Villars-sur-Ollon
Villars-sur-Ollon is 125 km from Geneva Airport, and the drive takes about 1 hour 35 minutes on Swiss motorways via Lausanne and Montreux, then up from the Rhône valley. It is a sunny, family-friendly resort in the Vaud Alps, linked with Gryon and Les Diablerets. AirportsTransfers.ch offers private transfers from GVA to Villars, with no border to cross.
- Distance from GVA: 125 km
- Drive time: about 1 hour 35 minutes
- Border crossing: none, the route stays in Switzerland
- Ski area: Villars–Gryon–Les Diablerets, with Glacier 3000 nearby
- Best for: families, intermediates and international school communities
Getting to Villars from Geneva Airport
The route takes the A1 motorway along Lake Geneva to Lausanne, continues on the A9 past Vevey and Montreux, and follows the Rhône valley towards Aigle. Depending on the starting point and conditions, you leave the motorway at Aigle or at Bex/Ollon and climb a mountain road through vineyards and forests to Villars, which sits on a sunny terrace with panoramic views of the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc. The whole journey stays in Switzerland, and most of it is fast motorway with lake views. The final climb is well maintained but has many bends and can be slow after heavy snowfall. A cog railway also links Bex with Villars, but with skis and luggage a door-to-door transfer is far simpler.
The ski area
Villars is linked with Gryon and, via a connecting gondola and lifts, with Les Diablerets, forming a varied area with slopes for all levels. The terrain around Villars and Gryon is largely intermediate, with sunny, open runs and wooded sections, plus well-equipped areas for beginners and children. Les Diablerets adds a different character, and nearby Glacier 3000, reached from the Col du Pillon, offers high-altitude skiing with impressive views and a famous suspended walkway between two peaks. Villars has a reputation as a friendly, family-oriented resort rather than a hardcore freeride destination, although there is off-piste terrain for those who hire a guide. The ski area is popular with families from Geneva, Lausanne and abroad, and weekends can be busier than weekdays.
The village and where to stay
Villars is a lively village with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, partly because of the international boarding schools established there. It has a good choice of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as hotels, chalets and apartments. The village centre is compact, and a train runs up from the village to the Bretaye ski area, a convenient way to start the day. Non-skiers can enjoy snowshoeing, winter walks, ice skating, a sports centre and visits to Montreux or the Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva. Gryon, just below Villars, is quieter and more traditional, while Les Diablerets has the feel of a classic Swiss mountain village.
When to go and practical tips
The season typically runs from mid-December to early April. Because Villars sits at a moderate altitude, snow cover in the village varies, but the higher areas and Glacier 3000 provide good alternatives in mild periods. January is often quiet; February holidays and Christmas are the busiest. Saturday traffic on the A9 towards the Valais can be heavy, especially around Montreux and Aigle. Winter tyres are standard in Switzerland, and chains may be needed on the climb after snowfall. Declare your skis and boards when booking, and mention any bulky equipment.
Villars also suits business travellers and families attending events at the international schools. A chauffeur by the hour, booked for a minimum of two hours, can be useful on visiting days or for trips to Lausanne and Montreux, and return transfers for students at the end of term can be organised in advance.
The return journey
Allow about two and a half to three hours between leaving Villars and your flight on a winter Saturday, less midweek. The A9 around Montreux and the A1 near Lausanne and Geneva are the usual slow points. Families staying in Gryon or Les Diablerets rather than Villars itself should add a little time for the extra road distance, and anyone leaving straight after a final morning on the slopes should keep boots and skis packed and ready at the accommodation.
Booking your Villars transfer
Book online with AirportsTransfers.ch and see the fixed price for your vehicle before paying by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur follows your flight, waits in arrivals with your name on a sign and includes waiting time if you land late. Choose a Mercedes E-Class or S-Class for small parties, a V-Class van for up to seven with skis, or a Sprinter minibus for groups. Child seats are available on request, and skis should be noted when booking. Invoices are available for companies. Phone or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77 at any time.
