Switzerland
Compact resorts, ideal for beginners and intermediates - just 2 hours from Geneva!
Leysin and Col des Mosses are two charming resorts that are very different but share a ski area. Leysin is a lovely resort town with plenty of charm, located on a sunny plateau just 2 hours from Geneva and is often overlooked as a destination for ski groups. It has an international flavour coupled with modern facilities and, historically, was a centre for the treatment of respiratory diseases due to its altitude and clean air. Nowadays you can be treated to some stunning scenery and views over Lake Geneva from the summit at the revolving Kuklos restaurant.
The skiing on offer is some 110kms with variety for all abilities and is an excellent choice for groups predominantly comprising beginners and intermediates. For more advanced skiers there are challenging reds and blacks. There are 60 km pistes at Leysin and 50kms at Col des Mosses. The lift pass also includes the resorts of Villars and the Les Diablarets glacier 15km away, ensuring that skiing will be possible at all times of the season.
This is a modern 3 star hotel that offers a high standard of accommodation and a wide range of facilities for groups to enjoy. Occupying an elevated position overlooking the town and with splendid views of the Alps it is just 250m to the lift station where ski storage makes the whole process even simpler!
The hotel has a capacity of 280 beds. The shared rooms for 2-6 students are spacious and all have an en-suite bathroom, TV and telephone – some have balconies. Towels are provided. Meals comprise a buffet breakfast with packed lunch and a 3 course evening meal. Facilities in the hotel include an indoor swimming pool (available free to groups for an hour each day), sauna and gym for adult, bar and lounge area, Games room, pool table, table tennis and a basement that is suitable for meetings and evening activities. There are several activities in the town that include ice skating, curling and snow tubing together with some retail therapy! This is a popular destination for groups.
This is a traditional chalet style hotel in the village of Col des Mosses. It offers a warm welcome in a pretty mountain setting and benefits from direct access to the slopes. There is also a large sun terrace for relaxation and enjoyment of the views and surrounding area. The capacity is for 150 guests. Rooms for 2-6 persons are traditionally decorated in the wooden alpine style with pine furniture. Teachers will have twin rooms. Most rooms have bunks and all are en-suite. Towels are provided. Meals are full board and a hot lunch is possible at the hotel. The restaurant can be divided for groups. Facilities include a bar and meeting area, restaurant and basement room suitable for a disco (bring your own equipment) or a pizza evening.
Also located in Col des Mosses, the Sapiniere also has a piste side location. It offers simple youth accommodation for up to 60 guests and therefore the possibility of sole occupancy.The rooms are simple but cleanly and well decorated. All rooms have private facilities, TV and balconies. Students share rooms for 4 persons with bunk beds and teachers have twin bedded rooms. There is a dining room where meals are taken on a full board basis with hot lunch possible if arranged in advance. Facilities also include a meeting room which can double up as a disco and a verandah.
The small, safe village is within easy walking distance from all the hotels in Col des Mosses.
The hotel can accommodate about 100 persons and again has the benefit of a slope side position where is it possible to ski back to the door. Rooms are for 2-6 persons and are quite spacious and have private facilities. Teachers will have twin rooms. Meals are full board and taken in the light and airy restaurant with a hot lunch possible in the middle of the day and 3-course dinner in the evening. Facilities are quite simple with a bar and disco area adjacent to the small lounge.