From health resort to ski resort in Davos

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the first person to ski in Davos when he stayed in the town between 1894-95. Prior to that Davos had been well known as a health resort due to its clear air and plenty of sunshine. Today the ski resort of Davos, the highest in the Alps at 1,560 metres, is still known for its sunny slopes and the quality of its air, but its continuing popularity with skiers is down to its position in a narrow valley with soaring snow covered peaks on both sides. A holiday to Davos is the perfect place for both beginner and intermediate skiers, and in recent years has grown in popularity with snowboarders.

A ski and snowboarding holiday to Davos

Davos is a large and busy Swiss Alps town heaving with skiers and snowboarders throughout the winter months. The popularity of Davos as a holiday destination for snowboarders has resulted in the resort having a renewed energy and vibe. The area of Jakobshorn with its monster pipe and half-pipe is snowboarder heaven.

Davos shares the same ski region with the quieter town of Klosters, and together the two resorts share not only spectacular mountain scenery, but also world-class winter sports facilities. A holiday to Davos gives you access to 99 downhill pistes and an impressively long ski run of more than 10 kilometres. Half of the pistes in Davos are for intermediate skiers, while there are plenty of blue slopes for beginners. Expert skiers are catered for too with black runs such as Gotschnawang and the challenging steep slopes above Wolfgang.

Off the slopes there’s 75 kilometres of cross-country skiing to explore plus snowshoe and winter hiking trails. Davos is home to the largest natural ice-skating rink in Europe as well as two man-made ice rinks to practice your ice-skating on. A horse-drawn sleigh ride through winter scenery is a romantic way to spend an hour or two.

When the sun goes down and the slopes empty of skiers and snowboarders either choose between an affordable pizza in Scala, which is located in the Hotel Europe, or splash out on Michelin starred international cuisine in the cosy surroundings of Hubil’s Landhaus. Party well into the night at Ex-bar, which only begins to get lively after 2am, and soak up the alcohol with a late and lazy Sunday breakfast at Choccolino.

Last minute skiing to Davos

Pack your thermals and book an unforgettable ski or snowboarding holiday to Davos with lastminute.com. Whether you’re accomplished on the slopes or have never put skis on in your life, either way you can experience some of the finest skiing the Swiss Alps has to offer with a holiday to Davos that won’t break the bank. If you are looking for more ski inspiration then check out lastminute.com’s France ski holidays.