Davos resort guide - a general overview
Proclaimed as Europe's highest town at 1,560 metres, Davos is also the birthplace of Alpine downhill skiing, with plenty of very snow-sure slopes to enjoy and mountain restaurants to refuel at. There is terrain to suit all grades, from experts to motorway cruisers, and even nervous beginners. However, be warned that the 320km of piste is spread across 5 separate ski areas, and the town is similarly sprawling. An efficient bus service goes some way to make staying in Davos less inconvenient, but use of a car is ideal. The resort itself, although not aesthetically pleasing with many block-style hotels, offers a plethora of activities once you have left the slopes, including several ice rinks, one of which is reputedly Europe's biggest natural rink. Nightlife options are aplenty and usually sophisticated but do lack atmosphere during the week (weekends are much busier and the atmosphere more lively).
Davos is not particularly popular with the British market but it is not easy to see why. Perhaps as there are no catered chalets here it has never featured much in the British skier's consciousness. The skiing really is very good indeed and would rival anything that the best of the French resorts can offer. The off-piste is just as good as in Val d'Isere or St Anton but as there is no resident Scandie or British 'ski-bum' population here it remains untracked for many days after a heavy snowfall. With great mountain restaurants, a short transfer, some Alpine charm and reasonable prices (this is a year-round resort) it is a mystery as to why Davos (and Klosters) are not more popular with the UK market.
Resort stats
320km
1,550m - 2,845m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Zurich
- 2hrs 30mins
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High, snow-sure and a very large ski area suitable for all standards
- Fantastic off-piste terrain and itinerary routes with great vertical. Slow to get tracked out too.
- Large town with lots to do for non skiers
- Some great little mountain restaurants (if you can find them)
- With a short transfer time from Zurich this makes a good weekend destination
Cons
- Resort architecture a bit bland with many block-style conference hotels
- The resort is more of a large town than a village. It is spread out and has quite a bit of traffic
- Although there is a main ski area (shared with Klosters) there are three other separate areas
- Like other Swiss resorts there are quite a few T-bars which boarders will not appreciate
Restaurants
Davos Resort Restaurants
Most of the high-class restaurants are found in the better hotels of which there are quite a few in Davos. However, the good value places include the lively Al Ponte (pizzas and steaks), La Caretta (Italian with great home made pasta) and the cosy Gentiana (with upstairs stubli). For more local fare we suggest Heidi's und Haui's Bundnerstubli. You can also dine at Schatzalp (reached by funicular) and then toboggan back down to the resort in the dark using the toboggan track.
Davos Mountain Restaurants
High up on the Weissfluhgipfel Bruhins is great for a proper decent meal when the weather is bad and you can hunker down and appreciate the great food and service. Lower down on the Parsenn area just above Klosters you will find rustic 'schwendis' in the woods which are uber popular. The Chesetta and Alte Conterser Schwendi are favourites. The other smaller separate areas are a little disappointing for on slope restaurants although the Jatzhutte and Chalet Guggel both on the Jacobshorn are both very good.
Davos Apres Ski
The apres ski scene is a little quiet (this is Switzerland after all). Immediately off the slopes cake eating is the done thing and Webers and the Schneider are two popular venues for this. The Scala has a great outside terrace which comes into its own later in the season and the rustic little Chami Bar (popular with the locals) is a great spot both after skiing and later in the evening too.
Davos Nightlife
There are plenty of bars, nightclubs and discos but none have much atmosphere and are usually pretty empty except at the weekends when a livelier crowd from Zurich pitch up in resort. The most popular though are the Cava Grischa and the Cabana (both in the Hotel Europe) and the Rotliechtli, Paulaner's and Bar Senn. The Chami Bar has good atmosphere and is popular later in the evening and the Ex Bar is also worth a visit. Boarders tend to hang out at either Bolgenschanze or Bolgen-Plaza.
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Property
