thirtieth March 2025 | Simon Miller, Arosa.
Tucked up on the finish of the Schanfigg valley within the southeastern canton of Graubünden, Switzerland is the resort of Arosa. Not heard of it? No shock, provided that over 90% of the guests are Swiss.
So, what has saved the Swiss coming again year-after-year and the remainder of us in the dead of night?
It could actually’t be the entry protecting us Brits away.
A flight to Zurich adopted by both a 2 hour 15 minute drive, or a lot better, a soothing 3-hour prepare journey that ends with a stupendous, one-hour meander up the valley on considered one of Swtizerland’s basic rail journeys.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
By the point you pull into Arosa at 1,775m and have loved ever extra dramatic views there’s a actual sense of escapism.
In case your timing is nice you could possibly stroll the 10m from the station to the ski elevate and get some runs in on arrival.
Taking a extra leisurely strategy, I examine into the Faern Altein Resort.
This huge 4* resort was previously a sanitarium, however is now an exquisite trendy alpine resort.
Assume luxurious spa with a number of swimming pools together with a lazy river; suppose nature impressed design – wooden, sheepskin, elegant marble.
To cap all of it a spectacular grand eating room with a classical theme.
The kind of place the place most of the company have been coming for years.
However in the end what retains the Swiss coming again is the snowboarding.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
There are 225km of pistes unfold between Arosa and the linked resort of Lenzerheide.
Picture c/o Arosa-Lenzerheide.
Arosa itself is smaller with simply 90kms with the steadiness throughout the Urdenbahn gondola to Lenzerheide.
Each areas have a superb mixture of runs however the japanese a part of Lenzerheide is distinctly pink, so positively a problem for newbies.
I’m in Arosa for just a few quiet days in late March with pistes circumstances good, however off piste a bit skinny.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
There’s loads to maintain good skiers and due to the in depth terrain between the runs much more when the off piste has a thicker coating.
My favorite runs had been from the highest of the Brüggerhorn elevate the place you may have a alternative of three colors to fit your temper with the “Black Diamond” posing some difficult pitches by means of rocky outcrops.
The very best level within the resort is the Rothorngipfel 2,865m.
A terrific place to cease for espresso earlier than having fun with the “Galerie” – an extended rolling pink run tucked beneath a ridge.
Arosa’s clientele like a good meal and a drink or two judging by the variety of mountain eating places & bars.
E book the “window” desk on the Alp Arosa for a blowout romantic meal with a knockout view; alternatively benefit from the easy, however scrumptious basic cooking on the Tschuggenhütte.
Native recommendation guided us in the direction of the Carmena Hütte and a drink that we’re informed by our information interprets as Monk’s Poo or Munggapfupf– my German/English dictionary tells me in any other case, however it was definitely potent.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
Ending the day on the KuhBar – DJ enjoying Germanic sing-along bangers and, an enormous wood cow’s head snorting dry ice suspended from the ceiling and buckets of beer will make you need to retreat to again to the sanitarium for a lie down.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
I’ll definitely be again to discover extra of the 68 bars/eating places throughout Arosa & Lenzerheide.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
That’s one each 3.3km of slopes so maybe what retains the Swiss returning 12 months after 12 months are the huge vary of consuming and ingesting choices on the mountain.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
Arosa ought to maybe be in your record of resorts to go to.
The snowboarding is in depth and stuffed with selection with some fantastic lengthy runs.
Both for an extended weekend break or a household vacation Arosa is properly value a glance for my part.
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
What You Have to Know
Fly to Zurich and take the prepare 3-hours or drive 2 and 1 / 4 hours
Faern Altein Resort – (faernresorts.com/arosa)
Vacationer Workplace – https://arosalenzerheide.swiss/en/Arosa/Uncover/Arosa
Ski Go – 6 days in March, CHF 409
Arosa, Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
Right here at PlanetSKI we love visiting ski areas which are barely off the radar and informing our readers about what they provide.
Our editor, James Cove, was in Les Sybelles within the French Alps final week.
It claims to be the fourth largest linked ski space in France, however is basically unparalleled by us Brits.
James is now in Val d’Arly, one other French space little-known to the British, and can be posting a full report shortly.
Val d’Arly, France. Picture © PlanetSKI.
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