Davos

Davos Ski Resort

Davos is a perennial Ski Club favourite and a bustling town that provides access to six snowsure ski areas and 300km of varied slopes, shared with neighbouring Klosters.

There is a long history of snowsports in the Davos Valley, particularly on the local Parsenn Mountain where the funicular was built for skiers over 80 years ago (it has since been upgraded!). This is now one of six areas covered by the regional ski pass, which provides access to 55 lifts – several of which have also been recently rebuilt. Getting between the areas can be a bit of a hassle – especially to Klosters – but there is a good bus service linking up all the areas that comes free with your ski pass.

For a ski resort, Davos is a big town and as a result almost all of the accommodation is a walk or short bus ride away from the lifts. But what this does mean is that the range of hotel and chalet options are vast, as is the choice of bars and restaurants – just try not to visit when the World Economic Forum is in town as it is packed and even more expensive than usual (but you might just get the slopes to yourself…).

Why not join Ski Club Freshtracks in Davos this season? There are no fewer than five holidays heading out to this great resort – there's something for everyone!

If you've booked your own trip, the very best way to learn about the different mountains in the valley is via your Ski Club Rep – in town this winter from January until March, but note that no Rep will be present during the World Economic Forum week (18th – 25th January).

Be sure to also join our popular Ski Club's Davos Facebook Page if you’re heading out to Davos this season – if you have any questions then someone will no doubt be able to help! 

What's New for 2019/20?

Davos Klosters has made life easier this season for those who choose to drive to the area. The Gotschnatunnel, part of the Klosters ring road, is undergoing a three-stage renovation, and the second stage has been completed prior to the start of the season.

Further additions for the new season are an igloo village which features a hotel and a bar open every Saturday and Sunday for those who fancy a different après-ski experience. In further après related news, the Chalet Bolgen bar, which has been a temporary structure which was dismantled at the end of every season since 2016, has been turned into a permanent wooden chalet after proving greatly popular in the last few seasons.

Our Davos Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Advanced ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Après ★ ★☆ ☆ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Davos Skiing and Snowboarding

There is some fantastic variety for all levels and more than 80% of the runs are above the snowsure altitude 2000m. Beginners have access to some good nursery areas on the edge of town and some gentle blues on the Parsenn, intermediates can explore pretty much everywhere and in Pischa there is an entire mountain dedicated to freeride. The only real issue is the steep and often busy resort runs that drop back down towards Davos – these are not suitable for beginners and in some cases intermediates too.

• Total Pistes: 300 km
• Blue: 22%
• Red: 41%
• Black: 17%
• Itineraries: 20%
• Lifts: 55
• Altitude: 810m (resort at 1550m) – 2844m

For Beginners

The best beginner zone is located at the base of the Jakobshorn ski area, where two draglifts and a nursery area offer a great starting point for first timers. From here, there is good progression on the gentle blues further up the mountain and also on the Parsenn. Above Klosters, there is another good and snowsure beginner zone at the top of the Madrisabahn gondola. In all sectors downloading at the end of the day is advised to avoid the busy and steep resort runs.

For Intermediates

The choice is fantastic and there is great cruising on five of the six of the mountains (Pischa excluded). For the longest runs, including the epic descent to Küblis, head to Weissfluhjoch and wind your way down over 2000 vertical metres before catching the train back at the bottom. On the other side of the valley, both Jakobshorn and Rinerhorn have a good variety of cruising terrain, but for the latter you need to be confident on drag lifts as there are no chairs above the access gondola.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

If the snow is good there are some fantastic off piste options and if freeride is your thing then Pischa is dedicated entirely to ungroomed terrain. Some great off piste can also be found on the ski routes off the back of the Jakobshorn – catch the bus back from the bottom. Elsewhere, the upper runs at Madrisa, including itinerary 12 and piste 9a also offer some great challenges.

Davos Piste Map

The Parsenn, Schatzalp and Madrisa map can be downloaded here. Head over to the Davos website to see the maps for the smaller areas, which are also available in an Interactive 3D format – click here.

Davos Ski Pass Prices

Each of the six areas have different day and two-day pass prices, after which point the regional pass (covering all zones) takes over. For a full explanation visit the Davos website. Note that these prices may change, so check with the resort for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009.

The Topcard is available for those looking for a season pass, it covers both summer and winter, and costs 1400 CHF (if bought before 1st May it would be 1100 CHF). It also covers the nearby resorts of Arosa, Lenzerheide and Flims/Laax.

Davos Season Dates

• Parsenn: 21st November 2019 (access from Klosters from 7th December 2019) – 19th April 2020
• Jakobshorn 6th December 2019 – 19th April 2020
• Pischa: 26th December 2019 – 22nd March 2020
• Rinerhorn: 21st December 2019 – 29th March 2020
• Madrisa: 20th December 2019 – 29th March 2020
• Schatzalp: 21st December 2019 – 29th March 2020

For full details see the resort's website and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info & advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009.

Davos Resort

Davos is more of a town than a ski resort and it was first built as a sanitorium rather than a ski resort. This means that there are a lot of large buildings – most of which have now been converted into hotels – and unfortunately it can be plagued by through traffic. That being said, its size lends itself to offering considerable variety when it comes to accommodation as well as bars and restaurants for the evening.

For Families

There is plenty to keep families happy, just note that everything is quite spread out, so you may be catching a bus of walking for a little while first. The beginner area at Bolgen at the base of the Jakobshorn is excellent however and there is also an ice rink and several tobogganing routes. Most of the larger hotels have swimming pools.

For Après

This is focussed on the central Promenade in town, but Davos is definitely not a party town. There are a couple of nightclubs, including the Pöstli Cub in the Posthotel but generally a beer or a glühwein after a day on the slopes fits the Davos après vibe. The perfect place or this at the Sunstar Park Hotel – the location for the popular Ski Club Social Hour.

How to get to Davos

Getting to Davos is easiest on the train. From Zürich you need to change twice but it takes only two and a half hours – one of the quickest transfers in Switzerland – and this is by far the best airport to fly to. Basel is an hour further away. Driving is an option if your hotel has parking – Zürich is around two hours away, as are the small German airports of Friedrichshafen and Memmingen.

• Zürich airport: 2 hours (driving), 2.5 hours (by train)
• Basel airport: 3 hours (driving), 3.5 hours (by train)
• Friedrichshafen airport: 2 hours (driving)
• Memmingen airport: 2 hours (driving)
• Calais: approximately 11 hours driving (612 miles)

Davos Contact Details

• Website: www.davos.ch
• Email: info@davos.ch
• Telephone: +41 81 415 21 21
• Facebook: @davosklosters
• Instagram: @davosklosters
• Twitter: @DavosKlosters