Davos is one of the four Swiss ski resorts that are part of the prestigious Best of the Alps club, located in the east of the country, in the canton of Graubünden. This is the highest mountain city in Europe – 1,560 meters above sea level; almost thirteen thousand people live here permanently. By Swiss standards, this is a fairly large city.

 

The resort stretches along the valley for four kilometers and has two centers – Davos-Dorf and Davos-Platz. Davos has excellent hotels, first-class shops and a variety of entertainment facilities, including a casino, not to mention hundreds of restaurants, bars and clubs. Here you can spend several days without riding at all – just relaxing, walking around restaurants and cafes. It is home to Europe’s largest natural rink, and ice skating is as popular as downhill skiing. The resort has a ski kindergarten, ski schools for children and adults, sports equipment rental.

Historical reference

Davos was a resort long before downhill skiing became a popular vacation. To be treated by the mountain air and the sun, people came here already in the 19th century, it was believed that the local healing climate works wonders. In 1882, Robert Lewis Stevenson tried to defeat tuberculosis in Davos. Until now, there are several prestigious medical clinics specializing in the treatment of respiratory diseases, allergic and skin diseases.

Arthur Conan Doyle became the first person to ski down the local slopes. Since then, ski slopes are one of the main treasures of Davos. The skiing area is diverse, suitable for all categories of skiers and consists of seven different areas connected by lifts and ski buses. In addition, the Klosters resort is located next door, where you can also ski with a Davos ski pass.

Davos in summer, 1925. Ernst Kirchner

The development of Davos as a popular tourist region began in the 18th century. These places have always attracted vacationers with the beauty of their landscapes and clean alpine air. Since 1830, the town and its surroundings began to develop as a climatic resort, and since 1860 – as a ski station. Davos gained worldwide popularity thanks to the annual International Economic Forum, which was first held in 1971. Now it is held annually in the last week of January. During this period, to prevent possible attacks on the heads of government, Davos is completely closed to outsiders.

One must pay tribute to the taste of its organizers – the place is truly magical. Local hotels do not know seasonal downtime, they are always full of tourists or conference participants.

Guests arriving in the city will already feel a special atmosphere on the platform of the station. Tall snow-covered fir trees on vertical slopes and broad-fronted ebony mountain huts surround the dizzying approaches to Davos. But numerous business schools, as well as discos, night clubs, shows and casinos will not let you feel in the middle of nowhere.

How to get there

Flight to Zurich, then by train with a transfer in Landquart. Distance: about 147 km. The cost of a train ticket in one direction for the entire route: from 50 to 90 euros. Trains to Davos depart from Zurich main train station every hour, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The road is very scenic. You will drive through forests and rocks, past beautiful high mountain lakes.

Travel time: about 2 hours 40 minutes.

 

Skiing areas

Davos and its equally famous neighbor Klosters offer seven skiing areas and 325 km of trails (60 blue, 128 red, 60 black). The districts are not connected by lifts, but you can move between them by ski bus. However, not all mountain ranges around Davos have been developed yet, and tracks are laid only in the most beautiful side valleys and on the best slopes. On one side of the valley are Pissha (2483 m), Jakobshorn (2590 m) and Rinershorn (2490 m), on the other – Parsenn (2844 m) and Gotschna (2285 m). Somewhat separately, behind Klosters, rises Madriza (2602 m). A funicular from the center of Davos Platz leads to the Schatzalp area (2,350 m).

You can get to Klosters on skis and by train – second class travel is free if you have a ski pass, the journey time is about 20 minutes. In Madriz, on the so-called Family Mountain, there is a large “children’s world” equipped with lifts and tracks for the little ones, a ski carousel and two children’s restaurants.

There are 110 tracks, the total length of which is 320 km

blue (light) – 30%

red (medium difficulty) – 50%

black (complex) – 20%

The longest route is 12 km

The number of lifts is 53, the total carrying capacity is 64,400

mountain trains – 2

gondolas and elevator cabins – 12

chair lifts – 10

rope lifts – 29

Snowboard, freestyle – park skating.

The local snow parks are rightfully considered one of the best in the country. Jakobshorn is called “Merry Mountain” because it is a favorite place for snowboarders and skiers. On the wide western slopes, a grandiose park with a half-pipe, trampolines and other amusements is built every year, and at the bottom there is another one, a little smaller, for beginners. Also, snowparks are equipped at Rinershorn, Parzenn / Gotschna, Pisha.

Of the 7 ski sectors, only Parzenn and Gotschna are connected. The funicular to Parzenn leaves from the center of Davos Dorf. Skiing here is designed for the average level, but extreme for professionals may not be enough, if you do not take into account the short black track from the very top of Weissfluhgipfel (2844 m) to the lift station Weissfluhjoch (2662 m).

The other Davos slopes – Jakobshorn and Rinerhorn, located on the other side of the Pisch Valley, as well as the farthest sector (beyond the village of Klosters) Madriz – are independent spheres, which can sometimes seem a bit burdensome. On the other hand, you can always get there by bus (free with a guest card, but only on the territory of Davos!), and the choice of completely different ski areas creates a special attraction, because each of the 6 Davos mountains has a special character.

Accommodation in Davos

The extraordinary, modern hotel of unusual architecture InterContinental Davos 5 * is considered the best hotel of the resort and will satisfy the requirements of even the most demanding customers, located in a secluded place above Davos, from where you can contemplate the most beautiful landscapes and activities.

The Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvedere 5 * , located in the center of the resort, is suitable for lovers of traditional classics .

The five-star Grand Hotel Steigenberger Belvedere is located in the center of Davos, just a 3-minute walk from the convention center. It was opened in 1875 as the Grand Hotel Davos. A renovated wellness center with a swimming pool, hot tub, massage room, fitness room, saunas and steam room is at guests’ disposal.

Belvédère Grand Hotel has a fine dining restaurant Belvédère and Romeo & Julia Tavern specializing in Swiss fondue. International and local cuisine can be enjoyed in the a la carte restaurant Bistro Voilà or in the stylish Carigiet bar in the lounge. Half board includes a 6- or 3-course dinner at the Belvédère restaurant.

Shops, night clubs, museums, restaurants, bars and casinos are within walking distance of the hotel. A free transfer from the railway station is organized for guests.

Among the 4 * category hotels, we can safely recommend the modern, comfortable Ameron Davos 4 * hotel , which opened in December 2015.

AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort offers an indoor pool, a fitness center and a large spa, just 200 meters from the convention center. Free Wi-Fi is provided.

Each mountain-view room at the AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort features a furnished balcony, tea/coffee making facilities, a desk and a bathroom with a bath or shower and a hairdryer.

The AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort Hotel features an à la carte restaurant with a sun terrace. The Campanello and Cervolino restaurants are open during the winter season. The children’s club can be visited for free, and the services of a massage therapist are available for a fee. Among other things, the guests have at their disposal a tour desk, a luggage storage room and a room for storing skis. There are hiking and cycling routes near the hotel.

The Vaillant Sports Arena is 600 meters from the hotel, and the Parsenn Ski Resort is a 2-minute drive away.

Enjoy the well-deserved popularity of the prestigious Hotel Seehof Davos 4 * and the stylish Alpine Hotel Grischa – DAS Davos 4 *, they are located in the center of Davos, as well as the elegant hotel with interiors in the art nouveau style Morosani Schweizerhof 4 * and the historic hotel Morosani Posthotel 4 * , which has the advantage of being located next to the Jakobshorn ski lift.

For more economical accommodation, 4 * and 3 * Sunstar hotels, which are located on the same territory, are suitable.

The Sunstar Davos Hotel is located in a quiet park next to the Davos embankment . Guests enjoy a regular shuttle to the main ski stations of Jakobshorn and Parsenn, as well as free access to the spa and indoor pool.

All rooms are furnished with Swiss pine and have a minibar with free drinks. The hotel has rooms with a south-facing balcony, as well as several connecting rooms.

The Sunstar Hotel’s modern spa includes a Roman-Irish thermal bath, a sauna and a fitness centre. Massages and beauty treatments can be ordered at the hotel.

The hotel’s restaurant serves a 5-course dinner with a choice of fresh local produce. The menu includes various snacks, a salad bar, soups, 3 main dishes (meat, fish or vegetarian) and seasonal dishes from the chef. Guests are also offered a variety of desserts, and the chef organizes special themed dinners twice a week.

The hotel has a business center and a ski equipment rental shop. Free parking is available in front of the hotel building.

From mid-June to mid-October, the price of accommodation includes use of the Davos cable cars.

Entertainment and active recreation

Social life is full of entertainment. During the day, you can diversify your vacation by visiting one of eight museums or an art gallery, and in the evening, 5 cafes, 30 bars, 89 restaurants, 4 discos, nightclubs, a cinema, a casino and concert halls are at your service.

2 ski schools, 200 instructors (cost – from €65 per lesson, from €320 per day); 4 snowboard schools, 60 instructors. Ski kindergarten “Bobo Club” (from 4 years old), ski training course (from 3 years old), ski competitions, guest kindergarten, separate ski area, 4 lifts, playroom.

Davos is an eldorado for ski and snowboard fans from all over the world, the favorite place of boarders is on Jakobshorn, there is also a fan park on Parsenhuette.

Davos is equipped with 77 km of tracks, one of them, 2.5 km long, is illuminated. There are 35 km in Klosters, 3 km of which are illuminated. Tracks with lighting are open until 9:30 p.m. The most popular toboggan run in Davos is on the Rinerhorn (3.5 km). It is illuminated at night, and on Wednesdays and Fridays night skiing can be combined with dinner at the restaurant at the upper station of the lift. Wednesdays are reserved for barbecue, fondue and raclette, Fridays for spaghetti. In Klosters there is a toboggan run from the Gotschabahn intermediate station (3.5 km), to Alpenrosli (2.5 km), and Malcheti-Aeuja (2.5 km).

Not only fans of skiing and snowboarding will find activities to their liking here, but also lovers of ice skating. It is here, in Davos, that the largest natural rink in Europe is equipped – the Ice Stadium, which also operates in the summer. Davos is ready to offer something special to everyone: 75 km of cross-country skiing (there are lights), sledding from the mountain on a horse-drawn sleigh, ice climbing, curling, skiing from the mountains with torches; tennis and squash, badminton and golf, paragliding school. In the summer of 2005, the elegant health and entertainment center “Eau-La-La” was renovated and reopened, with an Olympic indoor pool, a pool with hydromassage, a children’s pool and a water slide, saunas, jacuzzis, Kneipp baths, sauna, massage.

Night skiing in Davos

Skiing in the evening has its highlight and gives skiers the opportunity to express themselves on the slopes in a new way.

And skating or sledding under the light of lanterns will give you unforgettable impressions. In the Swiss ski region of Davos – Kloster, you will find a variety of opportunities to have fun after the sun goes down.

The floodlit slopes at the Rapid-Sessellift on Mount Parsenn in the resort of Davos are open for skiers and snowboarders from 19:00 to 23:00 every Friday.

Likewise, fans of cross-country skiing will be pleasantly surprised: the cross-country skiing trails in Davos are illuminated every day until 9:30 p.m.

A fun evening entertainment can be sledding on special tracks illuminated by multi-colored lights from Schatzalp station to Davos Platz. These tracks are open every evening until 11 p.m. Also, several times a week you can go ice skating on lighted tracks in Davos. And, of course, there are numerous cozy restaurants and cafes at your service

Davos restaurants

Restaurant Weissfluhgipfel is located at the top of the Weissfluhgipfel and is one of the best places to dine in the mountains. Although the cuisine is quite simple, it is worth visiting here for the beautiful views – from a height of 2,883 meters, a stunning panorama opens up. Be sure to try ryoshti with Davos mountain cheese.

Mann und Co.

Gastronomic restaurant in Waldhotel Davos, the name of which refers to the writer Thomas Mann (it was Waldhotel Davos that served as the prototype for the international sanatorium “Berghof” from his novel “Magic Mountain”). The creativity of the restaurant’s chef, the German Martin Lifait, marked by 15 points in the Gault Millau guide, is both harmonious and full of bright contrasts. Guests of the restaurant can order dinner a la carte, or they can choose a special set of 8 dishes, consisting, among other things, of such delicacies as Asian veal tail soup, quail breast in truffle sauce and Irish lamb roast “Crown”.

Postli

Another gourmet restaurant with 15 points from Gault Millau, located in the Morosani Posthotel. Live music and a “creative menu” featuring marinated tuna with melon chutney, South African lobster with curry cappuccino and beef steak with horseradish.

Bellevue Wiesen

A fresh take on Swiss specialties. On Sundays, there is a brunch with farm products, which is best served on the large sunny terrace.

Bundnerstubli

A cozy and elegant restaurant in the Central Sporthotel, specializing, among other things, in the flambe technique (dishes are poured with strong alcohol and set on fire). The same hotel has a piano bar with live music.

“+” Pluses

• The highest city in Europe – 1560 m above sea level.
• Lots of entertainment for every taste and budget.
• A good sports center, a huge natural rink.
• A large area of ​​the ski region.

“-” Cons

• You can move without taking off your skis only between Davos and Klosters – other ski areas are separated from each other.
• Insufficient number of tracks for expert skiing.
• Many long rope lifts