Sitemap

Villars

As posh, polished Swiss resorts go, Villars takes the cake. But there’s a hidden side to this family resort, despite its picturesque chalets and smart hotels. Its mountains form the first 3000m barrier on the north-west side of the Alps, collecting whatever weather comes that way, and there’s more fun to be had between the slopes and up on the neighbouring Diablerets glacier than they used to admit to, making this a contender for mixed ability groups whose strongest skiers want some excitement nearly as much as the rest want a good lunch.
 

Our Rating:

Advanced **
Intermediate ***
Beginner ****
Villars has pedigree in ski resort terms. For years it has been on the map as one of the classic places to take a winter holiday. There are excellent hotels, very fine dining both on the slopes and in the village, and it's all within easy reach of Geneva, making weekend breaks simple. The combination of reasonably extensive skiing and a partly wooded village, with chalets set among pockets of trees, makes it a strong contender as a family resort, but with the emphasis on quality. It's not for nothing that more than one Formula One star owns property around here, along with plenty of others in the rich and famous bracket, who come to get away from it all.

While Villars' pisted offerings haven't altered significantly in years, with little in the way of new lifts, the area's off piste potential is opening up. It's only one hour away from overcrowded Verbier, so guides are starting to bring clients over in the certain knowledge that they'll have the backcountry to themselves. And though the terrain isn't huge or particularly challenging in resort, the steepest routes on the glacier are impressive.

Villars at a glance
 

On the mountain

Ski area

Mid-size Villars offers sufficient variety on the slopes, but its lift system is a limitation. The link-up with the glacier at Les Diablerets is a real boon.
more...

 

Lift system

The lift system at Villars is vintage and getting up the mountain, particularly in high season, can be slow. Once there expect many draglifts, also in Les Diablerets.
more...

 

Ski schools & guiding

There are two good ski schools and one snowboard school at Villars.
more...

 

Advanced

There are a few black runs at Villars, but the limited vertical makes most advanced skiers escape to Les Diablerets.
more...

 

Intermediate

The entire Villars ski area is within the grasp of most skiers and adjoining Les Diablerets offers an exciting day out.
more...

 

Beginner

Villars is very beginner-friendly, with good access to nursery slopes and easy runs as well as great views and ambience.
more...

 

Boarding & freestyle

Villars has two snowparks, and there's a halfpipe and funpark at Les Diablerets, but the many draglifts are, erm, a drag.
more...

 

Off-piste

Off-piste opportunities are mostly easy to find in Villars, many between-the-pistes and some ‘off the back’.
more...

 

Mountain restaurants

Apart from the functional self-service places, Villars has some excellent mountain restaurants, but you need to book.
more...

 

Ski Map

open Ski map Ski map

Off the mountain

Village

Villars' charming wooden chalets are set between trees on a sunny, south-facing mountain side.
more...

 

Accommodation

Villars has several three- and four-star hotels, but renting a chalet, many of which are conveniently located near the slopes, is a good alternative.
more...

 

Après-ski

There's not much apres-ski on the mountain, but Villars itself has a few good bars and nightclubs.
more...

 

Restaurants & bars

Most of Villars' restaurants are located in its hotels; some, such as La Renardière, serve exceptional food.
more...

 

Other information

Family-friendly Villars has many non-ski activities on offer, with mountain walking and cross-country skiing favourites.
more...

 

Getting there

Villars is within easy reach of Geneva, by train or car.
more...

 

 

Navigation

Quick access

Resort shortcuts

Advertise your business on Ultimate-Ski.com

Promote your business on Ultimate-Ski.com in a full page advertisement and reach our targeted audience of skiers and snowboarders.

Search Site

Custom Search

GoogleAds