Villars

Villars-sur-Ollon, often simply called Villars, is a traditional Swiss village nestled on a sun-drenched terrace in the Vaud Alps. It offers commanding views across the Rhône Valley to the majestic peaks of Mont Blanc and the Dents du Midi. This charming resort maintains a genuine, year-round community feel, boasting tree-lined streets, independent boutiques, and a more relaxed pace compared to some larger Alpine destinations. Villars has long attracted visitors seeking a mountain escape with distinct character, fresh air, and convenient access to diverse skiing.

The local Villars-Gryon ski area features 84km of pistes, ranging from 1,114m to 2,020m in altitude, all serviced by a modern lift network that includes gondolas and high-speed chairlifts. The terrain is well-balanced, offering pleasant cruising runs through woodlands and more demanding slopes higher up, particularly towards the Petit Chamossaire. An extended connection to the wider Alpes Vaudoises territory provides even more variety, including high-altitude glacier skiing at Les Diablerets. The season typically runs from mid-December until mid-April, with the varied altitude ensuring reliable snow on the upper slopes, complementing sunny lower runs that wind through the trees.

Villars' pistes gracefully descend through pine forests on the lower mountain before opening out into expansive, more exposed terrain at higher elevations, creating a varied, spacious, and unhurried skiing and snowboarding experience. On clear days, the panoramic vistas from the ridgelines are breathtaking, contributing to the mountain's enjoyable rhythm. Skiers can transition seamlessly from tree-lined blue runs to open red pistes and back, rarely feeling overcrowded.

The interconnected Alpes Vaudoises ski area comprises two primary sectors: the Villars-Gryon side, which holds the majority of intermediate and beginner-friendly terrain, and the Glacier 3000 link, accessible via the Diablerets sector, which introduces glacier skiing above 3,000m. Each area possesses its own unique character; lower slopes offer sheltered, picturesque routes, while higher terrain provides more exposed, sustained descents.

Villars is an exceptionally welcoming environment for new skiers. The nursery slopes at Bretaye are broad, gentle, and situated in a sunny, high-altitude bowl, fostering a confident start. Progression onto longer green and easy blue runs is intuitive, with quiet, well-maintained pistes allowing ample space to develop skills at one's own pace. Several ski schools provide instruction in English for both adults and children.

Beyond skiing, Villars truly caters to non-skiers. The village retains an authentic atmosphere with shops, restaurants, spas, and scenic walking trails. Highlights include the cogwheel train journey to Bretaye, day excursions to Montreux and the Lavaux vineyards, and the impressive Glacier 3000 viewing platform. The village's elevated, sunny position and panoramic views are attractions in themselves, ensuring an enjoyable holiday even without setting foot on skis.

While Villars' base elevation is 1,114m, meaning lower runs can be affected during warmer spells, the resort's upper slopes extend to 2,020m. Crucially, the connection to the Glacier 3000 area, accessible via the Diablerets sector, takes visitors to over 3,000m, providing outstanding snow security throughout the season. The season typically spans from mid-December to mid-April, and the resort actively employs snowmaking to supplement natural coverage on key pistes.

The Glacier 3000 connection offers access to high-alpine glacier terrain, where snow conditions remain reliable well into spring. This area features the famous Peak Walk suspension bridge, a viewing platform, and several excellent long runs back down. Access to Glacier 3000 is included with the Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets ski pass.