Visitors to Villars at New Year usually get a brilliant welcome - the local restaurants are known to put on fantastically tasty speciality menus, clubs like El Gringo have held some awesome parties on New Year’s Eve, and there’s also a tradition of fireworks on the big night. The resort is usually host to an annual mountain bike race on the first day of the year, too – a great excuse to relax with a warming drink and admire the action from the bottom of the slopes.
Late December and early January skiing is usually at its best on the glacier, with historically deep snow in the Olden combe and mostly pristine runs elsewhere. Intermediates should enjoy the high runs around Chaux Ronde and Chamossaire as they usually see some good powder coverage, while beginners are probably best off sticking to Bretaye at 1810m for its fine choice of blues. In Les Diablerets, the Issenau slopes are best for catching the winter sun and the trees at Meilleret are great to head to during whiteouts.