Leysin
60km of pistes, 948m vertical, 72% beginner terrain. South-facing slopes in Canton Vaud with Magic Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
134
Annual snow
2.1m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Leysin operates from 1,250 to 2,198 metres across 60 kilometres of pistes and 948 metres of vertical drop in the Vaud Alps. The resort combines with Les Mosses and La Lécherette via shuttle bus to form a 100-kilometre ski area. Snowmaking covers a portion of the terrain, whilst the south-facing slopes deliver 1,900 hours of annual sunshine. Magic Pass holders access the full network without additional day tickets.
Beginner terrain dominates with 72 per cent of marked runs, leaving 25 per cent for intermediates and three per cent rated advanced. The ski area fans across two main sectors accessed from Leysin village: the Berneuse gondola serves wide upper slopes and tree-lined descents, whilst the Tête d'Aï chairlift opens terrain towards the 2,331-metre Tour d'Aï peak. Les Chaux and La Berneuse rank among the most frequented descents. Off-piste routes from La Berneuse at 2,048 metres attract experienced riders.
Leysin hosts several international boarding schools and maintains a youthful, diverse atmosphere on the mountain. The Kuklos revolving restaurant at 2,048 metres completes a 360-degree rotation in 90 minutes with views across Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Eiger. Terrain parks traditionally featured half-pipes and jump lines, though conditions vary seasonally. The village sprawls across a sunny plateau at 1,260 metres above the Rhone Valley.
The Alpes Vaudoises regional pass extends access to Villars, Gryon, Les Diablerets and Glacier 3000, covering more than 225 kilometres of terrain within a 30-minute radius. The 2025-26 season runs from 7 December to 6 April. Leysin suits learners, families and intermediates seeking accessible Swiss skiing without the scale or price point of larger resorts. Limited expert pistes and moderate elevation require attention to snow forecasts in marginal conditions.
948m
Vertical
0
Runs
60 km
Piste
2.1m
Annual snow
The Terrain
0 runs across 60 km of piste
Leysin offers 60 kilometres of piste above the Rhône valley, dropping 948 metres from 2,198 metres to a village base at 1,250 metres. The terrain is gentle, at 72% beginner, 25% intermediate and 3% advanced, with no expert runs. One gondola, a six-seat chair, four quads and two double chairs carry the traffic, and the south-facing slopes soak up plenty of sun. It is a straightforward area to read, with few surprises for anyone arriving from a flatter ski background, and a handy base for learners who want views and space.
The area splits into the Berneuse and Tête d'Aï sectors, both reached from the village, and the Berneuse summit looks across the Rhône valley, with the revolving Kuklos restaurant a handy lunch stop. A shuttle bus connects to Les Mosses and La Lécherette, and the Alpes Vaudoises passes stretch the range further for those who buy them. Steep skiing is scarce, though some off-piste leaves the Berneuse ridge for experienced riders. Families, beginners and intermediates after relaxed cruising in the Vaud Alps will get the most from a stay.
Terrain split
0
runs
0 runs across 4 grades
Beginner0 runs · 72%
Intermediate0 runs · 25%
Advanced0 runs · 3%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Leysin
The 2025-26 season operates from 7 December 2025 to 6 April 2026, spanning four months. Typical opening lands in early December, with closures extending into mid-April depending on snow cover. Historical records show opening dates as early as late November in strong snow years. Late and early season quality suffers due to the 1,250-metre base elevation and south-facing exposure.
Annual snowfall averages 4.3 metres, with week two of December historically the snowiest period, delivering 40 centimetres across 3.4 snowy days. February provides the deepest mid-season base, averaging 145 centimetres at summit elevation and 40 centimetres at the base. Snowmaking equipment covers five kilometres of priority runs with 68 snow cannons, focusing on lower slopes and high-traffic zones. Natural accumulation remains the primary source, with elevation and aspect influencing reliability.
January through March offer the most consistent conditions, with February delivering peak depth and cold temperatures. December suits early-season visitors willing to accept limited terrain, whilst March combines longer daylight and spring snow with the resort's famed sunshine. Weekday skiing avoids the school groups and weekend crowds that frequent Leysin due to its proximity to international schools. Midweek visits in January and February provide the best balance of snow quality and empty pistes.
Night skiing operates on floodlit slopes near the village, with tobogganing open from 10:00 to 20:00. The Giant X Tour snowboard and ski event finals traditionally occur at Leysin. Terrain park features remain condition-dependent, with recent seasons seeing closures in January. Cross-country trails extend 10 kilometres within the immediate area, with 39 kilometres across the broader region. The resort officially holds Swiss Tourism Federation family-friendly certification since 2001.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
134
Days open
2.1 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Leysin
Daily snow reports at Leysin go back to 2017, 6 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
100 cm
Snowiest day
11 Dec 2021
170 cm
This winter · 2022-23
so far
209 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Leysin, and where to stay
Leysin sits in the Aigle district of Canton Vaud at 1,260 metres on a south-facing plateau above the Rhone Valley. The village occupies a natural terrace beneath the Tour d'Aï massif at 2,331 metres, with views extending across Lake Geneva to the Dents du Midi, Mont Blanc and the Bernese Alps. The Grande-Eau river runs through the valley below. Leysin forms part of the Vaud Alps in western Switzerland, positioned at the eastern end of Lac Léman.
Aigle lies 14 kilometres downhill in the Rhone Valley, serving as the primary rail hub and connecting point for regional trains. Montreux sits 20 kilometres west along the lake shore, nine minutes by train from Aigle. Lausanne is 45 kilometres northwest, whilst Geneva sits 97 kilometres west. The resort village itself spreads across three kilometres of mountainside with hamlets at Veyges, Feydey, Aï and Mayen. Several international schools and former sanatorium buildings occupy the lower slopes.
Road access follows the cantonal route from Aigle via Le Sépey, climbing through switchbacks to Leysin village. From Geneva, the A1 and A9 motorways connect via exit 17 at Aigle, with total drive time of 90 minutes covering 97 kilometres. Bern lies 120 minutes northeast via the A12 to Lausanne, then A9 towards Montreux. The route passes vineyards in the Chablais wine region and Aigle Castle. Parking concentrates near lift bases.
Geneva Airport is 122 kilometres west with transfers averaging 90 minutes by road or two hours 18 minutes by train via Aigle. Bern Airport sits two hours away, Zurich 150 minutes. Direct Swiss Federal Railway trains from Geneva to Aigle depart hourly, taking 80 minutes. The Aigle-Leysin cog railway climbs to the resort in 27 minutes, stopping at Leysin Village, Versmont and Leysin-Feydey stations. Trains run hourly at 56 minutes past. Free shuttle buses 170 and 171 link stations to gondola terminals.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Leysin, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Leysin's ski season?
Leysin's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 11. That window is roughly 134 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Switzerland, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Leysin have?
Leysin lists about 60 km of piste of marked terrain. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Leysin?
Trail grading at Leysin breaks down roughly as 72% beginner, 25% intermediate, 3% advanced. With a strong beginner share, Leysin suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Leysin have?
Leysin operates 9 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 2 double chairs, 1 gondola, 1 6-person chair, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Leysin?
Base elevation at Leysin is about 1,250 m (4,101 ft), with the summit around 2,198 m (7,211 ft), giving roughly 948 m (3,110 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Leysin get each season?
Leysin averages about 209 cm (82 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Leysin before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Leysin so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Leysin have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Leysin. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Leysin located?
Leysin sits in Switzerland, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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