A 150-year-old winter destination: Davos, Switzerland

2015 marks the 150^th anniversary of the arrival of Davos, Switzerland’s first winter guests. Drawn to the mountain air, two German visitors pioneered the quintessential alpine vacation in this rejuvenating locale. Conceived as a health resort, Davos attracted tuberculosis patients from around the world in search of a cure theoretically enabled by the relatively high altitude (1560m). Its most notable visitors at that time included Robert Louis Stevenson, followed by Thomas Mann, who logged an extended visit in 1911 during his wife’s convalescence there.

Twenty years later, skiing entered the scene. Since then, Davos, along with its neighbor Klosters, has become the European ski destination. Today, people seek rejuvenation and fresh air not in sanatoriums but on the slopes. Prince William, for example, has chosen to continue the Royal Family tradition to winter here. Don’t be surprised, too, if leaders in town for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum each January stick around for some downtime thereafter.

Getting there

You don’t have to be an old-school pioneer to access Davos. Consider getting there by helicopter. Here’s a video view of what that flight is like from Zurich. Once there, the town itself and the mountains are sure to please. Watch this photo overview of the area. Mountains? Yes, the Davos-Klosters area boasts six mountains—often referred to as “magical” for good reason.

Something for everyone

Together, the six magical mountains offer 320 km of slopes, ranging from peacefully easy to thrillingly challenging. Altitudes range from 1,124 to 2,844 meters. Davos boasts five main ski resort areas, and Klosters has two. Here’s a quick overview to get your bearings in order to plan your trip accordingly.

Looking for a classic, long run? Go for the Parsenn, Davos’ 12 km piste that ends in Küblis. If you’re coming from Klosters proper, take the Gotschna cable car to access this famous piste. If you need a different experience of the legendary Parsenn, consider paragliding instead.

If freeriding is more your style, venture to Pischa. This mountain fulfills the adrenaline fix of natural, carefree Alpine skiing and snowboarding. Carefree does not mean careless, however. Look for—and honor—hazard signs. Pischa welcomes kids, too. Pischa Kinderland, for example, features a huge trampoline. While the kids expend their boundless energy bouncing, adults can lounge nearby. Snowtubing and snowshoeing are other family options.

Are you a diehard snowboarder instead? Then hit Jakobshorn. There you’ll find JatzPark (pictured) with all the snowboarding thrills. The perfect, hippest place for your teenagers!

Additional Davos options include Rinerhorn, with skiing for all levels, as well as freeriding, and Schatzalp, the gentle “Slow Mountain,” which is the site of the former sanatorium Mann depicts in The Magic Mountain. While visiting Schatzalp, be sure to stake your claim to a lounger around 10:00AM, when you can bask in the glorious sun.

For more details about the Davos resorts, consult this piste guide. Better yet, check out the live cams from each mountain! Before you head out, read the Lifts Report and browse the Interactive Winter Maps.

If Klosters is your main base, you’ll find the family-friendly Madrisa above Klosters, as well as Gotschna. The Gotschnagrat run is the hub of Klosters skiing, and it links to the Parsenn in Davos.

Analysis of skiing is available here, and you can see the slopes buzzing in this video.

After the slopes.

What’s an alpine vacation without après-skiing fun? The Promenade is the center of Davos life. Shopping and restaurants abound. At the foot of the Jakobshorn is the traditional log cabin Bolgen Plaza (pictured). Want to stay on the mountain to unwind? Try the Jatzhütte, where you even can treat your tired body to an after-ski whirlpool. Find your perfect spot in this Davos après-ski guide.

For dining, traditional fondue is a must. A classic venue is Kirchner’s Stübli. There are many other fondue restaurants to consider.

Can’t wait to get to Davos? Get a flavor of your trip to come, and have fun continuing the 150-year-old tradition of flocking to this wonderful winter destination.

Photography:

Header photo courtesy of ©Destination Davos Klosters.
Davos Aerial photo courtesy of ©Destination Davos Klosters.
Jatz Park – Jakobshorn photo courtesy of Davos Klosters Mountains on Flickr.
Bolgen plaza photo courtesy of Bolgen Plaza. http://www.bolgenplaza.ch/