Davos
266km of piste, 2034m vertical, 6 ski areas from Parsenn to Pischa freeride terrain in Switzerland's highest town.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
13 Nov 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
142
Annual snow
5.2m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
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.
2034m
Vertical
70
Runs
266 km
Piste
5.2m
Annual snow
The Terrain
70 runs across 266 km of piste
Davos is not one mountain but six, spread across the Landwasser valley with 266 kilometres of piste and 70 runs. Vertical reaches an impressive 2,034 metres, from 810 up to 2,844 metres. Terrain is balanced: 31% beginner, 49% intermediate, 15% advanced and 5% expert, with about 7 metres of snow in a typical year. Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Rinerhorn, Pischa, Madrisa and Schatzalp-Strela each have their own feel, so a week here is like skiing a few different resorts. Free buses and trains connect the sectors, though getting around does take planning and time on the road.
Parsenn is the largest sector, and its 12-kilometre run from Weissfluhgipfel to Küblis is among the longest descents in the Alps. Jakobshorn leans towards freestyle, with the JatzPark and a superpipe, while Pischa is a dedicated freeride mountain where the pistes are left ungroomed. Rinerhorn and Schatzalp-Strela suit families and relaxed intermediates, and Madrisa, on the Klosters side, is gentle and sunny. Strong skiers and freeriders should hire a guide for the off-piste on Parsenn and Pischa. A sound pick for groups of mixed abilities who want variety over several days.
Terrain split
70
runs
70 runs across 4 grades
Beginner22 runs · 31%
Intermediate34 runs · 49%
Advanced11 runs · 15%
Expert4 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Davos
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.
Season 2026 - 2027
13 Nov 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
142
Days open
5.2 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Davos
Daily snow reports at Davos go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
49 cm
Snowiest day
5 Nov 2014
9.8 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
517 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Davos, and where to stay
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.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Davos, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Davos's ski season?
Davos's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 13 through April 4. That window is roughly 142 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Switzerland, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Davos have?
Davos lists about 266 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 70 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Davos?
Trail grading at Davos breaks down roughly as 31% beginner, 49% intermediate, 15% advanced, 5% expert. With a strong beginner share, Davos suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Davos have?
Davos operates 53 lifts across 8 lift types. The fleet includes 19 t-bars, 8 aerial trams, 6 quad chairs, 5 double chairs, 5 surface lifts, 4 gondolas, 4 6-person chairs, and 2 trains.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Davos?
Base elevation at Davos is about 810 m (2,657 ft), with the summit around 2,844 m (9,331 ft), giving roughly 2,034 m (6,673 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Davos get each season?
Davos averages about 517 cm (204 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Davos lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CHF 24 to CHF 200, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Davos before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 4 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Davos so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Davos have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Davos. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Davos located?
Davos sits in Switzerland, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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