Alpes vaudoises
The Alpes vaudoises are a tourism region in western Switzerland, in the canton of Vaud, lying between Lake Geneva and the high Alps. The region unites seven destinations - Aigle, Bex, Gryon, Leysin, Les Diablerets, Villars and the Col des Mosses - around a shared mountain identity, about an hour from Lausanne and two hours from Geneva. It is a predominantly rural, alpine territory stretching from the vineyards of the Chablais plain up to high peaks and glaciers such as Glacier 3000, with mountain lakes, rivers and waterfalls shaping the landscape. The region is known for its outdoor life, its wine-growing heritage, its traditional chalet villages and its year-round tourism, with no large cities but a dense network of mountain resorts and nature. Villars-sur-Ollon and Les Diablerets are among the central hubs of the destination.
Summer activities
In summer the Alpes vaudoises open up as a vast playground for hiking, mountain biking and water sports. The region offers hundreds of kilometres of marked trails, from easy family walks to demanding alpine routes such as the Tour de l'Argentine, plus via ferrata and climbing sites around Leysin and the Cascade du Dar. Cyclists can ride road routes over the Col des Mosses and Col de la Croix, gravel itineraries, and downhill trails at the Leysin Bike Park and Gryon flowtrail. Mountain lakes such as Lac Lioson, Lac Retaud and the lake of Frience invite swimming, while Glacier 3000 offers summer sledging on the Alpine Coaster and walks on the eternal snow.
Winter activities
Winter is the high season of the Alpes vaudoises, with more than 230 kilometres of ski slopes spread across the Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets and Leysin-Les Mosses-La Lécherette ski areas, plus the high-altitude Glacier 3000 with its legendary Red Run and Combe d'Audon descents. The region offers beginner gardens, snowparks and freeride zones, as well as night skiing at Les Diablerets. Nordic skiers enjoy over 100 kilometres of cross-country trails, including the Espace Nordique des Alpes Vaudoises, while winter hikers and snowshoers can explore marked trails. Sledging runs, dog-sledding, ice climbing at Leysin and ice diving at Lac Lioson round out the winter offer.
Culture and entertainment
The Alpes vaudoises combine a rich wine-growing and alpine heritage with a lively contemporary art scene. The medieval Château d'Aigle houses the Wine Museum, while the Bex Salt Mines offer a journey into centuries of mining history. The region hosts the Ailyos open-air art exhibition across Aigle, Leysin and the Col des Mosses, ephemeral land-art works by artist Saype at Villars, and the Bex & Arts contemporary sculpture triennial. Traditional chalet villages, historic churches and local craft traditions such as paper cutting and alpine cheesemaking give the region a strong cultural identity.
