'''Leysin''' [http://www.leysin.ch/english.shtml], Switzerland is a laid back, non-posh, non-pretentious mountain village in the Vaud Alps, above Montreux. It also happens to be the site of a ski resort with awesome off piste possibilities. Leysin is quickly earning a reputation as the college of Switzerland, it is the home of five international schools and another opening in the fall of 2004. Live music is no stranger with an active Blues Club [http://www.sommetdublues.ch/gallery/albums.php Summet du Blues] to provide live music year round, open mike nights at the Yeti Bar, and always the impromptu jam if you can find them. When here stroll down the rue du commerce and check out the bohemian galleries, yet another side of this sleepy town. All that and a mountain top revolving restaurant (of course!) In a way it's sort of amazing that one village can have this much cool stuff and remain as laid-back as Leysin is.

Leysin is in the ''Alpes Vaudoise'' roughly above and one mountain over from Montreux. The panorama includes all of the Alps Vaudois, including the Mont Blanc to the Eiger. It is just as, or more impressive as those found further up into Canton Valais, and prices that are a bit more competitive.

Get in

By train

Leysin is served by the [http://www.rail.ch Swiss Federal Railways] which has a cog-wheel train which runs once per hour from the Aigle station, which is timed to connect with trains arriving from Montreux on the Geneva-Brig line. On certain dates during the ski season there are direct [http://www.sncf.com TGV] trains from Paris to Brig offering the same connection at Aigle. The trains up to Leysin leave from track 12, which is actually in front of the Aigle station in the parking area (it's the track closest to the buses).

There are multiple stops within Leysin, notably Leysin-Village, Versmont and Leysin-Feydey. Leysin-Feydey (024 494 11 16) is the station closest to the Telecabines. For other destinations check the destination listing below for the correct station.

Get around

Leysin combines a great landscape, lower prices, and a lively atmosphere, so what's the rub? This is: a near total lack of public transport once you get off the train. The free village bus (navette) circulates once per hour, during the Winter (end Dec. - beg. April) and Summer (mid-June - mid-Sept.) seasons. Luckily it's not much trouble to walk to most places for a healthy young traveller, or for that matter for anybody who's used to it. Disabled travelers might opt for a better equipped (if pricier) mountain getaway in perhaps Zermatt or Verbier.

If all else fails you can get a cab from [http://www.leysin.ch/abc Taxi ABC] (024 493 22 93) or Taxi Kojak (024 494 25 55).

The [http://www.teleleysin.ch TeleLeysin cable car] runs both summer and winter.

See

People mainly come to Leysin to '''Do''' things like skiing, mountain biking, or horseback riding. That said, there are a couple of sites worthwhile for the casual traveler, even on a lunchtime excursion from Montreux or Lausanne

  • The Berneuse Cable-Car. lace Large, about 100m east from the Leysin-Feydey station. 24 494 16 35. nfo@teleleysin.ch. pen daily sunrise to sunset. 8 Chf round trip during the summer, 42 Chf for adults, 30 Chf for a half day during the ski season. ttp://www.teleleysin.ch/. The views on the ride up are nearly as spectacular at those from the top. On a clear day you can take in Mt. Blanc, the Eiger, and