Skiing information
At Villars Gryon there are two interconnected areas for skiing:-
'Les Chaux' skiing is accessed using the Barboleuse ski telecabin which rises to a large sunny ski plateau at Les Chaux with a good restaurant and an excellent area for novice skiers and young children. From the plateau there is access to skiing of all standards.
'Bretaye' skiing is accessed from either the telecabine at Villars or by using the picturesque rack and pinion mountain train up to the Col de Bretaye from Villars (for which you can use your ski pass). The train station is in the centre of Villars just behind the Post Office and the journey takes a very pleasant 20 minutes. Both forms of travel afford spectacular views in both Winter and Summer. This area is linked to the ‘Les Chaux’ area by a speedy chair lift.
This is a spectacular and easy way to start the day for skiers, non-skiers and children alike. At the top Bretaye is situated on a sunny terrace with the meeting place for all 3 ski / snowboard schools, 2 nursery lifts so beginners can learn to ski at high altitude with good snow (1800 metres) and two restaurants. Ideal for groups of mixed abilities so skiers and non-skiers can meet for lunch.
At Bretaye, the ‘Villars Ski Open’ runs throughout the ski season. It is a popular race open to all and including all disciplines. Bretaye can also be reached via the Roc d'Orsay cable car and a short run down.
Three different ski / snowboard schools ensure a high standard of instruction and smaller classes than you might otherwise expect.
- The "Riders" school teaches snowboarding exclusively.
- The 'Moderne Ski School' teaches 'ski evolutif' - the short ski method where you learn to ski parallel from day one and gradually progress to longer skis during the week.
For children and beginners there is a nursery lift in the village.
In high season there is a weekly torch-lit descent from Bretaye.
An excursion to the glacier at Les Diablerets is an outing that everyone can enjoy. Non-skiers can take the bus while skiers can ski over the top of Meilleret 1949m and down to Les Diablerets. A 200 metre walk across the village, then either a shuttle bus to the Col du Pillon cable-car base station or a cable-car and drag lift up the other side of Les Diablerets, before skiing down to Reusch the Col du Pillon cable-car.
At the top, the new panoramic restaurant offers spectacular views. On a clear day the triple peaks of the Eiger, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc can all be seen. Skiing on the glacier is wide and exhilarating, whilst the Combe d'Audon run down the back provides some of the best skiing in the area.
