Things to do in Davos
If you have not heard of Davos Klosters Ski Resort Switzerland before I am sure you have now. After all of the news of Donald Trump being in the city for the famous World Economic Forum. An annual event held every winter, with some of the world’s most powerful leaders.
However, there is so much more to this beautiful resort and with it being the biggest Ski resort city in Switzerland you will find plenty of things to do and see.
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Davos Ski Resort Switzerland
Apart from it being the largest ski resort city in Switzerland, it is also considered to be the highest city in Europe. The ski area is split across two different sides of the Swiss Alps.
The Parsenn and Madrisa on one side and Pischa, Jakobshor and Rinerhorn on the other side. You are definitely spoilt for choice with 350 km’s of guaranteed snow-covered pistes.
Davos Ski Passes
Davos Ski Passes are really flexible, you can get a lift pass for the individual areas of Parsenn / Jakobshorn / Madrisa or a regional pass which covers Parsenn / Jakobshorn / Madrisa / Pischa / Rinerhorn.
It really depends on your experience, comfort and budget.
⇒ Check with your hotel in Davos to see if they are doing any deals with ski passes. Sometimes you can get a discount or even a free pass.
Skiing in Davos Ski Area
There are six ski areas in Davos Klosters Switzerland for the family and friends to enjoy. All the ski areas are spread out and are not interlinked. However, it is super easy to get around especially on the local bus and train with your skis and boards. And it is free with your ski pass which is a bonus.
I skied in the Jakobshorn with my guide Oliver and the ski conditions could not have been any more perfect. The best bit was we were the only ones on the slopes as we were first up on the mountain.
The red slopes were just the way I like them, long wide and steep in some bits. As you are so high up most of the slopes are open and the only time that you go through any real forest is on your way back to the resort and when you go off piste near the resort.
I always carry a day backpack when skiing in Switzerland, as well as a water bottle. It keeps me hydrated especially with my rare heart condition and pacemaker/ICD.
Overview of the Davos Skiing Area (Regional )
- 6 Main Ski Areas (Parsenn / Jakobshorn / Madrisa / Pischa / Rinerhorn & Sertigtal )
- 55 lifts
- 110 pistes
- 300 km or 186 miles ski slopes
- Super pipe and airbag at Bolgen for freestyle skiing
- Longest run: 12 km/8 miles, Weissfluhgipfel-Küblis
- Night skiing in Rinerhorn
- 8 different sledge runs are available across the Davos Klosters
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Highlights Skiing in Davos Switzerland
Other Activities in the Resort
There is so much more you can do during winter in Davos Ski area. From dog sledging, and curling to simply just enjoying the food and Swiss wine. I like to mix up my days by skiing half a day and doing an activity for the other half.
Here are some other winter activities to do in Davos
- Airboard Snow Bodyboarding on Pischa
- Go Fatbiking riding on the snow on Pischa
- Try your hand at Snowshoeing
- Ice-skating at Davos World of Ice which is the largest mobile artificial ice rink in Switzerland.
- Ice climbing up a frozen waterfall in Sertigtal valley
- Watch the famous Davos Ice-Hockey team at the Ice Stadium.
Feeling adventurous, how about experiencing paragliding on your skis above Davos Klosters. I have done the same winter activity when I was in La Cluaza.
Davos Winter Guest Programme
Davos Ski Resort offer’s a variety of experiences and things to do during the winter period. This is called the winter guest programme and includes everything from Sport & Adventure, Kids & Family, Visits & Excursions as well as Art & Culture.
There is pretty much something available for everyone and every age to do in winter. The experiences are available to guests with a valid Davos Klosters Card and can be booked directly online with the tourism office.
I went on two of the winter guest programme activities, Slope and Rescue service – look behind the scenes Parsenn and Early Bird skiing (Parsenn). I enjoyed both a lot for different reasons.
Things to consider before booking Davos experience
- If you can not make one of the activities or experiences booked, please let the tourism office know as soon as possible. There are limited spots available on some of the activities and someone else can take your spot. Also, people will be waiting around for you to turn up.
- This happened on one of the activities that I was on, some people just didn’t bother to turn up and we waited around for them.
Slope and Rescue service – look behind the scenes Parsenn
Go behind the scenes and learn about what the search and rescue do daily, how avalanches are dispersed and what it takes to groom a run. You will go away with a good insight on what Davos Klosters do to make sure that you are keeping safe.
As well as a greater appreciation for the mountains and the people that take care of them. You might even also go away understanding why it costs so much money for a lift pass.
Davos tourism office has such an activity called ‘Slope and rescue service – look behind the scenes Parsenn’ that takes you into the SOS control to learn what they do and then you go into the snow groomer’s area. You learn everything about what needs to be done to keep the people in Davos Klosters Ski Resort safe.
You also get to learn about why the snow groomers are so expensive, why they don’t fall down the steep slopes and if you are lucky, they let you sit in one (Which is actually really cool).
Additional Information
- Cost – FREE!!!! (Just your time)
- Meeting Point – 2 pm. Weissfluhjoch upper terminus by the entrance to the Weissfluh summit cable car
- Duration – 2hrs Max
- What to wear – Warm clothing, good winter shoes and gloves
- Register – Up until 9am on the same day (as it is an afternoon activity)
Early Bird Skiing – Parsenn Davos
There is nothing like that feeling of getting up super early and being the first one to tear up the freshly groomed slopes. It is such a great way to start the day. The Davos winter guest programme, Early Bird skiing Parsenn Davos, not only allows you to do this. But you get to ski or snowboard for 2hrs with a guide before the chairlifts officially open.
If you are lucky enough and it is a clear morning you even get to see the sunrise over the Swiss Alps. Unfortunately, I never saw it because I had a whiteout on the morning.
Lucky for my two guides Christina and Markus, who were fantastic especially when I lost my sense of bearings. I couldn’t see anything apart from my guides and I was completely comfortable following them down slopes.
⇒ Before heading off skiing in Switzerland for your next ski holiday, make sure you have the right travel insurance.
Even though I never saw anything except lots and lots of snow, I still had a great time and it’s an activity that I would definitely do again.
- Please note that this is not an activity for someone who is not a confident skier or snowboarder.
⇒ Based in England? Do you know that you can take the Snowboarding lesson at The SnowCentre.
Additional Information
- Meeting Point – 07:15 am Parsenn Davos lower terminus (Before you catch the train up)
- Duration – 2hrs
- Take a day backpack, as well as a water bottle with you to keep hydrated.
- Requirements – Confident skiing on red runs & Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult
- Must Bring – Own or rented skis – or snowboard equipment
Where to have a drink
There is nothing more enjoyable than having a nice glass of wine (or beer) after a hard day of skiing. Aprés in Davos Switzerland is very popular and each area has their own unique place to party. You have everything from Wine bars in the centre of town to chalets on top of the mountains with DJ’s pumping out tunes.
Don’t for get your sun glasses for looking cool, while enjoying the Aprés ski in Switzerland.
Jatzhutte bar on the mountain
Although I never got to experience the Jatzhutte bar in its full glory with all the ski and snowboarders dancing. I heard that it is a great place to go for Apres Ski. However, I did go there first thing in the morning for a coffee and to warm up, as it was super cold. The views across the Swiss Alps from Jatzhutte bar were impressvie.
Jatzhutte bar had some fun looking facilities, like all the deck chairs had rugs to keep you warm outside. And if you are feeling super adventurous there were even two jacuzzis that you could use while enjoying your drinks.
Top Tip
- I suggest booking one of the chairs in advance, as it gets really busy for Apré ski
The Pulsa Bar & Lounge Restaurant – Off the Mountain
I do not always recommend bars in hotels that I stay in but I really liked The Pulsa Bar & Lounge Restaurant. It was situated on the ground floor of The Hotel Grischa and was modern, stylish but casual and cosy at the same time. It was a great spot for a drink after skiing or for pre-dinner drinks.
One part of the bar area had comfortable couches with an open fire and chandelier above. While the other area had sit down tables and the bar where you could enjoy the food service.
If you like cigars there was also the ‘Zino Platinum Cigar Lounge’, a glassed area where you could go to enjoy some good quality cigars and fine drinks like a whisky to match.
Top Tip
- If you like Gin go check out Cantinetta lounger & bar in the Ameron Hotel
How to get to Davos Klosters
Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport is the closest international airport to Davos Klosters Ski Resort. Your best options from Zurich to Davos are trains, transfers or driving. If you go drive it is roughly a 2-3 hour drive in good weather conditions by train it is about 3 hours.
If you like to get a FREE, easy and fast comparison of flights to Zurich Airport, then try out the Travel Supermarket flight comparison site.
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Top Tip
- Check with the airline that you are travelling with because some of them allow you to check your skis on the plane for free.
St Moritz Switzerland is another ski resort you can get to from Zurich airport
Trains from Zurich
The best and most cost-effective way to get from Zurich to Davos (or Klosters) is via train. This should take around 3 hours from the Zurich Aiport to Davos Ski Resort, depending on changes.
If you have ever caught a train in Switzerland you know that they are always on time and are efficient. Not to mention some of the prettiest train rides in the world.
You can book your train in advance and keep track of the trains and platforms using the SBS train app.
The standard Train route:
Zurich Airport → Zurich Central Station → Landquart (You change onto the Snowtrain) → Davos Platz
Accommodation in Davos
Being the largest ski resort city in Switzerland and the highest city in Europe, there is a large selection of hotels in Davos. You are definitely spoiled for options when it comes to accommodation. You can choose from From stunning luxury 5 star hotels and chalets to mountain huts and apartments, there is definitely something for everyone with any type of budget.
Check with your hotel in Davos to see if they are doing any deals with ski passes. Sometimes you can get a discount or even a free pass.
⇒ Check the current availability for accommodation in Davos Ski Resort Switzerland.
Hotel Grischa
I stayed at the very stylish Hotel Grischa which was situated in a prime position. Across the road from the main train station and only 5 minutes walk (with skis) to the Jakobshorn cableway. The hotel and staff were friendly and were always happy to help and my Junior Suite was very spacious with a separate living room and a balcony facing the slopes.
The hotel has everything that you can want from a winter holiday, from 5 different restaurants to ski room with a boot dryer and waxing room. You pretty much didn’t need to leave the hotel after your day of skiing.
⇒ Hotels in Switzerland use two different types of plugs for electrical equipment. Plug type C (which has two round pins) and type J ( which has three round pins).
Top Tips before heading to Davos Ski Resort
- You can take the snow train from Davos to St Moritz, which is only 1 hour and 28 minutes. Then you can spend a few days in each resort and basically have the best of both worlds, skiing in two amazing resorts.
- Exploring other parts of Switzerland while there? Think about getting a 4 day Swiss Travel Pass.
- During the winter period, the Davos-Klosters Guest Card provides free use of local buses and trains, as well as other discounts.
- The currency used in Davos Switzerland is the Swiss Franc
- The number 1 or 3 bus gets you everywhere in Davos Ski resort. If not, all the locals are pretty helpful.
- Transfer; Book a transfer in advance from Zurich to Davos in winter
Other Ski Resorts in Switzerland
Discover other Ski Resorts in Switzerland, then feel free to read the following. All are great options for ski holidays.
⇒ Make sure that you have the right travel insurance when on the ski slopes in Davos Switzerland for your ski holiday. Compare the best holiday insurance for FREE
Thank you for reading this article on Davos Ski Resort Switzerland. There is so many amazing things to do in Winter, as well as skiing.
Have you been to Davos Ski Resort before? I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
Disclaimer: Even though I was working with the Switzerland Tourism UK and Davos Klosters Tourism office All views are my own and based on my own experience.
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