A few days after Mia got back from her week at Year 7 camp in Leysin, she was still raving about her favourite activity: the high ropes course. We wanted to see Leysin anyway, and Mia asked if we could go back so her sister could try it too. We shrugged and said, “Why not?!” So we packed the car full of snacks and set off for Leysin, about an hour from Lausanne.
After a scenic drive around Lac Léman, we arrived at Parc Aventure in Aigle, at the foot of the road up to Leysin. We paid for a three-hour visit, got our harnesses and gloves, and after a quick safety briefing (in English, luckily), we were off.
I decided to stay at ground level and let Sara and the girls take on the course. I was surprised there was no one on the course checking or helping them. They had to rely on the safety briefing to remember what to do. Luckily, the two carabiners had a clever safety feature: when one was unlocked, the other locked automatically, so they could never be fully unclipped. Very innovative thinking, these Swiss!
The girls loved it. There were different routes and levels, zip lines, and one section where you essentially jump off and come to a cushioned stop. Both Mia and Annika had a fantastic time, and we made sure there were plenty of snacks waiting when they came down. Sara said it was one of the highlights of her time here so far! Perhaps I’ll try it next time.
We ended the day with a hair-raising drive up to Leysin, on a road with barely enough room for two lanes and sheer drops on the outside. Our Magic Pass gets us free gondola rides at certain resorts in winter and summer, so we rode to the top and had a short hour to walk around. Mia pointed out all the hikes she’d done with her class the week before.
She went up the mountain as a camper and came back as our tour guide. We can’t wait to return this winter to ski!
For Next Time: Parc Aventure & Leysin
- Getting there: about an hour from Lausanne. Parc Aventure is in Aigle, at the bottom of the road up to Leysin. (Parked here)
- The course: a 3-hour visit was plenty. There are different routes and levels, zip lines, and a jump-off section with a cushioned stop. Harnesses and gloves are provided, and the safety briefing is available in English.
- Heads up: there are no staff on the course, so kids need to remember the briefing. The interlocking carabiners keep everyone clipped in at all times. Book ahead on weekends.
- Leysin gondola: free with the Magic Pass. Allow more than an hour at the top if you want to hike.
- The drive up: narrow, two-lane mountain road with sheer drops. Take it slow!
- Bring: snacks (lots), water, closed-toe shoes, layers for the top of the mountain.
- Come back for: skiing this winter, and maybe Mark finally tries the high ropes. 😄
- Favorite parts: Mia: “Going on the zip lines”, Sara “Just being up high and the zip lines”
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