Family Ski Holidays France: Chalet 345 Les Gets

Amid extreme excitement – suitcases straining with ski gear – we depart for a Family Ski Holiday France.

It’s a stifling hot Sydney mid-December afternoon; as we make the taxi ride to the airport the husband irritatingly makes constant checks of his phone for updates of snow (which fails to deliver good news).

I don’t particularly care as our destination, Les Gets in the French Alps, looks magnificent no matter the season.  We land early morning;  Geneva is covered in a thick soup of cloud, and it’s cold. As our ascent to the French Alps begins a few promising drops of sleet fall on the windscreen.

Under an hour later we arrive at Chalet 345 Les Gets – its now a winter wonderland – our boys run excitedly through waist-high  snow drifts.

“While I am keener to reach the warmth of our extremely promising looking accommodation.”

Enter caveat; this is my sister’s Chalet, recently renovated and much loved by guests.

This is our families first Ski Chalet adventure – I am usually a ‘resort’ style holiday maker – I don’t like to make my own bed or meals when relaxation is the goal…however friends advise this is ‘the’ accommodation style to choose for a European Ski Holiday.

Besides, I cannot argue that Chalet 345 ticks all the boxes for our Ski Holiday prerequisites;

• Walking distance to lifts and local Village
• Supermarket access
• Plenty of ski terrain to keep our skiers happy
• Family friendly
• Different culture from our Australian home
• English speaking ski school (I am keen to up the ante on our boys French, however improving their skiing level wins out and we decide they will have more fun with other kids if they can communicate freely)
• The Chalet can arrange housekeeping options for an additional fee (catering, cleaning, other full concierge services)

By now we could be considered experienced at this family ski holiday business; with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and America snow vacations ticked off the bucket list – yet Europe is a new experiences for us.

Les Gets is one of the 12 resorts that make up the Portes du Soleil ski area on the Swiss-French border – excellent for long haul travellers as it enjoys one of the shortest transfers from Geneva (closest and one of largest ski area to Geneva).

Nested on the side of Les Gets village, Chalet 345 is a five star luxury chalet with unrivalled views over the ski resort (from the pistes Mont-Blanc in all its majesty can be viewed when the weather is kind).

The chalet sits at the base of Mount Chery; centrally located with a short five-minute walk to town and the lifts.  Architecturally designed accommodation is over three floors (sleeping up to 10 guests – in five spacious bedrooms); there are three bathrooms, one on each floor.

Every comfort is offered; open log fire, sauna, huge terrace, TV & Games room, fully equipped kitchen.

• Two large living rooms both with large flat screen TV’s and internet access
• Both French and English TV channels available
• High speed free WIFI available throughout
• CD players
• 4 large flat screen TV’s, DVD players, DVD library, games cupboard
• Large selection of books
• Large fridge / freezer, coffee maker, four ring induction hob, oven, sandwich makers and other kitchen gadgets

Portes du Soleil region is huge as it covers 650km, with it so many skiing options. One clear day we ski about 50 minutes to Avoriaz – winding our way through snow laden forests – hop on a chairlift up the slopes, a chairlift down the slopes and we are in Switzerland – thrilling. Actually that is the route my sister and I opt for, the husbands choose famous landmark ‘The Wall’ , a ski run on the Champèry side of Pas de Chavanette, also know as one of the worlds ‘scariest runs’. My nerves almost fail just sitting on the lift – I cannot watch their descent…

All forgotten once safely at the bottom, lunch is on the sun drenched deck of a swiss restaurant – terribly glamorous.

“Les Gets feels quaint, just like the traditional mountain village at its soul, typically Savoyard – with it a superb historical and cultural flavour.”

This resort offers an ideal ski area for mixed ability family ski holidays, and children love Les Gets’ little mini-train, which runs between the main ski-lifts and the Mont Chéry area.

Around Les Gets the family-friendly skiing terrain is perfect for beginners and intermediates to potter about on. There is a fabulous dedicated area called the Grand Cry, with the theme of Trappers and Indians, where adults may only venture if accompanied by children, and the whole family can enjoy skiing small bumps and bends and visit an Indian tepee.

Les Gets Ski Resort Tips from The Urban Mum

The Carrefour Supermarket in the village is excellent and extensive

Try Tartiflette (a local cuisine specialty of a bowl of steaming potatoes, Reblochon cheese, creamy sauce and lardons – popular in the French Alps – magnificent on a cold night)

Morning Market (Thursdays 8.00am-noon), in the heart of the village – loads of locally produced food

Christmas in the Alps is a thrill with ice skating, Santa sightings, evening light shows

 Berthet Sports is where you must get your ski hire – excellent equipment, perfect service (really attentive, even with squirming kids).

Family Ski Holidays France: Chalet 345 Les Gets Reservations

Choose the French Alps and Chalet 345 Les Gets for a glamorous, luxurious, authentic Savoyard Family Ski Holiday France experience