Arosa Ski Resort

Arosa

Arosa ski resort is a traditional and high (1,739m) Swiss mountain resort located beside a frozen lake. The Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area is one of the largest in Switzerland, offering plenty of outdoor activities as well as skiing and snowboarding. Even the journey to the resort is scenic, especially if you come by train.

Originally founded as an all year round health resort in 1877, Arosa is now linked with Lenzerheide, forming a sizeable ski area, but it’s also popular with non-skiers. The mountains are criss-crossed by ‘winter walking paths’ as well as pistes, and almost all the mountain restaurants can be reached on foot as well as on skis.

Despite being situated at the top the Schanfigg Valley at 1739m above sea level, Arosa is only 100 miles (160kms) from Zurich and is relatively easy to reach from the nearest airport by car or train. The resort of Arosa is built around Lake Obersee. It has no through traffic, and its hotels, apartments and chalets extend into the pine forests on the mountainsides. This makes Arosa’s village seem a bit strung-out, and while some of the hotel buildings are not as pretty as their surroundings, it is a pleasant place to wander around. Also, offering ice skating on the frozen lake, horse-drawn sleigh rides, as well as winter walking and gentle cross-country skiing. It’s a traditional, family-oriented resort, so apres-ski and nightlife in Arosa tends to be cosy, quiet and discreet rather than large, late and loud.

The Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area is now one of the largest ski areas wholly in Switzerland. 225km of groomed slopes plus off-piste. It’s easily big enough for most skiers and there are plenty of other activities, including excellent winter walking trails (85km), snowshoeing (6km), cross-country skiing (70km), sledging (18km), and ice skating. Also, as many as seven snowparks and 57 mountain restaurants.

Two thirds of the slopes are in the Lenzerheide valley, above the small villages of Vaz and Obervaz (usually referred to as Lenzerheide) and Valbella, Parpan and Churwalden (which have kept their names). The Urdenbahn cable car connecting two previously separate ski areas was a game-changing addition to the lift system, more than doubling the size of the ski area available to guests staying in Arosa. Off-piste skiers with a guide can also find challenging freeride routes.

The piste skiing mostly consists of easy cruising blue and red runs. On the Lenzerheide side, there is a world cup downhill run from Rothorn but it’s not too steep and hence suitable for most intermediates. Beginners are well catered for, with excellent nursery slopes and high-quality, child-friendly ski schools and ski lessons.

Snow-reliability is generally good. Arosa-Lenzerheide a sunny area, but it’s reasonably high (the top lift reaches 2865m), with good artificial snow-making and excellent piste grooming.

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