Active Pursuits

Skiing

Recreational skiing began here in 1888, but Davos first appeared on the world sports stage in 1899, when a large ice rink was opened for the world figure-skating and the European speed-skating championship competitions. In the same year the Davos-Schatzalp funicular and the Schatzalp toboggan run were inaugurated. Now Davos is one of the best ski regions in the world.

On both sides of the valley, you're faced with five large ski areas, of which the most noted is the Parsenn-Weissflüh. Some experts say that this is the finest ski area in Europe. To reach it, take the Parsennbahn (railway) from Davos-Dorf to Weissflühjoch (2,622m/8,600 ft.), the gateway to the major ski area, with a huge number of runs in every category; there are a few downhill ski runs leading back to Davos that are suitable for only the most skilled skiers.

From Weissflühjoch, where there's a restaurant, take the cableway to Weissflühgipfel (2,778m/9,112 ft.). It takes about 30 minutes transit, via a trio of cable-car stages, from Davos-Dorf. From there you can reach the celebrated Küblis run to the north.

Davos shares its snow with nearby Klosters, where you can also ski, but cable cars and T-bar lift service may keep you happy with the ski opportunities nearer to Davos. Beginners are advised to stick to Rinerhorn or perhaps Pischa, where, if you're graded "intermediate" by your ski-school instructor, you may be directed to the somewhat more challenging slopes at Jakobshorn.

The ski facilities around Davos aren't the most widespread and far-flung in Switzerland, but they nonetheless incorporate enough challenges to keep intermediate and expert skiers engrossed. Most visitors opt for the RegionPass, which includes access to five different ski regions around Klosters and Davos. Together, they incorporate 322km (200 miles) of marked ski runs, and access to three funiculars, 10 cable cars, four gondolas, and 39 other mechanical conveyances designed to haul you and your equipment uphill. It also includes free rides on the railway cars from Küblis, a nearby hamlet surrounded by snowfields, back uphill to Davos. Adults pay 129F for a 2-day pass, 223F for a 4-day pass, and 300F for a 6-day pass. Children 6 to 12 are granted reductions of around 70% off those rates, and children 5 and under ride free.

Hiking & Walking

Well-marked and -maintained footpaths and mountain trails give access to meadows, pastures, woods, and mountains both close to and far away from Davos. A 451km (280-mile) network of pathways follows brooks, crosses alpine meadows, and leads to remote hamlets, allowing you to explore the side valleys of Sertig, Dischma, and Flüela. Davos mountain railways provide access to five different walking areas and to the most rewarding vantage points around Davos. The tourist office will supply more details.

Hiking Without Luggage -- Three Grisons vacation resorts -- Arosa, Lenzerheide-Valbella, and Davos -- have joined forces to create a "Hiking without Luggage" program. It's intended for hikers who enjoy walking from one resort to another but don't want to be bothered by luggage. Instead, your luggage is delivered to your next hotel for you, an arrangement made by various hotels. Either a 3-night/4-day or a 6-night/7-day program can be booked. The most popular departure point for this program is Davos, although, if the idea appeals to you, you can hike in the opposite direction from, say, Lenzerheide-Valbella into Davos.

There are two hiking routes between Arosa and Davos to choose from. The easier one is via the Sapün, and the more challenging and loftier route is via the Tritt. Both paths lead to the Strela Pass. You can either take the Schatzalp/Strela mountain railway to get to Davos or continue on foot. The 4-day program, including 3 nights' accommodations with half board included, is available for 405F to 570F per person. The 7-day program, including 6 nights' accommodations, with half-pension included, costs 625F to 945F per person. Children from 12 to 16 years old are eligible for a 30% discount, children from 6 to 11 get a 50% discount, and children 5 and under stay for free. Included in the price is breakfast, luggage transfer, one ascent or descent in a mountain railway for each day's hike, the relevant maps and route descriptions, and box lunches for most of the days you'll be hiking. The program is available only during the warm-weather months.

For more information, call the Davos Tourist Office (tel. 081/415-21-21).

Other Sports

Several winter sports besides skiing are offered here as well. For information on curling, contact the Davos Curling Club/Davos-Village Curling Club, Hintere Gasse 4B, Davos-Platz (tel. 081/420-27-00). Two hours of curling, including instruction, cost 40F to 45F per person.

If you're interested in ice-skating on the Natureisbahn, Davos-Platz, the largest natural ice rink in Europe, phone the Davos-Dorf Tourist Office, which manages the rink. Admission costs 6F for adults, 4F for children. Prices are 1F less for holders of the Guest Card, which is presented to all hotel guests. The rink is usually open from December to late February, depending on weather conditions. Davos-Platz also has a huge artificial ice rink, and both are open daily from 10am to 4pm, with additional openings every Thursday and Saturday from 8 to 10pm. In addition to this natural ice-skating rink midway between Davos-Platz and Davos-Dorf, there are at least two other ice-skating venues. For any information about ice-skating, contact the tourist office or www.davos-skating.ch.

Many Davos sports facilities can be used in both the winter and the summer. It has first-class tennis courts, sailing and windsurfing on Lake Davos, swimming, and horseback riding. There's an 18-hole golf course, Golf Club Davis (tel. 081/416-56-34; www.golfdavos.ch), with a weekday greens fee of 87F that includes a golf cart; on weekends the fee goes up to 100F. If you're staying in accommodations at Davos, there's a 10F discount. Golf clubs can be rented for an additional 45F a day. There's also a large indoor ice rink if you want to keep your skills and your skates sharp during the summer months.

Davos has an impressive Tennis & Squash Center, on Clavadelerstrasse 2 in Davos-Platz (tel. 081/413-31-31; www.indoor-sport.ch), which is open daily from 8am to 10pm. Prices depend on when you play, day or night. Court rental from 5:30 to 10:30pm is 28F for an indoor or outdoor court in summer or between 35F and 45F in winter.

Want to go swimming? Call Hallenbad, Promenade 99, next to the Kongress (tel. 081/413-64-63), for information on either indoor swimming in winter or outdoor swimming in the summer. Adults pay 9F and children 6 to 15 are charged 5F, all of which includes changing-room facilities. With use of the mixed sauna included, adults pay 26F.