Villars, the “paradise of the Swiss Alps”, is located at an altitude of 1,300 m, on a sunny mountain balcony, from where a grand panorama opens, covering a vast area from Lake Geneva to the French Alps.

Villars is one of the oldest ski resorts in Switzerland. In 1913, the railway to Breteuil was built, and the development of ski tourism began here. The first ski lift opened in 1936. It took tourists to Chaux Ronde. For the first time in Switzerland, a ski lift was built, on which tourists were required to fasten a large leather belt to ensure their safety. In December 1936, a sled-shaped funicular was built, which took vacationers to the top of Grand Chamossaire. It worked until 1953, after which it was replaced by a new one.

In 1938, Villars became one of the first officially recognized mountain resorts in Europe. Many ski clubs in Switzerland competed and trained on the local slopes. After World War II, Villars again became a favorite vacation spot for a variety of guests – from Formula 1 racers and royalty to the most ordinary families with children.

How to get there

The nearest international airports are: Geneva – 110 km, Zurich – 210 km.

It is more convenient to get from the airport by train. The journey will take 4 hours from Zurich and 2.5 hours from Geneva. The train goes through Lausanne with a change in Aigle or Ba. From these stations, you can get to the resort by local mountain railway train, bus or taxi (20-25 minutes).

Tracks and lifts

Map slopes

Villars-Grillon offers great skiing right at the door of the chalets and hotels, and is great for families and thrill seekers alike.

The picturesque region combines five ski areas connected by slopes and lifts: Villars – Grillon – Meilleret – Isenau – Glacier 3000, all with a single contactless ski pass.

Three completely different and beautiful valleys, a glacier at 3000 meters and amazing skiing for every taste. And if that’s not enough, you can go to our neighbors, the resorts of Leysin and Le Moss: the ski pass gives you access to 225 km of slopes (71 lifts). Glacier skiing is automatically included in any ski pass valid for 3 days or more.

Most of the Villars and Le Diablerets runs are spacious blues and not difficult reds, so the whole family should be delighted.

Those who crave good virgin land should head to Glacier 3000, where several interesting freeride routes with an impressive height difference start. Heli-ski tours also start from the same place.

The Villars ski area is very diverse and picturesque. Children will love the easy, gentle slopes and special lifts, both in the resort itself and in Bretaye. Experienced skiers will be pleased with the variety of red and black runs that run through the forest and very picturesque places.

The longest ski track – Bouquetin, 5 km (start – 2100 m, finish – 1250 m, drop altitude – 900 m)

Carving slopes – 100 km

Cross-country ski trails – 44 km

Longest flat trail – 7 km (start – 1715 m, finish – 1800 m, elevation gain – 300 m)

Toboggan run – 1500 m (start – 1500 m, finish – 1300 m, elevation gain – 200 m)

7 snowshoe trails

Artificial snow area – 7%

The Villars-Grillon ski area has four fun parks with three quarterpipes. Glacier 3000 has a beautiful snow park with jump lines of varying difficulty, slopestyle trails and jibbing rails. New school snowboarders and skiers will have a great time here.

Due to the proximity of Lake Geneva and the peculiarities of the microclimate, there is a lot of snow in Villars at the end of January and February-March. Since there are quite a few forest slopes here, you can develop quite interesting routes of varying difficulty. The lifts connect four ski regions. A single ski pass allows you to ski on all the slopes (most of them are blue and red), including the neighboring ones – in the resorts of Leyzan and Le Moss.

One of the most interesting runs leads from Chaux Ronde to the bottom of the gorge, in La Rasse; from here you can move to the Grijon sector, to the slopes of Le Chaux (2020 m). A very picturesque skiing area for experienced skiers is located on Petit Chamossaire, in good weather you can go off-piste towards the village of Vers l’eglise or return to the chairlift at Chaux Ronde. A more difficult off-piste route runs along the Croix des Chaux slope, to the left of the blue run. It leads to the ancient village of Taveyannaz. Off-piste skiing from the Glacier 3000 glacier above Diablerets requires not only some experience, but also the participation of a guide.

It should be noted that in the height of the season there is a snow park in Villars, next to which there is a lounge bar with palm trees, from where it is good to admire Mont Blanc. For those who are determined, the large Glacier 3000 park is open on the Diableret glacier throughout the season (usually from the end of October until May), focused on freestylers and snowboarders. In the off-season, this park is often chosen by professional athletes for training.

Cross-country ski trails are laid around and above Villars. In a short time, you can reach very picturesque areas, for example, the ancient shepherd village, where houses from the 17th century have been preserved, or the sheer cliffs in the Solalex area. Around Diableret, 30 km of classic trails and 15 km of ice skating trails are prepared.

Villars also take care of those people who, for some reason, cannot ski on their own (people with disabilities, the elderly, children, etc.). There is a tandem ski system here – skiing in a special “ski” sled, which is driven by an instructor from behind, usually lasts an hour or two and costs 55 francs.

Not only skiing

Skating, sledding, dog sledding – all this is possible in Villar. The resort has indoor and outdoor skating rinks. The first is in the resort’s sports center, the second is in Grisons, not far from the train station. The longest toboggan run in the region (more than seven kilometers) is also located in Diablerets. Twice a week, night skiing is possible on it with dinner in a mountain restaurant and subsequent mulled wine. You can go up on the chairlift (Vioz – Mazots), near the lower station of which you can rent a sled (14 CHF for adults, 7 CHF for children – for day skiing). In addition, dog sledding is organized on the Glacier 3000 mountain. During the trip, you can not only understand how such an unusual crew is operated, but also learn interesting facts about the life of huskies and huskies. Cost – 15 CHF (adult), 8 CHF (child up to 14 years).

Children’s holidays

The resort has ski schools for children and kindergartens: Villars Ski School offers classes for children from three years old. La Trottinette kindergarten offers classes for children from 2 months to 6 years old. Swiss Ski & Snowboard School offers kindergarten and skiing lessons (for children from 4 years old). Le Chamois has a kids’ club, and Diablodocus Park has part of the children’s ski school, where skiing lessons and childcare are offered. Ski passes for children under 9 years old are free. In addition to skiing, you can have a great time with your kids on the ice rink and snowshoes, and you should definitely take a ride on the snowy night track on a sled in Diableret.

At the tourist office you can rent the necessary equipment for babies – strollers, kangaroos, car seats, carriers, high chairs, bathtubs and cots. Above the station building in the center of the resort there is a free ski area for beginners, where several children’s lifts operate. You can go up to the large “kindergarten” and ski schools on the Bretaye meadow by train. A few steps from the station there is a large children’s ski stadium, where a baby lift and a toboggan run work, there is a mini-slalom track, houses, wigwams and small jumps. For those who do not ski directly in Bretaye there are small toboggan runs, a longer (2 km) and difficult one, which starts above the Сol du Soud train stop and comes to Villars. In Friancy there is a toboggan run, on which a special children’s lift operates.

Excursions and Après-ski

Villars has an amazing number of picturesque places. For example, from the top of Grand Chamossaire, an idyllic panorama opens: Mont Blanc, the Swiss peaks of the Bernese Highlands, valleys, towns, lakes. From the neighboring mountain Petit Chamossaire, you can see the resort of Leysin in all its glory, the beautiful valley and Lake Geneva. But the most impressive panorama in the region can boast Glacier 3000. Having climbed to the top, you will see not only Mont Blanc and its neighbors, but also almost all the Swiss four-thousanders. It should be noted that one of the most amazing places in the region is Solalex, located above Gryon. Millions of years ago there was an ancient sea here, and when it left, steep cliffs remained, going vertically upwards and forming an impressive bowl. If you are going to have dinner in this place, get ready for a small adventure. The restaurant can only be reached on foot, on ski touring skis or a snowmobile (it is sent when booking a place in the restaurant). You will have to make a not too tiring, but very beautiful way to the restaurant, which offers incredibly delicious fondue, raclette and other traditional dishes.

Just half an hour from Villars are the legendary towns of Montreux and Vevey, a little further – Lausanne and Geneva with their endless opportunities for shopping and entertainment. Between Montreux and Villeneuve is one of the most beautiful monuments in Switzerland – Chillon Castle. In the 11th century, there was a small fortress on this site, guarding an important trade route leading to Italy through the Saint Bernard Pass. In the middle of the 13th century, the castle became what it is today: it majestically rises on a small rocky island, reflected in Lake Geneva.

Near Lake Geneva, half an hour’s drive from Villars, there is an Aquapark in Le Bouveret. Its area is 8,000 sq. m. There are all kinds of slides of varying heights and difficulty, a wave pool, a pirate ship, a lazy river and other attractions. The park has a beauty center, saunas and a pool for adults. The cost is 39 CHF for children and 49 CHF for adults.

And be sure to visit the Lavy les Bains spa, also located 30 minutes’ drive from Villars, with thermal springs, swimming pools and saunas. Here you can not only relax after a busy sports day, but also take a full-fledged wellness course.

Where to dine

The resort has many restaurants serving both traditional and international cuisine. Among them, it is worth noting, for example, the unusual Le Peppino (here they mix ingredients in unexpected combinations to prepare dishes, for example, they prepare salads from inflorescences), the gastronomic Le Jardin des Alpes (operates in the only five-star hotel of the Chalet Royalp resort, serves exquisite dishes here), the mountain CaféRestaurant L’Etable (they prepare, among other things, excellent lamb) and others. In general, there is no place in Villars that would be “unpalatable”.

Where to stay

Among the hotels in the resort, it is worth highlighting the Domaine de La Croix de Javernaz 4 * and Eurotel Victoria 4 * (both designed in a traditional Alpine style), Hotel du Golf 4 * (a family hotel with a wellness center), Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa 5 * , Les Mazots du Clos (a boutique hotel with a spa complex), Alpe Fleurie 3 * (a design hotel), Chalet Petit Roc 4 * (a family hotel) and many others.

Domaine de La Croix de Javernaz 4 star hotel

Chalet La Croix de Javernaz is located 500 metres from Villars Train Station and offers apartments with stunning views facing south. Deer and mountain goats are frequent visitors to this alpine area.

The chalet’s sauna is free of charge all year round, and the swimming pool is open from 15 May to 15 October. Guests can also relax and enjoy the beautiful view from their private balcony.

All apartments have a Nespresso coffee machine with free capsules. Bed linen is included in the price.

A breakfast basket can be delivered to the apartments upon request. Gluten-free and lactose-free products are available. You can also order everything you need to prepare the national Swiss dish, Raclette. Please place your order at least 48 hours before arrival. Fresh meals can be ordered and delivered to your apartment.

Chalet Petit Roc 4 star hotel

Chalet Petit Roc is located in Villars-sur-Ollon, 1 km from Roc d’Orsay Ski Lift. It offers a balcony, a garden and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. Villars-Grillon / Le Diableret Ski Lift is 1 km away.

The chalet has 5 bedrooms, a TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 3 bathrooms with a shower.

If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings.

Chorond 1 and Lac Noir-Cho Rond Ski Lifts are 6 km from Petit Roc Villars Ollon.

Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa 5-star hotel

Five-star hotel Chalet RoyAlp & Spa розташований недалеко від гірськолижних схилів і гольф-клубу Villars, що дозволить гостям відмінно провести час як взимку, так і влітку. На лижах можна доїхати прямо до вхідних дверей готелю. Крім цього, в готелі працюють 2 ресторани і ексклюзивний спа-салон.

У готелі також є критий басейн з відкритим каміном, гідромасажна ванна, сауна, парова лазня, фітнес-центр і зона відпочинку.

Готель Le Chalet RoyAlp & Spa, що входить в консорціум Leading Hotels of the World, поєднує в собі чарівність гірського лоджа і вишуканість сучасного готелю класу люкс. Всі номери індивідуально оформлені в альпійському стилі. У власній ванній кімнаті надаються халати і туалетно-косметичні приналежності.

Ресторан Jardin des Alpes з затишною атмосферою підходить для відвідування з дітьми. Шеф-кухар спеціалізується на французькій кухні і готує страви зі свіжих продуктів, доставлених з ферми. Вишукані сучасні страви від шеф-кухаря приготовлені з ретельним добором кожного інгредієнта.

У барі BeAr’s з терасою, звідки відкривається вид на гори, можна замовити закуски. У зимовий період працює ресторан Grizzly, оформлений в стилі альпійського шале, де подають страви традиційної швейцарської кухні.

Крім того, в залі, що примикає до головної кухні, готують страви на замовлення, а гості можуть повечеряти в компанії шеф-кухарів.

Влітку у вартість проживання входить карта Free Access, яка дає право на безкоштовне відвідування різних заходів в селищі Віллар.

Les Mazots du Клос

Готель Les Mazots du Clos розташований в 700 м від Рок д’Орсе в Віллар-сюр-Оллон. До послуг гостей прямий доступ до лижних схилах, приміщення для зберігання лиж, турецька лазня і спа-центр. Надається безкоштовний Wi-Fi.

Щодня в готелі типу «ночівля із сніданком» сервірується континентальний сніданок.

У розпорядженні гостей готелю Les Mazots du Clos сауна і гідромасажна ванна. Гості можуть пограти в настільний теніс або скористатися послугами бізнес-центру.

Гості можуть поплавати у відкритому басейні, відправитися в похід або покататися на лижах, відпочити в саду і скористатися приладдям для барбекю.

Гірськолижні курорти Віллар-Грійон / Ле-Дьяблере знаходяться в 700 м від готелю, а підйомник Шоронд-1 – в 6 км.

Eurotel Victoria 4-зірковий готель

Готель Eurotel Victoria розташований недалеко від центру Віллар-сюр-Оллон, в кантоні Во, і пропонує Вам затишні номери, безкоштовний багатий сніданок “шведський стіл” і плавальний басейн.

У всіх номерах з видом на долину є балкон. Номери в готелі дуже просторі і чудово підійдуть парам з дітьми.

Сніданок “шведський стіл” і вечері з 4 страв пропонуються Вам в ресторані Quatre Saisons. В готелі Eurotel Victoria також є ресторан а-ля-карт, який пропонує вишукані французькі страви і страви італійської кухні.

Взимку, до ваших послуг більше 120 км лижних схилів і 45 підйомників. Готель Eurotel Victoria знаходиться за 400 метрів від канатної дороги Roc d’Orsay і в 5 хвилинах ходьби від залізничної станції Villars.