Worldwide Ski Resorts • Switzerland • Leysin
Overview
Leysin’s 60km (37 miles) of runs is actually quite an impressive ‘single area’ figure and the amount of skiing available in a week long Alpes Vaudoises Pass is as much as the biggest in the world.
Profile
Leysin’s 60km (37 miles) of runs is actually quite an impressive ‘single area’ figure and the amount of skiing available in a week long Alpes Vaudoises Pass is as much as the biggest in the world. The local vertical of 1000 metres is good too and those nervous at the relatively low top lift height and south facing slopes with very limited snow making should be reassured by the proximity of one of Europe’s top year round ski centres, the glacier at Diablerets only half an hour away and included on the pass. The lift-linked area between Diablerets village (separate to the glacier area), Villars and Gryon is closer still, and offers a further 100km (63 miles) of runs.
A free ski bus service can take you there. Leysin has a great selection of 20 easy runs including a separate nursery area at village level and more at the top of the gondola. The lower slopes are wooded but the upper two thirds of the mountain is made up of wide fast cruise runs — mostly blues and reds. Leysin has three blacks runs, the best running for the first two thirds of a top to bottom descent over the full 1000m vertical beneath the Berneuse Express gondola. The high black served by the Chaux de Mont chair around the snowpark is also fun. The mountain restaurants include the Kuklos 250 seat revolving restaurant at 2048 metres. As it turns 360 degrees in an 90 minute rotation it takes in panoramas of Lake Geneva, the Rhone Valley and famous mountains including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Eiger. The ski school offers ski touring and heli-skiing.
Mountain Information
Leysin, situated at an altitude of 1263 m. enjoys exceptional exposure to the sun and this offer a very large range of activities all year round. The ski area is smaller than other well-known Swiss resorts, but there’s plenty here for nearly everybody except those who seek pitch and peril. Only 15 percent of its 37 miles of prepared slopes are rated difficult. Despite a top skiable elevation of only 7,200 feet on Chaux de Mont, there is an impressive vertical of nearly 3,000 feet and a longest run of three miles. With a lot of sunlit terrain, it is an intermediate’s delight. Among the mountain restaurants is a revolving one that offers skiers a 360-degree panorama during lunch.
Apres Ski
There are a few dozen bars, largely in hotels or connected to restaurants in Leysin. The Top Pub is one of the livlier choices. The atmosphere is generally young and international thanks to the student population and the Club Med base here. You can also take the funicular down to Aigle for more choice, enjoy the facilities in the leisure complex, or visit the cinema or bowling centres. There is one night spot - Club 94 plays the current European chart hits.
Swiss Resort Guide
Resort Information • Leysin
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Resort Height | 1250m |
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Top Station | 2200m |
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Bottom Station | 1250m |
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Vertical Descent | 950m |
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Drag Lifts | 8 |
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Chair Lifts | 7 |
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High Capacity | 2 |
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Opening Dates | Dec - April |
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Rating Expert | 6 |
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Rating Intermediate | 7 |
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Rating Beginner | 8 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 8 |
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Snow Reliability | 7 |
