It’s only when we look back to the early days of the ski industry that we see how far we’ve come. It’s for this reason that the Les Gets lift operating company SaGets has published a beautiful new coffee table book to celebrate the characters of the mountains, titled ‘Un Domaine de Caractères’.
It’s only when we look back to the early days of the ski industry that we see how far we’ve come. It’s for this reason that the Les Gets lift operating company SaGets has published a beautiful new coffee table book to celebrate the characters of the mountains. Titled ‘Un Domaine de Caractères’ (it’s published in both French and English), the book dives deep into the inner workings of the ski resort and includes a plethora of fascinating images charting the growth of the village.
“SaGets was born 30 years ago. At that time our skis were thinner and longer, our suits were brightly-coloured and our lips were fluorescent,” recounts Mélanie Marullaz in her introduction. Of course all mountain resorts have pioneers – those locals bold enough to stake a claim in the future of winter sports. Yet the book introduces us to Les Gets pre-ski, before the war even. We see the soul of the traditional alpine village come to life, the first lift pylons erected, the first ski schools founded.
One of the very first piste maps of Les Gets is included in the book. It’s fascinating to see how the pistes and lifts have changed and expanded over the years. We’re also introduced to Marc Bergoend, former Head of Operations in the resort and with no fewer than 42 years of service under his belt. “We sort of did what we pleased,” Marc says of the early days. “To build a new piste we would chop the trees, run the bulldozer through and that was it.” When he retired, Marc had overseen the installation of over a dozen new ski lifts in Les Gets.
Les Gets is as proud of its cultural heritage and the preservation of its authentic mountain spirit as it is of its infrastructure development and forward-thinking attitude. In just 90 years the village has changed from a small peasant village to a world-class ski area. But what’s next? ‘Then and Now’ images throughout the book demonstrate the need for preservation.
The book concludes with an extensive and thorough ‘day in the life’ of resort operations during both the winter and summer months. It’s unique and fascinating to see behind the scenes as Laëtitia Anthonioz, ski patroller, prepares the pistes for opening at 08.41. Cédric Martin carries out his safety checks before opening the Ranfoilly chairlift before Noreddine Fatnassi begins his ski patrol on the Tulipe piste. Les Gets has many characters to offer us.
Un Domaine de Caractères is a book published by SaGets and is available to purchase on the SaGets website. Postage to the UK can also be arranged and we think the books make the perfect gift for the Les Gets lover in your life.
Of course Les Gets is home to several Alpine Residences developments including Kinabalu, which is brand new for the Winter 21 season. Inside you’ll find our indulgent Sapana Spa, which offers relaxing massages and energizing treatments to both Kinabalu residents and non-residents too (see the treatments menu here). Long-staying guests enjoy a 40% discount this winter as part of our Off-Piste special offer – it’s perfect if you’re tele-working or looking for a change of scenery!