We Sent our Digital Editor, Jim to Check Out the Pistes of La Giettaz – Here’s What He Found

From my usual vantage point on the slopes of La Clusaz, I’ve often gazed across the valley at the pistes of La Giettaz and Combloux. Truthfully? They never looked all that tempting. Low-slung slopes. Old-looking lifts. I figured there wasn’t much to write home about.

But when a mate described La Giettaz as a secret stash worth discovering, curiosity got the better of me. And I’m glad it did.

First Impressions: Is La Giettaz Too Low?

Let’s address the altitude elephant in the room. Les Portes du Mont Blanc, which includes La Giettaz, starts at 1,020m and tops out at 1,930m. That’s modest by Alpine standards, especially with Mont Blanc looming nearby.

But altitude isn’t everything. I expected patchy snow and forgettable runs. I was wrong. When the snow is on, this place delivers.

What Is Les Portes du Mont Blanc?

This ski area includes La Giettaz, Combloux, Cordon, and the Le Jaillet sector of Megève. It offers 100km of pistes. You can upgrade to the full Évasion Mont Blanc domain for over 400km of skiing, including Megève, Saint Gervais, and Les Contamines. But for this trip, I stayed within the local slopes. More than enough for a long weekend or a laid-back week.

Key Stats:

• Day pass: €65
• 6-day pass: €308
• Slopes: 64 (11 green, 17 blue, 28 red, 8 black)
• Lifts: 29
• Top altitude: 1,930m

Mellow Cruising in Combloux

I kicked off in Combloux, the part you can spot from the motorway to Chamonix. It’s ideal for beginners and cruisers. Gentle blues and greens meander through pine forests. The vibe is thoroughly rustic. Expect quirky mountain huts and hearty sandwiches rather than fine dining. Though you’ll find hidden gems if you know where to look.

The Fun Starts in La Giettaz

The real magic lies on the La Giettaz and Les Choseaux side. Sure, it takes a couple of creaky chairlifts to get there. But the payoff is huge. A 6km blue run winds scenically through forested terrain. Pure joy on skis. Red and black runs here are steeper and more engaging than you’d expect from a resort at this altitude.

La Giettaz has a freeride edge too. Wooded slopes mean great tree skiing and visibility in poor weather. The off-piste is easy to access, rarely tracked out, and forgiving enough for confident intermediates to test their powder legs.

Is It for Experts?

If you’re chasing adrenaline-pumping chutes or technical steeps, look elsewhere. The terrain is generally mellow. But for tree-hugging powder turns and peaceful piste-bashing, it’s blissfully good. Especially after a fresh dump of snow.

The Verdict: Will I Be Back?

Absolutely. La Giettaz isn’t flashy or vast, but it oozes charm, delivers quality terrain, and costs less than its glitzier neighbours. On a powder day or when you’re craving something off the beaten path, it’s an absolute winner.