Spring Skiing in Villars-sur-Ollon
Spring has officially sprung in Switzerland! The flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the sun is hanging around a little longer each evening. And while that means warmer days and hikes are on the horizon, it also signals the end of ski season…so we decided to squeeze in a snowy weekend getaway.
Picture perfect spring skiing in Villars.
Destination: Villars-sur-Ollon
One of my favorite things about living in Switzerland is how effortlessly we can hop on a train and be in the mountains within the hour so I have developed a habit of browsing last-minute hotel deals to take advantageous of this ability! While doing my Friday morning pre-work browse, I found a weekend getaway that we couldn’t pass up!
Getting There
After work, we packed up our ski gear, a weekend bag, and of course, Mac (who ensures that he will not be forgotten by following us everywhere when the suitcase appears), and set off. Getting to Villars-sur-Ollon from Lausanne is incredibly easy: take the train to Bex, then transfer to the cogwheel mountain train up to the last stop, Villars-sur-Ollon. The whole trip takes about 1.5 hours—but fair warning, Mac would like it noted that he is not a fan of noises the cogwheel trains make.
Where We Stayed
We checked in at the Victoria Hotel & Residence, part of the Villars Alpine Resorts group. The hotel is centrally located, and just about a 10-minute (ski-boot) walk from the Roc d’Orsay gondola, which gives you direct access to the Villars-Gryon-Diablerets ski area. This hotel is full of history as it has been around since 1894. Renovated with modern touches, the hotel is focused on sustainability for travelers and adventurous to enjoy for many years to come.
Le Week-end
After arriving at our hotel and dropping our bags, we kept things easy and had dinner at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Le Peppino for a an excellent pizza and burrata salad. After a glass of wine and a evening stroll for Mac, we called it a night so we were well rested for the mountains in the morning.
We were up early on Saturday to grab breakfast before heading up the mountain. In the village, the weather was a messy mix of rain and snow, but as we climbed aboard the Roc d’Orsay lift, it quickly turned into a snowy whiteout. By the time we reached the slopes, visibility had dropped to around 50 meters. Zach and I gave it our best effort, but we are also quick to recognize our limits and after an hour of battling the storm, we called it and took refuge with everyone else on the mountain at Bretaye 1808, a cozy mountain restaurant with the biggest Saint Bernard I’ve ever seen.
A cappuccino and a beer later, conditions still hadn’t improved, so we headed down for lunch and a regroup with Mac. Thankfully, the skies cleared in the afternoon, giving us a second shot at the slopes. The sun peeked out just in time for a few solid runs before we wrapped up the day with some well-earned relaxation at the hotel’s sauna and pool.
After freshening up, we grabbed a drink at the hotel bar. There’s just something special about a hotel bar and lobby. Whether it is the ambiance of the setting, the buzz of travel, or the quiet recap of a day well spent, it is a ritual for us to have a moment there during every stay. At the Victoria Hotel, the vibe is excellent thanks to its spacious lounge and stunning terrace—both of which I’m already dreaming about revisiting this summer. For dinner, we headed to Saskias at Les Mazots du Clos Hotel for a truly incredible dinner.
With Chef Marco Cardoso at the helm, Saskias offers an inventive small-plate menu with an international twist and unbeatable mountain views. Zach was particularly thrilled with the extensive wine list and we landed on a bold South African red. We shared a variety of dishes, but our top recommendations are the gnocchis poêlés à la sauce tomate, the chaperons frits with spicy sauce, and the brochette de poitrine de porc. Every bite was spot-on and a perfect end to our day.
Despite losing an hour to Daylight Savings, we were up early and excited. The sun was shining, the skies were clear, and ski conditions looked perfect for a spring day. Even better, some of our friends from Lausanne decided to join us for a morning on the mountain!
Thanks to a generous late check-out, we hit the slopes by 9 a.m. with almost no crowds. We skied all over Villars and even ventured into Les Diablerets before calling it a day. Then it was time to pack up, grab Mac, and pick up sandwiches for the train ride home!
Villars-sur-Ollon makes for an ideal weekend escape—easy to reach, scenic beyond belief, and filled with great food and relaxing accommodations. Whether you’re skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, it’s a destination that checks all the boxes!
Quick Guide to Villars
Where to Stay:
The Villars Alpine Resorts have a few different hotels including Villars Palace, Villars Lodge, Chalet Royalp Hotel and Victoria Hotel & Residence. All 4 of the hotels are situated centrally in the village and offer various amenities as well as world-class service.
For a boutique hotel with incredible views, Les Mazots du Clos cannot be missed. It features a fabulous restaurant, outdoor sauna, and impeccable decor.
Where to Eat:
Le Peppino – Italian comfort food at Victoria Hotel
Saskias – inventive small plates with mountain views
Bretaye 1808 – great for a mid-ski break for drinks and lunch
Restaurant Vieux Villars – traditional Swiss fare in the village
Tips & Tricks for Your Visit
Check hotel availability: Many mountain villages shut down in April for a spring holiday before the summer season begins. Some closures can start as early as late March—worth checking before you go!
Get the Magic Pass: If you’re planning multiple ski or hiking weekends, this pass gives access to many resorts and chairlifts. It’s been well worth it for us.
Download the local ski app: Most Swiss ski areas have their own apps with real-time lift status, weather, and piste maps. Super handy for planning your ski routes on the go.
Where should we head next in Switzerland? Let me know your favorite weekend escapes!
