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Resort Height: 1540m

Davos is one of the skiing world’s classic resorts. Lift-linked to neighbouring Klosters, famous for its connection with British Royalty, Davos goes one step further with its annual January World Economic Forum attracting world leaders, so you may end up skiing on Davos’s slopes alongside the American president (unlikely) or the Russian one (slightly more probable)!

At 1,560m Davos is the highest town in Europe and its extensive lift network which spreads across five separate areas above the resort, continues up to a snowsure 2,844m, where glacier skiing awaits. The 300km (nearly 190 miles) of trails make this one of Switzerland’s and the world’s biggest ski areas too. The resort itself is very attractive, with its lake, a modern sports centre and many other facilities.

Beginners

All of Davos’s ski areas have beginners’ ski areas. At Bolgen it’s the Carjol chairlift that accesses a beginners’ piste, whilst on Rinerhorn there is also a special beginners’ lift. There are no less than ten ski schools able to offer you tuition.

Intermediates

Intermediates will find a huge choice of terrain across all five ski areas. The Parsenn ski region is the largest, easy to reach from the resort, and home to the longest run at the resort from the top of the Weissfluh to Küblis (12 km/ seven-and-a-half miles). Night-time skiing is on the programme every Friday. Across the valley, the Jakobshorn also has extensive terrain and runs up to 12km (seven-and-a-half miles) long.

Advanced

Davos is one of the leading resorts in the world for advanced skiers. One of the mountain guiding schools will be happy to lead you to the hidden powder stashes or take you high mountain touring. There are also several long marked but ungroomed runs on Jakobshorn and Madrisa. In winter 2006-7 the Pischa sector became one of Switzerland’s largest freeride region. There are three runs that are made safe but left ungroomed, and two groomed trails and an established racing run.

Snowboarding

Davos has a reputation as one of the leading snowboarding resorts in the world. The Jakobshorn is the main centre for boarders and is home to the Sunrise Snowpark and a monster pipe which is reshaped at least twice weekly. The park contains rails and boxes, kicker lines, rollers and a chill out area and has its own ski lift. There is a second pipe on Bolgen which is floodlit nightly.

Other Activities and Facilities

There are lots of things to do in Davos, so much so that many guests visit without ever heading up in to the mountains to ski or board.

Among the facilities are Europe’s largest natural ice rink, several riding schools, 75km of cross country trails and 80km (50 miles) of hiking trails. You also have opportunities to go on a guided snowshoe tour, take a sleigh ride, and try paragliding or hang gliding.

The Schatzalpbahn funicular accesses a 2.5km run down to Davos Platz which is open to 11pm every night. This is one of six sledge runs, the longest the 8.6km (five and a half mile) run down to Saas from Madrisa.

There are plenty of swimming pools including the public Eau-la-la which was renovated in 2006. It includes a 25m pool, diving pool and an 80m slide, the Black Hole. There are also numerous fitness centres, saunas, solariums, massage and health and fitness centres.

Other facilities include four galleries, five museums (one of them dedicated to winter sports), a library, a tennis and squash centre, indoor golf and cinemas.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Davos boasts a huge choice of bars and restaurants for all tastes and pockets. In many cases the atmosphere is quite sophisticated with piano bars and lounges a common feature in hotels.

The Ochsen Spaghetteria has a large Italian and international menu whilst the Pot au Feu on Mattastrasse has a Swiss kitchen with French influences. At the top end of the long list of restaurants are establishments such as Walserhuus Sertig which serves Grisons specialities and is Gault Millau gourmet guide listed. The Obergass in the Hotel Strela has superb homemade vegetarian dishes.

There is a casino in the Hotel Europe with roulette, blackjack and about 70 slot machines.

Families

There are nursery facilities in some of the hotels in Davos. The Kinderhotel Muchetta caters for children from age six months (9am to 4pm) and from three years old (9am to 9pm). You pay by the hour. On the slopes Bobo Children’s Club accepts children aged four and upwards for morning and afternoon on-snow fun. Lunchtime cover is also available if required. Davos offers very good value ski tickets for children with prices two-thirds off the adult cost up to age 12 and a third off from age 13 to 17.

The smaller ski areas above Davos are popular with families. Rinerhorn has a fun course for families and Madrisa’s Kinderland has a magic carpet lift, tubing runs and everything from the family friendly Saaseralp mountain restaurant to a free mini kids room for babies aged up to two years old, with play corner, dining corner and nappy changing area.

Ski/Board Suitability Guide

Suitable for families:	[No]
Suitable for beginners:	[0]
Suitable for intermediate skiers:	[0]
Suitable for advanced skiers:	[0]
Suitable for boarders skiers:	[0]

Accommodation in Davos

• Central Sporthotel - 4 star,
• Central Sporthotel - 4 star,
• Hotel National - 4 star,
• Hotel National - 4 star,
• Hotel Seehof - 4 star,
• Hotel Seehof - 4 star,
• Hotel Waldhuus - 4 star,
• Hotel Waldhuus - 4 star,

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