Villars-Gryon-Diablerets Free Access
The Villars-Gryon-Diablerets Free Access Card is back for the summer 2009 with even more services included.
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Villars offers an international ambience, with guests of all ages – there are a number of exclusive private schools located here. Its smaller neighbour Gryon is a little lower down, on the more easterly side of the valley. Together, they make up the holiday destination of Villars-Gryon.
You reach these resorts by driving from Ollon or Bex in the Rhone valley. In summer, it is possible to drive to Les Diablerets over the Col de la Croix. From Bex there is also a narrow-gauge railway which winds its way in tight curves through Gryon and up to the sunshine terrace of Villars and on to Bretaye, the starting point for numerous sporting and leisure activities.
Winter
The skiing area of Villars incorporates the two smaller areas of Villars/Bretaye and Gryon and is also linked via the route over Le Meilleret with the Les Diablerets skiing area, including a glacier skiing area at 3000 m. Altogether, this creates a skiing arena with 77 lifts and 220 km of ski slopes. In addition there are four snowparks, a snow kindergarten, 44 km of cross-country skiing trails, sledging runs and numerous winter walking routes – not to mention a lively après-ski scene. Those in need of relaxation can visit the amenities and wellness centres at the thermal baths in Lavey.
Summer
In summer the main activities are hiking, mountain biking and golf. You can choose from over 300 km of signposted footpaths and 150 km of mountain bike routes. One enjoyable tour leads up to the mountain lakes of Lac de Chavonnes, Lac de Bretaye and Lac Noir.
A beautifully scenic 18-hole golf course located at 1600 m allows you to play golf in the heart of the mountains, with views of Mont Blanc. Other sporting activities include an educational woodland walk with a picnic hut, Nordic walking trails, sports centres with climbing walls and a via ferrata (fixed-cable climb) near Les Diablerets.
There are exciting theme parks and places for excursions just nearby: AquaParc and Swiss Vapeur Parc in Bouveret, the adventure park in Aigle (rope park), the adventure maze in Evionnaz, the working salt mine in Bex, "Fun Planet" near Villeneuve, the delightful Montreux and swimming or water sports on Lake Geneva.
Top Events
- 24-hour Grand Prix in Villars – a 24-hour open skiing race organised by stars from Formula 1, the proceeds from which go to charity (January).
- Folklore gathering – folk groups from all over Switzerland, combined with typical Swiss fare, make for an enjoyable atmosphere (July).
Highlights
- Golf course – the 18-hole golf course at 1600 m offers an impressive panorama of Mont Blanc.
- Bretaye – starting point for numerous hiking and biking tours, and the main centre for winter sports above Villars, reached by funicular railway.
- Working salt mine in Bex – numerous galleries, shafts, staircases and vast halls: several kilometres of this 50 km long underground labyrinth are open to the public.
- Les Diablerets/Glacier 3000 – from this, the highest point in the Vaud Alps, there is a breathtaking view of the finest peaks in the Alps.
- Via ferrata – this fixed-cable climbing route with its countless overhanging sections is on a cliff-face under the first section of the cable-car up to Glacier 3000.
How to get there
SBB train from Geneva Airport (in the direction of Lausanne-Sion) up to Aigle (1 hour 10 min.), then by bus to Villars (35 min.) or SBB train from Geneva Airport (in the direction of Lausanne-Sion) up to Bex (1 hour 15 min.) and BVB train to Villars (35 min.)
SBB online timetable 
115 km from Geneva Airport (1 hour 20 min.).
Autobahn A1 to Lausanne, then Autobahn A9 from Lausanne in the direction of Martigny-Sion, exit Aigle and then main road to Villars.
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