Les Diablerets Ski Resort Guide
Year-Round Glacier Skiing & Alpine Charm in the Swiss Vaud Alps
Les Diablerets is a beautiful, traditional Swiss village in the canton of Vaud, sitting at 1,150 m beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Diablerets massif. The resort offers a unique combination: a charming, car-free village core, a well-rounded ski area suitable for all abilities, and access to Glacier 3000 — Switzerland’s only year-round accessible glacier ski area — via the nearby Col du Pillon pass. The glacier, at 3,000 m, provides skiing from October through to spring, and the Peak Walk suspension bridge between two rocky summits is one of Switzerland’s most photographed alpine attractions.
Les Diablerets at a Glance
| Location | Canton of Vaud, Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Summit Elevation | 3,000 m (Glacier 3000) |
| Village Elevation | 1,150 m |
| Vertical Drop | 1,850 m |
| Skiable Pistes | 120 km (combined Les Diablerets + Glacier 3000 + Villars-Gryon) |
| Number of Lifts | 35 (combined area) |
| Piste Breakdown | 30% beginner / 50% intermediate / 20% advanced |
| Season | Year-round (Glacier 3000); December–April (village ski areas) |
| Ski Pass (6 days) | From €270 |
| Nearest Airport | Geneva (95 km), Zurich (180 km) |
| Nearest City | Lausanne (75 km), Montreux (50 km) |
Terrain & Skiing
The Les Diablerets ski area consists of two main components. The village ski area (Meilleret and Isenau sectors) provides excellent intermediate and beginner terrain above the village, with well-groomed blue and red runs and beautiful views of the Rhône valley and Lake Geneva. This is the perfect area for families and those learning to ski.
For more challenging skiing and guaranteed snow, the Glacier 3000 area (accessed by a separate cable car from Col du Pillon, 8 km from the village) is outstanding. The glacier bowl holds a terrain park, a half-pipe, and multiple red and black runs. The Combe d’Audon black run is one of the best in the region — a long, sustained descent of 1,000 vertical metres. In good snow years, the glacier area connects via a 9 km ski run directly back to Les Diablerets village.
Glacier 3000 — A Swiss Landmark
Glacier 3000 is not just a ski area — it is a mountain experience destination. The Peak Walk by Tissot, the world’s first suspension bridge between two mountain peaks (Scex Rouge and La Palette), offers vertiginous views across the Alps including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Eiger. The glacier is also home to the Ice Bar, carved into the glacier itself, and a range of non-ski activities including snow tubing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. The restaurant at 3,000 m is excellent and the views are extraordinary.
Getting to Les Diablerets
By train: direct services from Lausanne to Aigle, then change to the narrow-gauge ASD railway directly to Les Diablerets village (total journey approx. 90 minutes). From Geneva: train to Aigle takes about 70 minutes. By car: from Lausanne, take the A9 motorway to Aigle, then follow signs to Les Diablerets (approximately 75 minutes). The Col du Pillon road to Glacier 3000 is open year-round with snowchains as needed.
Where to Stay at Les Diablerets
The village of Les Diablerets has a traditional Swiss character with wooden chalets, a main square, and a small cluster of hotels and apartment complexes. The Hotel des Diablerets is the classic, centrally located four-star option. The Hotel Eurotel Victoria offers spa facilities and a swimming pool. Self-catered chalets and apartments are available throughout the village and provide the most flexible option for families and groups.
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Food & Après-Ski
Les Diablerets has a quiet, family-oriented après-ski culture that reflects its Swiss village character. Several restaurants and a few bars serve the village after the lifts close. Swiss cheese fondue, raclette, and rösti are the local staples. The on-glacier Ice Bar at Glacier 3000 is a memorable lunchtime destination — a carved-ice interior serving cocktails at 3,000 m altitude. For a livelier après scene, nearby Villars-sur-Ollon (20 minutes by road) has a more active bar scene.
Expert Tips for Les Diablerets
- Buy the Alpes Vaudoises pass — this covers Les Diablerets, Glacier 3000, Villars-Gryon, and Leysin for exceptional value across 220 km of linked skiing.
- Visit Glacier 3000 on a clear day — the glacier is spectacular in sunshine and disappointing in cloud. Check the weather forecast and prioritise it accordingly.
- Walk the Peak Walk — even if you do not ski the glacier, the Peak Walk suspension bridge is worth the cable car ride for the views alone.
- Ski the Combe d’Audon — the long black descent from the glacier is superb and far less intimidating than its classification suggests.
- Take the train — the ASD mountain railway from Aigle is a scenic, stress-free way to arrive with no parking hassles and stunning views of the Vaud Alps.
Frequently Asked Questions — Les Diablerets
- Is skiing at Les Diablerets available year-round?
- Glacier 3000, accessed from Col du Pillon (8 km from the village), is open year-round and offers summer skiing on the glacier. The village ski areas operate December through April.
- What is the Peak Walk at Glacier 3000?
- The Peak Walk by Tissot is the world’s first suspension bridge connecting two mountain peaks — Scex Rouge and La Palette — at 3,000 m altitude. It offers breathtaking views and is included in the Glacier 3000 cable car ticket.
- Is Les Diablerets connected to Villars-sur-Ollon?
- Yes. The two resorts are part of the Alpes Vaudoises ski network. A joint pass covers both areas plus Leysin, giving access to over 220 km of pistes.
- Is Les Diablerets good for families?
- Excellent for families. The village is quiet and safe, the beginner terrain above the village is gentle and accessible, and Glacier 3000 offers snow tubing and non-ski activities for children who need a break from skiing.
- How does Les Diablerets compare to Verbier or Zermatt?
- Les Diablerets is smaller and more relaxed than Verbier or Zermatt, and significantly more affordable. It is a better fit for families and intermediate skiers than serious expert terrain hunters, though the Glacier 3000 area satisfies strong skiers.