Snowsure: 3.8
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Saint Gervais is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Saint Gervais Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
December 05, 2008
Pete Mitchell from
United Kingdom
Pete Mitchell from
United Kingdom
I couldn't agree more with Greg Watts' review of Saint Gervais. He sums it up in a nutshell. I don't live in this beautiful part of the world, so he is a very lucky boy. But I have been holidaying here for a number of years now. I have stayed in the fully catered Chalet La Charme, a wonderfully peaceful chalet, run by Chris, who has always met our needs with professionalism and friendliness. His cooking standards are first rate, and his ability to show us the best spots to ski at Saint Gervais are uncanny. It's almost as if he has a sixth sense for finding empty pistes, or untracked powder. As for the skiing itself, I can't really add anymore to the review of Greg, one of the "locals". Praise indeed.
November 27, 2008
Greg Watts from
France
Greg Watts from
France
Having now lived and skied here for 5 years - and having skied in may other places - I feel I can give a balanced view.
- The views are simply stunning and really can't be beaten
- It's true that St Gervais retains it's character and charm and has a great feel. It's also true to say that it is not a party town. but there are many good bars and places to eat. (Try the new Pur Bar for classy champagne & cocktails)
- The resort works really well for families and mixed ability groups, with everyone being able to re-group at Bettex throughout the day, or just at the end of the day
- We've had very good feedback on the various ski schools
- 450km of piste is a lot. It took me 3 seasons to actually get every run ticked off! And there really is terrain to suit everyone, from beginner to experienced, skiers and snowboarders alike. (I do both, so I know.)
- Les Contamines, covered on the Evasion pass, does seem to have its own microclimate and is very snow-sure. Perfect for early and late season.
- There is plenty of good off-piste, but some of it is a little hidden and you need to know where to look, or put the time in to find it (top lift from Mt Joly can provide steep, long and challenging runs.)
- But as a result, you can still score fresh tracks days after a storm, unlike many resorts (hu hum, Chamonix) where everything is tracked out within hours.
- It's a very 'low stress' resort. The lifties are friendly and you get the sense people are here to have fun, not to impress. Having said that, the W.O.S.P fun park has developed greatly in the last 2 years with all kinds of rails, table-tops and all manner of hips and jumps for the freestylers.
- A car is a good idea and gives you more freedom to explore the whole Evasion ski area. As well as St Gervais/Megeve and Les Contamines, take the time to explore the Jaillet/Combloux areas if you have the time.
- St Gervais is investing heavily. In recent years new lifts have gone in, more snow-making equipment has been added and the town is improving its roads and infrastructure as well as renovating town centre buildings in a very tasteful way. Year on year the resort is becoming more attractive, classier, easier to use and better equipped. It's also becoming increasingly popular as word gets out about this formerly little-known French treasure.
Come. I doubt you'll be dissapointed.
February 23, 2008
Scott Mountifield from
United Kingdom
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
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
Tom Wells from
United Kingdom
January 27, 2008
Tom Wells from
United Kingdom
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
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
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
Sarah Andrews from
United Kingdom
March 25, 2007
Rupert Bowers from
United Kingdom
Rupert Bowers from
United Kingdom
The last reviewer, in fact, appears to have stayed in Le Fayet rather than Saint Gervais proper. Le Fayet is the start of the Mont Blanc tramway and has the well known spa of Les Thermes. It also has a large Quechua store but limited bars and restaurants. St. Gervais proper is an historic town and the traditional starting point for Mont Blanc assents as the tram stops here on it's way up the mountain.
The ski area links to Megeve and the views are stunning down the l'avre valley. The skiing is relatively easy (compared to nearby Chamonix) but there is good off-piste when there has been a dump. It is a great area if your party is mixed ability and a good place for children to learn and there is also a creche at Bettex (up the mountain) to leave the little ones while you ski.
Saint Gervais still has the feel of being traditionally French. Have a drink in Le Grange which is the hub of life in the town. Best restaurants are La Galleta and Lou Grangini and The Yucatan is a late night venue with live music.
The town is suited to families and those that don't want to be out until 3 every morning but enjoy a few drinks and a meal after skiing. Eating up the mountain is always going to be pricey but try the small restaurant under the Bettex bubble station where you can get 2 courses of home cooked food for about 12-14 Euros.
At 850m the town is low so don't expect much snow in the valley. The fashion for ski in-ski out resorts has seen the purpose built towns encroaching ever higher up the mountain but as many of you will know these resorts are pretty souless and generally totally shut in summer. The traditional ski resorts were always in the valley (Cortina, Chamonix, Morzine are all about 1000m). The beauty of Saint Gervais' location is that it is a 45 minute drive to Geneva. I can't stress the importance of having a car enough. With a car the whole area opens up and you can ski Les Houche (10 mins ot take the tram), Les Contamines (15 mins), Megeve (15 mins), Combloux (10 mins), Chamonix (20 mins), Argentiere, Flaine, Samoens, and Morzine are all about 45 minutes. You can even go through the Mont Blanc tunnel and be in Cormayeur in an hour. So, if the snow is poor in Saint Gervais and Megeve there are any number of options.
Although quieter in summer the climbers and walkers move in and being at the heart of Alpinisme it is not hard to see why. There are not only the mountains to climb but many easier walks and hikes plus mountain biking. There is an indoor ice rink and children's play ground with a traditional merry-go-round to keep the kids amused and a large sporting club with all weather tennis courts and outdoor pool with stunning views and crazy golf for the children. As with much in France, the club is municipal so anyone can go and, unlike municipal facilities in the UK, it is very good!
I bought a flat here with some friends last year and can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The ease and speed (my record is 4 hours door-to-door London-St. Gervais) of getting here means that weekends are a great option without spending all night on a snow train and feeling totally knackered on arrival.
Travel to Saint Gervais and Chamonix under your own steam hiring a car at Geneva and you will have a great time; take a package and you will be tied to one place and beholden to ski-buses. There is a tourist office in town and a website with links to hotels and the ESF so it's pretty easy to sort yourself out.
I can't recommend the whole area highly enough, winter or summer, and would be happy to help anyone wishing to visit- [email protected].
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