Davos Klosters

Character

Davos has a character that no other ski resort replicates: a fully functioning Swiss city with a population of around 11,000 that happens to be encircled by six ski mountains, and that also hosts the World Economic Forum each January — bringing heads of state and corporate leaders to the same valley as weekend skiers from Zurich. This dual identity shapes the town profoundly. The streets are urban rather than Alpine-village; the hotels range from grand historic spa establishments (the Waldhotel Davos, the Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère) to modern convention hotels built for the WEF crowd. Klosters, the smaller village 11 kilometres down the valley, offers a more intimate character — a traditional wooden-chalet Graubünden village that the British royal family has used as a ski base for decades.

Terrain

Three hundred kilometres of pistes across six sectors make Davos Klosters effectively six resorts in one, each with a different demographic and purpose. Parsenn — the centrepiece — extends from the Weissfluhjoch at 2,844m down through varied groomed terrain to the valley floor at Klosters, with the classic 12-kilometre Küblis run being one of the longest marked descents in the Swiss Alps. Jakobshorn (2,590m) faces south and serves the snowboard and freestyle community with dedicated parks and lively après; it also has direct access from Davos by funicular. Madrisa above Klosters is the family sector with gentle gradients and a dedicated children's area. Pischa is Davos's freeride mountain — served by a single gondola, deliberately low-development, with excellent powder terrain on north-facing aspects. Rinerhorn is quiet and often uncrowded. Schatzalp-Strela sits above Davos itself and offers good intermediate skiing with outstanding valley views.

Snow & Conditions

Davos's altitude — at 1,560m the highest city in the Alps — and the Parsenn's 2,844m summit provide a reliable snow base through the main season. January and February typically deliver the best natural snowfall in the Graubünden, with the upper Parsenn terrain holding conditions well into April. The east-facing aspects of Parsenn receive morning sun that can soften the snowpack by midday in spring; the north-facing Pischa sector preserves powder best. The resort has snowmaking coverage on key pistes. A notable advantage is the distribution across six sectors with different elevations and aspects — when conditions are marginal on one mountain, another is usually in better condition, giving the experienced Davos skier options that single-mountain resorts cannot offer.

Lifts & Mountain Access

Fifty-seven transport systems cover the six sectors, but there is no direct piste connection between all of them — movement between sectors requires using the town's bus and train network for some combinations. Parsenn and Schatzalp-Strela connect on-mountain; Jakobshorn is accessible by funicular from Davos Platz; Madrisa is accessed from Klosters Dorf by gondola; Pischa and Rinerhorn require bus transfers from Davos. The Parsennbahn from Davos Dorf to the Weissfluhjoch is the historic centrepiece of the lift network — a cog railway funicular running since 1931 with a modern refurbishment. Regional rail and the efficient valley bus (included with most ski passes) make the multi-sector movement practical for a multi-day visit.

Village & Accommodation

Davos offers the full range of Swiss mountain accommodation: grand spa hotels with nineteenth-century heritage through to modern apartment blocks and private chalets. The Waldhotel Davos, Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère, and Intercontinental Davos represent the premium tier. More affordable options cluster around Davos Platz and Davos Dorf, the two main commercial centres connected by the valley road. Klosters Platz and Klosters Dorf offer a quieter, more intimate alternative — predominantly traditional Swiss chalets with fewer chain hotels and a stronger sense of village community. The proximity of the two main centres to their respective lift stations (Parsennbahn from Dorf; Jakobshorn funicular from Platz) makes logistics manageable without a car.

Getting There

Zurich is the only practical gateway airport for Davos Klosters, at around 2 hours by road (A3 motorway south, then B28 via Chur) or 2h 30min by train. The train is a genuine option here: the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) connection from Landquart to Davos Platz and Davos Dorf is reliable, scenic, and offers year-round service. The final segment through the Prättigau valley on the narrow-gauge line is one of the most beautiful railway approaches to any European ski resort. Flying into Innsbruck (INN) and driving over the Arlberg pass is possible (~2h 15min) but adds complexity. Driving from Zürich takes around 2 hours via the A3 motorway to Landquart, then the B28 through the Prättigau.

Pricing

Davos Klosters is priced at the premium end of the Swiss market, though it represents better value than St. Moritz or Zermatt. A six-day adult ski pass covering all six sectors runs approximately CHF 350–380 (around €370–400 at current rates, 2024/25 season). The Klosters Guest Card and Davos Guest Card include public transport and some discounts. Accommodation reflects Swiss city pricing: Davos Dorf and Platz offer mid-range options at CHF 150–300 per person per night (half-board); the grand hotels and Klosters premium chalets command CHF 400+ per person. Dining in town is full Swiss urban pricing — plan for CHF 40–70 for a main course at a good restaurant, and more at Jakobshorn's mountain restaurants.

All price references are editorial estimates for the 2024/25 season. Current season prices may differ; verify at the official resort website before booking.

Atmosphere & Dining

The après-ski culture at Davos reflects the resort's dual identity: Jakobshorn has a younger, more energetic après scene with outdoor terraces on the mountain; the Parsenn sectors are quieter and more traditionally Swiss. The town's restaurants reflect Graubünden mountain cuisine — rösti, bundnerfleisch air-dried beef, pasta dishes from the Italian influence in the canton — alongside international hotel dining. The Klosters scene is intimate and understated: small local restaurants, fondue and raclette evenings, and the kind of post-skiing quiet that appeals to visitors who prefer a genuine mountain atmosphere over organised entertainment. The WEF period (late January) transforms Davos Platz with a visible security presence and an influx of global leaders, which adds an unusual dimension to an otherwise ordinary ski week.

Expert Tips

The Küblis descent from Weissfluhjoch is non-negotiable: 12 kilometres from 2,844m to 810m, taking around 45 minutes at moderate pace, finishing in the valley with a train back to Davos. Do it in the morning after grooming but before the snow softens. For powder, check Pischa first after fresh snowfall — it faces north, its single gondola means the mountain fills slowly, and there is excellent untracked terrain across the face. The Parsenn to Saas ski route (unmarked, requires local knowledge or a guide) is one of the best backcountry approaches in the canton. For families, Madrisa above Klosters is genuinely superior to the Parsenn for young children — gentler, quieter, and well-serviced. Buy the Davos Klosters ski pass online in advance for a meaningful saving over the window price.

Editorial Scores