Ferme de Montagne, Les Gets, Haute Savoie – Luxury Ski Chalet, France

There’s a small chalet-hotel in the alpine village of Les Gets, just an hour from Geneva, that is producing amazing food for its lucky guests. Dinner at the Farm is a gastronomic treat that you don’t really expect in a ski resort. In January 2015 I wrote this article about the fabulous Ferme de Montagne. Now more than two years later, I am back, it is just as good AND the snow is amazing

Review – January 2015: A starter of salmon gravadlax with sweet pickled vegetables and a gin and tonic gel is a delicious creation. It’s original and full of flavour. The combination of the salmon and the gel intensifies with each mouthful. And that’s just the start of a nightly gastronomic experience.

The kitchen cooks for about 16 guests each evening. The quality of the food, the service and the ambiance is quite exceptional. Eating in the dining room a few nights ago I found myself watching a well choreographed dance as the service of the dinner progressed from ‘amuse bouche’ through numerous courses of well thought out and beautifully presented plates.

Lucy and Sophie in the restaurant

Braised beef shin, rate potatoes and infused with thyme

The friendly bar men

Each dish is enthusiastically and eloquently explained by dedicated staff members. Tara, the restaurant manager. Meanwhile Elliott, behind the bar is mixing delicious cocktails including an Espresso Martini and a fantastic looking Mojito. All fresh ingredients and delicious flavours.

It’s always a challenge to find really good food in the mountains, especially in ski resorts. Here in Les Gets the Ferme de Montagne is producing the highest quality menus every evening for its lucky guests. Even if you don’t ski it is worth a trip to sample the delights of the kitchen. What’s even more impressive is that the chalet, as a seasonal business, is almost completely restaffed every season. Each year a new team has to be interviewed, selected, and trained. A few days at The Dorchester on Park Lane, London is part of the initiation. It sets the standard required of the staff. As a regular visitor to the ‘Ferme’ I have to say that this year’s team is probably one of the best!

Ferme de Montagne is owned and run by Suzanne Dixon-Hudson and her charming architect-husband Henry. The restaurant is open every evening (except Wednesday) from December until about 20th April. If you find yourself in the Geneva area, then take a detour to Les Gets, it’s about an hour south of Lac Leman and well worth the visit. Don’t forget to order an Espresso Martini!

STOP PRESS – Ferme de Montagne has won the Trip Advisor 2016 Certificate of Excellence – Congratulations to all the team!

UPDATE – December 2017: The Ferme de Montagne goes from strength to strength. This fabulous and unique boutique hotel offers a truly relaxing skiing experience, with super comfortable rooms, brilliant and attentive staff and fabulous food. As far as skiing is concerned, the Portes du Soleil ski area is on your door step. Miles of runs, easy, medium and hard, perfect for all levels of skier. The snow this year is just wonderful – we’ve had four days of excellent pre-season skiing.

The Ferme de Montagne is located in La Turche, a small hamlet just outside Les Gets.

• To contact the Ferme: www.fermedemontagne.com
• 1020 Route de la TurcheLa Turche74260 Les GetsFrance
• Tel : +33 (0) 4 50 75 36 79
• enquiries@fermedemontagne.com

A wonderful ski resort – just one hour from Geneva Airport. Strongly recommended!