Les Diablerets
Les Diablerets is 140 km from Geneva Airport, about 1 h 50 by road along Lake Geneva to Aigle and up the Ormonts valley. This traditional chalet village beneath the Diablerets massif is linked with the Villars–Gryon ski area and close to the high slopes of Glacier 3000, giving families both gentle terrain and spectacular excursions. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you there directly, with child seats ready on request.
- Distance from GVA: 140 km
- Drive time: about 1 h 50
- Border crossing: none
- Ski area: linked with Villars and Gryon; Glacier 3000 nearby
- Best for: families who want village charm and variety
The drive with children
From the airport, the motorway follows the north shore of Lake Geneva past Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux into the Rhône valley. At Aigle, the route turns into the mountains, climbing past Le Sépey and along the Ormonts valley to Les Diablerets. The road has a fair number of bends, so children who feel unwell on mountain roads benefit from a snack before the climb and a window seat.
There is no border crossing, and in normal conditions the trip is straightforward. On winter Saturdays, allow extra time around Lausanne and Aigle. Give the children's ages when booking and the correct seats will be fitted.
Why Les Diablerets appeals to families
Les Diablerets has kept the look of a traditional mountain village, with dark wooden chalets scattered across a wide valley floor beneath the cliffs of the Diablerets massif. It is calmer than many larger resorts, and its setting is impressive: children are usually fascinated by the glacier and the high peaks above the village.
The local slopes connect with the Villars–Gryon area, offering a good range of easy and intermediate runs. Beginner areas are available in the village and in the linked area, and stronger skiers can explore further across the network. For families with mixed abilities, it is a good compromise between a quiet base and access to more varied terrain.
Above the Col du Pillon, Glacier 3000 offers high-altitude skiing on the glacier and a range of attractions, including a suspension bridge between two peaks and a mountain coaster, operating depending on conditions. It is better suited to older children and confident skiers; the altitude, cold and wind mean young children should only go up on calm, sunny days and for a short visit.
Because the village is spread out, check the distance between your accommodation and the nearest lift or bus stop. A short, flat walk makes mornings much easier with small children in ski boots.
The village also has a pleasant rhythm in the evenings. Families can walk along the cleared paths of the valley floor, watch the light fade on the cliffs of the massif and return to the chalet for an early dinner. Compared with busier resorts, there is little nightlife, which most parents of young children see as a benefit rather than a drawback.
Lessons and children's slopes
Ski schools in Les Diablerets offer group and private lessons for children of different ages, with beginner areas close to the village. For young children, a short morning lesson followed by sledging or a walk keeps enthusiasm high. In February, when Swiss school sports holidays bring more families, book ahead.
The heart of the season, from early January to early March, gives the most reliable snow at village level, while the glacier offers more dependable conditions at altitude.
Rest-day ideas
- Glacier 3000: panoramic views, the peak-to-peak suspension bridge and snow activities, weather permitting.
- Sledging: runs and gentle slopes around the village.
- Snowshoeing: marked trails along the valley.
- Villars: skating and shops, reachable across the linked area or by road.
- Lake Geneva: Montreux and Chillon Castle for a day off the mountain.
Packing and arrival-day planning
Pack warm, waterproof layers for each child, plus spare gloves, hats, goggles and sun cream, especially if you plan a trip to the glacier. Equipment can be hired locally, so you need not bring children's skis. If you bring skis, snowboards or a sledge, declare them when booking.
Aim to arrive in daylight to settle in and collect equipment. The road from Aigle is cleared in winter, and your chauffeur carries winter equipment and adapts to conditions after snowfall.
Booking your transfer to Les Diablerets
With AirportsTransfers.ch, you book online, see a fixed price per vehicle and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, meets you in arrivals with a name sign and waits if you are delayed. Child seats come on request and skis are declared at booking. A V-Class van seats up to seven with skis; a Sprinter minibus suits larger family groups. For questions, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
