Back in 1864, a St Moritz hotelier bet his British summer clients that they would enjoy winter at his hotel – or get their money back. Needless to say, he won the bet – and winter tourism was born.
Today, Graubünden’s ski areas are as varied as the high mountain landscape that embraces them. You can choose from more than 40 resorts, with 2,200 km of groomed ski runs and powdery off-piste. From world-renowned resorts, like Davos Klosters, to off-the-beaten-track gems such as Disentis, the range of resorts means that you’ll be sure to find the perfect ski area to suit your needs.
As for snow-sureness, the average altitude of Graubünden’s ski resorts and villages guarantees skiing throughout the winter season.
Arosa, the classic holiday destination, sits at 1,800m; In LAAX – voted Switzerland’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards for the third year in a row – three-quarters of the ski area lies above the tree-line; and cosmopolitan Davos is Europe's highest winter metropolis.
Off the slopes you’re spoilt for choice too, with a wide range of luxury hotels, mountain chalets, spas, and wellness temples to relax and recuperate in.
Five of the best ski resorts in Graubunden
Engadin St. Moritz
Resort height: 1,720m
Summit: 3,303m
Vertical: 1,573m
Ski area: 350km
The spiritual home of winter sports, Engadin St Moritz is one of the largest ski domains in Switzerland, with 350km of pistes. The town overlooks a frozen lake, scene of other winter sports, from ice-skating and curling, to horse- racing, polo, cricket and golf! You can also try the Olympic bobsleigh run and the world-famous Cresta toboggan run.
Easy 25%
Intermediate 64%
Expert 11%
Davos-Klosters
Resort height: 1,190m
Summit: 2,845m
Vertical: 2,035m
Ski area: 320km
Some of the best skiing in Switzerland is right here. Intermediates get lots of long blue and red cruisers, generally above the treeline. Experts will find plenty of black
tree-lined runs, and the off-piste can be superb, with some classic descents of 2,000m+ from Parsenn. For snowboarders, Davos- Klosters boasts three terrain parks and world class freeride.
Easy 23%
Intermediate 42%
Expert 35%
Arosa- Lenzerheide
Resort height: 1,230m
Summit: 2,863m
Vertical: 1,633m
Ski area: 225km
Arosa-Lenzerheide is Switzerland’s new dream team. Reached by one of the most scenic train rides in the Alps, Arosa is set in a wooded basin surrounded by rugged mountains, and its ski area has trebled since last winter’s opening of a lift link with nearby Lenzerheide. Loved by intermediates and beginners, the expert terrain is pretty cool too.
Easy 61%
Intermediate 26%
Expert 13%
Laax
Resort height: 1,100m
Summit: 3,018m
Vertical: 1,920m
Ski area: 235km
Pure skiing fun! LAAX ski resort, made up of three diverse centres – Laax, Flims and Falera – is one of Switzerland's biggest ski areas. And with four snowparks, Europe's largest half-pipe and the first indoor freestyle hall, plus some superb freeride terrain, it's also one of Europe's top spots for snowboarders. A big hit with young couples, families, and revellers alike.
Easy 29%
Intermediate 32%
Expert 39%
Disentis
Resort height: 1,863m
Summit: 2,833m
Vertical: 970m
Ski area: 60km
Little-known Disentis is Graubünden’s hidden gem for freeriders looking for their powder fix, with several long and spectacular off-piste runs. As for pistes, they are beautifully groomed and usually crowd-free. The luxury ski manufacturer ZAI produces its hand- crafted products in Disentis, and visitors can even take them for a test drive in the resort.
Easy 34%
Intermediate 50%
Expert 16%
Take the trip
Laax: Seven nights for friends
Enjoy a week’s stay with friends in a holiday apartment of your choice and explore LAAX with free seven-day lift passes.
Price, from £265pp for seven nights graubunden.com
