Summer::
Les Gets in summer and autumn offers alpine walking of all grades (a car is advisable), mountain biking, a fantastic 18 hole golf course at 1700m (be fit!), a swimming lake, glorious flowers, and (in July / August) paragliding and adventure trips such as white water rafting and rock climbing. Day trips to Annecy and Lac Leman and Chamonix are popular, as is the incredible Cirque du Fer a Cheval beyond Samoens, and the Aravis range the other side of the Autoroute. Some facilities close outside July / August, but the peacefulness compensates.
Winter:
Snow chains advisable, though often not needed as clearance is efficient.
You have access to the vast Portes du Soleil ski area (details on portesdusoleil.com). You can get a full skipass to cover everything, or a pass limited to a particular area, either for the whole holiday or by the day or half day. Check carefully at the counter (less of a queue at Mt. Chery) what variations are on offer. The Les Gets/Nyon area on the local pass has all grades, but if you are intermediate or more you will want to go further on at least one or two days and a car is wise. Access the Avoriaz/Chatel area via Montriond/Ardent or Prodains (limited rush hour bus service available Les Gets/Morzine - frequent shuttle between Morzine and Ardent/Prodains)
Ski:
Les Gets is the nearest (1 hour drive from Geneva) of the group of French and Swiss villages in the fabulous Portes du Soleil ski area. It has resisted the high-rise desecration of many resorts, and retains a welcoming village feel, though well-equipped with shops and facilities. The local ski pass covers 53 lifts and 130 km. of runs of all grades: excellent for families and queuing is seldom a problem. The full Portes du Soleil ski pass accesses 650 km. of pistes. Les Gets has restaurants, skating, bowling, swimming and paragliding, and is 10 minutes from Morzine and 1 hour from Chamonix (day trip to ski the 26 km. Vallee Blanche run on Mont Blanc).
