Winter ski breaks in Graubünden

Skiing in the Swiss Alps this winter

Friday, 14, Nov 2008 12:00

As one of Switzerland's leading winter sports regions, Graubünden offers over 2,200 kilometres of piste on which enthusiasts can enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

Across the region's numerous resorts are to be found suitable slopes for everyone; ranging from family friendly to prepared, carved pistes and powdery slopes for free-riding.

Furthermore, the above-average altitude of the ski areas - and the local villages - ensures they are virtually guaranteed snow during the seasons. And in case the weather fails, Graubünden also has extensive snow-making facilities - enough to cover 650 hectares of slope.

The proof, though, is in the range and quality of resorts on offer. Here travelbite.co.uk casts an eye over what is likely to be hot on the slopes this season.

Arosa

The classic resort of Arosa lies a 'snow-sure' 1,800 metres above sea level in a wonderful location at the top of a valley. Home to the town of Davos, Arosa possesses a well-known and safe skiing area and boasts over 60 kilometres of slopes.

Whether visitors ski right back to the hotel entrance on their new carving skis, enjoy walking along the winter footpaths going straight through the middle of the ski area or listening to the snow crunching beneath their feet on the way through the village - in Arosa guests are right in the middle of everything, and not just nearby.

Children visiting Arosa will also be thoroughly entertained at the Junior Club; where they receive free kids-lemonade in participating restaurants and special children's menus for the under tens. Children also receive a cool welcome-surprise-bag in the Junior Club hotels.

And if proof were need, Arosa last year played host to singer Jason Donovan and his seven-year-old son, proving it to be a popular family destination!

The municipality comprises an area of 42.54 square kilometres, with the season running from November 29th 2008 until April 19th 2009.

Savognin

With a season starting slightly later, on December 12th, Savognin is a small resort with a large ski area; with 80 kilometres of especially wide pistes a paradise for skiers, carvers and snowboarders during winter.

Kids will be well looked after too in the Pinocchio Club, with its practice slopes right in the centre of the village.

Some 32 kilometres of skiing trails await cross-country skiers, while winter hikers will benefit from 45 kilometres of signposted walking trails.

Tobogganing enthusiasts will also delight in the numerous toboggan runs which extend up to nine kilometres in length, while snow-shoe trekkers have a choice of six routes.

After an intensive day on the slopes, the sulphur spring in the nearby thermal baths of Alvaneu offers welcome relaxation in warm water.

Lenzerheide

Just down the road is Lenzerheide, a sun-blessed snow paradise with 155 kilometres of well-kept ski runs at "snow guaranteed" altitudes, from 1,230 to 2,865 metres at the summit of the Rothorn.

In no time at all 40 modern lifts carry visitors to ski-runs and sunny, scenic terraces with comfortable huts.

Visitors are also invited to take advantage of the frozen Heidsee Lake on which they can walk or cross-country ski, enjoying the fairy-tale winter landscapes.

Lenzerheide has 52 kilometres of prepared cross country trails for hardy explorers, while the whole family can enjoy the ice-skating rink in town. The 'Fun in the Snow' park is also an ideal way to introduce pre-ski tots to winter snowsports.

Off the slopes, relax aching muscles in the Hotel Schweizerhof's Hamam - the largest facility in the Alps - is also heavily recommended.

The season starts on December 6th 2008, and runs until April 13th 2009.

Davos Klosters

Joined for the first time in 2008, the resorts of Davos and Klosters are now one entity.

In the heart of the Graubünden region, south east of Zurich, the small village of Klosters plays host to the British Royals each winter in an exclusive and romantic setting.

However, now joined with Davos - forming the marketing concept which will run from 2008 until 2012 - the Davos Klosters region is aiming to be the leading tourism destination in the Alps, taking a trendsetting role in tourism.

Filled with picturesque chalets in Klosters and urban houses in Davos, the resort offers skiing for all abilities in a discreetly charming alpine setting, with the season beginning on November 21st.

Laax

Opening just before Christmas, on December 20th, Laax offers 220 kilometres of piste and four brand new valley runs; along with 27 lift systems with the capacity to transport in excess of 40,000 passengers an hour.

For après ski antics, dine at mouth watering Das Elephant at the top of Crap Masegn, before moving on for drinks at the effortlessly cool Riders Palace design hotel.

For style-conscious snow lovers, the rocksresort offers snow boarders and skiers an opportunity to stay in one of 11 architecturally striking sugar cubed buildings with 14 shops, six restaurants and a 70-bedroomed boutique hotel all offering top quality service with an intimate club-style atmosphere.

The glacier season runs from November 15th.

Engadin St. Moritz

Finally, the resort Engadin St. Moritz is situated on the southern side of the Swiss Alps, at 1,800 meters above sea level, on the 'Roof of Europe'.

Piz Bernina is the only four-thousander in the eastern Alps (at 4,049 metres in altitude), forming part of one of the most famous ski destinations in the world.

Piz Palü, Piz Corvatsch, Corviglia and Diavolezza are among its other well-known peaks and skiing areas.

St. Moritz has long been the playground for the rich and famous, attracting A-list guests from around the world. George Clooney, Kate Moss, Rupert Everett and Hugh Grant have all been spotted either skiing the mountains of the Swiss Alps or just hanging out at the glamorous Badrutt's King's Club, in recent years.

Further Information

There are a number of airlines flying to the Graubünden region. For example, Swiss from London City, London Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester to Zurich, while Ryanair have a route to Friedrichshafen, with onward train connection to Chur.

Finally, easyJet fly from London Luton to Zurich, while both Zurich and Friedrichshafen benefit from the Graubünden Express shuttle service to several resorts in the region.

For further information about visiting Graubünden, please visit the official tourist website.

Chris O'Toole