9 tips for a great winter weekend in the Davos Klosters ski area

Advertising: Contribution in cooperation with the Swiss Youth Hostels

Making sweeping curves over freshly groomed slopes early in the morning, taking a decelerating winter hike through quiet side valleys, climbing peaks with snowshoes and then chilling out on one of the sun loungers in front of the Jatzhütte for the rest of the afternoon – the Davos Klosters ski area scores with a wide range of exciting activities in winter.

Together with the Swiss Youth Hostels – which are present locally with two completely different accommodations – we scouted out some of the local highlights at the beginning of January and show here our 9 tips for guaranteed entertaining winter holidays in Davos Klosters.

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In collaboration with Swiss Youth Hostels, this year I present you with four budget-friendly and seasonal ideas for short breaks in Switzerland. To kick off this series, I went to the Davos Klosters region in search of the best activities for a varied winter weekend

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Even though Davos and Klosters are usually mentioned in the same breath, the two villages are not cut from the same cloth. On the one hand, there is the Alpine town of Davos with its idiosyncratic flat-roofed buildings that characterise the townscape. At first glance, Davos does not correspond to the classic picturesque image of an Alpine village. This is in stark contrast to Klosters, which exudes a homely atmosphere with its chalets. But it is precisely thanks to these contrasts that Davos Klosters is able to meet different demands. And if you’re not quite sure in advance where you’ll feel more comfortable, you can easily try both. That’s exactly what we did.

Embark on a decelerating winter hike

On a Friday afternoon, we arrive in Klosters in bright sunshine, deposit our luggage in one of the lockers at the Klosters Youth Hostel, lace up our hiking boots and then set off purposefully towards Alp Garfiun.

Most online hiking descriptions recommend starting the winter hike to Alp Garfiun in the Walser village of Monbiel (12 minutes by post bus from Klosters Platz) and then hiking back to Klosters. We tackle the tour in reverse order and start our winter hike at the sports centre in Klosters, where the cross-country ski trails also run. Alp Garfiun can be reached not only on foot, but also via a cross-country ski trail (although the route requires some stamina due to the incline with cross-country skis).

The winter hiking trail first leads along the banks of the Landquart and then climbs up to the Äujastrasse near Äuja. At the Schwäderloch we cross the Landquart and hike into the valley with a view of the Silvretta massif to the Alp Garfiun. The 7.5-kilometre-long ascent has whetted our appetite and so we treat ourselves to a Graubünden plate of Garfiun, pear bread and mountain cheese in the rustic alpine restaurant.

Depending on how much time you have, you can “upgrade” the winter hike to Alp Garfiun to a culinary excursion. The platters in Alp Garfiun are the perfect way to get in the mood for the later fondue party at the Höhwald inn in Monbiel, which is located directly on the way back to Klosters anyway.

Spend the night in a relaxed chalet atmosphere

Klosters Youth Hostel is located about a 15-minute walk above Klosters Platz train station. However, you are spared the tedious lugging of sack and pack thanks to the bus stop right in front of the entrance – very comfortable! The creaking beams and nostalgic furnishings of the chalet “Soldanella” are reminiscent of its eventful past as a children’s home and preventory.

When the children’s home was closed due to social change and the municipality of Klosters bought the property, it was then converted into a youth hostel. The standard is more modest compared to the new youth hostels built in recent years (such as Saas Fee or Gstaad). For example, there are no rooms with integrated toilet/shower – only double rooms with built-in washbasin and shared shower on the floor. On the other hand, the youth hostel scores with extremely friendly staff, spacious and cozy common rooms and a breakfast buffet that would definitely compete with one or the other 3-star hotel.

And after I discover a Scrabble among the large selection of board games, it’s clear how the boyfriend and I will spend the evening. During a “duel of words” in a homely camp atmosphere.

Climbing a peak with snowshoes

If you stay at the youth hostel in Klosters or Davos, you will receive the Davos Kosters Card from the first night. With the guest card, you benefit from free use of the Rhaetian Railway between Saas – Davos – Filisur as well as the local buses in Klosters and Davos in winter. In addition, you can use the cross-country ski trails and the Arena Klosters ice rink free of charge and take part in the various activities of the Davos Kloster Inside guest program. So there’s nothing wrong with taking a trip from Klosters to Davos.

Only the mountain railways are not included free of charge in the Davos Klosters Card in winter. There are various special tickets for winter hikers and snowshoe hikers. This is also the case with the Jakobshorn. While the day ski pass costs 69 CHF, the hiking ticket costs 30 CHF (only ascent) or 42 CHF (ascent/descent).

An approximately 5.5-kilometre-long snowshoe trail starts at the Jakobshorn mountain station, which leads via the Jatzhütte and Stadlersee to the Rossboden viewpoint. Why is this tour great? Because here you can combine two Davos specialties – the “fun mountain” feeling of the Jakobshorn as well as the quiet, wide winter landscapes of the side valleys. As soon as we have passed the Jatzhütte, not a soul is to be seen. Although the round is short, it still demands a drop or two of sweats from us on the jagged, steep ascent to the Rossboden viewpoint. But I would think that the panorama that awaits us at the top easily makes up for it.

Secure a sunny spot for your lunch break

The snowshoe tour to the Rossboden can be perfectly combined with a stop at the sun terrace of the legendary Jatzhütte. If you’re early enough, you’re sure to find a free spot on the 100 or so deck chairs. Otherwise, you can also sit down at the bar and order homemade cheese spaetzle, Graubünden capuns or a Jatz Plättli.

If the Jatzhütte is too busy for you (its image as a ski party hut from the very beginning is no coincidence), you will find an equally sun-drenched, but much quieter alternative on the opposite side of the valley on the Strela Alp.

Enjoy the last rays of sunshine of the day on the toboggan run

The Strela Alp is a 10-minute walk from the mountain station of the Schatzalp cable car. After the Schatzalp/Strela ski area remained closed for 7 years, the lifts are now running again. As slowly as in the old days and quite deliberately. Slow skiers and children should feel at home here, and the renunciation of artificial snowmaking is a further deliberate counterpoint to the race to “upgrade” many ski resorts.

The real highlight of the Schatzalp, however, is the 2.8-kilometre-long toboggan run, which leads from the mountain station in numerous curves down to Davos. The toboggans can be rented directly at the valley station for 10 CHF and the toboggan run is open daily until 23:00. With a fare of CHF 9 for adults and CHF 7 for children for a one-way ascent, the Schatzalp offers winter fun at a reasonable price. The toboggan run just before sunset is particularly great – the last rays of sunshine of the day create a magical atmosphere!

How former spa guests reside

As in Klosters, Davos Youth Hostel is located in a building steeped in history. For example, today’s youth hostel in Davos Dorf – labelled “Youthpalace” in large letters – is the former “Beau-Site” sanatorium, built in 1913. With its elevated position on the Hohe Promenade and sunbathing halls facing the sun down the valley, the building joins the guild of row buildings built in the first half of the 20th century in the pursuit of “air, light, hygiene”. About 20 years ago, the building was converted into a youth hostel in consideration of the historical elements. With a total of 235 beds spread over different room sizes, Davos Youth Hostel is able to meet the demands of the younger audience as well as families and couples.

We spend the night here in one of the 27 double rooms with private shower/WC and are very impressed from the south-facing balcony including stylish sanatorium loungers and a great view of the surrounding peaks. By the way, the best panoramic view is from the roof terrace, which is accessible all day.

The only downside to the privileged hillside location is that it requires an extra workout. In contrast to Klosters, there is no bus right in front of the door and so there are about 50 meters of altitude to overcome from the valley station of the Parsennbahn to the youth hostel on a path length of 750 meters.

Stop off at the hip stable

We take it sporty and after dark we go on an exploration tour through Davos again. Our first destination: one of the newest trendy pubs in the Alpine city – the Valär stable. The old stable right next to the valley station of the Jakobsbahn has been converted into a cosy après-ski bar/restaurant and has become a popular meeting place for the start of the evening since its opening two years ago. The menu includes a clear selection of dishes – including classics such as the stall tartare and minced meatballs. I try the vegetarian options and am quite taken with the hot goat cheese for the starter and the truffle capuns for the main course – beautifully arranged plates and a brisk service. Perfect for those who have something to do after dinner.

Experience the Davos ice hockey tradition live

And that’s exactly what we have. If you stay at Davos Youth Hostel, you will not only receive the Davos Klosters Card, but also benefit from 20% discounted admission to the home games of HC Davos. And since a home game (HC Davos vs. HC Lugano) is scheduled during our stay, I take the opportunity to watch an ice hockey game live for the first time in my life. My biggest fear that I will freeze in the hall quickly vanishes into thin air. The hall is heated in such a way that the winter clothes keep you sufficiently warm for the entire duration of the game.

Make your first turns over freshly groomed ski slopes

On the last morning of our three-day stay in Davos Klosters, there is another highlight on the program – early bird skiing in the Parsenn ski area. This is one of the offers from the extensive guest program of Davos Klosters. It is worth looking through the offers in advance and see what activities are offered on the days where you are on site. From guided ski safaris to cross-country skiing/off-piste/airboard taster courses to cultural-historical village tours, the guest programme offers really great experiences and insights into regionally anchored institutions.

This season, Early Bird Skiing will take place on Tuesday and Sunday mornings. To participate, you must register in person at one of the two guest advice centres in Davos or Klosters by 4:00 p.m. the day before at the latest (telephone reservations and e-mail are unfortunately not possible). And you must have a valid ski ticket for the Parsenn ski area.

We meet shortly before 8 o’clock in the morning at the valley station of the Parsennbahn. Despite the glorious weather, our group has only 6 people today (maximum number of participants 12). Thomy is waiting for us on site. He is one of the local connoisseurs who accompanies the tours as an “insider”. We benefit doubly from this morning exploration tour – on the one hand, we are allowed to ski down the perfectly groomed slopes first, and on the other hand, Thomy guides us through the ski area so skilfully that we can indulge in “undisturbed” skiing pleasure for almost two hours.

An absolutely brilliant experience that I recommend to everyone! Thanks to Thomy, we now also know where the chances of spotting ibex are highest in the Parsenn ski area – on slope number 30 at the Seetäli lift. Unfortunately, we hadn’t packed the telephoto zoom this morning, otherwise we would have brought back not only atmospheric landscape pictures, but also perfectly posing ibexes from this magnificent day of skiing.

Practical tips for your winter holidays in Davos Klosters

• An overnight stay in a double room with washbasin in Klosters costs from 82* CHF including breakfast. In Davos, the prices of double rooms with private bathroom start at 96* CHF (with balcony 110* CHF).
• *All guests have the opportunity to purchase a membership and thus benefit from discounted accommodation prices (each adult receives a reduction of CHF 7.-/night). For more information, please visit: www.youthhostel.ch/mitgliedschaft
• The price includes the Davos Klosters Card (valid from the day of arrival to the day of departure). In both Klosters and Davos, there is also a discount on winter sports equipment at selected sports shops.
• The youth hostels also offer – on a voluntary basis – the payment of CO2 compensation per overnight stay.
• The ski pass for the Jakobshorn and Parsenn ski areas costs CHF 76 (1 day) for adults. In the Parsenn ski area, you will receive a refund of 15 CHF if you return the ski ticket by 13:00. From 12:15 p.m. there is also a discounted afternoon ticket.
• The cross-country ski trails can be used free of charge with the Davos Klosters Card.
• As an alternative to Alp Garfiun, the Walser village of Monstein and the Sertig Valley are also beautiful destinations for a decelerating winter hike.