Davos Luxury Chalets

Davos has excellent transport links, and you should find moving between areas to be a seamless experience. It’s a 45-minute walk from one end of the town to the other but regular trains link the two sides. There’s an efficient bus service to get you to different parts of town. If you want to explore the neighbouring villages, they’re easily accessed by cable car.

 Transfer information

Davos is well connected by road and rail, making it an ideal destination for a hassle-free trip or a quick weekend break.

 Travelling by car

There are great transfer services from all major airports. But if you’re planning on taking day trips to the nearby towns, you might like the convenience of your own car. There are many paid parking spaces throughout Davos. The roads are well-maintained, and snow chains aren’t needed. Normal snow tires are recommended.

 Travelling by train

Zurich is the most convenient place to depart from if you’re planning to travel by rail. Trains depart every hour from Zurich, but you’ll have to take a couple of connections. They stop at Davos Dorf and Davos Platz so check which one is closest to your accommodation.

Airports

Zurich (ZRH) – 154km
By car – 2 hours 5 minutes
By rail – 3 hours 20 minutes

 Friedrichshafen (FDH)  – 153km
By car – 2 hours
By rail – 6 hours

 Innsbruck (INN) – 175km
By car – 2 hours 45 minutes
By rail – 6 hours 20 minutes

Basel (BSL) – 239km
By car – 2 hours 40 minutes
By rail – 5 hours

 Allgau Memmingen (FMM) – 195km
By car – 2 hours 20 minutes
By Rail – 5 hours

With over 40 bars and nightclubs, you’ll find no shortage of ways to let off steam during your stay in Davos. Snuggle in cosy huts, sip on elegant cocktails, or dance to the early hours.

Whether you want a warming vin chaud or boot stomping action, there’s a good selection of bars and huts to stop in before your descent back into town.

• Head to the pretty Schwarzseeälpli-Bar for a casual drink in the sun. The small hut sells a choice of snacks and refreshments to fuel your journey back down the mountain.
• The legendary Jatzhutte has incredible Sertig Valley views and the best mountain parties. Dance on the sun terrace or take a dip in the hot tub surrounded by palm trees.
• For a unique experience, do a beer tasting in the Monsteiner Brewery. It’s a 15-minute drive from Davos and the highest brewery in Europe. Their beer is made using fresh mountain spring water.

Once back in Davos, drop your skis outside the nearest bar and continue the party.

• Soak up the sun on the deckchairs of the Bolgen Plaza. From 3 pm the music turns up and the party gets started. Head inside and warm up by the fireplace if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere
• The cosy Chami Bar is a lovely place to warm up and relax with a drink. Make sure to dabble with their large whisky collection.
• The Montana Bar is at the Parsenn valley station, but you’ll hear the music blasting well before you arrive

If you’re looking for a unique place for a post-dinner drink, Davos has a great music scene.

• For live music without the rowdiness, head to PianoBar Tonic. The elegant space inside Hotel Europe has great cocktails and musicians performing on the piano.
• The Hard Rock Hotel maintains the chain’s iconic menu and décor. On the weekends they have regular tribute acts to get you singing along.
• The eclectic Poestli Lounge has funky décor and music acts on the weekends.

You’ll find many late-night options in Davos but expect a sore head in the morning.

• The Ex Bar is known for their rowdy parties and rock and country music.
• The Poestli Club is the most popular club in Davos. Head here if you’re sick of the typical après ski music.
• Casa Antica has been serving up iconic nightlife since 1959. The historic building has a disco on the ground floor and two trendy cocktail bars on the upper floors.

A huge ski area and a great lift system make Davos the perfect destination for endless exploration. Ski dreamy blues and reds, attempt jaw-clenching blacks, and discover seriously underrated off-piste. Most snow lovers return to Davos because they can wrap up their days with long cruises back into town. The 10-12km runs stretch all the way back into the nearby villages.

The ski area

An efficient system of 54 lifts will transport you across 320km of piste. Start in Davos Dorf for great runs back into town. Or leave from Davos Platz to reach more challenging terrain. There are six main ski areas accessible from Davos: 

• Parsenn/Gotschna is one of the largest ski areas in Europe, with over 100km of slopes. It connects Davos to the neighbouring resort of Klosters. It’s also home to the infamous 12km run, taking you from alpine forests all the way down to the valley.
• Jakobshorn has more challenging terrain, an excellent freestyle scene, and fantastic après ski.
• Pischahorn is slightly off the beaten track. Come here for quirky slopes and fantastic freeriding.
• Rinerhorn is great for families, children, and beginners, with excellent children’s fun areas and an obstacle course. There are lots of wide slopes for practising your turns.
• Madrisahorn is also a family area, with good nursery slopes, magic carpets, and snow bikes. There are also accessible lifts for people with disabilities.
• The privately owned Schatzalp is on the sunny side. It’s accessible via funicular in four minutes. There are gentle slopes and it’s the first decelerated resort, so great for a relaxing day on the snow.

Boarders

Davos has a big snowboarding community thanks to its fantastic variety of terrain, great snow parks and two half pipes. Most of them tend to stick around Jakobshorn. There are lots of challenging options here and wide runs, so you have ultimate freedom as you turn. The six-mile run from Parsenn down to Serneus will leave your legs throbbing. Beginners will find wide easy pistes around the Jakobshorn and at Parsenn. 

Freestylers will have a great time in Davos. Head to Jatz Park for 20 different features. There are jumps, rails, and kickers to suit all abilities. If you dare, there’s also a 120m half pipe. Outside the Bolgen apres bar, you can show off on the 22-foot superpipe. If you’re a beginner, there’s a huge airbag to soften your landing.

Beginners

Start your skiing journey at the birthplace of snow sports. Accessible beginners’ areas are in the city centre. There’s a good beginners’ area at the foot of the Jakobshorn with a practice slope and easy lifts. Kids will love the Madrisahorn nursery slopes for their welcoming ski schools and fun surroundings.

Once you’re ready to progress, head to the larger area of Parsenn. It’s a little more intimidating, but if you stick to the left side, you’ll find gentle slopes and easy terrain.

Our recommended ski schools:

• Ben and Joe’s is an international and bilingual team with 20 years of instructor experience. They offer beginners, off-piste, and freestyle courses for small groups with flexible hours.
• Schwiezer Skischule has group and private lessons for children and adults. They have experienced guides for advanced skiers. Kids will love learning to ski in their snow garden.
• Top Secret Ski and Snowboard School have been running since 1988. They have lessons for all ages and abilities in skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemarking, and freestyle. Their children’s groups are a maximum of eight, so they’ll get plenty of attention as they progress.

Intermediates

If you’re a solid intermediate, you’ll find everywhere Davos to be very well connected. All of Davos’ ski areas have easy blues to build up your confidence. Newer intermediates should start around Rinderhorn for a peaceful and easy start to the holiday. The endless choice of piste in Davos will have you soaring by the end of the week.

Once your snow feet are aching for more adventure, sample some of the runs around Jakobshorn. The long red run from Weissfluhjoch to Klosters will be the highlight of your week. It’s a little challenging, but snow conditions and usually great and the views are unforgettable.

Advanced

Expert skiers will want to start by firing up their legs on the long valley runs at Parsenn, Madrisa & Rinerhorn. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a cold morning. Advanced skiers tend to stick around the Jakobshorn. There is a mixture of runs here including some tricky blacks, so you can add lots of variety to your day.

Backcountry skiing in Davos offers infinite possibilities. If you’re newer to off-piste, start at Schatzalp. The slopes here are relaxed and have pretty views over Davos. Head to Pischahorn to discover one of Switzerland’s largest freeride regions. The tricky and remote terrain around the Rinerhorn will feel like you have the whole mountain to yourself.

We recommend exploring Davos’ backcountry with a guide to keep you safe and find the best secret spots. Tony Ski Davos has a choice of bilingual instructors who offer guided powder tours and will help you to perfect your technique.

Davos is a fairly snow sure resort, with snow-making facilities only needed 5% of the time. You’ll find the best snow between February and April, but this is also the most crowded time.

November
Lifts open in mid-November and things start ramping up for the winter season.
Average snowfall: 41cm
Snow days: 5

December
Snow conditions before Christmas aren’t certain and the resort may be relying on snow machines. But the city feel of Davos makes it a lively place to be over the festive season.
Average snowfall: 77cm
Snow days: 7

January
In January the town is bustling from visitors for the World Economic Forum, but you’ll find this the quietest time to be on the slopes. Make sure you book in advance to get the best accommodation.
Average snowfall: 113cm
Snow days: 10

February
February is a very cold time to visit Davos, but you’ll find the best fresh powder during this month.
Average snowfall: 83cm
Snow days: 8

March
Davos’ ski runs stay open until the end of March, but the number of pistes with snow start to decrease towards the end of the month.
Average snowfall: 73cm
Snow days: 7