Leysin, Leysin

Leysin is a traditional Swiss resort that started a little lower down the mountain than the ski resort has reached now. You can get to the old village from a stop on the funicular railway that runs up to the resort from Aigle in the valley. The modern resort does not have a huge amount of architectural charm to shout about, but its location on a sunny 'balcony' with superb views of the Alpes Vaudoise is a great natural asset. Leysin traditionally took a large chunk of the schools and students market, with educational establishments of its own on its lower slopes and school parties arriving on holidays from across Europe. This youthful attitude was no doubt a major factor in the early growth of snowboarding in the area. During the '90s however, Leysin built another reputation as a conference venue, with excellent facilities for this type of event. In the current era of high altitude super resorts and snow making, Leysin, rather like Crans Montana, has to pull off a bit of a marketing trick by both promoting the fact that it has a wonderful, sunny, south facing position making it a delightful place to take a holiday, but also counter-acting the train of thoughts this starts in the skier's mind, Hmmm, south facing, sunny, not a huge altitude... Crans Montana, which has a higher base and slopes a thousand metres higher and a glacier, now plays down its sunny reputation, but Leysin is still proud to shout about it. Besides, the resort participates in the Alpes Vaudoises Pass which includes the neighbouring resort of Diablerets with its 3000m high year round glacier ski area serviced by a newly refurbished lifts. The link lift area of Gryon, Les Diablerets resort and Villars is also included as well as Les Mosses. Passes of four Days or more additionally entitle holders to unconditional use of the lifts of Château d'Oex ( La Lécherette ) Gstaad Gsteig Lauenen Rougemont Saanen Saanenmöser St Stephan Schönried and Zweisimmen. Purchase of passes of six days or more also entitle holders to yet more skiing, including a day on the lifts of Les Portes du Soleil, Les Márecottes, Ovronnaz, Crans Montana, Aminona, Vercorin, Grimentz, St Luc, Chandolin, Loèche-les-Bains, Anzère, Nax, Champery Les Lacs, Morgins or Champoussin.ActivitiesSnowboarding: Snowboarding is available with a snow park and a halfpipe. Lessons are available.Cross Country Profile: 10 km of cross country trails are available. One trail lit for night.LodgingSlopeside lodging of 8,000 beds is avialable. Additional lodging is available nearby in Aigle, 6km away.Winter RecreationSnowboarding, cross country with one trail lit for night, telemark, off-piste, sleigh rides, curling, sled run, toboganning, and ice skating. Also indoor swimming pool, sauna, indoor tennis, climbing wall, paragliding, weighlifting room, and sports halls.