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
4m
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
4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
0 runs across 60 km of piste
It leans beginner at 72%.
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
4 m
Annual snow
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Leysin, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
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Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Leysin Webcams
3 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Leysin's live webcams
Check live conditions across Leysin with 3 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- La Berneuse - Kuklos2048m
- This Leysin webcam sits at the Kuklos restaurant at 2,048 metres on La Berneuse, capturing a full 360-degree panorama across the Vaud Alps - from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc and the Dents du Midi. Use this Leysin live cam to assess visibility and snow coverage across the upper mountain before committing to a day on the slopes. Essential for planning at this south-facing resort, the live snow cam view reveals whether the high-altitude terrain above Leysin village is holding firm winter conditions.
- Snowpark - LeysinPark1909m
- The Leysin snowpark webcam monitors LeysinPark at 1,909 metres, giving freestyle riders a live look at jump lines, rails, and step-ups before heading out. This Leysin live cam updates regularly so you can check current snow conditions and whether features are in shape across the terrain park. A useful snowcam for planning your session at one of the Vaud Alps' most active freestyle venues, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Tour d'Aï massif.
- Tobogganing Park1300m
- This Leysin web cam covers the Tobogganing Park at 1,300 metres in the village zone, showing live conditions on Leysin's popular snow tubing and tobogganing runs. Check this Leysin live cam to gauge activity levels and snow quality on the park's dedicated runs before bringing the family down. A practical live snow cam for non-skiers and families - the park operates until 20:00 and is one of the resort's signature après-ski attractions in the Alpes Vaudoises.
Leysin snow cams FAQ
How often do Leysin snow cams update?
All Leysin snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Leysin.
Which Leysin webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation La Berneuse - Kuklos webcam at 2,048m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Leysin webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Leysin lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Leysin snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Leysin snow cams?
Check Leysin webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Leysin lift tickets?
Use our Leysin webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Leysin webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Leysin snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Leysin intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.