Villars and the nearby village of Gryon combine to make a likeable resort, with a good range of pistes for intermediate skiers and boarders linking up with the runs at Les Diablerets. Being one of the closest Swiss resorts to Geneva Airport Villars is a package holiday favourite, but is rarely very busy except during school holidays. The resorts of the Alpes Vaudois boast a summit of 3000 metres, but this refers to the glacier above Les Diablerets - which is not linked. Above Villars the highest point is actually 2020 metres at Croix des Chaux. Access to the ski area is either by the train from Villars to Bretaye, the Roc D'Orsay gondola form Chesières or the slightly less well connected Barboleuse gondola at Gryon.
Villars is probably the easiest significant ski resort to get to from Geneva Airport, with direct trains to Aigle and Bex (pronounced 'Bay'). Villars is 30m from Aigle by bus and around 40m by train from Bex, then the best way up is the train to Bretaye. By car, the easiest access to the slopes is from the free car park at the Roc D'Orsay gondola in Chesières.
Sky and Rail
The nearest airport to Villars is Geneva. There is a railway station in the airport, with one change for trains to the resort.
Best of the Slopes at Villars
The runs off Grand Chamossaire and Les Chaux are lovely cruisy runs which can be extended all the way down to Villars and Gryon respectively. There is some reasonable off-piste in Villars, mostly under or near the runs of the chairlifts. It is worth booking a guide to access the best of the off-piste.
Where to Eat and Party in Villars
Lac des Chavonnes (+41 24 495 21 31) at the bottom of the Petit Chamossaire chairlift is renowned for its cuisine. Le Mazot (+41 24 492 10 23), on the Les Diablerets side of the resort has lovely views to enjoy while you have your lunch break. In the evening the Cookie Bar & Restaurant on Rte de Solalex in Gryon (+41 24 498 22 33) and La Gourmandine in Villars (+41 24 495 17 43) are recommended. Both for lunch and dinner places can get busy and you may want to book if you want table service. Charlie's bar is a popular place to begin après ski.
Getting to Villars by Train
The best destination to access the downhill slopes by public transport in this ski area is Villars-sur-Ollon. Change to the BVB rack railway to take you to the heart of the pistes.
