The seven resorts of Leysin, Villars, Gryon, Les Diablerets, Les Mosses, Rougemont and Chateau-d'Oex make up this spectacular skiing area with a range of 1114m to 3000m and all served on the one ski pass.
With 74 lifts and 220km of downhill pistes (135 miles) this must be one of the "prized areas" for skiers visiting Switzerland. The region is just 115km from Geneva and can be reached in nine hours or less on mainly motorways from Calais. The Bern-Lausanne-Geneva motorway goes right past the "gateway town" of Aigle and from here you turn off to Leysin or to Villars via Ollon.
New lifts have been added such as the 6-seat chairlift from Sodoleuvre to Chaux-Ronde which takes 2000 persons each hours and opens up a new ski run of 3km.
Chateau-d'Oex was once the "in-place" for British skiers visiting Switzerland. These days it is world famous as a centre for hot air ballooning and as this is very much a winter pastime, skiers can take a day off and view the slopes and the Swiss Alps from over 3000m up. The village itself combines the charm of traditional Switzerland with modern amenities and is served by a wonderful railway which links across to Gstaad.
The resort of Les Mosses is situated at the summit of the pass of the same name (1445m) and has proved an ideal location for families as it is well positioned between Chateau-d'Oex and Les Diablerets. There are sometimes international husky dog races here.
Rougemont is the departure point for the "Ski Gstaad" snowbeach with its 250km of downhill runs and is located at the foot of the 2200m Videmanette. The village has a 10th century church, ancient castle and traditional homes, some of which date from the 17th century and lend the village unique historic charm.
The resort of Leysin has one of Switzerland's three revolving restaurants (Kuklos) at an altitude of 2048m and offers fantastic panoramic views of the Alps extending from the Eiger to Mont Blanc and taking in the Matterhorn.
Leysin attracts a good deal of sunshine because of its unique location and has a good range of aprs ski facilities once the skier comes off the mountains.
The village of Gryon has a modern infrastructure and is a good base from which to explore the whole skiing area.
Les Diablerets with its glacier at 3000m has attracted skiers from all parts of the world and is the centre of this seven-strong group of resorts linked by the one ski pass. The glacier is said to be one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. But there is year-round skiing and excellent downhill runs across to Villars and forms part of the largest ski area in the Lake Geneva region.
The resort of Villars is located on a natural sun balcony and has proved a hit with families with much of the village set amongst snow-covered pine trees, presenting a true "chocolate-box scene"
There is skiing for all in this vast region. Beginners will not feel out of place and experts will find plenty of challenging black and red runs. There are so many lifts and mountain railways that unless you visit during a peak time there will be little or no waiting for uphill transport.