Villars - Introduction
Villars is linked to the neighbouring resort of Les Diablerets, and offers a wide range of skiing for all abilities. Perfect for a relaxing family holiday, Villars offers great nursery slopes, fairly extensive intermediate slopes and some great off piste for the advanced skier. There are a good selection of restaurants from pizzerias to top gastronomic eateries.
Skiing
The skiing available at the resort is part of the massive Villars-Gryon-Diablerets-Glacier3000 linked ski area, with over 125km of piste in total, all available with the 1 area lift pass. The Skipass also covers the areas of Les Mosses and Leysin too (via a bus link) giving a final total of 220km of pistes! Beginners are well provided for by the easy slopes near the mountain railway, whilst Intermediates are undoubtedly the best served with the wealth of runs from Le Mazot, and experts can head for the challenge of the Combe d'Audon run.
Snowboarding
Villars caters for boarders as well as skiers, with its own snowpark in Villars-Bretaye with hips, rails, jumps, DJ bar and terrace, whilst in the wider, linked ski area there are 4 snowparks in total. (Glacier, Diablerets, Villars, Gryon), with the glacier boasting a 300m length and 80m width as well as a half pipe, allowing boarders of all abilities to practise getting some air. There is also some superb free-riding territory for those who crave a challenge.
Ski Schools
There are two ski and board schools offering a great choiceb of different ski and board courses to suit all ages and abilities.
Eating Out
The resort is very popular with families, and so there are plenty of places to eat. Places of note include the ''Sporting'' for pizza and the Vieux-Villars for local specialities, whilst on the mountain itself there are 7 restaurants. With a wide range of restaurants offering alpine flower cuisine, swiss cheese and; traditional, French and; Italian cuisine, there will no doubt be something to suit most people.
Bars and clubs
Although Villars is a relatively small village, the nightlife is quite lively. Live music bars are popular, with venues such as Murphy’s, Piano-Bar Le Coq Hardi Harambee Café, Villar's Jazz Bar, L'Horizon, Charlie's Bar, Bowling Snack-Bar and Le Blues Bar ALL boasting live music or DJ’s every night throughout the winter season. After closing time, the more hardcore can head to the Plaza El Gringo nightclub, with its guest DJ’s open til 4am.
Off the slopes
Off the slopes, guests at Villars can enjoy ice skating, curling, paragliding, snowshoeing, winter walking, bowling, swimming, various other sports at the sports centre and excursions to the nearby historic towns of Montreux and Lausanne. Nearby, the village of Ollons has a castle, and wine-production, and the village of Gryon offers a picturesque church and the ''Maison du Terroir'' which sells the products and works of regional artisans. Finally, the village of St. Triphon boasts a botanical garden with over 4000 species of plants and dates back to the Bronze age.