Les Gets - Mont Chery Ski Area - A hidden gem in Les Gets
No better time than now to enjoy the fresh snow on Mont Chery. It is well known by locals and regular visitors as one of the best areas in the Porte du Soleil - It’s quieter, never has any queues, offers terrific on and off piste skiing with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Although the lifts are older and slower, you still get more skiing as there is no time lost queuing. You also get a real sense of nostalgia – you can’t fail to enjoy a wonderful experience there on a sunny day in fresh snow.
Mont Chery is located on the west side of Les Gets. A six seater gondola takes you from the centre of the village up over some newly built chalets from where you start to get a wonderful view of the northern end of Les Gets centred around the Mairie and Church. As the gondola ascends you get more of a perspective of the roads and hamlets that sit above the village winding their way up past the golf course to Les Chavannes. You will also see and appreciate all the pistes and lifts that link the Chavannes and the Les Gets bowl.
As you look up the mountain you will see the many off piste tracks snow boarders and skiers have made through the partially wooded lower slopes down from the Belvedere at the top of the gondola. As well as the off piste areas, there is the Gazelle black run to the left of the lift and the Chamois red run to the right.
The top of the gondola is at 1535m at which point the ski area opens out above the tree line providing a wide area terrain with multiple ski runs and a choice of three Chairlifts to take you further up the mountain. The peak is at 1826m and from here you have a 360 degree panorama, which takes in views across Les Gets to Morzine, Avoriaz and the rest of the Porte du Soleil. It is also one of the best places see Mont Blanc and the surrounding range, including the Aiguille Du Midi.
There is a lot more skiing on Mont Chery than the Piste map would suggest. It shows there are 4 black runs, 4 red runs and 1 blue run, but in reality there is a lot more due to the width of ski runs allow for many differing routes to be taken on and between these official runs. There is also a small Snowpark, with a range of rails, jumps and gates to enjoy. The only skiing not available on Mont Chery are appropriate nursery slopes or easy blue runs for beginners. If beginner’s slopes are what you need, then you find these on the other side of the village in the Chavannes area. Mont Chery is also a great place for walkers, snow-shoeing and touring skiing. Further across to the south there is an area for cross country skiing at Mont Caly.
Some of the best skiing is on the far side (west) of Mont Chery down to the Col de Encrenaz. Here you will find several really enjoyable black and red runs such as Mouflon, Chevreuil and les Marmottes. Also, around and between these runs there is the opportunity to enjoy some good off-piste skiing. The photo looks up at the Chevreuil black run from the bottom of the Chery-Nord Telesiege at the Col de Encrenaz.
Mont Chery also has some excellent restaurants for skiers and non-skiers alike. Non-skiers can visit the restaurant at the top of the gondola, or walk/snow shoe up to La Grande Ourse, or even across to the wonderful Les Chevrelles at Mont Caly. Skiers will also have access to La Chanterelle just above the bottom of the chair lift at the Col de Encrenaz. If you are in need of quick a hot drink and a filling snack to maximise your time skiing, then I can recommend the little café next to the bottom of the same chairlift – great for juicy crepes, baguettes and omelettes. Le Grande Ourse offers excellent food and spectacular views on a sunny day and a cosy fire when it is not.
When you have had enough of the upper slopes or wish to return to the village then there is a great red Chamois run back down to the bottom of the gondola. Depending on the snow conditions, there is also the Gazelle black run and many off-piste routes too.
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