Villars-sur-Ollon: skiing between Bretaye, Gryon and Les Diablerets

Introduction

Villars-sur-Ollon lies at approximately 1,250 metres above sea level on a sunny terrace overlooking the Rhône Valley in the Swiss canton of Vaud. The village offers views of the Dents du Midi, the Grand Muveran massif and, in clear weather, Mont Blanc.

Together with Gryon and Les Diablerets, Villars forms a connected ski area with approximately 104 kilometres of pistes. The slopes extend from around 1,200 to 2,113 metres and include wide blue pistes, varied red routes and several black runs.

Reserve your ski hire in Villars-sur-Ollon online in advance with SKiSET. Choose skis, boots, a helmet or a snowboard suited to your ability and planned activities.

A sunny village in the Vaud Alps

Villars combines traditional wooden chalets with hotels, apartments, restaurants and shops. The buildings are spread across the mountainside, and many accommodation options provide open views over the Rhône Valley.

The village can be reached by train from Bex. Local buses connect the centre, accommodation areas, railway station and Roc d’Orsay gondola.

Its relaxed atmosphere and extensive facilities make Villars particularly suitable for families, beginners and visitors wishing to combine skiing with walking, wellness and gastronomy.

The Villars–Gryon–Les Diablerets ski area

The ski area connects the sectors of Bretaye, Roc d’Orsay, Gryon and Meilleret above Les Diablerets. The terrain varies from sheltered woodland descents to open pistes above the tree line.

Beginners have dedicated learning areas, while intermediate skiers can plan long excursions between the different villages. Experienced visitors can explore sporting pistes, skicross and ungroomed terrain.

Check the current lift status every morning. Wind, snowfall and reduced visibility may cause temporary closures, particularly around Grand Chamossaire and on the links towards Les Diablerets.

Roc d’Orsay: quick access from Villars

The eight-person Roc d’Orsay gondola carries skiers from Villars to the heart of the ski area in approximately eleven minutes.

From the upper station, you can reach pistes towards Bretaye, Grand Chamossaire and Gryon. The combination of blue and red runs makes this access point suitable for families and intermediate skiers.

Restaurants, parking and the SKiSET shop Sport’s House Télécabine are located near the valley station.

Travelling to Bretaye by train

A second access route uses the mountain railway from Villars to Col de Bretaye. The journey takes approximately twenty minutes and finishes directly among the pistes and mountain restaurants.

Bretaye forms an important junction for Roc d’Orsay, Grand Chamossaire and Gryon. Winter walkers and non-skiers can also use the train.

This option is particularly convenient for families and visitors who prefer a relaxed start to the day.

Grand Chamossaire

Grand Chamossaire reaches approximately 2,112 metres and is the highest point of the ski area directly accessible from Villars. From the mountain, you can enjoy views of the Vaud Alps, the Rhône Valley and Lake Geneva.

The descents around Grand and Petit Chamossaire are mainly red and allow long turns across open terrain. Navigation may become more difficult in fog.

The main connecting pistes may become busier and more uneven later in the day. Start early for quieter, freshly groomed snow.

The connection with Gryon

From Bretaye and Roc d’Orsay, you can ski towards Gryon and Les Chaux. This sector offers wide pistes, woodland sections and panoramic terraces.

Gryon suits families and recreational skiers. Its blue and red pistes can easily be combined into a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Check the closing times of the connecting lifts when planning to return to Villars late in the afternoon.

Meilleret and Les Diablerets

From Gryon, the connected ski area continues towards Meilleret above Les Diablerets. The pistes are varied and include both accessible routes and more sporting descents.

The Willy Favre piste is a well-known competition run. Less experienced skiers can use alternative blue and red routes.

The journey from Villars to Les Diablerets requires sufficient time. Start early and allow for possible queues at the connecting lifts.

Villars for beginners

The Palace piste is located behind Villars railway station. This easy learning slope has conveyor belts and artificial snow and is suitable for first turns.

The Swiss ski school snow garden is also located nearby. Children and adults can practise safely before progressing towards Bretaye or Roc d’Orsay.

Local ski schools provide group and private lessons. Ask an instructor which pistes best match your experience.

Families and children

Villars, Gryon and Les Diablerets all have dedicated beginner and children’s areas. Playful exercises help young skiers learn to stop, turn and use the lifts.

Children can hire lightweight skis, small boots, snowboards and helmets. A correct fit improves comfort and supports safer learning.

For longer excursions, agree on a clear meeting point. Bretaye, Gryon and Les Diablerets are far apart.

Pistes for intermediate skiers

Intermediate skiers will find the widest selection around Bretaye, Grand Chamossaire, Les Chaux and Meilleret. Numerous red pistes allow long excursions without repeatedly using the same descent.

A popular itinerary leads from Villars through Bretaye to Gryon and then towards Les Diablerets. Before departure, check that all necessary connections are open.

On sunny days, the open pistes provide attractive panoramas, although the snow may become softer in the afternoon when temperatures rise.

Sporting pistes and snowpark

Experienced skiers can choose black pistes and steeper red descents around Grand Chamossaire, Gryon and Les Diablerets.

Depending on snow conditions, the area may offer freestyle features and a skicross course. Inspect obstacles before using them and wait until the landing area is clear.

Hard snow, bumps and poor visibility can considerably increase the difficulty. Respect all closures and warnings.

Glacier 3000

Glacier 3000 lies above Col du Pillon near Les Diablerets and forms a separate high-mountain ski area. It is not directly connected to Villars by pistes.

The descents extend from approximately 3,000 to 1,300 metres. Well-known routes include the long Red Run, Combe d’Audon and the steep Black Wall.

Non-skiers can visit the Peak Walk by Tissot and the Glacier Walk. Check weather conditions and accessibility before travelling.

Freeride and ski touring

Grand Chamossaire, Gryon, Les Diablerets and Glacier 3000 offer several freeride and ski-touring possibilities.

Outside the open pistes, avalanche risk and snowpack conditions are not fully controlled. An avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel are essential.

Use a qualified mountain or ski guide when you do not know the terrain and check the current avalanche bulletin.

Tobogganing

Near Villars, an approximately 1.6-kilometre toboggan route descends from Col de Soud through the forest. The starting point can be reached by train towards Bretaye.

Les Diablerets has a longer run of approximately seven kilometres, combining open alpine sections with woodland passages.

Wear sturdy footwear and preferably a helmet. Adjust your speed to the snow and other users.

Winter walking and snowshoeing

Marked winter walking and snowshoe routes are available around Bretaye, Lac de Bretaye, Col de la Croix and Gryon.

The short circuit around Lac de Bretaye is suitable for a relaxed walk. Longer itineraries cross forests and pass frozen mountain lakes.

Use only open routes and wear sturdy, waterproof footwear. Walking poles or light traction aids may be useful on slippery sections.

Gastronomy and après-ski

Mountain restaurants with sunny terraces are located around Bretaye, Roc d’Orsay, Gryon and Les Diablerets. Typical dishes include fondue, raclette, rösti and regional cheese specialities.

Villars also offers international restaurants, cafés, wine bars and hotels with wellness facilities.

Après-ski is generally relaxed. Events and live music are also organised near Roc d’Orsay during the season.

The SKiSET shop in Villars-sur-Ollon

You can collect your equipment from Sport’s House Télécabine. The shop is located on Route des Layeux, approximately 25 metres from the Roc d’Orsay gondola.

This family business has operated since 1955 and hires skis, snowboards, boots, helmets and equipment for cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing and tobogganing.

The workshop provides edge sharpening, waxing and repairs. A certified boot fitter helps adjust ski boots to improve comfort and control.

Why book online with SKiSET?

Online booking allows you to provide your equipment category, sizes and preferences in advance. The team can therefore prepare your equipment before your arrival.

When you collect it, the boots are checked and the bindings are adjusted according to your height, weight, age and experience.

If the equipment does not feel comfortable, you can return to the shop for advice, maintenance, a replacement or a technical adjustment.

Other SKiSET destinations nearby

Leysin offers sunny pistes, a snowpark and views over the Rhône Valley and Lake Geneva.

Château-d’Oex combines a traditional village with family-friendly winter activities in the Pays-d’Enhaut.

Rougemont lies near the Gstaad ski area and provides access to pistes surrounded by traditional chalets and alpine pastures.

Conclusion

Villars-sur-Ollon combines a sunny Swiss mountain village with direct access to Bretaye, Gryon and Les Diablerets. Beginners benefit from the Palace piste, while experienced skiers can explore long connections and sporting descents.

Reserve your ski hire in Villars-sur-Ollon with SKiSET, collect your equipment from Sport’s House Télécabine and combine your ski days with tobogganing, winter walking and an excursion to Glacier 3000.