The right way to Plan the Good Ski Journey to Arosa, Switzerland

There is a distinct blue shade 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 notably 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: Non-public Mountain Day with Tschuggen Grand Lodge. Simply because the identify suggests, the occasion permits resort 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 practice from Zurich, the snow started to fall, shortly blanketing the panorama in a thick, fluffy layer — a lot in order that we frightened we would not truly make it to the mountain. However make it we did, and upon arrival, the stoke stage was at an all-time excessive.

Within the morning, we had been whisked away on the resort’s personal gondola to the highest of the mountain, the place we had been greeted with a festive environment that included loads of scorching cocoa, heat fondue, and jovial spirits. Sure, the paths had been open too, and with only a handful of individuals there, everybody may take vast turns and benefit from the views at their very own tempo earlier than heading into the mountain’s celebration 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 personal mountain expertise by way of the resort for stays between Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 2024. As a part of the keep, friends will get pleasure from that unique entry, with in the future devoted totally to solely Tschuggen Grand Lodge friends, together with bites on the resort’s La Brezza restaurant from Chef Marco Campanella, named this yr’s “Chef of the Yr” by the Swiss version of the Gault Millau gastronomy information e book.

“Arosa gives a novel mixture of snow reliability and solar publicity early within the season, making it an excellent vacation spot for winter sports activities fans,” Silvana Schlösser, the overall supervisor on the Tschuggen Grand Lodge, shared. “It’s the proper 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 gives one thing particular, too. “Mid-January and late February are improbable occasions to expertise Arosa,” Schlösser famous. “The slopes are in glorious situation, the après-ski scene is vibrant, and the crowds are lighter than throughout peak vacation intervals. For these searching for a quieter, extra unique winter escape, March can also be a good time with still-perfect situations as we’re greater than 1,800 meters above sea stage, so there’s nonetheless plenty of powder throughout these occasions.”

This is the right way to expertise Arosa this ski season.

When to Go

The ski season in Arosa sometimes 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, your entire season is spectacular, as those that are available in December or late March will probably be rewarded with fewer crowds — and maybe just a few spring snowboarding days the place all you want is a light-weight sweater. November and December are particular occasions to go to, too as the realm is exceptionally festive for the vacation season. 

The place to Keep

Tschuggen Grand Lodge

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

Valsana Lodge Arosa

The Valsana Lodge is a sustainability-focused resort that does not skimp on type. The lodging overlooks Lake Obersee and gives easy accessibility to each the slopes and the city. It additionally boasts its personal wellness middle with a state-of-the-art health club, yoga studio, and an indoor pool. And the resort is dog-friendly, making it the proper match for anybody touring with a four-legged buddy. 

Waldhotel Arosa

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

The place to Eat

Weisshorngipfel

Make your approach to the summit of the Weisshorn to search out Weisshorngipfel, a mountaintop restaurant with breathtaking views and attractive Swiss fare. The restaurant, solely accessible by way of cable automobile, 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 comfortable environment, e book a desk at Guterschuppen. The restaurant, positioned on the town, has a menu stuffed with Swiss and globally impressed bites, together with all the pieces from shakshuka to kürbissuppe, a German pumpkin soup that may heat your soul. 

The Basement

Get another style of Swiss life at The Basement contained in the Tschuggen Grand Lodge. The low-key spot options “grandma’s recipes” constructed from domestically sourced components, together with a raclette burger, rösti, and fondue. 

The place to Après-ski

Kuhbar

Ski straight into Kuhbar for an après drink. The bar, positioned 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 Lodge. Right here, you possibly can order primarily any drink you would like from its intensive wine and cocktail menu, although actually, you possibly can by no means go fallacious 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 truly could not ski a second day as a consequence of security issues. However that was fantastic with us, as we had been in a position to 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 climbing trails sprinkled round Arosa that are perfect for non-skiers or these searching for an off day. It is a true choose-your-own-adventure exercise, as you possibly can decide 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.

The right way to Experience

Tickets

Arosa Lenzerheide has a spread of ticket choices, together with single-day passes, multi-day passes, discounted household passes, and afternoon passes, which begin at simply $24. Ticket costs range relying on the time of yr, 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 take advantage of your time on the mountain. There are a number of Intersport places round city that may 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 professional runs. The mountain additionally gives evening snowboarding down choose trails for anybody hoping so as to add an extra adrenaline rush. And whereas its trails might be difficult, it is nonetheless an ideal place to convey children, because of the ABC Snow Sports activities Faculty, which gives classes and actions designed for youths beneath 17.