Glacier 3000
The winter resort area known as Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets soars nearly 10,000 feet, a glacier with incredible views of such famed Swiss peaks as the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, the Matterhorn, Grand Combin, and Mont Blanc. The Pierres Pointes sector will reopen its doors to skiers this winter with the unveiling of a new black slope. A tunnel crossing the Rocher Jaune is currently under construction to link the summit of the Scex Rouge to the Col du Pillon via Red Run, Martisberg, and the new slope. Glacier 3000 is already famed for such attractions as Peak Walk by Tissot.
Swiss Skiing, Not Just for Experts
The ski area of Gryon, Espace Récréatif de Frience, offers three ski runs, including one for beginners, making it the perfect place to learn to ski. The Swiss Ski School in Gryon provides lessons and a snow playground. The area also features five dedicated toboggan runs with varying levels of difficulty. There’s a 160-meter-long conveyor belt to get passengers up the hill, topped with a wooden roof reminiscent of Lucerne’s famous Chapel Bridge. This recreational area is close to the ski area of Villars-Gryon-Diablerets, with many other activities offered throughout the winter, including downhill skiing, winter walking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Villars
Neighboring Gryon is the resort town of Villars, one of the most vibrant ski areas in Vaud. The lively village is base camp for the ski resort and the Rando Center, which offers the sports of ski mountaineering and ski touring. Villars-Gryon has a ski school and all the instructional tools needed to head for the backcountry. Gear is available to rent at one of the town’s sports shops, and the ski school has introductory courses to learn basic techniques.
Snowshoeing on the Solalex Plateau
It takes about one hour to snowshoe from Cergnement to the Refuge de Solalex, surrounded by the imposing mountain backdrop of the Miroir de l’Argentine and the Les Diablerets massif. Snowshoers can see the imposing Miroir de l’Argentine or “Mirror of Silver” rock face. The snowshoe trek goes through forests and a stream. The perfect place to stop along the way is the Refuge de Solalex, located on the Solalex plateau and famed for serving their local take on raclette made with Mont-d’Or AOP cheese grilled over a wood fire and accompanied by regional Vaud white wine.
Jura sur Léman
Jura sur Léman is located just 16 miles from Nyon and offers a Franco-Swiss ski pass for an area with four chairlifts and 29 other ski lifts, the Franco-Swiss ski area offers more than 31 slopes which are on the Dôle-Tuffes massif. It’s ideal for families, and also offers one of the most beautiful panoramas over Lac Léman and the Swiss and French Alps.
St-Cergue Night Skiing & Fondue
Night skiing in St-Cergue and fondue for dinner in one of the resort’s partner restaurants is a class Swiss night out. Three slopes, ideal for beginners and with some challenging runs for more advanced skiers, are lit for night skiing. The package can be purchased directly at the ski lift office in the village of St-Cergue.
