For those seeking winter fun, the less populated Vaud Alps has pleasures galore. Harriet Compston reports
The ultimate winter destination, the Vaud Alps is a breathtaking scene of snow-covered panoramas, unspoilt stretches of land and icy peaks. A two-hour drive from Geneva airport – or a picturesque chug on the mountain railway – the region is Switzerland distilled and packs a serious punch with all that it has to offer. At its heart shimmers a trio of resorts: Villars, Gryon and Les Diablerets, interlinked to create an outstanding snowy playground. The crowning glory is the sparkling Glacier 3000 – the highest point in the canton of Vaud – and a place of pursuits where you’re spoilt for choice.
From first-timers to seasoned skiiers, the Vaud Alps hits all the right notes with slopes to suit every ability. With some of the most varied terrain, both a good mix of cruisy blues and reds can be found here coupled with Olympic black runs. Experts should check out Combe d’Audon, one of the toughest black runs in the region, with a dramatic cliff face rising up on the right. There’s also the Red Run, over eight kilometres long, with an incredible descent of more than 1,700 metres. It’s a powder-hunter’s dream, too, with some brilliant off-pistes.
The well-rounded resort of Villars is a pleasure to wander around with a relaxed, old-school vibe. It’s great for families with more than a dozen ski schools to choose from, including well-regarded British-run New Generation. On a linked ski pass is the neighbouring resort of Les Diablerets. With 112 kilometers of spectacular slopes and scenery, this is the region’s epicentre of adventure – and home to Glacier 3000.
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But it’s not just about skiing. The Vaud Alps is a hotspot of winter sports with several record-breaking activities. One of the most thrilling ways to enjoy the astonishing vistas is by braving the 170m-long Peak Walk, the first and only suspension bridge linking two summits, on Glacier 3000. Then there’s the fun-filled 7km-long toboggan run at Les Diablerets, snowtubing in Leysin and the adrenalin-pumping Alpine Coaster. The snowy fun continues into the evening with the magic of skiing and tobogganing at night on illuminated slopes.
Upsize your wellbeing even further off the slopes. The Vaud Alps has an impressive line-up of spas, with plenty of chances for long soaks and pampering. Zone out in the thermal spring at Lavey-les-Bains – the hottest in Switzerland – while gazing out at the staggering mountain views. Or take advantage of the hammam, snow grotto and colour therapy room. Nearby, Les Bains de Villars has been recently-renovated, and now sports a blissful gamut of treatments and pools. The hotels also house some lovely spas, with Chalet Royalp Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Le Grand Chalet with its amazing spa Jacuzzi leading the charge.
Alongside such a wide offering comes some brilliant festivals. The Youth Olympic Games 2020 is being held in the chic city of Lausanne and the Vaud slopes will be hosting the alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and ski mountaineering competitions. The International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Chateau d’Oexis is a big thing, too, and a reminder of the triumphant take-off of Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard in their successful uninterrupted circumnavigation of the world on board a hot air balloon. Now in its 41st year, the festival sees a colourful display of nearly 100 hot balloons taking to the skies.
The food and drink is a huge draw. In fact, the Vaud Alps is just as much about eating as it is skiing. Set in charming wood-clad Alpine restaurants, complete with a lovely welcome and a roaring fire, top off a great day’s skiing with a traditional Swiss cheese fondue, accompanied by a delicious nip of locally-brewed kirsch. Savour first class wine, too, made locally in the many surrounding vineyards – the Chasselas, Pinot Noir and Gamay wines are particularly delicious. And, of course, a steaming hot chocolate never goes amiss. Top spots include the homely Café-Restaurant l’Etable, set in beautifully transformed stables, and Restaurant du Lac des Chavonnes, which serves hearty local dishes beside a pretty lake. Brunch on Glacier 3000 is a must-do, too.
Whatever you do in the Vaud Alps, it’s clear that there’s something exceptional for everyone – and that’s a fact which is pretty hard to beat.
READ MORE:
The Weekender: Lausanne / Hiking in the Swiss Alps / The Weekender: Geneva
The post Thrills and Swiss Spills: Skiing the Vaud Alps appeared first on What's On? By C&TH.
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