Saint Gervais, France

Visitor reviews for Saint Gervais

• February 23, 2008
  Scott Mountifield from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Having just returned from spending a few days in St Gervais, I can honestly say that I WOULD go back! This resort has loads to offer in that the whole of St Gervais/Megeve offer the most picturesque skiing through tree lined runs, all with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. Les Contamines (on the Evasion lift Pass) offers the high altitude skiing if runs are becoming heavy in St Gervais.
  We tried to get around as much as we could in 3 days but were unable to explore anywhere near the whole area. A car is a must in this area though. The bubble from the main village was often rammed and then, equally, the next bubble up form Le Bettex is just as busy. This can, however, be avoided by making the 9 am lift up. If you have a car then you could drive to Le Bettex (or better still stay there), Megeve, and Les Contamines. You can get a bus to Les Contamines but I am led to believe you have to change to do it and there is only 1 there and 1 back a day.
  To summarise, St Gervais / Megeve is the perfect place for those that love to 'cruise' through trees down intermediate runs and enjoy stunning views. I cannot comment on the off-piste as unfortunately it was so tracked and hard it was not worth trying. I will be back though.
  PS. This place is expensive!!!! The Grange bar in town is probably the cheapest for apres-ski.

• February 11, 2008
  Chris Barrow from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  In response to Tom Wells:
  The St Gervais/ Evasion area is extremely good for experienced and advanced boarders. You just have to know where to look. When the weather closes down the Chamonix valley, McNabs, the snowboarding clinic, come to St Gervais. If you know where to go, the trees are never too dense, and there are many untracked areas days after a fresh snow fall. A short walk from the top lift station to the summit of Mont Joly yields an unforgettable descent over the back side to Les Contamines. Beware, this is for advanced boarders only, experienced in avalanche rescue, and consult a guide if you have any doubts.
  It is an amazing area, if you take the time to get to know it. A week's holiday for an "experienced" boarder is not nearly enough to discover it's many hidden delights.

• January 27, 2008
  Tom Wells from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  The only reason for a slightly negative review is so others with a similar focus to me don't make the same mistake! I can understand why many people love the place.

• January 27, 2008
  Tom Wells from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  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!

• January 18, 2008
  John Bowman from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I can't speak more highly of St Gervais. Friendly, traditional, great mixed ability skiing, and excellent restaurants. We stayed at the delightful, fully catered Chalet La Charme, run by Haute Altitude, and situated in St Gervais on the road to Les Contamines. The holiday was a welcome breath of fresh air (literally!) from the purpose built resorts, and the skiing was marvellous. Just the views made it all worthwhile, with Mont Blanc a constant backdrop. We skied St Gervais, Les Contamines, Les Houches (via the Tramway du Mont Blanc), and Megeve, all on the one lift pass. The restaurants are very good, the pistes uncrowded, and with off-piste this good, I can see why a lot of the Chamonix locals make their way over here. I just can't wait to return to the chalet for my next holiday.

• December 07, 2007
  Gary Burks from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I must agree with the last 2 reviewers. St.Gervais has something for everyone! I have stayed in St.Gerrvias for the last 5 seasons with varying sizes and types of party.
  I've taken my immediate family (wife and young girl), my extended family (10-12 people) and a small group of lads and all have enjoyed what St.Gervais has to offer.
  This resort hasn't been spoiled by the large tour groups.
  The slopes within the St.Gervais area are ideal for the Beginner/Intermediate. If you want anything that is more extreme then Chamonix is only a 25 minute car journey.
  If you have a car and are staying in St.Gervais then it is the ideal base with several good ski areas within a 45 minute drive (nothing compared to Canadian transfers). Please be careful on the road to Flaine. If the weather is harsh then this drive can be very treacherous but the skiing/boarding is superb after a big dump of snow.
  Les Contamine seems to have a weather system all of its own. It seems to retain its snow better due to the majority of its slopes facing north. Be careful as the weather can turn very quickly and visibility can be very poor.
  St.Gervais has a good variety of restaurants and bars. The Four Spices restaurant has a very good rustic feel with good food at a reasonable price and you can't go wrong with the pizza house across the road.

• December 06, 2007
  Sarah Andrews from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Great resort, ideal for families and mixed ability groups as there is a wide range of skiing. The ski pass covers 450 km piste, plenty for all! St Gervais is a gorgeous market / spa town, very characterful and plenty of bars and restaurants for a week. Friendly locals!

• February 23, 2007
  Dave Clark from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  A great ski area once you get to it. The passes are divided into 3 areas with the "evasion pass" covering all routes and about 450 km of pistes. The St. Gervais pass is about 100kms. We stayed at a hotel next to the train station. The morning trek requires a coach to the cable car station (approx 10 mins, longer journeys are to be expected at weekends) then to Betex in the cable car where there is a ski hire shop restaurants and beginner slope and a further cable car to get the non-beginners skiing. You can ski all the way to the cable car station snow permitting but this was not possible end of Jan this year (2007) due to the late start of the season.
  The area around the train station seems quiet and ideal for families. The only life appears to be in the Terminus Hotel run by Snowcoach. Also the French have introduced smoking laws inside public areas so the non-smoker no longer gets " fogged out" except when entering designated smoking areas.
  Slopeside restaurants are expensive 18-25 Euros for a main course although the portions are large. They do a children's menu with portions for 12 Euros which would suit the average adult diet.