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 – 1560 meters above sea level; almost thirteen thousand people permanently live here. 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 venues, including a casino, not to mention hundreds of restaurants, bars and clubs. You can spend several days here without skiing at all – just relaxing, walking around the restaurants and cafes. It is home to the largest natural ice rink in Europe, and ice skating is as popular as downhill skiing. The resort has a ski kindergarten, ski schools for children and adults, and sports equipment rentals.

Historical background

Davos was a resort long before downhill skiing became a popular form of recreation. People came here to be treated with mountain air and sun as early as the 19th century, and it was believed that the local healing climate worked wonders. In 1882, Robert Lewis Stevenson tried to overcome dry skin in Davos. Several prestigious medical clinics specializing in the treatment of respiratory diseases, allergies and skin diseases still operate here.

The first person to ski down the local slopes was Arthur Conan Doyle. Since then, the ski slopes have been one of Davos’ main treasures. The skiing area is diverse, suitable for all categories of skiers and consists of seven different zones, which are connected by lifts and ski buses. In addition, the Klosters resort is located nearby, where you can also ski using the 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 resort. Davos gained world fame 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 heads of government, Davos is completely closed to outsiders.

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

Guests who have arrived in the city will feel a special atmosphere already on the station platform. Tall snow-covered fir trees on vertical slopes and wide-fronted mountain huts of ebony surround the dizzying entrances to Davos. But numerous business schools, as well as discos, nightclubs, shows and casinos will not let you feel in the wilderness.

How to get there

Fly to Zurich, then by train with a change in Landquart. Distance: about 147 km. Cost of a one-way train ticket for the entire route: from 50 to 90 euros. Trains to Davos depart from Zurich main train station every hour, from 6 am to 11 pm. The road is very scenic. You will drive through forests and cliffs, 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 pistes (60 blue, 128 red, 60 black). The areas are not connected by lifts, but you can move between them by ski bus. However, not all of the mountain ranges around Davos have been developed yet, and the pistes are laid only in the most beautiful side valleys and on the best slopes. On one side of the valley are the Pisscha (2483 m), the Jakobshorn (2590 m) and the Rinershorn (2490 m), on the other – the interconnected Parsenn (2844 m) and the Gottschna (2285 m). Somewhat separately, behind Klosters, rises Madriz (2602 m). And the Schatzalp zone (2350 m) is reached by a funicular from the center of Davos Platz.

You can get to Klosters by skis and by train – second class travel is free with 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” with lifts and slopes for the youngest, a ski carousel and two children’s restaurants.

Trails – 110, total length – 320 km

blue (easy) – 30%

red (medium difficulty) – 50%

black (difficult) – 20%

The longest trail – 12 km

Number of lifts – 53, total capacity – 64400

mountain trains – 2

gondola and cabin lifts – 12

chair lifts – 10

tow lifts – 29

Snowboarding, freestyle – park skiing.

The local snow parks are rightfully considered one of the best in the country. Jakobshorn is called the “Happy Mountain” because it is a favorite place for snowboarders and new school skiers. On the wide western slopes, a grand park with a half-pipe, jumps and other fun is built every year, and below there is another, slightly smaller one for beginners. Also, snow parks are equipped on Rinershorn, Parzenn / Gotschna, Pisch.

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

The other Davos slopes – the Jakobshorn and the Rinerhorn, located on the other side of the Pisch Valley, as well as the furthest (behind the village of Klosters) sector of the Madriz – are independent areas, 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 in Davos!), and the choice of completely different ski areas creates a special appeal, because each of the 6 Davos mountains has its own special character.

Accommodation in Davos

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

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

The 5-star Steigenberger Grand Hotel Belvedere is located in the centre of Davos, just a 3-minute walk from the conference centre. It opened in 1875 as the Grand Hotel Davos. It features a renovated wellness centre with a swimming pool, hot tub, massage room, fitness room, saunas and a steam bath.

The Grand Hotel Belvedere features the Belvédère fine dining restaurant and the Romeo & Julia tavern, which specializes in Swiss fondue. International and local cuisine can be enjoyed in the à la carte Bistro Voilà or in the stylish Carigiet bar in the lounge. Half board includes a 6-course or 3-course dinner in the Belvédère restaurant.

Shops, nightclubs, museums, restaurants, bars and casinos are within walking distance of the hotel. A free shuttle service from the train station is available for guests.

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

The AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort is just 200 metres from the congress centre and features an indoor pool, a fitness centre and a large spa area. Free WiFi is available.

Each room at the AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort offers mountain views and a furnished balcony. Tea/coffee making facilities, a desk and a bathroom with a bath or shower and a hairdryer are provided.

The AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort features an à la carte restaurant with a sun terrace. The Campanello and Cervolino restaurants are open during the winter season. The kids’ club is free of charge and massage services are available for a fee. Other facilities offered at the property include a tour desk, luggage storage and ski storage. Hiking and cycling trails can be found nearby.

The Vaillant Sports Arena is 600 metres from the hotel, and the Parsenn ski resort is a 2-minute drive away.

The prestigious Seehof Davos 4* and the stylish Alpine Hotel Grischа – DAS Davos 4* are well-deservedly popular, located in the centre of Davos, as are the elegant Art Nouveau Morosani Schweizerhof 4* and the historic Morosani Posthotel 4*, which benefits from its location next to the Jakobshorn lift.

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

The Sunstar Davos is located in a quiet park next to the Davos promenade. It offers a regular shuttle service to the main ski resorts of Jakobshorn and Parsenn, as well as free access to the spa area and an indoor pool.

All rooms are furnished with Swiss pine wood and feature a minibar with free drinks. Some rooms have a south-facing balcony, and some have connecting rooms.

The modern spa area of the Sunstar Hotel includes a Roman-Irish thermal bath, a sauna and a fitness centre. Massages and beauty treatments are available on request.

The hotel restaurant serves a 5-course dinner with a choice of fresh local products. The menu includes a variety of starters, a salad bar, soups, 3 main courses (meat, fish or vegetarian) and seasonal dishes from the chef. A variety of desserts are also available, and the chef organizes special themed dinners twice a week.

The hotel has a business centre and a ski shop, which can also be rented. Free parking is available in front of the hotel.

From mid-June to mid-October, the use of the Davos cable cars is included in the price.

Entertainment and leisure

The high life is full of entertainment. During the day, you can diversify your vacation by visiting one of the 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 lessons (from 3 years old), ski competitions, guest kindergarten, separate ski area, 4 lifts, playroom.

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

Davos has 77 km of slopes, one of which, 2.5 km long, is illuminated. Klosters has 35 km, 3 km of which are illuminated. Illuminated slopes are open until 9.30 pm. The most popular Davos toboggan run is on the Rinerhorn (3.5 km). It is illuminated at night, and on Wednesdays and Fridays, night skiing can be combined with dinner in a 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 intermediate station of the Gotschabahn lift (3.5 km), to Alpenrosli (2.5 km), and Malcheti-Aeuja (2.5 km).

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

Night skiing in Davos

Skiing in the evening has its own charm and gives skiers a new way to show themselves on the slopes.

And skating or sledding by lantern light will give you unforgettable impressions. In the Swiss ski region Davos – Kloster, you can find a variety of opportunities to have fun after sunset.

The floodlit slopes at the Rapid-Sessellift on Mount Parsenn in the Davos resort are open to skiers and snowboarders from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Friday.

Cross-country skiers will also be pleasantly surprised: the cross-country ski trails in Davos are floodlit every day until 9:30 p.m.

A fun evening activity is tobogganing on the specially lit tracks from Schatzalp station to Davos Platz. These tracks are open every evening until 11 p.m. You can also go ice skating on the illuminated tracks in Davos several times a week. І, звичайно, до Ваших послуг численні затишні ресторани і кафе

Ресторани Давосу

Restaurant Weissfluhgipfel розташований на вершині Вайссфлюйох, і це одне з кращих місць для обіду в горах. Хоча кухня досить проста, сюди варто звернути заради гарних видів – з висоти 2883 метрів відкривається приголомшлива панорама. Обов’язково спробуйте рьошті з гірським давоським сиром.

Mann und Co.

Гастрономічний ресторан в Waldhotel Davos, назва якого відсилає до письменника Томаса Манна (саме Waldhotel Davos послужив прототипом міжнародного санаторію “Берггоф” з його роману “Чарівна гора”). Творчість шеф-кухаря ресторану, німця Мартіна Ліфайта, зазначене 15 балами путівника Gault Millau, одночасно гармонійно і наповнене яскравими контрастами. Гості ресторану можуть замовити вечерю по меню, а можуть вибрати спеціальний комплекс з 8 страв, що складається, крім іншого, з таких делікатесів, як азіатський суп з телячих хвостиків, перепелина грудка в трюфельному соусі і ірландська печеня “Корона” з баранини.

Postli

Ще один ресторан високої кухні з 15 балами від Gault Millau, розташований в Morosani Posthotel. Жива музика і “креативне меню”, в якому фігурують маринований тунець з динним чатні, південноафриканський омар з каррі-капучіно і яловичий стейк з хріном.

Bellevue Wiesen

Свіжий погляд на швейцарські спеціалітети. По неділях – бранч з фермерських продуктів, є який найкраще на великий сонячній терасі.

Bundnerstubli

Затишний і елегантний ресторан в Central Sporthotel, що спеціалізується, в тому числі, на технології фламбе (страви поливають міцним алкоголем і підпалюють). У цьому ж готелі – піанобар з живою музикою.

«+» Плюси

Найвисокогірніше місто Європи – 1560 м над рівнем моря.
Багато розваг на будь-який смак і гаманець.
Хороший спортцентр, величезний природний каток.
Велика площа гірськолижного регіону.

«-» Мінуси

Пересуватися не знімаючи лиж можна тільки між Давосом і Клостерсом – інші гірськолижні райони відірвані один від одного.
Недостатня кількість трас для експертного катання.
Багато довгих бугельних підйомників