The Skiers' Guide to Davos Klosters

Davos Klosters, located in the Swiss Alps of Graubünden, combines a bustling town atmosphere with traditional Alpine charm. This dual-destination resort offers skiers and snowboarders an impressive 320km of pistes spread across five distinct ski areas - Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Madrisa, Rinerhorn, and Pischa.

Sitting at altitudes between 810m and 2844m, the resort benefits from reliable snow conditions throughout the season. With 70 runs (22 beginner, 35 intermediate, and 13 advanced), there's terrain for every ability level, all serviced by an extensive lift network including 15 gondolas/cable cars, 13 chairlifts, and 29 drag lifts.

Our Snomad community rates Davos Klosters with an overall rating of 4.36/5, particularly praising the resort for groomed runs (4.74/5), ski school quality (4.74/5), and snowboarder-friendly terrain (4.80/5). One Snomad community member liked the "meticulously groomed" pistes, while another praised the "modern lifts" and "quality snow as the resort is high."

The variety of terrain at Davos Klosters is genuinely impressive. With a good split between beginner, intermediate and advanced runs, the resort caters well to mixed-ability groups. The area scores 4.56/5 for advanced skiers and 4.08/5 for intermediates.

Parsenn, the largest of the five areas, connects Davos to Klosters and offers extensive skiing. As Carl, an expert skier, notes: "The link between Davos and Klosters is magical." For less experienced skiers, Madrisa provides excellent learning terrain - "especially family friendly" according to Carl.

The resort also scores well for off-piste opportunities (4.22/5), with Pischa being entirely dedicated to freeride terrain. Santiago, an expert skier, points out that "because of the layout of the mountain, off-piste is plentiful, yet there are few itineraries specifically marked indicating ski patrol control for snow conditions."

For those seeking a challenge, Jakobshorn features what Santiago describes as "the steepest groomed black in the whole valley, boasting a pitch above 35 degrees."

Davos Klosters earns 4.06/5 for eating out options, with a good range of on-mountain restaurants and town-based dining. The mountain restaurants receive particularly positive feedback, with Dean, an advanced skier, describing them as having "hearty and top quality" food.

While some users mention that dining can be expensive (Samantha notes "around 24-30 CHF for a pizza"), the quality typically justifies the cost. Jarryd, an advanced skier, shares that "some of the best food can be found here, as the restaurant options are great and of very high quality."

The culinary scene spans from pizza places to more traditional Swiss fare. The resort offers plenty of options both on the slopes and in the towns of Davos and Klosters. However, Neha points out there's "not that much variety in cuisine," suggesting some limitations for those seeking diverse international options.

Après-ski in Davos Klosters scores 3.42/5 in our ratings, reflecting its more laid-back approach compared to some rowdier Alpine resorts. Bob, an expert skier from the UK, describes it as a "relaxing place, not for the party crowd."

That's not to say there isn't fun to be had. The resort offers a mix of bars and nightlife options catering to different tastes. Jasmine mentions "busy après at the bottom of the mountain," while Carl notes that "après is varied, from small bars to big clubs."

Sophie, an intermediate skier, adds that the "après life isn't hugely popping," but there are "lots of great things going on." This makes Davos Klosters ideal for those who prefer a more chilled evening atmosphere after a day on the slopes, rather than those seeking wild partying.

Eddie summed it up well: "Après-ski is limited, but restaurants on the mountain are great, if expensive."

Families will find Davos Klosters particularly welcoming, reflected in its excellent family friendliness rating (4.47/5). The resort offers dedicated areas for children and beginners, particularly on the Madrisa side, which Freddie describes as having "very good ski school and lots of family-friendly areas."

Sophie, an intermediate skier, adds that "beginners tend to be on the Madrisa side, which makes that area great (and separate) for families and beginners." This separation from more advanced areas creates a safe environment for young skiers to develop their skills.

Beyond skiing, the resort offers family-friendly activities including ice skating. As Alex mentions, "there is a nice ice rink in the middle of town," providing entertainment options for non-skiing days. Dave, an advanced skier who brings school groups to the resort, recommends "the heated outdoor swimming pool at 'Eau La La'" as another great family-friendly activity.

The high rating for ski school quality (4.74/5) is particularly relevant for families, ensuring children receive excellent instruction.

Davos Klosters offers exceptional accommodation options (4.49/5), ranging from luxurious hotels to more modest lodgings. The two towns provide different atmospheres - Davos being larger and more developed, while Klosters maintains a more traditional Alpine village feel.

Access to the slopes is generally straightforward, with efficient public transport connecting accommodation to the lifts. As Sebastiaan, an expert skier, notes: "Super easy to get to by train from Zurich airport," and the internal transport network is equally convenient.

Some accommodation is ski-in/ski-out, though as Alex points out, "There is a ski into town from the mountain but that is a black run, so it restricts it for some people." For those not staying slope-side, Philip mentions that a "bus service runs between" lift stations, making it easy to access the slopes regardless of where you're staying.

Samantha, an intermediate skier, simply states: "Davos is a nice town with lots of accommodation options," confirming the breadth of choices available to visitors.

Davos Klosters has made significant strides toward environmental responsibility, with a focus on sustainable mountain operations. The resort has invested in energy-efficient snowmaking systems and modernised its lift network to reduce power consumption.

The excellent public transport infrastructure, including trains and buses, helps reduce vehicle emissions by making car-free holidays viable. The Swiss rail connection from Zurich Airport directly to the resort is particularly noteworthy, with Sebastiaan highlighting it as "super easy to get to by train."

The resort's commitment to preserving its natural Alpine environment is reflected in careful terrain management and ecological initiatives, though specific certification details aren't widely publicised in our user reviews.