Villars-sur-Ollon
Villars-sur-Ollon is 125 km from Geneva Airport, a drive of about 1 h 35 along Lake Geneva and up from the Rhône valley. Set on a sunny plateau facing the Dents du Midi, it is a lively, international village with a rack railway that carries skiers to gentle slopes, which makes it a practical choice for families. AirportsTransfers.ch can take you there in one journey, with child seats fitted on request.
- Distance from GVA: 125 km
- Drive time: about 1 h 35
- Border crossing: none
- Ski area: Villars–Gryon, linked with Les Diablerets
- Best for: families who want services, activities and easy access to the snow
The journey from the airport
The first part follows the motorway along Lake Geneva past Lausanne and Montreux to the Rhône valley. Near Aigle or Bex, the road leaves the valley and climbs through vineyards and forest to Villars. The climb includes several bends, so children who feel unwell in the car will appreciate a short pause or some fresh air before it begins.
Without a border crossing and with motorway most of the way, it is one of the simpler mountain transfers from Geneva. On winter Saturdays, expect busier traffic around Lausanne. Give the ages of your children when you book and the correct seats will be fitted before your chauffeur meets you.
Why Villars appeals to families
Villars has a strong international feel, partly because of the boarding schools that have long been based in the village, and it offers more services than many small resorts: shops, cafés, a sports centre and plenty of accommodation. For parents, that means fewer logistical headaches, especially with young children.
A distinctive feature is the rack railway from the village up to the Col de Bretaye, where broad, gentle slopes are ideal for beginners and children. Riding the little train with skis on the rack is part of the fun for many children, and it avoids walking long distances in ski boots. Other lifts connect to the wider area shared with Gryon, and the linked slopes of Les Diablerets extend the choice for older children and parents.
The plateau faces south-west, catching plenty of sun, and the views across the Rhône valley to the Dents du Midi and towards Mont Blanc are wide and memorable. Snow at village level can vary, but the slopes higher up are more reliable during the core winter months.
Families sometimes ask whether Villars or quieter Gryon makes the better base. Villars wins on convenience: more shops, restaurants and activities within walking distance, and the rack railway straight to the beginner slopes. Gryon suits those who prefer calm evenings. Since both share the same lifts, the choice is really about atmosphere rather than skiing.
Ski lessons and children's areas
Several ski schools operate in Villars, with group lessons for children of different ages and levels, as well as private instruction. Beginner areas near Bretaye and elsewhere in the ski area give children space to learn away from faster skiers. In February and at New Year, demand is high, so book lessons early.
Off-slope activities for children
- Ice skating and indoor activities at the village sports centre.
- Sledging on dedicated runs and gentle slopes.
- Snowshoe walks around the plateau and towards Bretaye.
- Glacier 3000: above Les Diablerets, a high-mountain excursion with dramatic views for older children.
- Lake Geneva: a day in Montreux or at Chillon Castle when the weather closes in.
Packing and planning the arrival
Pack warm, waterproof layers, spare gloves, sun cream and goggles for each child, plus indoor shoes for the chalet. Villars has plenty of hire shops, so travelling without children's skis is simple. If you bring skis or snowboards, declare them at booking so the vehicle has room.
For a smooth start, land early enough to arrive in daylight, collect equipment and find your nearest lift or the rack railway station. The road up from the valley is well maintained in winter, and your chauffeur carries winter equipment and adapts to conditions.
Booking with AirportsTransfers.ch
Choose your vehicle online, see a fixed price for it before paying, and settle securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals with a name sign, with waiting included if the flight is late. Child seats are provided on request, and skis are declared at booking. A V-Class van takes up to seven people with skis; larger family groups can travel together in a Sprinter minibus. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77 for help, and add the return journey when you book.
