Davos is a winter sports paradise for skiing and snowboard enthusiasts and offers 62 efficient mountain transport facilities with the 2008-09 winter season opening in early December, depending on snow conditions, but several days later before the resort is fully up and running.
The resort of Davos has 307km of skiing with a total of 62 lifts and pistes comprising 25 blue, 45 red and 23 black pistes so there is something for everyone on offer. There are 2 mountain railways, 10 cablecars, 3 gondolas, 8 chairlifts and 31 draglifts so plenty of uphill transport to ensure there is only limited queuing even at peak times. There are also three sledge runs and plenty of facilities for the snowboarding enthusiast.
The resort town of Davos - yes it is a town - might not be everyone's cup of tea. It is modern and better known as an international conference centre where heads of state from around the world are as frequent as a winter storm. Yet it still has its original more intimate areas with small hotels that are more inviting than the large hotels better suited to conference guests. Davos and Klosters link to provide one vast skiing area divided into the areas known as Parsenn, Pischa, Jajokshorn, Rinerhorn and Madrisa with pistes to suit all capabilities.
Davos was not only one of the pioneers of alpine skiing, it was also one of the first resorts to recognise snowboarding as a sign of the changing times and by the early 1990's Davos had already gained an international reputation for this latest sport. Yet the resort still provides family-friendly areas as well as floodlit sledge and ski slopes so you do not have to worry about coming off the slopes when it gets dark! Davos also boasts Europe's largest natural ice rink (over 18,000 sq m, an outdoor artificial ice rink and an ice stadium.
Apres-ski life in Davos is extra special with "cool" music and hot entertainment in alpine huts close to the slopes as well as at bars close to the resort. There is also the famous international casino where a small flutter could pay rewards such as your next skiing holiday!
The area lift pass covers the nearby resort of Klosters and includes the opportunity for a days skiing at St. Moritz which is just across the mountains. For intermediate and advanced skiers, the slopes are great. Lots of opportunity to tests your skill and graduate during your holiday to the more testing runs. But novice skiers need not worry. There are good nursery slopes around Davos Platz and a free shuttle bus service ensure you can get around quickly and efficiently without the need to use your own car within the sprawling town of Davos which is not especially car-friendly.