Top 10 family winter activities in the Alpes vaudoises
Make everyone’s day by choosing the Alpes vaudoises to spend your winter holidays! Children, both young and old, are spoilt for choice with the many family-orientated activities on offer.
When the snow covers the Alpes vaudoises, its peaks and valleys, the ski resorts and our mountain villages welcome holidaymakers and passing guests to offer them unique experiences.
Tobogganing, skiing for beginners, indoor activities, attractive thrilling sites, encounters with animals, many activities for families are just waiting for you to discover!
And you? What is the next family activity you are going to do in the Alpes vaudoises? We present to you our top 10 suggestions!
Today, go to the Tobogganing Park in Leysin! A dozen tracks to descend on a large inner tube... Just looking at the slope, we can guess that the descent will be fast and thrilling. Once installed in this gliding machine, it's off for a crazy descent: you spin and hurtle down the track while negotiating a 360 degree turn. Did you enjoy the experience? It's time to go again!
Want even more? Opt for looping or jumping on the Big Air Bag... you will take off in the air and land on a giant airbag.
If you want to come with younger children (up to four years old), the mini-park allows you to learn about the joys of sliding on gentle slopes.
Good to know :
booking is required to come to the Leysin Tobogganing Park
when you book a session, its duration is 1h50
the infrastructures are open depending on weather conditions and snow cover
children under 5 years of age only have access to the mini slopes
Igloo and snowman :
Next to the Tobogganing Park, the Village des Neiges is the ideal place for an unusual meal. You can have your meal in an igloo! A unique experience!
Would you like to go down one of the longest toboggan runs in Switzerland? In Les Diablerets, in a dream setting, a 7.2 km toboggan run winds between the Col de la Croix and the village.
We advise you to rent a traditional wooden toboggan from the gondola or in the sports shops of Les Diablerets in order to have optimal sliding! On these toboggans, real racing machines, the undersides are waxed like skis to go fast on the snow!
On your route, small areas are set up to stop and admire the landscapes... if you are caught in your momentum, try to beat the descent speed record; it is around 10 minutes but count between 20 and 30 minutes for a first descent!
If you liked the descent, board the Diablerets Express a second time. The gondola takes you to the start line in minutes.
At Les Mazots (finish of the cable car), the altitude restaurant Les Mazots is the ideal stopover to replenish your energy before the descent: local specialities, fondues or drinks, all the reasons are good for stopping by this establishment.
Good to know :
toboggan booking is strongly recommended
the gondola ride is included in your ski pass (valid skipass including Magic Pass). You can also buy lift tickets on site.
Children from 3 years of age can try the experience on the same toboggan as an adult. From the age of 8, children can go down on their own toboggan.
Perched high above the village of Gryon, the recreational area of Frience is the ideal outing for families with young children. Overlooking the Rhone Valley, facing the Miroir d'Argentine, this panoramic plateau offers an exceptional view of the Alpes vaudoises.
On site, three toboggan runs of progressive levels guarantee a lot of fun! To introduce the little ones to skiing or snowboarding, two slopes, one of which is specially adapted for beginners. To go up the slope, a magic carpet covered with wood which looks like the bridge of Lucerne.
The children go up the slope tirelessly and can start with a few downhill runs on skis and then swap the skis for a toboggan to continue having fun in the snow.
Between two descents, go to the refreshment bar at the bottom of the slopes. Waffles, hot chocolates and other snacks will satisfy the peckish, warm hearts and restore strength to tired little legs.
Good to know
the ski lift is free of charge
possibility of renting toboggans, snowscoots and other sliding equipment on site
possibility of taking ski lessons with the Swiss Ski School of Gryon
open every day during school holidays and on Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays outside the holiday period.
night openings until 8 p.m. take place several times during the winter.
two car parks (paying) are available next to the recreational area
Up on the mountain
Make a stop at the Refuge de Frience located at the top of the slopes. This authentic and warm chalet sits majestically on the mountainside. Here, you can taste traditional mountain cuisine as well as refined, seasonal dishes.
Straight from the Nordic countries, ski joëring means “towed ski”. In Château-d'Œx and Gryon, you can try the experience with horses. Strap on your skis, snowboard or telemark skis, hang on and let go! You don't need to be an experienced skier or an experienced rider to practice ski joëring.
Just stand firm on both legs and let yourself be guided by your companion whose stride will be adapted to your level, for everyone from 7 years old.
If you are comfortable, you can let yourself be surprised by the speed you can reach (up to 28km/h). Guaranteed thrills!
Even younger children can participate too! Your little one gently sets off on the ski slope for an adventure in the fresh air. Ski joëring is sure to leave an unforgettable memory for your children who will never stop reminding you of the fantastic sliding experience accompanied by Benjy, the mischievous little pony, found in Gryon during the winter season.
On this cold day, a Scandinavian wind is blowing in the Col des Mosses direction. The sleigh dogs waiting on the track seem in their element: freezing temperatures, fresh snow and the sky letting in a few rays of sunshine.
Come live a unique adventure in the magnificent setting of the Alpes vaudoises! Comfortably seated on a sleigh, let yourself be guided for a ride on the snowy paths. The pristine landscapes of the Mosses-La Lécherette plateau are the perfect backdrop for dog sleigh rides.
Live a unique experience of encounter and fusion between man, nature and animals. You can opt for a stroll wrapped up warm on the sled or an introduction to the techniques of musher, the leader of the dogs.
Aiming at a target and trying to hit the centre with a shooting accessory has always fascinated children. Give the whole family an opportunity to try out a discipline that requires both endurance and skill: biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
The skis slide on the snow, the snowy landscape is magical and you feel the effort made to advance. A target? Stopping is essential, clear your mind, take a deep breath and aim for the centre. Set off again with renewed vigour until the next target.
Alternating cross-country skiing and shooting has the advantage of mastering two skills at the same time. The children will gladly ski a short distance to reach the next target and try to score points. The spirit of competition could lead the children - or the parents - to surpass themselves so involving the whole family in a fun race.
Good to know
Laser rifles are used, safety is guaranteed.
The children are all excited about going to ski school!
The pleasures of playing in the snow and the first sensations of sliding are memorable! Go to the snow gardens of the ski schools in the Alpes vaudoises and rejoice in the fun times that the children experience in these colourful and attractive areas.
From the magic carpet to passing under the multi-coloured arches, children learn to ski by playing with the accessories and facilities provided for all age groups.
The children are very willing and friendships develop between them. The friendly ski instructor is full of imagination to teach skiing in a fun way to the children.
The snow garden is an essential step in the winter holidays for children. It marks holidays in the mountains with long-lasting memories.
The children are all excited about going to ski school!
The pleasures of playing in the snow and the first sensations of sliding are memorable! Go to the snow gardens of the ski schools in the Alpes vaudoises and rejoice in the fun times that the children experience in these colourful and attractive areas.
From the magic carpet to passing under the multicoloured arches, children learn to ski by playing with the accessories and facilities provided for all age groups.
The children are very willing and friendships develop between them. The friendly ski instructor is full of imagination to teach skiing in a fun way to the children.
The snow garden is an essential step in the winter holidays for children. It marks holidays in the mountains with long-lasting memories.
Bring the whole family together for a bowling tournament, a memorable moment which will be relived over and over! The younger children can benefit from the barriers so that the ball does not systematically end up in the gutter.
In bowling, it's every man for himself and you can see that luck plays its part; the strike is therefore within reach of almost any player. During the game, it is clear that the fastest ball throws are not always the most successful, which generates a good atmosphere!
In unfavourable weather for outdoor activities, bowling is an all-purpose alternative that is accessible to everyone.
The little ones skate without fear on the ice, let themselves slide, accelerate, spin and play freely while the parents regain their balance. Going skating with the family during the winter holidays is a must.
A sprint over a few metres, the number of consecutive pirouettes or the most spectacular style of figure skating, all exercises are good for having fun and challenging yourself. Playing tag, skating for two, dancing to the sound of music broadcast in the ice rinks, the moments of fun are numerous.
An area is sometimes reserved for hockey. Improvise a game! Enjoy the pleasures of winter by switching from skiing or ice skating to tobogganing.
Aquatic pleasures are attractive no matter what season! After a day in the great outdoors or in the event of unfavourable weather conditions, water games are a welcome alternative for children. The most active can swim lengths as a workout.
While playing, the youngest or those less confident in water can acquire confidence by diving for the rings at the bottom of the pool. Jumping off the edge, dipping your arms forward, doing a trick from the diving board, the possibilities for fun are endless.
During your stay, a visit to the swimming pool is synonymous with entertainment or relaxation. Especially if you opt for heated water.