It’s surprising that despite easy access to over 455km of slopes, Saint-Gervais remains unknown to many British skiers. However, that’s a big part of its appeal: Saint-Gervais is a Snowcarbon-certified hidden gem.

Inhabited since the Middle Ages, Saint-Gervais gained fame for its spa town status. Located close to the more famous resort of Chamonix, Saint-Gervais is often overlooked as an international ski destination: the result being a more authentically Alpine village, with antique landmarks, weekly food markets, delightful chalet hotels, and of course, fantastic views of Mont Blanc.

The resort sits in a narrow gorge at the foot of Mont d’Arbois (1,833m) and comprises four main settlements: Le Fayet (580m), where the train arrives; Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (850m), the main market town; the tiny village of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce (1,150m), and the sparse chalets of Le Bettex (1,400m).

While based here, your options for skiing are endless. The Évasion Mont-Blanc Pass grants access to the whole domain—Saint-Nicolas, Combloux, Les Contamines, and Les Houches—while the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass unlocks a vast region including Verbier and Chamonix. For more casual skiers or day-trippers, you can get cheaper, micro-domain access via the Saint-Nicolas and Bettex Ski Passes. Despite recent resort rivalry, Saint Gervais provides easy access to neighbouring Megève via the Mont d’Arbois gondola.

Cycling is a major pull in summer, the resort being a frequent stop in the Tour de France (most recently in 2023). In November 2022, Saint-Gervais received a Flocon Vert for its sustainability commitments, joining the likes of Tignes, Val d’Isère, and Val Thorens.

Saint-Gervais is charming, affordable, and very family-friendly. For fans of long, wooded blues and Michelin star fondues, this is the resort for you.

Highlights

  • Fantastic base to explore the Mont Blanc region
  • Picturesque and easy-going
  • Brilliant spa facilities going back centuries
  • Quiet slopes outside French school holidays

Lowlights

  • Low altitude
  • Limited nightlife and après-ski
  • Less expert piste (try Chamonix)