The popularity of Leysin can only be explained by one thing - there are a number of International Schools present so perhaps student families gravitate here. If not for that then we are stumped as to why it attracts a crowd. Whilst from a distance Leysin looks the goods (and let’s face it, everywhere on its day can be good), up close it didn’t match our expectations at all.

A sunny but snow-destroying south easterly terrain aspect; many short skiable vertical runs at an altitude and aspect that won’t survive into the future; few intermediate & advanced pistes; a village of few (if any) redeeming features that is at best an eyesore (just like the ridiculous high-rise, revolving restaurant on the La Berneuse summit); disjointed ski areas (the ‘Valle Blanche’ novice area is a shocker); overpriced & low-quality hotels; a lethargic ski bus system that may as well not bother ….. struggling to see any good in it really.

There are a few positives here. It is on a spectacular little mountain range with awesome views up the Rhone valley & across to Glacier 3000. It does have a reasonable snow-park (something we care nothing for!). The long beginner pistes from Tete d'Ai into Leysin have some merit. On a powder day the off-piste terrain from the La Berneuse summit and under the gondola would be a hoot (unfortunately on our visit it was cooked and prone to wet slides). It is on Magic Pass so we skied here for ‘free’. And the train does go here from Aigle.

Due to the snow conditions (very poor here at the start of February) we didn’t head across to Les Mosses/La Lécherette, and likely never will! In general, we regard Leysin as a place for Powderhounds to avoid. Having said that, we will give it another chance and return on a powder day in a future season.

See our thoughts on the pros and cons of this ski resort via our Leysin overview page.
See our video here

Leysin is a great resort. The resort is a decent size and can take some time to get from one end to the other (two slow doubles and a high speed 6-pack to get from one end to the other). Generally the skiing off the gondola side is more technical, with the skiing to the east more of the cow pasture type. Many people here ski on-piste so the powder lasts longer than some North American resorts. Like other European resorts, there is limited avalanche control. There is a great traverse-to bowl off the top lift, as well as fun lines right under the gondola. Overall a rather quiet midweek resort with very fun terrain. A few days we were there and the international schools were skiing creating long lines, but it did not take from the skiing experience.
See our video here