Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Skiing for 15 years and visited resorts in:
🇦🇺 Australia (6) • 🇺🇸 USA (15) • 🇯🇵 Japan (5) • 🇪🇺 Europe (10)
Davos sprawls across 266 kilometres of piste between 810 and 2844 metres in the Prättigau/Davos Region of Graubünden, Switzerland. The resort comprises six distinct ski areas - Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Rinerhorn, Pischa, Madrisa and Schatzalp - spread across both sides of the Landwasser valley, connected by 53 lifts and free regional buses. 2034 metres of vertical drop delivers everything from the 12-kilometre Parsenn descent to Küblis, one of Europe's longest pistes, to the dedicated freeride terrain of Pischa where no runs are groomed.
The terrain splits 31 per cent beginner, 49 per cent intermediate, 15 per cent advanced and 5 per cent expert across 70 marked runs, with vast off-piste zones adding depth for strong skiers. Parsenn anchors the system as the largest sector with 97 kilometres of runs and direct connections to neighbouring Klosters via the Gotschnabahn. Jakobshorn on the valley's south side hosts a 120-metre superpipe and the JatzPark terrain park at 2300 metres, drawing snowboarders since the 1980s. Rinerhorn offers quiet intermediate cruising, whilst family-friendly Madrisa near Klosters provides sunny slopes and a 1478-metre vertical descent.
Davos operates as Switzerland's highest town at 1560 metres rather than a purpose-built ski village, with two main centres - Davos Dorf and Davos Platz - offering urban infrastructure, the Kirchner Museum, indoor pools and conference facilities. The resort hosts the World Economic Forum each January and the Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament every December. Lift bases scatter across the valley floor requiring trains and buses to move between sectors, though all transport runs free with a valid lift pass.
The Davos Klosters Mountains regional pass covers five of six sectors for CHF 80 peak-day adult tickets, with separate single-mountain options from CHF 45 for Parsenn or Jakobshorn alone. An annual TopCard season pass costs CHF 1550. The resort receives 423 centimetres of snow annually with reliable coverage from mid-November through mid-April at elevations reaching 2844 metres at Weissfluhgipfel. Davos suits intermediates seeking mileage, freeriders chasing untracked powder on Pischa, and families wanting comprehensive facilities beyond skiing.
Total Runs
70
Total Area
266km
165.3 miles
Fifty-three lifts service the Davos Klosters Mountains, comprising 8 aerial trams, 4 gondolas, 4 six-seater chairlifts, 6 quad chairs, 5 double chairs, 19 T-bars, 5 surface lifts and 2 funicular railways. The infrastructure reflects eight decades of development, from the 1934 Bolgen drag lift - claimed as the world's first - to modern detachable chairs with weather protection. Combined uphill capacity exceeds 64,000 skiers per hour across all sectors, though the dispersed layout means few bottlenecks midweek.
The Parsennbahn funicular from Davos Dorf forms the resort's arterial route, nicknamed the TGV of the Alps for its speed, carrying passengers in two sections to Weissfluhjoch at 2662 metres in under 15 minutes. From there a 10-person gondola from Schifer and an aerial tram to Weissfluhgipfel at 2844 metres complete the summit access. Klosters accesses Parsenn via the Gotschnabahn aerial tram to Gotschnagrat, linking the two resort bases. Jakobshorn relies on a two-stage gondola from Davos Platz to 2590 metres, supplemented by high-speed quads including weather-protected models.
Rinerhorn deploys a six-seater gondola from Glaris station paired with double T-bars for upper mountain circulation. Madrisa operates a four-seater gondola from Klosters Dorf to Saaseralp plateau, then chairlifts and T-bars to 2602 metres at Rätschenjoch. Pischa runs a single aerial tram covering 680 vertical metres in eight minutes, deliberately limiting crowds to preserve powder conditions. Schatzalp's funicular departs central Davos Platz, operating independently with a separate ticket.
Recent investments include the planned Schiferbahn gondola replacement on Parsenn and ongoing snowmaking expansion covering 9 kilometres of strategic lower runs. Lift operating hours run 08:15 to 16:00 across most sectors, with Parsenn offering early-morning first tracks before official opening. Weekend queues concentrate at Parsennbahn, Gotschnabahn and Jakobshorn base stations during peak periods, but dispersed terrain and multiple access points keep mid-mountain circulation flowing efficiently.
Total Lifts
53
Lift Types
8
The 2025-26 season runs 14 November 2025 through 20 April 2026, delivering a 157-day operating window. Davos typically opens earlier and closes later than many European resorts due to its high base elevation of 1560 metres and summit reaching 2844 metres. Season length averages five months with snow reliability particularly strong from December through March, when over 80 per cent of terrain sits above the 2000-metre snow-sure threshold.
Davos receives 423 centimetres of average annual snowfall, with January historically the snowiest month delivering 101 centimetres, followed by February's 74 centimetres and March's 75 centimetres. November brings 41 centimetres to build early-season coverage, whilst December adds 83 centimetres. Snowmaking covers 75 kilometres of piste - roughly 28 per cent of the network - concentrated on lower elevation runs and key links to ensure valley access throughout the season. Base depths typically range 100 to 300 centimetres at mid-mountain through peak winter.
Optimal timing centres on January through early March for deep powder and full terrain access, including the long valley descents to Küblis and Serneus that require sustained cold temperatures. December offers quieter slopes post-Christmas once the Spengler Cup crowds depart, whilst late March and April deliver spring corn snow conditions with extended daylight and terrace weather. Early season in November provides uncrowded skiing on upper Parsenn and Jakobshorn before Christmas crowds arrive.
Night skiing operates on a 2.5-kilometre section at Davos from 18:30 to 20:30 Monday through Friday, with Klosters adding 3.2 kilometres on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The World Economic Forum occupies Davos each January, raising accommodation prices and crowds. The Parsenn Derby - Switzerland's oldest downhill race - runs annually, whilst Jakobshorn hosts international freestyle competitions. Parsenn offers sunrise first-tracks sessions before official opening for early risers seeking fresh corduroy.
Current Season
2025 - 2026
Opening Day
11/14/2025
Closing Day
4/20/2026
Days Open
158
Davos sits at 1560 metres in the Landwasser valley within the Prättigau/Davos Region of Graubünden canton in eastern Switzerland, making it the country's highest town. The municipality sprawls along the valley floor between the Plessur and Albula mountain ranges, with ski terrain rising on both north and south-facing slopes. The town divides into six districts - Davos Dorf, Davos Platz, Davos Frauenkirch, Davos Glaris, Davos Monstein and Davos Wiesen - with a permanent population of 10,832 residents. Neighbouring Klosters lies 10 kilometres north down the valley, connected via the Wolfgang Pass and forming the extended Davos Klosters ski area.
Chur, Graubünden's capital, sits 50 kilometres northwest as the nearest major city. Landquart marks the valley junction point 35 kilometres north where the Prättigau meets the Rhine valley road network. The resort lies 154 kilometres southeast of Zürich, 239 kilometres from Basel and 175 kilometres from Innsbruck across the Austrian border. The Flüela Pass road east leads to the Engadin valley and St Moritz when open, whilst the Vereina rail tunnel through the mountains provides year-round car transport to the Lower Engadine.
Road access follows the A13 motorway from Zürich direction Chur, exiting at Landquart onto Cantonal Road 28 through the Prättigau valley to Davos - approximately two hours driving time covering 154 kilometres. Swiss motorway vignettes cost CHF 40 and must be displayed. Snow chains may be necessary from Klosters upward during heavy snowfall for two-wheel-drive vehicles. Parking concentrates in paid garages throughout Davos Dorf and Platz, with some hotels offering dedicated spaces.
Zürich Airport sits 154 kilometres northwest as the primary international gateway. Trains depart hourly from beneath the terminal, requiring two changes at Zürich Hauptbahnhof and Landquart to reach Davos Platz via the Rhaetian Railway in approximately 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 11 minutes. Friedrichshafen Airport across the German border lies 153 kilometres distant, whilst St Gallen-Altenrhein sits 89 minutes away. The scenic Rhaetian Railway journey passes through mountain terrain with regular service to Davos Dorf and Davos Platz stations, with onward connections to Klosters.
