Villars

• Beginners

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• Intermediates

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• Experts

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• Snow Record

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• Families

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• Charm

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• Apres Ski

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• Weekends

Pretty and chic with village atmosphere. Sunny intermediate resort with access to high glacier skiing at 3000m. Short transfers makes it a great resort for weekends. Winner of the Swiss “Family Welcome” award.

In favour of Villars

Villars is a compact village, which until last season relied on the 20-minute mountain funicular train or cable car to get to Bretaye to start the day for skiers, non skiers and children alike. Now the high speed 8 person gondola reaches the 2000m summit in 7 minutes, transporting 2000 people an hour. The top of Bretaye is situated on a sunny terrace with the meeting place for all 3 ski/snowboard schools with 2 nursery lifts so beginners can learn to ski at high altitude (1800 metres) as well as 3 restaurants.

Ideal for groups of mixed abilities so skiers and non-skiers can meet for lunch.

An excursion to the glacier at Les Diablerets is an outing that everyone can enjoy. Non-skiers can take the bus (although a lengthy process) while skiers can ski over the top of Meilleret. At the top the new panoramic restaurant offers spectacular views. On a good day you can see the Eiger, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

Disadvantages

Cars useful but roads can be congested - we recommend rooms facing away from Main Street. Villars (only 1300m) best skied before end March. The link to Les Diablerets is quite long.

Non-skiing Activities

Good shopping - clothing, watches, chocolates galore! 60km of cleared paths for walking and snowshoeing, sledging and even groomed paths for mothers with pushchairs! Non-skiers can enjoy a beautiful walk in the sunshine around the lake of Bretaye at 1800 metres. Here there are two restaurants where non-skiers can join skiers for lunch. Artificial ice rink, indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis, squash, fitness centre, bowling alley. Shopping excursions to Montreux (30km) or relax in the thermal bath of Lavey-les-Bains (20km). A choice of restaurants and bars, one nightclub.