Information

All you need to know

Webcams

Villars Petit Chamossaire

Le Meilleret

Bretaye

Glacier3000

Gryon Les Chaux

Les Mazots

Trail map

Read more

Swiss Ski School Villars

Train & Lift Timetable

Opening hours

Villars - Bretaye train timetable spring - summer - autumn

Villars > Bretaye

Every hour between 8:50 am and 12:50 pm

* Trains at 1:20 pm and 1:50 pm in high season

Every hour between 2:20 pm and 5:50 pm

Bretaye > Villars

Every half hour from 9:15 am

4:45 pm

Journey time: 20 minutes.

These times are indicative and may vary. Please see the link above for more details.

Opening hours summer 2024

Roc D'Orsay gondola lift

Every day from June 15 to August 25

Friday to Sunday - August 30 to September 22 + Monday, September 16

8:45 am

12:45 pm

1:30 pm

4:45 pm

Grand Chamossaire chairlift

Every day from June 15 to August 25

August 30 to September 22 + Monday, September 16: Friday to Sunday

8:45 am

12:45 pm

1:30 pm

4:45 pm

Barboleuse les Chaux gondola lift

Every day from May 31 to June 2

Every day from June 29 to August 25

Friday to Sunday - August 30 to October 6 + Monday, September 16

Every day from October 11 to 27

8:45 am

12:45 pm

1:30 pm

4:45 pm

Buy your ski pass online to avoid the queues!

Find

How to find us

Meeting points and offices

Meeting map legend:

Villars

Winter

Every day:
8am-6pm
(6:30 p.m. on weekends in HS)

Summer

Monday-Friday
(Saturday in HS)
8am-12pm | 1pm-5pm

Bretaye

Bretaye office - winter only

Every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Frequently asked questions

Our advice

Do I need to make a reservation?

It’s highly recommended if you come during the end-of-year school vacations (December 21, 2024 to January 05, 2025) and the spring breaks (February 15,  to March 9, 2025).

Some people feel more motivated in a group, while others feel more confident with a dedicated instructor. It’s also a question of budget.
This will depend on your progress, your motivation and your physical condition.
YES. Tell the instructor when you leave for your first lesson.
Children enrolled in group courses are assessed throughout the week. Medals are awarded on Fridays. The class competition (small slalom) takes place on Thursday or Friday. The instructor will inform the children so that their parents can come and cheer them on 🙂
At the start of the learning process, children are welcomed and supervised in a defined area (snow garden or small beginners’ slope). Learners can practice and make progress at their own pace. Sometimes there are several children (and several instructors) on the same slope. For a day or two, your child may have the impression of working in a (very) large classroom, but in fact there are 2 or 3 classes in the same place.

We are partners with all the shops in the village. See the list here.

Do I need a ski pass?

– If you ski on the Palace beginners’ slope in the village, it’s free for everyone.
– If you ski at Bretaye, a ski pass is compulsory for anyone born before 2019.
Children born in 2019 and later ski free of charge, but require a lift pass (CHF 5.-).
more information on the Alpes Vaudoises website

You must bring your own ski equipment (skis, poles and boots) or snowshoes, depending on the course you choose.

Poles are recommended from level 2 upwards (Blue King).

NO, each participant must have his/her own accident insurance.

Reservations can be cancelled or changed free of charge up to 7 days before the start of the course.
For any changes or cancellations during the week prior to the course, but no later than 48 hours before the course, the customer must pay an administration fee of CHF 30.
For any modification or cancellation within 48 hours of the course, the customer must pay 100% of the amount due.

We recommend that you take out “Cours Protect” cancellation insurance, available when you purchase your ski lessons (below).

YES. From 5 days of group lessons or 3 days of Junior Skiing.
Will there be snow during my stay?
Of course! The ski area is amply equipped with snow cannons, and the Swiss Ski School Villars does its utmost to ensure that the courses run smoothly.
YES. Your instructor is waiting for you, whatever the weather. Weather conditions are no reason for cancellation.
Where can I find my instructor?

– For lessons in Villars (piste du Palace, behind the station):
Private lessons: in front of the refreshment bar
Jardin des neiges group classes: in the nursery
Ski Junior group lessons: behind the station, at the bottom of the stairs, at the sign “Ski Juniors – Meeting point”.

– For lessons in Bretaye :
Private lessons: in front of the school office
Children’s group lessons from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: at the Bretaye snow garden in front of the sign corresponding to the level on your card.
The group lessons for adults from 10 am to 12 pm: on the flat area of Bretaye, in front of the sign corresponding to the level indicated on your card.

Snowboard group lessons: “Meeting Point” snowboard sign
Competition and Freeride courses: meet at signpost 6 in front of the office

For beginners: train from Villars station every ¼ hour. For more experienced skiers: take the ski lift from Roc D’Orsay and ski down to Bretaye.

NO. Trust the instructor 😉

YES, if you are taking a group course, in order to collect your course cards.
What payment methods are accepted by the Swiss Ski School?
  • Credit card
  • Cash
  • Gift vouchers
  • Twint
  • Payment link

Lessons have to be paid upon booking.

This is not advisable. The pedagogy used is different for children and adults.