St. Gervais-Les-Bains
The Winter
St. Gervais-Les-Bains is a charming spa town situated in the Haute de Savoie region, close to both Swiss and Italian boarders. Often overlooked by those more familiar with the big-name resorts, the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area boasts over 400km of piste, stretching over no less than 7 towns, including St. Gervais, Megève, Combloux, Contamines and St. Nicolas.
The main ski lift is situated a 10 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the Chalet. With a large selection of gentle green and blue runs, this resort is perfect for beginners and intermediates, while those looking for a more advanced experience also have a choice of steeper and more daring red and black runs with expansive off-piste too.
It’s safe to say that you would be doing very well to cover all the ground on a week’s holiday here. However, you can upgrade your lift pass to cover other resorts in the surrounding areas including the Chamonix valley, Courmayeur and Verbier. For this, a car would be necessary but definitely something worth thinking about if you are keen to test the slopes at some of these neighbouring resorts.
For more information on lift passes, ski area maps and more please click here.
The Summer
St. Gervais is a year-round resort and during the summer months offers a vast array of activities, including mountain biking, parapenting, climbing and walking. With an array of trails and routes carved out, as well as the Mont Blanc tram line, we can promise an action-filled week if that’s what you’re looking for.
One of our favourite summer pastimes is visiting the local lakes. A personal favourite is Lake Passy, just 10 minutes away, though we often venture a bit further to the famous Lake Annecy (60 minutes away). Take a look at the gallery for a selection of lakes we visited last summer! With just a picnic and towel we often spend hours lounging by the lake side, relaxing in the sun, sipping rosé wine and cooling down in the crystal-clear waters.
One of our other much-loved things about St. Gervais in the summer is how the town comes to life with alfresco dining, evening entertainment and of course the year-round weekly market.
The Town
Just a 10 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the chalet, the town of St Gervais is dotted with understated bars and restaurants, perfect for a relaxed drink after a day in the mountains before returning to the comfort of the chalet. For a slightly livelier atmosphere you can head to the world-famous Follie Douce on the mountain for your après-ski hit.
St. Gervais is home to the newly refurbished thermal spa just a 5-minute drive from the Chalet and the famous Mont Blanc tram way. Both are definitely worth a A great option if you don’t ski or if you want to take some time away from the slopes.
The friendly vibe of the town makes you feel at home straight away and the architecture and stunning scenery make it a brilliant place to explore in both the Winter and Summer months.