Skiing Graubünden
The Graubünden ski resorts in Switzerland come alive in winter. After all, Alpine winter holidays were invented there over 150 years ago. In the summer of 1864, the St. Moritz hotelier Johannes Badrutt offered his British guests to spend a few days in beautiful Engadin. If they did not like it, Badrutt offered to take over the travel expenses. Otherwise they could stay as long as they wanted, for free. At Christmas four Englishmen arrived and they stayed until Easter. This was the first tourist winter season in the Alps and thus the invention of Alpine winter holidays. Read on to find out more about skiing Graubünden with us.
Graubünden Ski Resorts
In addition to St. Moritz, Graubünden ski resorts such as Arosa, Davos, Klosters,and Laax are among the top winter sports ski resorts in the world. 2,200 kilometres of slopes in over 40 ski resorts, 1,800 kilometres of cross-country trails, 1,400 kilometres of groomed winter hiking trails and dozens of snow parks alone would already be a guarantee for a great winter holiday.
St. Moritz
Known as one of the most luxurious ski resorts in the world, St Moritz delivers on and off the slopes. You can access 326km of pistes with a full lift pass and admire spectacular views. Some of the highest-profile celebrities and business icons often visit or own property in the area. It has some of the best restaurants in Switzerland and there are lots of designer clothing shops to visit too. The accommodation options are top class with the best service around. It still has a traditional alpine feel and the surrounding stunning nature still steals the show.
Arosa
Positioned at the top of the Schanfigg Valley, Arosa is the understated alternative to neighbouring St Moritz. The atmosphere is quieter but there are still fantastic options to dine and stay in the ski resort. There’s 225km of slopes to explore, which are suited to different levels of skier. Its high altitude means the snow conditions are very reliable and the slopes are perfectly groomed. Even though there’s a quieter reputation, there’s still some great bars and clubs to enjoy after a day on the slopes.
Davos
Davos is one of the largest and highest ski resorts in the Alps. It offers excellent skiing with 251km of pistes to enjoy. In the village, there’s a great selection of bars, restaurants and shops to visit when you’re not on the slopes. The luxury accommodation options are superb too, with top-quality service and rooms. The nightlife has a mixture of traditional alpine bars and modern establishments too. A great way to relax after a day’s skiing.
Klosters
Klosters has gained an international reputation due to regular visits from members of the British Royal Family. Fit for royalty, the ski resort has top-class bars, restaurants and luxury accommodation options. The village itself is small and quaint and you can access the 251km of slopes very easily. It has an authentic traditional alpine aesthetic, which is coupled with breathtaking mountain views. The skiing is suitable for different levels of skiers, perfect for families and mixed ability groups.
Flims Laax
It’s the home to the most prestigious snowboarding competition called the Laax Open. The freestyle facilities in Flims Laax are some of the best in the world with indoor training centres and massive snow parks. Away from the jumps, you can enjoy fantastic skiing on 235km of pistes. In the village, there’s a range of 20 restaurants with different types of cuisine. As for the nightlife, there’s a mixture of classy bars and lively nightclubs. One of the most action-packed areas of Graubünden skiing.
Off the slope activities
The Graubünden ski resorts offer even more. Adventurous toboggan runs and relaxing snowshoe hikes. Small, unknown villages and the Rhaetian Railway which provides spectacular winter train rides on the Glacier and Bernina Express. If you’re looking for relaxation, the mountain huts with hearty barley soup as well as at the calm and stylish après-ski, or soaking in beautiful spa oasis’ is perfection.
Snow levels
The above-average altitude of the Graubünden ski resorts guarantees snow. The longest toboggan run in Switzerland leads through the middle of Graubünden. The most important snowboarding event in Europe takes place every winter in Graubünden, or more precisely in Laax. And time and time again, Graubünden hosts major Alpine ski racing events.
Graubünden skiing
The magnificent Graubünden ski slopes make their way into the Valleys over a length of some 17 kilometres. These slopes require stamina and a passion for skiing or snowboarding. If you need refreshments in between, stop at the idyllic next mountain hut.
Ski resort Disentis 3000: Péz Ault to S. Catrina
Is almost 11 kilometres long and stands at an 1,773 altitude metres. Up until the spring skiers can put their stamina to the test on the slope from Péz Ault (3,000 m above sea level) to S. Catrina (1,227 m above sea level). A detour through the wonderful powder snow areas of Disentis is definitely worthwhile. One thing is sure, in S. Catrina you have earned yourself a little break.
Ski resort Diavolezza: Glacier run
Skiers seeking a thrill will love this glacier run from the Diavolezza to Morteratsch. The scenery against the backdrop of the Bernina Massif is simply incredible. The glacier crossing and the man-sized moguls – are the highlights of the 10-kilometre run.
Ski resort Laax: Vorab-Flims
The longest descent of the Laax Alpine arena begins on the Vorab glacier (3,018 m above sea level). Passing the halfpipe and the freestyle park, it crosses the La Siala area. It then continues along the Nagens-Runca area down to Flims (1,100 m above sea level). Carving your way down the 17 kilometres run at an altitude of 1,918 is sensational.
Ski resort Parsenn: Weissfluhgipfel to Küblis
If you take the legendary Parsenn slope from Weissfluhjoch Davos (2,693 m above sea level) to Küblis (814 m above sea level), you’ll be following in the footsteps of famous ski legends: first held in 1924, the Parsenn Derby was one of the most prestigious ski races at the time.
Image Credits: [[Image: Parsenn © Graubünden Ferien, Davos Klosters BB]] [[Image: Mountain Village © Graubünden Ferien, Dominik Täuber]] [[Image: Flims LAAX © Graubünden Ferien, Weisse Arena AG]] [[Image: Diavolezza © Graubünden Ferien]] [[Image: Sedrun Disentis © Sedrun Disentis Tourismus]] [[Image: Train © Graubünden Ferien, Rhätische Bahn]] [[Image: Arosa Lenzerheide 2 © Lenzerheide Marketing und Support AG]] [[Image: Arosa Lenzerheide © Graubünden Ferien, LMS AG]]
