Villars is only 90 minutes' drive from Geneva airport and it's even closer to the smaller international airport at Sion. True romantics can come by train, using the scenic cog railway from Bex to Villars. Nearest Airports to Villars-Gryon and...
Villars
Villars is posh, polished and very Swiss, with its mountain railway, picturesque chalets, elegant restaurants and smart hotels. It's also one of the best family ski resorts close to Geneva, with a ski area that stretches across to Les Diablerets, Gryon and high, snowsure Glacier 3000.
Villars sur Ollon has a long pedigree as a ski resort. It has been one of the classiest places to take a winter holiday for over a century, and traditionalists can still use the old mountain railway to get to the slopes although there are modern lifts as well. The resort has more than its fair share of smart restaurants, luxury hotels, and rich and famous residents who jet in and out at weekends taking advantage of the short transfers from Geneva airport, but there is very little ostentatious glitz and bling. Instead Villars is charming, discreet and very family-oriented with good nursery slopes and child-friendly ski schools.
And you don’t have to be a well-heeled family or jet-set weekender to like the mid-sized ski area that Villars shares with Les Diablerets, Gryon and Bex which includes a snowsure glacier (‘Glacier 3000‘) at the far end. Some of Verbier’s mountain guides bring clients here, knowing that they’ll have the backcountry largely to themselves, and the mountains above Villars form the first 3000m barrier on the north-west side of the Alps that powder-laden snow storms encounter. Challenges on the piste, however, are limited: the long black and red runs coming down from Glacier 3000 to Reusch are the best of a very small bunch. But that does not matter to the novices and relaxed intermediate skiers who come to Villars year after year. They relish the resort’s short, sunny, gentle red and blue runs which are subtly replenished at night with artificial snow (provided it’s cold enough). Only in a warm spring does the ski area contract sharply, and even then there will always be skiing at Glacier 3000, but that’s quite a slog to get to from Villars, so many holidaymakers simply hang up their skis and take up other activities such as walking on prepared mountain paths, tobogganing, skating and swimming in indoor pools. Or they just spend more time at lunch, because the smart restaurants in town are mirrored by ones that are just as good up the mountain.
Helpful Links
- Accommodation in Villars and Les Diablerets. Hotels, Guesthouses, Chalets, Self-Catering Apartments… Read more ;>
- How to get to Villars . Nearest Airports and Railway Stations, Airport Transfers… Read more >
- Ski Schools & Guides in Villars. Ski & Snowboard Schools, Off-Piste Mountain Guides, Private Instructors… Read more >
- Discounted ski and board rental in Villars and Les Diablerets:
- SKISET has several ski hire outlets in Villars and will give discounts of up to 50% if you book online in advance here.
- ALPINRESORTS.com also works with shope in Villars, Les Diablerets and Gryon and will arrange discounts of up to 60% if book through this link.
Villars Pros & Cons
+ Excellent restaurants on and off the slopes
+ Beginner-friendly, mid sized ski area
+ Mountain railways add to the appeal
+ Quick and easy to get to from Geneva
+ High snowsure glacier at Glacier 3000
+ Good off-piste with a guide
– Expensive
– Long journey to and from glacier
– Non glacier slopes are not snowsure
– Very few challenging pistes
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Villars Accommodation It's probably no surprise that Villars sur Ollon and Les Diablerets have some luxury hotels and extremely smart chalets. But there are also modestly-priced hotels and guesthouses and no shortage of self-catering apartments. Most of the hotels also...
There are five ski and snowboard schools in Villars. Book Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Villars online Looking for private or group ski lessons? Ultimate-Ski and partner CheckYeti work with leading ski schools and ski instructors in over 500...
Villars Ski Area Mid-size Villars offers sufficient variety on the slopes, and its ski lift system is nearing the end of a major refurbishment programme. The link-up with the glacier at Les Diablerets is a useful option. Neither exceptionally big...
Villars Ski Lifts & Lift Passes The ski lift system at Villars has undergone an extensive replacement and refurbishment programme and the queues of the past are now largely confined to memory. Villars Ski Lifts The choice of train or...
Beginner Skiing in Villars Villars is very beginner-friendly, with good access to nursery slopes and easy runs as well as breathtaking views and ambience. Beginner Skiing in Villars With the beginner-friendly train providing easy access to the upper mountain and...
Villars Intermediates The entire Villars ski area is within the grasp of most skiers and adjoining Les Diablerets offers an exciting day out. Without the almost endless mileage associated with the biggest piste-bashing resorts, Villars' terrain delivers good skiing for...
Advanced & Expert Skiing in Villars There are a few black runs at Villars, but the limited vertical makes most advanced skiers escape to Les Diablerets. Villars is not traditionally where you come for serious skiing. But a day or...
Villars Boarding Villars has two snowparks, and there's a halfpipe and funpark at Les Diablerets. But the glacier draglifts – which work best on glacier terrain - are, as it were, a bit of a drag for boarders. There are...
Villars Mountain Restaurants Apart from the functional self-service places, Villars has some excellent mountain restaurants, but you'll normally need to book to be sure of getting a table. The quality of the mountain restaurants above Villars is good news, but...
Villars Village Villars' charming wooden chalets are set between trees on a sunny, south-facing mountainside and the main street through the village centre maintains the unhurried dignity that you would expect of a senior Swiss ski resort. Though it has...
Villars Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants There's not much apres-ski on the mountain, but Villars itself has several good bars and plenty of restaurants including hotel restaurants and some, such as La Renardiere serve exceptional food. Villars Apres-Ski Don't go...
Villars Other Activities Family-friendly Villars has many other activities on offer, with mountain walking and cross-country skiing among the favourites in addition to skiing. In keeping with its family-friendly status, there are good alternatives to skiing. Walking paths and extensive...