Davos

[Will]

For work reasons, I'll be in Switzerland and have a weekend free. Given that I'm staying near Zurich, I am thinking of going to Davos.

Has any one been there before and can give me some advice on which mountain will be good to visit (Pischa, Jokobshorn, Rinerhorn, Parsenn or Madrisa) given that I only have 1.5 days skiing time. Also which area would you recommend staying in Davos Platz or Davos Dorf?

Thank you in advance.

[saikee]

Parsenn is the biggest area and most modern so one day is needed there.

All the 5 unlinked areas of Pischa, Jokobshorn, Rinerhorn, Parsenn or Madrisa, spreading over the two sides of the valley, can be accessed quite easily by buses and trains which run in parallel. The first 3 are on one side while the latter two on the opposite. Having said that not all the stops are duplicated but Davos/Kloster stands out as the best resort with an integrated transport system.

Pischa is more difficult to get to and has one cable car and the rest is drag lifts. It is suppose a place for off piste. I didn't managed it myself in my last visit in 2009.

Madrisa is the extreme end at Kloster. It is a good place to spend half a day but do allow time for the transport.

Jakobshorn and Rinerhorn are comparable in size but the former is closer to town of Davos Dorf and Davos platz. Bother are easily reached by trains.

Many runs in Davos, especially within the Parsenn, are unidirectional. This is to say you can ski to any of the train station at Kublis, Saaserlift, Serneus, Kloster and Wolfgang. This is an incredible experience. One can ski from the top of Parsenn Weissfluhgipfel to the further most station Kublis. That is one run of 17km long and 2km vertical drop. Then take the train back back to Davos Drof through 10 stations! The transport is included in the ski pass.

The last day I was late to catch a connecting chairlift back to Davos Dorf at one of the peaks of Parsenn. I was forced to ski the black run down to Wolfgang and take a bus home. The transport system really worked out well in Davos.

Kloster is the Prince Charles preferred skiing resort. The run from Madrisa top to the bottom is quite memorable and not steep even with the last part as a black run.

Due to the convenience I didn't find any problem staying at Davos Dorf to ski all the other areas by the free public transport. It was the only resort that I drove there in a car but didn't have to use it. As long as you have booked into a Davos accommodation you are entitled to the free local buses and trains even before buying the ski pass.

Enjoy Davos.

[Will]

Thanks saikee.

8 of us will head to Champery, Portes du Soleil next week for 6 days of skiing. Then to Davos for 2 nights at the end of Feb. Staying in the Steigenberger Belvedere Hotel.

Hope the weather is good so I can experience Davos!

[saikee]

Will,

Sound delicious!

6 days in Portes du Soleil will do justice to a resort with 610km piste although once outside Champery/Avoriaz the individual areas tend to be scattering around. There is plenty snow around at the moment.

Advertise your move early as I may join in.

Did a week in Ski Amade and another week in Italian Dolomites in end of Jan and early Feb. Will try out Colorada in two weeks time.

[Will]

Saikee,

We are staying to Champery from 13 - 20 Feb. Will be in Davos from 27-28 Feb.

Let me know if you will be around.

[saikee]

Not thinking of a meet-up this year as I am going to America in a week's time.

The wife and I usually ski in Europe in Jan or Mar so may be next time. We move around a lot and quite easy for us to drop in.

Enjoy the PDS and Davos!

Tip - If you like the 600km piste of Porte du Soleil then 1200km of Italian Dolomites is at least 3 times better as it has many large loops, the best scenery and a fully linked area comparable to 3V.