Complete Travel Guide to Davos, Switzerland

Check out this post for your complete travel guide to Davos, Switzerland: Skiing, Lodging, Food & Entertainment

Long before Europe’s fashionable crowd was swishing down the slopes in Davos, or world leaders were holding the annual World Economic Forum in its confines, this small Swiss town, famed for some of the best skiing in the country, was hosting a different type of visitor. In the late 1800s the Alpine village located in eastern Switzerland, near the border with Lichtenstein, hosted visitors looking to cure their tuberculosis. It was believed that the clean and crisp mountain air would prove a cure, or at least respite.

The transformation from sanatorium to ski town came in Dr. Friedrich Unger and Hugo Richter came as the first winter guests in 1865 in search of clean winter air in hopes it would cure their tuberculosis.

Before long word got out about the unmatched and endless terrain spread, and tourism exploded.

Today, Davos is home to Europe’s highest mountain resort at 5,116-feet and also its largest. And many of the old sanatoriums have been turned into charming hotels, like the Bellevue, where adventurous tourists can get a good night’s sleep before hitting the mountains in the morning.

And winter sports are why most people visit Davos. The town is known for some of the best skiing in Europe, including vast terrain and plenty of steep chutes, and attracts celebrities and royalty a plenty to its hallowed slopes – Prince Charles has been spotted on the slopes here, as have Brangelina.

If you plan on making the trek out to Davos, however, plan for more than one day of skiing. Otherwise you will not leave you satisfied. The area is huge, incorporating five different resorts with 58 lifts and nearly 200 miles of trails.

Here’s a guide to best navigate the five resorts.

Jakobshorn is a varied mountain, offering something for everyone. It is famous for ´Jatz Park´, a terrain park that is one of the largest snow parks in the Alps complete with a superpipe and spots for freestylers to play. Best of all Jakobshorn is not just for experts. Beginners can have fun in the lower area, served by the double chairlift ´Carjöl´ and there are plenty of blue slopes for intermediate riders to test their skills. While children will love the kids ski school, which features a Disney course. Two locals favorite spots are the´Moräne´ and Brämabüel. In the morning, carve turns in the fresh snow before heading up to Brämabüel to test skills on its steep moguls.

With all its trails at 9,186-feet or higher, Parsenn is the highest of the Davos ski areas. It’s also the largest with more than 62 miles of trails. It is also the only ski resort that can be accessed from both Davos and sister village of Klosters. Starting in Davos, you get to the trails around Weißflujoch taking Parsennbahn gondola. While those coming from Klosters ride Gotschnabahn gondola to the eponymous mountain crest. Whatever you do, don’t miss a ride down Persenn’s classic trail, ´Weissfluhgipfel,´, which is a 7.5-mile ride from top to bottom, descended 6,673 feet!

Families should check out Madrisa ski resort. The local mountain is ideal for kids and beginners in general as it has wide and gentle groomed slopes. Little ones always really enjoy ´Madrisa-Land´ kids park. A tubing lane, a giant slalom and a speed run invite the kids to go insane. The kids club offers professional childcare for kids up to 6 years. Thanks to an extra long valley run to Schlapping, where you pass Schlappintobel, more immediate skiers will find their personal challenges too.

Rinerhorn is another great mountain for families, as it also features a kid’s park: ´Gnome park´ with its courses of witches and gnomes guarantees fun for little visitors. And while much of the mountain is geared towards beginners, there are a few more difficult trails that are still wide enough for carving. Night skiing is also possible here. On Wednesday and Friday nights head to Gondola Rinerhorn (No. 4) to ski until 11pm.

And then there is Pischa in Flüelata, which is mostly reserved for freeriders. A big variety of unmarked snow slopes await you here for serious backcountry fun, but there are also some marked trails for more conservative riders. Little ones will love the snow tubing lane and a giant trampoline and the resort is not too large, making it feel manageable to families.

Cost:

It costs 65 euro per day to ski, and the rates include public transport. The best deal is to purchase four days with one flex day. Lift tickets for longer than two days can be used at all the resorts, allowing you to ski one in the morning and another in the afternoon.

Orientation

Davos is divided into two areas: Davos Platz (where the shops and hotels are) and Davos Dorf (where the ski bases are). Unlike many Swiss ski villages (for instance Gstaad), Davos boasts a lively après ski scene and busy downtown with several shops, cafes as well as a casino and discos.

Where to Eat

Switzerland is famous for fondue, raclette and in this region, rosti, which is a potato based dish that is absolutely delicious. Here are some favorite restaurants to try in the Davos-Klosters region.

Parsenn Hutte is accessible only to skiers, but makes a great spot for lunch on the mountain. It is famous for its meatballs, which are served Prattigauer style with a potato mash and cooked from a traditional recipe that uses a mix of beef, pork, and veal. To get here ski down run 15 (blue) from Weissfluh or alternatively runs 19 or 20 (red).

Chalet Gueggel on Jakobshorn Mountain is another excellent choice. Order the alpine mac with applesauce on the side. They also do a good rosti and have a varied daily menu. The terraces are where to people watch when it isn’t too cold.

Inside the Grisha Das Hotel, the Monta Grill Restaurant is famous for its charcoal grilled meat, fish and chicken dishes. Also try the roulette capuns, which are dumpling wrapped leaves.

Beyond Skiing:

There is more to do in Davos than just ski. Here are some ideas for how to explore off the slopes.

Explore Town: From boutiques to chocolate shops, downtown Davos is filled with shops to explore. Take a stroll and pop into a few.

Kirchner Museum: Check out the largest collection of works by the German Expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) in the world at this museum housed in an innovative modern building resembling a giant cube.
Go Skate: Davos is home to Europe’s largest natural ice rink, which is popular with skaters and also for curling enthusiasts.
Winter Sport Museum: Winter sport fans will like this museum that chronicles the evolution of skis and bindings, taking you back to a time when skis were made from wooden planks.

Where to Sleep:

The nearly new Intercontinental Davos Resort and Spa is one of the most posh and recognizable hotels in town and our pick for where to stay.

Removed from the village, it offers more privacy, and provides a shuttle directly to the lifts and an equipment rental shop on site. The rooms are standard luxury for this brand, and after a rough day on the mountain spending some time in the steam room and sauna or having an après ski massage may be just what the doctor ordered.

The three on-site restaurants and two bars mean you won’t have to leave the grounds for sustenance. Check out the Capricorn Restaurant means you won’t have to leave the grounds if you’re exhausted, and serves regional specialties like Swiss Prime beef and entrecote with truffle potato gratin with carrot and beetroot mash with a twist. Afterwards head to the 10th floor for a drink with panoramic city views at Studio Grigio, which also has very chic and relaxing ambiance.

Alternative Lodging: Klosters

If Davos lodging is full, or you’re simply looking for a slightly different scene, then check out the sister village of Klosters. This is where Prince Charles stays when he visits, and it is much less crowded than Davos while still retaining the charm and Swiss Alps architecture the region is famous for. It takes less than half an hour to get between the two resorts on the train, which is free for visitors with a ski pass or visitor card.

Getting There:

If you fly into Zurich, it’s a three-hour train ride into Davos Platz and Davos Dorf. There are connections from Zurich’s main station to Davos every hour between 6 AM and 11 PM.

Pro Tip: Air travelers may also take advantage of the Fly & Rail baggage service where baggage may be deposited, after clearing customs in Zurich, at the railway counter in the station for direct transfer to Klosters and Davos. Using this service saves the passenger the trouble of carrying luggage when changing trains at Zurich’s Main Station and Landquart. The Fly & Rail rate for luggage is CHF 20.00 (US$ 15.00) per item.

More photos from Davos: