Ski Holidays in Villars, Switzerland

• Snow Conditions in Villars Switzerland +

  Snow report issued:	27th Mar 12
  Last snowed:	19th Mar 12
  Fresh snow depth:	20cm
  Depth at resort:	0cm
  Mountain depth:	200cm
  Piste state:
  Good (Spring conditions across the resort)
  Weather report:
  Another glorious day
  Temperature:	7°C
  Open lifts:	30 of 34

  View Villars snow history

• Villars Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	S SE
  Very Easy Runs	0
  Easy Runs	28
  Medium Runs	46
  Difficult Runs	8
  Toughest Run Name	Bouquetins
  Skiable Vertical	900m
  Number Of Lifts	54
  Top Lift Height	3000m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	4
  Half Pipes	1
  Swimming Pools	3
  Night Clubs	1
  Mountain Restaurants	9

• Villars Piste Map+

  

• Villars Transfer Times+

  Geneva:	1 hour and 30 minutes
  Zurich:	3 hours

Villars is a classic resort located in the heart of the Vaudoises Alps, also called the Alps of the Lake Geneva Region.

The village dates back at least to Roman times and is made up today primarily of traditional Swiss chalet style buildings together with larger hotels spread out on a sunny plateau, with the huge ski areas extending high above amongst spectacular scenery.

The breathtaking panorama extends from Lake Leman to Mont Blanc. Skiing began here as far back as the 1870s and Villars was one of the first ski resorts to install lifts, in the 1930s.

Usually a lively resort and with an unusually high proportion of Swiss finishing schools, it has a happy atmosphere with busy shops and bustling bars as well as a more sophisticated side, with older clientele enjoying quality hotels containing stylish lounge bars and gourmet restaurants.

A quarter of the resort's clientele like the place so much they just come to relax there and don't actually get on to the slopes. The local people are French speaking, although English is universally spoken and understood.

The ski area extends across the slopes of the neighbouring resort of Gryon and on to Les Diablerets. It also includes the nearby Diablerets Glacier 3000 and the skiing at Leysin, creating a huge area of more than 220km (135 miles) of piste. A little over half of that is at Villars-Gryon alone.

You even have the option of paying just a few francs supplement on your six day ticket and go over to ski at Gstaad, which has another 250km (157 miles) of slopes as well!

• Skiing for Beginners+

  There are good nursery slopes, easily reached by train from the resort centre. One of the ski schools still teaches using the GLM(r) (Gradual Length Method) of tuition when beginners start on skis a metre (3 feet, 4 inches) long and then progress on to longer skis.
  
  This means they can learn the proper parallel technique from day one, rather than first learning to snow plough and then move to parallel as is normally the case.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  An excellent area for intermediates, with almost all the terrain available to them and the option to double the available trails and lifts by purchasing the Alpes Vaudoises Pass, which covers 220km (125miles) of terrain at key resorts in the area, as well as the transportation between them, in many cases.
  
  Popular runs include the fantastic 10km (six mile) long red down from Combe d'Audon.

• Advanced+

  There's a range of black runs to enjoy including with the 1.6km (1 mile) long Bouquetins run, regarded as the toughest in the area, with pitches of up to 32 percent.
  
  Other choices include the long descent from the Roc d'Orsay to Villars and shorter runs from Chaux Ronde and Petit Chamossaire down to Bretaye. Another black runs down from Croix des Chaux above Barboleuse and Gryon in to the valley at La Rasse from where the chair returns over to Villars.
  
  The local ski school can also introduce you to the region's extensive off piste opportunities all over the area, and ski touring with expert routes over at the glacier is available.

• Snowboarding at Villars+

  Villars is a major centre for boarders, with four terrain parks in the area, and excellent free riding terrain.
  
  The main snowpark on the Chaux-Ronde, and others at Glacier 3000 and at Isenau above les Diablerets, attract local and international competitions. The parks feature a half pipe, several quarters and a big selection of jumps and rails.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Villars+

  There's a lot to do in Villars when not skiing. Staying outside you can enjoy 44km of cross-country ski tracks and seven snowshoe courses as well as dog-sledding, toboggan runs and winter hiking. You can also try paragliding above.
  
  Indoor there's a swimming pool, space bowling, fitness, indoor tennis and an ice rink. The great new spa centre of Lavey-les-Bains is only 30 minutes away for wellness lovers, but there are in any case smaller spas at hotels in the resort.
  
  Although Villars has a good range of shops, shopping and casino visits are organised to Montreux (38km/23 miles), Lausanne (55km/34 miles) and Geneva (115km/67 miles).

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  With about 50 bars and restaurants you'll find both choice and an active evening scene in Villars. Popular après ski spots include el Gringos and Murphys.
  
  Restaurants vary from homely pizzerias like L'Alchimiste to the more traditional fondue specialist, Au Feu de Bois; both are on the main Rue Centrale. For something a little different try La Cantina del Toro for Mexican or L'Ecureuil for Chinese.
  
  As Villars is located in the wine-growing region of Ollon and Chablais it is important to try one of the local vintages during your stay. Facing south at the foothills of the Pre-alps, the local Ollon vineyard is completely situated on a slope, and mainly grows Chasselas, Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes.

• Ski Holidays in Villars suitable for Families+

  The ''Families are Welcome'' award that the resort has won has more meaning in Villars than at many other ski areas, as they put their money where their mouth is and don't charge children for lift tickets until age nine, and then charge a proper child price until adulthood.
  
  There are other services for children including free tubing and other activities. A nursery accepts non-skiing children from birth, and the ski school takes children aged three and older and has a special snow garden learners' area just for them, incorporating an easy to use moving carpet lift and a fun carousel.