A strategy which blends a Variational Multiscale Large Eddy Simulation model (VMS-LES) and a RANS model in a hybrid approach is investigated. A smooth blending function, which is based on the value of a blending pa-rameter, is used for switching from VMS-LES to RANS. Different definitions of the blending parameter are investigated. The capabilities of the novel hy-brid approach are appraised in the simulation of the flow around a circular cylinder at a Reynolds number 1.4 · 10 5 , based on the freestream velocity and on the cylinder diameter, in presence of turbulent boundary-layer due to tur-bulent inflow conditions. A second study at Reynolds numbers from 6.7 · 10