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Saint-Gervais Ski Holidays
Nestled beneath the towering presence of Mont Blanc, the refined spa-town of Saint‑Gervais‑les‑Bains (often simply ‘Saint-Gervais’) feels like the Alps’ best-kept secret for skiers who want a touch of elegance without sacrificing serious terrain.
Perched at around 850m in elevation, the village sits at the foot of the slopes, and from here you can hop on the gondola up to the ski area. Direct access to the hillside means fewer buses and more time on the snow. Add to that the wellness angle courtesy of the town’s thermal baths, and you’ve got a winter holiday that balances top-notch skiing with serious relaxation.
What makes Saint-Gervais especially appealing is that it isn’t just a resort - it’s a living alpine town with history, wood-beamed roofs, a weekly market, and locals going about their business. This authentic French atmosphere allows you to ski hard and then unwind in the kind of setting that feels like home, albeit with mountains as your neighbour.
One of the most beautiful areas in the Alps with incredible, close-up views of Mont Blanc!
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain facts
Saint-Gervais, a key part of the vast Évasion Mont-Blanc area, offers an impressive scope, stretching from the village base at approximately 850m up to the highest skiable point of roughly 2,350m, creating a substantial maximum vertical drop of over 1,500m. The full interconnected domain boasts approximately 445km of pistes, serviced by over 100$ lifts (including gondolas and chairlifts), with a balanced terrain of blue, green, red, and black runs. For those who prefer to ski locally, the Saint-Gervais area itself provides around 75km of slopes. Cross-country enthusiasts are also catered for with extensive Nordic loops around the region.
Snow conditions in Saint-Gervais
Snow reliability in Saint-Gervais benefits significantly from its proximity to Mont Blanc, as the massif positively influences weather patterns and snow accumulation, providing the resort with better coverage than many lower-altitude locations. Upper sectors, such as Mont Joly and Mont d’Arbois, are crucial for preserving snow later into the season. The resort’s terrain features a helpful mix of slope aspects: the high-altitude, open-alpine areas provide pleasant, sunlit sweeping runs, while pine forests protect the lower slopes. These tree-lined runs are excellent for snow preservation and prove to be a major advantage on days with poor visibility or heavy snow.
Skiing in Saint-Gervais
Upon stepping onto the slopes, beginners will find Saint-Gervais highly accommodating. The primary hub for learning is the Le Bettex area, which is easily accessed from the village via gondola and features wide, sunny, and gentle nursery slopes that offer ample space to build confidence. For those ready to progress beyond the very first turns, the Saint-Nicolas de Véroce sector provides quieter, broad blue runs that are ideally suited for slowly advancing skills without feeling intimidated by heavy traffic.
Saint-Gervais truly shines for intermediate skiers, offering excellent uninterrupted cruising possibilities. After warming up on the local slopes, intermediates can seamlessly link into the wider domain (Megève, Combloux) for extensive, non-repetitive skiing. Long red runs descending from Mont Joly provide satisfying kilometres of piste, all while skiers enjoy the constant, inspirational backdrop of Mont Blanc. For advanced/ expert skiers, the place to head is the Mont Joly massif, which offers challenging black pistes and decent mogul terrain. The domain also offers off-piste possibilities, particularly around Mont Joly, and diverse terrain, including fun tree runs lower down and high bowls. However, advanced exploration should always be done with a qualified guide.
Snowboarding in Saint-Gervais
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The terrain and lift infrastructure adapt nicely, whether you’re into carving, freestyle or freeride, and as for the snow-park scene? There’s the well-rated snowpark in the Mont Joux/ Megève sector, which features a good mix of kickers, rails and boxes for different levels of freestyle. Terrain-wise, there are open alpine bowls for freeriders and forest runs lower down for natural terrain exploration in less ideal visibility.
Because the lift system is modern and varied (gondolas, chairs, and surface lifts), you’ll find it comfortable to move around, with less frustration waiting for the lift than at some older resorts. The variety from open bowls to forested slopes makes Saint-Gervais a versatile boarder’s resort.
Accommodation in Saint-Gervais
When it comes to where to stay, you’ve got options - and because Saint-Gervais is a proper town (not just a ski-resort bubble), you also get amenities and atmosphere you’ll genuinely appreciate after a day on the slopes.
What's available at Saint-Gervais ski resort?
Après-ski in Saint-Gervais
Après doesn’t have to mean loud nightclubs and 3 am shots (unless that’s your thing). Saint-Gervais plays it more sophisticated, relaxed and characterful - which is just fine.
- At Super Yoyo, think slope-side drinks, a friendly buzz, and sometimes live music. Good for kicking off the evening right after you’ve changed out of your ski boots and want something lively.
- Max Burry is a casual bar/ restaurant vibe, known for gourmet burgers and hearty food - perfect for ‘I skied hard and now I’m hungry’ mode.
- Lupa is perfect for when you’re craving something stylish. This Italian-themed spot serves up quality pizza, pasta, and modern dishes in a warm, comfortable setting - ideal for groups or families.
- Du côté de chez Xuân is just right for when you’re done with traditional Savoyard fare for a night. Head here for high-quality Vietnamese and other Asian cuisine. Quiet, gourmet, a refreshing change of pace.
Facilities in Saint-Gervais
Saint-Gervais offers a rich array of non-ski amenities that significantly enhance the overall holiday experience, with the Thermal Baths being the standout feature. Les Bains du Mont-Blanc provides access to established thermal water treatments and dedicated relaxation spaces, making it the perfect destination for pure indulgence and soothing tired muscles. For a unique cultural and scenic experience, the historic Tramway du Mont Blanc rack railway starts nearby (in Le Fayet) and climbs towards the glaciers, offering stunning panoramic views and a tangible connection to Alpine heritage.
The village centre also offers a range of evening and leisure activities. There is a central Ice Rink for family fun or a change of pace, and a Cinema for nights when you prefer a film. The weekly Market is ideal for strolling through the charming village lanes and picking up fresh local produce and savoury Savoyard treats. Finally, the town delivers plenty of charm and ambience through its historic architecture and various art galleries, rounding out the experience with culture and traditional mountain beauty.
Facilities for children in Saint-Gervais
If you're planning a family trip, Saint-Gervais is well worth considering, as it's exceptionally well-equipped and welcoming for all ages. The resort offers excellent ski schools, including the local ESF and other providers, with programs catering to very young children, often starting as young as three years old. For those learning to ski, the Le Bettex area is a primary asset, offering wide, safe, and sunny beginner-friendly nursery slopes that allow children to build confidence in a gentle environment.
Beyond instruction, the resort provides the necessary infrastructure for a smooth family holiday. Younger children can enjoy the dedicated fun zones and designated sledging areas, ensuring they also have a safe and enjoyable ski holiday. Furthermore, Saint-Gervais offers crèches and daycare facilities, ensuring that non-skiing adults or very young children are well looked after and that parents in mixed-ability groups can confidently enjoy the slopes.
Why choose Erna Low for Saint-Gervais skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re TOPP members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
This classic, charming town offers great skiing in the wider Evasion Mont-Blanc area.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
