For riders, Les Gets offers a unique geographical schizophrenia, splitting the resort into two radically different atmospheres. To the east, the Chavannes slope is a real flow factory: a network of ultra-groomed trails, wide, dotted with progressive jumps, wooden modules (North Shores) and perfectly shaped berms, ideal for linking high-speed runs. To the west, Mont Chéry is the bastion of purists. Wilder, steeper and more technical, this slope is home to the legendary World Cup black run. Riding on Chéry means tackling giant roots, slippery slate slabs and steep descents against the magnificent panorama of the Mont-Blanc massif.
Whilst Les Gets is renowned for its wide-tyre trails, the resort harbours a hidden gem for road cyclists who shun the major motorways: the climb up the Col de l’Encrenaz (1,433 m). Starting from the village centre, this route immediately leaves the valley basin behind to wind its way into the secluded Côte d’Arbroz valley. The profile is the very essence of raw cycling: a narrow, often deserted road, a rough surface and sections that suddenly climb at gradients of over 9 % beneath the cliffs of the Roc d’Enfer. This is the pass for cycling connoisseurs, an intimate climb linking the resort to the Manche Valley (Morzine) amidst a completely unspoilt, pastoral mountain setting.
What sets Les Gets apart from any other spot is the work of the bikepatrollers (the shapers). The trails aren't just paths: they are sculpted to create speed through mass transfer (pumps). Braking zones are designed to avoid washboard effects, and every jump has a safety table. It's this unique craftsmanship that gives that feeling of weightlessness and safety, whether you're a beginner on a green run or a pro-rider on a double-black.
The topography of Les Gets is based on a particular rock: flysch, a mixture of sandstone and marl. For the cyclist, this changes everything. In dry weather, this earth offers atomic grip, allowing for aggressive cornering. Conversely, as soon as a storm breaks, the ground transforms into a slick, loving film that tests riding skill. It is this duality that has forged the technical legend of local champions.
