they are experts in the area and provide a fantastic, flexible service to ensure guests have the best possible stay.
They have a huge range of chalets and apartments in the area, ranging from economy to luxury and offer a range of different services that you can choose to add to your holiday depending on your needs and budget. These services include airport transfers, lift pass delivery, cleaning and even ski/boot fitting in the comfort of your own chalet.
The chalets are all self-catered, but you can choose from a number of catering options should you wish to relax without the worry of cooking. These range from morning fresh bread and croissant delivery to full chef services. As the company is Les Gets-based, you are always safe in the knowledge that management and staff are on hand 24/7 to help with whatever you may need, meaning a stress free family Christmas may be closer than you think!
Santa Claus can be found in Les Gets from Saturday 22 to Friday 28 December between 9 AM and 9 PM.
