The Skiers' Guide to Arosa Lenzerheide

Arosa Lenzerheide is a dual-destination ski resort in the heart of Switzerland's Graubünden canton, creating one of the country's largest interconnected ski areas. The resort links two distinct villages - traditional Arosa and lively Lenzerheide - connected by a spectacular cable car that spans the Urdental valley.

This Swiss gem sits at an impressive altitude range, with slopes stretching from 1229m to 2865m above sea level. Zurich is the closest major airport, with transfers taking approximately 2-2.5 hours by car or train and Postbus combination.

With 117 pistes spanning 225km, the area offers plenty of variety across its impressive terrain. Our users have awarded the resort an overall rating of 4.38/5, with particularly high marks for ski school quality (4.70/5) and options for advanced skiers (4.75/5).

Richard, one of our Snomad users who's an expert skier, notes that Lenzerheide "is one of those resorts that is not a resort but a real place, where real Swiss people live, work and enjoy the best an Alpine location can offer."

The resort boasts 117 runs, with a well-balanced mix of terrain: 57 beginner runs, 46 intermediate runs, and 14 advanced runs. The lift system is thoroughly modern, featuring 8 gondolas/cable cars, 18 chairlifts, and 17 drag lifts that efficiently move skiers around the mountain.

The ski area scores brilliantly for groomed runs (4.62/5) and lift efficiency (4.62/5), making it a joy to navigate. The terrain particularly shines for intermediates (4.40/5) and advanced skiers (4.75/5).

Laura, an expert skier in our community, calls it an "amazing hidden gem resort" with "easily accessible off slopes with great powder potential, ending in some short tree runs." The resort offers a decent off-piste experience (4.00/5), though tree skiing is somewhat limited with a rating of 3.27/5.

Josh, an intermediate skier who's spending a season there, mentions that "especially in Arosa there are large wide areas for off-piste skiing and has huge potential for fun on powder days."

The resort scores well for (4.23/5) eating out, with a variety of options both on the mountain and in the villages. Mountain restaurants are "evenly spaced and offer a wide variety of fare (inc Rösti) for lunch or that important Ovomaltine stop," according to our expert skier Richard.

In the village, he notes that "food options are not boundless, but offer a good variety from a kebab shop all the way up to traditional Swiss hotel restaurant gourmet food." He particularly recommends "the pizza place at the Hotel Kurhaus, which goes from coffee shop to nightspot effortlessly."

Canadian intermediate skier Kristy simply notes that "the food is yummy," while Robyn, an advanced skier, mentions "a good variety of food available which was always super tasty."

Arosa Lenzerheide scores a modest 3.17/5 for après-ski, suggesting it's not the resort's strongest point. Several of our users note that the après scene is fairly subdued compared to other Alpine resorts.

Sebastian, an expert skier from Switzerland, notes there's "not much of an après-ski scene here at all," highlighting the resort's family-friendly focus instead. Martin, an intermediate skier, shares this view: "Après was quite quiet with it mainly being focussed around the hotels. Definitely more family focussed than one for the party animals!"

Josh suggests the resort has untapped potential, noting that "there are many bars and restaurants on the mountain but less places for après ski. This could be easily fixed if those bars were turned into après bars at times, with speakers and a DJ."

For a livelier evening scene, Richard mentions the Hotel Kurhaus, which "goes from coffee shop to nightspot effortlessly" and has "a nightclub there as well to keep the most energetic going into the small hours."

Arosa Lenzerheide truly excels as a family destination, scoring an impressive 4.42/5 for family friendliness. The resort's gentle beginner slopes, excellent ski schools, and friendly atmosphere make it ideal for families with children of all ages.

Kristy, an intermediate skier from Canada, praises it as a "great resort, and super family friendly. Staff are kind and helpful." She also appreciates that "they host events throughout the season - Easter sunrise breakfast" which adds to the family appeal.

Sebastian, an expert skier from Switzerland, confirms it's "definitely a family friendly resort," while Laura describes it as "family friendly and mostly not crowded," which is perfect for those with young children.

Martin, whose daughter had her first skiing experience here, shares that "beginners areas were great for my daughter and her first time on snow and her instructor was really friendly and patient." He adds that there were "plenty of gentle runs for my wife and some older family members too who were able to comfortably ski a large section of runs, despite it being several years since last skiing."

The resort scores highly for accommodation options (4.27/5), with choices ranging from luxury hotels to self-catering apartments.

Richard explains that "accommodation is equally varied, with a good range of 3* to 5* hotels, though a wide variety of holiday apartment lets are readily available in close proximity to the slopes, the village amenities and the forest walks and cross-country trails for the non-skiers."

Kiernan, an expert skier, notes that "there are not many hotel options but the ones available are really nice," suggesting quality over quantity in some areas. Robyn was "very happy with the quality of accommodation," contributing to her "fantastic" overall experience.

Martin stayed at a hotel in Valbella (Lenzerheide area) and mentions the resort's excellent transportation system, noting "a regular free bus taking you around the different lift locations meaning you can access all parts of the mountain quickly from the bottom." This efficient transport network means that even accommodations not directly on the slopes offer convenient access to the ski area.

Arosa Lenzerheide has made notable strides in environmental protection. The resort operates primarily on hydroelectric power, reducing its carbon footprint significantly. The innovative "Arosa Bear Sanctuary" demonstrates a commitment to wildlife conservation, providing a natural habitat for rescued bears while offering educational opportunities for visitors.

The resort's efficient public transport network, including the free ski bus connecting villages and slopes, actively reduces car dependency. Many hotels in the area have also embraced eco-certifications, implementing energy-efficient measures and waste reduction programs. The protection of higher-altitude terrain is evident, as one user notes "the Swiss do like to protect the wilder parts," showcasing Switzerland's traditional respect for alpine environments.