Saint Gervais, France

Tom Wells from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Just got back from staying for a week at Le Bettex, which is the main point of access to the slopes at St Gervais. From my point of view as an experienced snowboarder with a focus more towards freeride/off-piste I must admit I was pretty dissapointed. The face from Mt Arbois back to Le Bettex looks to have good potential but the lift service seems to lack focus. The tree runs ought to be good in this area but the forest is just too dense, I suppose tree felling is environmentally questionable? At lower levels exposure to the sun means a lot of freeze/thaw conditions. The opposite side from Le Bettex drops towards Megeve village and is a vast bowl extending to the Mt Jolie area and around to Roche Brune area, but getting to these places often means long descents to Megeve then uping and downing a lot to move across to a desired area. This whole bowl has a very similar gradient all around it. In its favour you could move around the bowl during the course of the day staying in the sun, thus, the softer slopes. Altitude in the area is relatively low I think the top is about 2500m. To be fair the area is definitely suited to those who like to have a day not skiing the same run twice, getting a good tan, and who love red runs. And that is good but not what I was after. I rode past the freestyle park (not through anymore!), Was a bit dissappionted as on the web site they make a big deal out of it and to be honest it was very limited considering the reputation of the main park sponsor. I hate being negative so just bear in mind that it wasn't what I wanted and next holiday I will be more careful choosing a destination and wont be swayed by the big names. I love smaller areas, rolling terrain, and sessioning a lift to scope new lines for each run. If I find amazing areas I am not going to review them because I don't want you there, sorry!

2008-01-27