Switzerland
4) Davos
Like a lot of Swiss resorts, Davos has roots. Compared to many North America resorts, its history makes it practically Precambrian, and it continues to dine out on this heritage today.
Initially famed as a sanatorium, then as a resort, it has been written about by Conan Doylernand Thomas Mann and been popular for well over 100 years. It is located on the Landwasser River, in the Swiss Alps, between the Plessur and Albula Range. At 1,560 metres it is the highest city in Europe.Davos has a dual claim to fame as the host to the World Economic Forum (WEF), an annual meeting of global political and business elites (often referred to simply as Davos), and the home of the largest ski resort in Switzerland, serving as the site of the annual Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament, hosted by the HC Davos local hockey team.
Nearest airport: Zurich (3 hrs).
What does Davos have to offer?
| Cross Country |
Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced |
| Downhill | Intermediate |
| Freeride | Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced |
| Cable Car |
- |
| Gondola | YES |
| Chairlift | - |
| Connected to | MountainRailways |
With mountain railways and numerous gondolas all allowing bike transportation, Davos has an efficient and modern set up, offering miles and miles of singletrack and many bars and restaurants following a days riding.
Davos has been working its publicity engine to try and build on the number of mountain bikers coming to town over summer. In the last few years they have done this by holding a 4x race on snow at night under floodlights which has proved popular and broadened the awareness of what can be an exciting resort.
DOWNHILL
The mountain terrain around Davos is inspiring and perfect for the
adventurous rider and with a little effort you can access some sublime
trails. Definitely not an out
and out Downhill resort, but Davos offers excellent riding for the
trail rider while any Downhiller prepared to put in some pedal power, will reap the rewards.
Davos has only just built its first Downhill specific course in order to host the IXS Cup in 2008, it has for some years been popular among the Swiss on long travel trail bikes and for Downhillers who don't mind pedalling. This is due to the good transport system and the long contouring, fast and flowing descents possible back down. Of course there are steep hiking trails that are used as well, but these are not official bike trails and the Downhill course has been added to try and draw bikers away from the hiking routes.
FREERIDE
There are no Freeride areas in Davos.
CROSS-COUNTRY
The Grischa trail runs through the high national park area and over to the resorts of Lenzeheide and Arosa. It is a three day ride and the resort offers packages with accommodation provided and luggage transfer.
Staying closer to the resort there are a number of good singletrack
trails and loops marked out on the bike explorer map available in the
town for a small fee and the resort have provided their own routes to
follow. Trail riding around Davos is a superb experience with the good terrain and great landscapes.
| Summer Lifts Open |
1st May until 31st October |
| Lift Opening Times | 09.00 - 17.00 (always check) |
| Lift Prices | Day pass 30 CHF // Season 80 CHF |
DIRECTORY
Tourist Office: T+41 81 415 2121
Website: davos.ch