Les Mosses
Resort Overview
Michael Fulton
50+ resortsMelbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Skiing for 15 years and visited resorts in:
🇦🇺 Australia (6) • 🇺🇸 USA (15) • 🇯🇵 Japan (5) • 🇪🇺 Europe (10)
Les Mosses operates between 1,379 and 1,874 metres across 40 kilometres of piste served by 12 lifts, delivering 495 metres of vertical drop in the municipality of Ormont-Dessous. The resort records 430 centimetres of average annual snowfall and maintains snowmaking coverage across its entire 40-kilometre network. Terrain divides 25% beginner and 75% intermediate with no advanced runs, whilst 42 kilometres of Nordic trails spread across the high plateau between 1,450 and 1,650 metres elevation. Connectivity to neighbouring Leysin via regular shuttle bus extends the combined domain to over 100 kilometres.
The ski area splits between Les Mosses and La Lécherette sectors across gentle wide slopes ideal for progression, with named runs including the red piste Les Folliets. A terrain park offers jumps and rails catering to multiple ability levels. The longest descent measures two kilometres, whilst the most challenging run is designated Parchet 1. Les Mosses sits at Col des Mosses pass at 1,445 metres, spreading across a protected high valley that contrasts with Leysin's sun-exposed south-facing bowl.
The resort maintains a relaxed family atmosphere with minimal queuing and traditional Alpine village character at 1,450 metres base elevation. A snow garden equipped with magic carpets offers free access for children up to age nine. Off-slope activities include dog-sledding, with the resort hosting international dog-sled races, snowtubing, and ice diving at frozen Lac Lioson at 1,850 metres. On-mountain dining includes Cabane des Monts-Chevreuils and Pra-Cornet hut.
Magic Pass inclusion provides unlimited access from early December through mid-April, alongside entry to over 100 partner resorts across Switzerland. Adult day tickets cost 52 francs standard rate, rising to 58 francs peak periods, whilst seniors born 1946 or earlier ski free. The combined Leysin-Les Mosses-La Lécherette network suits families and intermediates seeking uncrowded slopes with reliable snow preservation above the Rhône Valley inversions.
Trails & Terrain
Trails
Total Runs
18
Total Area
40km
24.9 miles
Les Mosses Lift System
Les Mosses operates 12 lifts comprising 11 T-bar drag lifts and one magic carpet surface lift concentrated across the high valley terrain. The system delivers an uphill capacity of 10,000 skiers per hour across the 40-kilometre network. All installations are surface lifts - no chairlifts or gondolas serve the Les Mosses-La Lécherette sector independently. Connected partner Leysin adds a gondola and chairlifts to the combined 100-kilometre domain accessible via shuttle bus.
Key installations include Téléski des Chaux providing primary summit access and Téléski de l'Arsat serving mid-mountain terrain. The Dorchaux I and Dorchaux II T-bars access separate slope sectors. A magic carpet in the snow garden facilitates beginner progression near the village base at 1,379 metres. Named lifts spread across both Les Mosses and adjacent La Lécherette, with La Lécherette's 13 installations overlapping in combined resort statistics reported variously as 12-14 total lifts.
Base-to-summit flow relies entirely on drag lift progression with no high-speed detachable installations present. The predominantly surface lift infrastructure creates an old-school Alpine experience requiring T-bar proficiency. Shuttle buses connect to Leysin every 15 minutes during operating hours, providing strategic access to that sector's more modern gondola and chairlift network. Lift tickets grant access across both sectors, though the connecting bus journey requires nine minutes between bases.
No recent major infrastructure upgrades have been documented, with the resort maintaining its traditional drag lift character. The system serves terrain efficiently given the moderate vertical drop and gentle gradient favouring beginners and intermediates. Bottlenecks rarely occur due to the uncrowded nature and spread of installations across multiple sectors. Facilities operate reliably throughout December to April season with regular grooming maintaining piste quality across the predominantly intermediate terrain profile.
Lifts
Total Lifts
12
Lift Types
2
Season Info
The 2025-26 season operates from 1 December 2025 through 15 April 2026, delivering approximately four and a half months of skiing. Typical season length extends mid-December through mid-April depending on snowfall, with early and late season dates varying annually. The resort opened for early season on 29-30 November 2025 when conditions permitted. December through April represents standard operating months across the Vaud Alps region.
Les Mosses records 430 centimetres average annual snowfall with peak accumulation during January and February. The resort's 1,450-metre base elevation and 1,874-metre summit provide superior snow preservation compared to lower Leysin during warming periods. Comprehensive snowmaking covers all 40 kilometres of piste, ensuring reliable coverage despite the area's abundant sunshine hours. February typically delivers optimal snow depth averaging 145 centimetres at summit elevation.
January through March offers the most consistent conditions, with December seeing 81 centimetres average snowfall and January delivering 117 centimetres. Spring conditions from March onwards favour Les Mosses' north-facing aspects over Leysin's sun-exposed terrain. The high plateau location between 1,450-1,650 metres maintains relative snow security throughout winter. Quieter periods occur weekdays outside Swiss school holidays, whilst weekends draw families from Geneva and Lausanne within 90 minutes' drive.
The resort frequently operates above cloud cover during winter inversions settling over the Rhône Valley, delivering exceptional sunshine hours. No night skiing operates at Les Mosses itself, though nearby La Forclaz village offers lit runs. The area hosts international dog-sled races during winter. Cross-country skiing on 42 kilometres of Nordic trails, including 850 metres of illuminated track, extends throughout the season. The plateau's exposed position creates reliable snow conditions from early season through April closure.
Season Info
Current Season
2025 - 2026
Opening Day
12/1/2025
Closing Day
4/15/2026
Days Open
136
Location & Getting There
Les Mosses sits at the Col des Mosses pass at 1,445 metres elevation in the municipality of Ormont-Dessous within Aigle District, Canton of Vaud. The hamlet occupies a high plateau in the western Bernese Alps between the Grande-Eau valley and Pays-d'Enhaut, approximately 20 kilometres from Aigle in western Switzerland's French-speaking region. Surrounding peaks include Pic Chaussy at 2,351 metres to the south and Gros Van overlooking the pass, whilst Lac Lioson sits at 1,850 metres nearby.
The village of Le Sépey lies seven kilometres downvalley, whilst Château-d'Oex sits north over the pass. Aigle serves as the primary valley town 20 kilometres south at 415 metres elevation on the Rhône plain. Montreux sits 30 kilometres southwest on Lake Geneva's eastern shore. The resort occupies Col des Mosses pass linking Aigle with Château-d'Oex, a historic route through the western Vaud Alps.
From the A9 motorway, exit 17 signposted Aigle/Ollon/Les Mosses provides direct access via the Col des Mosses road. Geneva lies 130 kilometres or 90 minutes west via A9 and lakeside routes. Lausanne sits 64 kilometres or one hour northwest via A9. The pass road remains open year-round with winter maintenance, though chains may be required during heavy snowfall. Swiss motorway vignette costs 40 francs annually and is compulsory.
Geneva Airport lies 130 kilometres or 80 minutes by road, serving as the closest international hub. Sion Airport sits 60 minutes east, whilst Bern Airport lies 90 minutes northeast. Rail access requires Swiss Federal Railways to Aigle station, then the Aigle-Leysin (AL) cog railway to Le Sépey, followed by bus 175 to Les Mosses village. Total journey from Geneva by public transport takes approximately three and a half hours with transfers. TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon reaches Lausanne in five hours fifteen minutes.