Les Diablerets

A village which has developed over the centuries, successfully walking the tightrope between modern over-development and maintaining its natural ambience, Les Diablerets today is one of the few resorts still able to offer a traditional, unique Swiss mountain resort holiday. Whilst many of the best known resorts in the world have grown to be more and more like one another, wherever they are, Les Diablerets has proudly maintained its character, expanding just enough to ensure visitors have all modern conveniences and requirements.

Its location is perfect of course! There are the majestic mountain peaks of the Vaudois Alps, rich forested hillsides below running down to lush meadows, then across the valley stands the village itself. Winter sports fans need not fear that this is one of those pretty places with not much else going on however. The snow-capped mountains have lifts trundling along them year round, with the Diablerets glacier previously welcoming summer skiers and ‘boarders) although in recent seasons the glacier lifts have not run in the summer and only cross country skiers have been able to enjoy the eternal snow outside the winter months.

In the winter months the ski region extends to 125km (75 miles) with a lift link over to Villars and Gryon. If that’s not enough the resort also participates in the Alpes Pass, which includes Les Mosses and Leysin. Passes of three days or more additionally entitle holders to unconditional use of the lifts of the neighbouring Gstaad regional pass for a further CHF 10. And in the peaceful village life or the endless piste kilometres are just too perfect for you there’s the designer shopping mecca of Gstaad just down the road.

Les Diableret’s name perhaps hides a more turbulent past than the placid village of today. Translating to ‘The Devils’, old legends tell of gatherings of demons performing terrifying rites on dark and stormy nights. Some of this tradition occasionally still surfaces, especially in the Summer Festival of Devil’s Day – although this is just a big party rather than some alarming black magic event! The resort’s current attitude to its name is reflected in the cute little demon mascot now displayed on all its publicity material. In the end the name and the tradition just add to the sense that you are somewhere special, unique and historic.