Learn how to Plan the Excellent Ski Journey to Arosa, Switzerland

There is a distinct blue colour that hits a mountain simply earlier than the solar comes over the height. It is a hue skiers and snowboarders know nicely, because it’s significantly vibrant within the winter. And on a chilly November day in Arosa, Switzerland, the blue was pure magic. 

In 2023, I visited the quaint little ski city nestled excessive within the Schanfigg Valley within the Swiss canton of Graubünden for an annual ski occasion like no different: Personal Mountain Day with Tschuggen Grand Resort. Simply because the title suggests, the occasion permits lodge friends to have unique entry to the Arosa Lenzerheide ski area earlier than it opens to the general public for one wonderful day.

As we took the prepare from Zurich, the snow started to fall, rapidly blanketing the panorama in a thick, fluffy layer — a lot in order that we frightened we would not really make it to the mountain. However make it we did, and upon arrival, the stoke degree was at an all-time excessive.

Within the morning, we have been whisked away on the lodge’s non-public gondola to the highest of the mountain, the place we have been greeted with a festive ambiance that included loads of scorching cocoa, heat fondue, and jovial spirits. Sure, the paths have been open too, and with only a handful of individuals there, everybody might take broad turns and benefit from the views at their very own tempo earlier than heading into the mountain’s occasion tram for an après-ski occasion, full with a DJ, dancing, and loads of drinks. 

One of the best half is that anybody can e-book the non-public mountain expertise by the lodge for stays between Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 2024. As a part of the keep, friends will take pleasure in that unique entry, with in the future devoted fully to solely Tschuggen Grand Resort friends, together with bites on the lodge’s La Brezza restaurant from Chef Marco Campanella, named this 12 months’s “Chef of the 12 months” by the Swiss version of the Gault Millau gastronomy information e-book.

“Arosa affords a novel mixture of snow reliability and solar publicity early within the season, making it a really perfect vacation spot for winter sports activities fans,” Silvana Schlösser, the final supervisor on the Tschuggen Grand Resort, shared. “It’s the right spot for each seasoned skiers and people simply discovering their ardour for the mountains.”

And whereas opening weekend is definitely one thing to expertise, Schlösser added that the remainder of the winter season affords one thing particular, too. “Mid-January and late February are incredible instances to expertise Arosa,” Schlösser famous. “The slopes are in wonderful situation, the après-ski scene is vibrant, and the crowds are lighter than throughout peak vacation intervals. For these on the lookout for a quieter, extra unique winter escape, March can be a good time with still-perfect situations as we’re greater than 1,800 meters above sea degree, so there’s nonetheless a number of powder throughout these instances.”

Here is how one can expertise Arosa this ski season.

When to Go

The ski season in Arosa usually runs from late November to late April. For prime snow situations, skiers and riders ought to plot out a visit for mid-January to early March when the resort experiences peak snowfall. However actually, the complete season is spectacular, as those that are available December or late March might be rewarded with fewer crowds — and maybe a number of spring snowboarding days the place all you want is a light-weight sweater. November and December are particular instances to go to, too as the realm is exceptionally festive for the vacation season. 

The place to Keep

Tschuggen Grand Resort

These searching for an opulent retreat needn’t look additional than the Tschuggen Grand Resort. The five-star property has ski-in, ski-out entry due to its non-public gondola (which comes with ultra-plush bucket seats and floor-to-ceiling home windows for a beautiful view all the best way), together with a famed 5,000-square-foot spa, full with indoor and out of doors swimming pools, saunas, and steam baths. And, its up to date suites embody in-room saunas for the last word in leisure. 

Valsana Resort Arosa

The Valsana Resort is a sustainability-focused lodge that does not skimp on type. The lodging overlooks Lake Obersee and affords quick access to each the slopes and the city. It additionally boasts its personal wellness heart with a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, and an indoor pool. And the lodge is dog-friendly, making it the right match for anybody touring with a four-legged good friend. 

Waldhotel Arosa

Discover a bit extra rustic allure on the four-star Waldhotel Arosa. Its modern-meets-minimalist inside contains loads of pinewood and oakwood, mirroring the scene out of the huge image home windows. And it is only a fast experience away from the mountains, with its personal spa and scrumptious eating in addition. 

The place to Eat

Weisshorngipfel

Make your technique to the summit of the Weisshorn to search out Weisshorngipfel, a mountaintop restaurant with breathtaking views and attractive Swiss fare. The restaurant, solely accessible through cable automotive, is right for a noon ski break so you possibly can fill your stomach with rösti and fondue earlier than cruising down the mountain once more.

Guterschuppen

For a pleasant brunch in a comfy ambiance, e-book a desk at Guterschuppen. The restaurant, situated on the town, has a menu stuffed with Swiss and globally impressed bites, together with the whole lot from shakshuka to kürbissuppe, a German pumpkin soup that can heat your soul. 

The Basement

Get yet one more style of Swiss life at The Basement contained in the Tschuggen Grand Resort. The low-key spot options “grandma’s recipes” created from regionally sourced elements, together with a raclette burger, rösti, and fondue. 

The place to Après-ski

Kuhbar

Ski instantly into Kuhbar for an après drink. The bar, situated proper on the slopes, is well-known as being one of many liveliest dives in Arosa. Not solely are you able to get a pint (or two), however you get to do it with beautiful views of the mountains, too. 

Strumpfbar

Discover a extra low-key après setting on the Strumpfbar on the Arosa Vetter Resort. Right here, you possibly can order basically any drink you need from its intensive wine and cocktail menu, although actually, you possibly can by no means go incorrect with a mulled wine after snowboarding. 

Off-mountain Actions

Shred the toboggan trails.

On our journey to Arosa, the snow was so heavy that we really could not ski a second day as a consequence of security considerations. However that was advantageous with us, as we have been capable of discover Arosa’s community of toboggan runs, together with the famed Prätschli run. 

Go for a winter hike.

There are almost 20 miles of winter mountaineering trails sprinkled round Arosa that are perfect for non-skiers or these on the lookout for an off day. It is a true choose-your-own-adventure exercise, as you possibly can choose from simple lakeside walks or difficult alpine hikes. 

Take an ice bathtub.

Have the last word refreshing expertise by taking the plunge with an ice bathtub in Arosa. Vacationers can participate in a full ice bathtub session with Eisbadi, the place the aim is to remain within the water for a full minute.

Learn how to Journey

Tickets

Arosa Lenzerheide has a variety of ticket choices, together with single-day passes, multi-day passes, discounted household passes, and afternoon passes, which begin at simply $24. Ticket costs fluctuate relying on the time of 12 months, so verify the ticket workplace earlier than you e-book. 

Leases

There are many rental firms in Arosa with high-quality gear, so you possibly can pack flippantly and profit from your time on the mountain. There are a number of Intersport areas round city that can hook you up with precisely what you want. 

Snowboarding and Snowboarding

As On the Snow explains, there are 139 miles of trails to discover and 43 lifts that can assist you entry all that terrain. The mountain is made up of 49 p.c newbie runs, 39 p.c superior/intermediate runs, and 12 p.c knowledgeable runs. The mountain additionally affords evening snowboarding down choose trails for anybody hoping so as to add a further adrenaline rush. And whereas its trails could be difficult, it is nonetheless an ideal place to carry children, due to the ABC Snow Sports activities Faculty, which affords classes and actions designed for youths below 17.