Arosa | Pleasant Stays in the Unforgettable Swiss Alps.


Arosa is undoubtedly one of the most important and prestigious winter sports resorts in the Canton of Grisons,an ideal destination very suitable for everyone to spend pleasant stays in the unforgettable Swiss Alps.

That famous and notorious Alpine town situated in the splendid district of Plessur on the  the river with the same name (Plessur) is something special and unique in its kind.

Surrounded on all sides by the the Weisshorn Chain,at west by the captivating silhouette of the Weisshorn  with its 2653,0 metres of altitude while at south the Swiss resort is flanked  by other charming peaks such as the Parpaner Weissenhorn ( 2824,0 metres),the Parpan Rothorn ( 2861,0 metres) and the Arosa Rothorn which with its 2980,0 metres which is is highest point of the town.

Those mountains all together form a marvellous ring around a place with a frame very difficult to forget with furthermore the proximity of other magnificent peaks which complete that wonderful scenery such as the Rothorn Erzhorn ( 2924 metres ) the Älpliseehorn (2725,0 metres) the Alplisee ( 2156 metres ) and the Schwellisee with its summit reaching 1933 metres of altitude and with such Alpine crown Arosa is certainly a place unique and special.

The economy of that Swiss town is mainly based on Tourism Industry and  its numbers are absolutely impressive and outstanding. 

Over 70,0 kilometres of slopes,16 ski lifts offering a more than magnificent set in terms of facilities linked to Winter Sports are great details combined to the presence of over 40 Hotels next to an ample range of other accommodations (apartments,chalets and rooms in private houses) complete an offer of approximately 4,500 beds in Hotels and apartments and other 8,000 will be achieved each year nearly with the amazing result of one million overnight stays all that makes Arosa a Top Destination.

Despite those pretty recent operations to increase the flows of incoming tourism towards Arosa in therms of hospitality capacity the resort was already well known since long time ago when it was often chosen for long stays or residence by prominent people who increased the popularity and fame of that Swiss municipality.

It is the case of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who after several trips to that corner of Switzerland decided to write his  Davos/Arosa ski adventure in a British magazine The Strand in 1894,and the story narrated by such iconic figure attracted immediately several skiers from Great Britain with the desire to visit of  and enjoy that town in the Swiss Alps.

Also another important character as Thomas Mann famed German writer in many occasions visited Arosa,place in which he also lived during his first period related to his exile in Switzerland while a further famous figure as Erwin Schrödinger well known for the  discovery of mechanic waves spent several holidays in that splendid resort.

In more recent times many famed Alpine Ski champions and Ice hockey players lived or still live in that Swiss municipality and thanks to all that Arosa in a sort of automatic promotion with a very positive answer became an important destination for winter sports and furthermore an outstanding place to enjoy the Alps of the Graunbunden Kanton other name of the Canton of Grisons.

The early history of Arosa and its surrounding area officially started in medieval times when it was inhabited since the 13th century.The first name which appeared in the 14th century exactly in the year 1330 was Araus.

That period was also a period of immigration towards that Swiss land to repopulate the area due continuous flows of people who left Arosa to reach major centres of Switzerland but with the landing of Walser  populations a ethnic group originally coming from the Berner Oberland.

The Walser community was already established in that time in the town of Davos and nearest areas reaching in a very short time other Swiss and Italian areas..(I wrote some posts about Davos, Bosco Gurin and Gressoney la Trinitè if you want to know more about Walser people in the case you are interested).

Those new inhabitants replaced over time the former settlers the Romansch and over the next centuries the local population living in Arosa was mainly dedicated to the Alpine pastures and farms.

Due to the mismatch between a low population and a vast territory many pastures were sold, as the Sattelalp to the people coming from the Chur community while the lands corresponding to Furggaalp Maienfeld and Alp Altein were given to the communities coming from Albula.

Until the 19th century,Arosa was still a pretty isolated farming village with no important roads through the valley of Plessur.The most important connections were the arduous Alpine Pass routes leading to Davos whose Arosa was until 1851 a neighbourhood and it is enough to remember until the year 1850 the official population in the current centre of the resort was of just 52 residents.

An important change began only after the year 1883, when Arosa was visited by the German physician Otto Herwig, who was cured there for a lung ailment in Davos and he discovered Arosa which became a relevant climatic and Spa destination launching a kind of promotion which reached a notable success.

Thanks to all that in 1888 a first sanatorium was opened and in combination with that new Industry in 1900 the Swiss resort also became well known as an ideal place to enjoy winter sports.In 1911 some small scattered villages around the resort were incorporated in the municipality of Arosa and in the same year was furthermore inaugurated the Tomelischanze,the first permanent Ski Jump attracting several visitors coming from different Cantons of Switzerland and other European countries.

The municipality had further development when in 1938 ,Arosa took the Carmenna,the White Horn and the chug lift,the first ski lifts in operation since 1956 while in 1960 was opened the Weisshornbahn Hörnli railway and a connection to the ski resort of Lenzerheide (I wrote a post about that other destination) is being planned.

That great evolution and escalation of the resort which was not long time before a very humble village in the middle of the Swiss Alps reached a notable prestige and thanks to presence of the several services and facilities established in its area the demand to spend pleasant stays in that place in the unforgettable Swiss Alps reached very important peaks in terms of tourist flows.

Thanks to its magnificent position in the heart of the Canton of Grisons and situated in a wide valley,Arosa enjoys excellent exposure to the sun and it is sheltered from the wind,generating a great combination ideal to choose Arosa also for its climate.

Another special feature of that Swiss resort is that it is closed to the traffic,the air is totally pure and uncontamined and also for that notable reason Arosa has been a very popular mountain resort,perpetuating a tradition since 1877 due that relevant aspect obviously appreciated by a multitude of people.


The current village of Arosa extends over 2,0 km in length with today's settlement focuses on the lower and upper lake situated at 1739 metres of altitude.

 The resort of Arosa is well known to be a paradise for skiers,snowboarders but also for Ski Cross Country lovers it is enough to remember its previously mentioned 70,0 kilometres of slopes to enjoy Alpine Ski but in addition the resort also provides approximately 30,0 kilometres of free ride area,13 lifts carry vacationers up to 2653,0 metres  and over 60,0 kilometres corresponding to  winter hiking trails.

Apart those oustanding facilities the resort has also areas for all people who loves other activities such as snowshoe,spaces to enjoy toboggan riders while  the ski school Arosa Junior Club is the ideal site for children who are learning to ski and ride snowboards with excellent masters and intensive courses of a very high level.

The magnificent slopes of Arosa about Alpine Ski offers Blue,Red and Black tracks all that means the brilliant chance for skiing suitable for everyone starting from the experienced skier to the beginner.

The most extensive area corresponds to the intermediate level related to the splendid Red slopes with over 32,0 km of tracks always highlighted by an excellent quality of snow.Some sections are pretty good to improve coordination and aerodynamic positions thanks to  ideal gradients and step by step to learn more before to move to the oustanding black tracks.

The Black slopes for masters and experienced skiers  are along approximately 7,0 kilometres developed on very challenging tracks ideal for skilled people thanks to the presence of spectacular curves,jumps and steep straights and they are situated in the areas of Weisshörn and Höernli.

The Blue slopes for beginners are arranged on a large area of approximately 30,0,/31,0 kilometres in particular the space corresponding to Tschuggen is particularly indicated for children and for all people who is starting their first steps on skis.

Another excellent facility to try the tracks of Arosa is the perfect and organised system of ski-lifts which permits to reach different places in a very short time.Snowboarding is aslo one of the main highlights of Arosa for many experts and Masters and the Swiss resort is considered one of best places in the Alps to enjoy that trendy speciality.

It is not a case that in in 2007 Arosa hosted the Snowboard World Championships and other important competitions such as Snowboarding Europe Cup and Snowboarding World Cup Stages.

Apart sports on snow Arosa is also famous for Ice Hockey and in Switzerland that sport is very popular with many fans, an excellent tradition,very competitive Clubs and the Swiss National Team reached brilliant results in Olympic Games and in different editions of the World Cup.

The local Club EHC Arosa was founded in 1924,it is a legendary Club playing in the iconic Eissporthalle Obersee the Ice Hockey Stadium of Arosa with the relevant capacity to contain about 7,500 spectators.As relevant detail linked to such emblematic Sporting Institution is that the local Club was 9 times Swiss Champion and many famous players played for that glorious Ice Hockey entity.

The name Arosa is also famous to host every year important events,in August/September the Classic Car Arosa calls a multitude of people to assist to a  great and spectacular Mountain Running International Classic Car race.

July and August are the months in which the protagonist is The days of jazz in Arosa with important American artists coming to delight with their performances a multitude of people.It is an event which attracts many tourists fond about the sounds of the most pure jazz music performed by superb stars.In the same period is also celebrated Open Air Arosa,the highest open-air opera festival in the Alps on the forest stage. 

December celebrates Arosa Festival of humor a special event in which the big names of the International  cabaret and comedy are present in Arosa with the participation of well-known artists,a relevant appointment honoured in different editions by several notables figures which had.among the winners famed characters such as  Rebecca Carrington,Gerhard Polt and Male Diva.

In January takes place Ice Snow Football a kind of Unofficial World Championship of football on the snow.That unsual and spectacular event is celebrated over the frozen lake of Arosa with the participation of former players of international fame.

Since 2004 every January is also celebrated in the Swiss resort the WSF the World Spirit Forum.It is an event with an international  participation of thinkers and spiritual leaders working in different areas such as as economy,politic,science,religion,culture and society and other areas.

Another important appointment is The Water Games Obersee sponsored by the Rhaetian Bahn und hotelleriesuisse Arosa the associations of Swiss Rhaetian Railways and Arosa Hotels.It is one of the biggest show fountains in Europe accompanied by lights and music celebrated from mid-June to late October.

Apart Winter Sports and many prestigious events which take place all year Arosa also offers many opportunities to enjoy several outdoor activities in spring,summer and including autumn too.

Thanks to the presence of its many oustanding Alpine peaks Arosa is a perfect place for climbing and all the activities linked to mountaineering with furthermore an extensive territory to enjoy hiking and trekking with the chance to discover places simply magnificent in the heart of the unforgettable Swiss Alps.

The resort is highly considered to be the starting point of many routes for trekking lovers,reaching Schanfigger and with the brilliant opportunity to try the panoramic paths from Lenzerheide to Davos.Very pleasant and suggested is a walk on the Squirrel Path which takes that name by the presence of several squirrels in thar special trail,a great attraction for families with children.

All the local area is also a mecca for Mountain bike lovers with several trails with different coefficient of difficulty from amateurs to professional cyclists and furthermore the presence of two splendid lakes such as the Obersee and Untersee are a great attraction for water sports and photographers.

In the second waters basin the visitor can enjoy Untersee Lido providing a splendid sandy beach on which it is possible to enjoy with lawn chairs sun bathing admiring the wonderful landscapes all around the resort with water heated by solar energy.Other oustanding facilities are a 50 metres swimming pool diving boards,the chance to play table tennis and an outdoor restaurant.

If you are fond about Golf,Arosa Golf Course is certainly another superb highlight of the resort a place to enjoy 100%..Located in a beautiful Alpine environment it is one of the highest golf courses in Europe established at 1850,0 metres of altitude and hosting frequently national and international competitions.The Club also offers the brilliant option to participate to different courses including for beginners who are starting to play that sport.

Very interesting is undoubedtly to explore and know better the surrounding areas  during your stay in Arosa with the nearest towns and villages such as Langwies, Davos, Schmitten,Alvaneu,Lantsch,,Obervaz, Chur,Tschiertschen-Praden,Molinis Peist among others.All those places apart the beauty of the local Alpine landscapes also have a relevant historic and cultural patrimony offering the visitor a unique combination next to the several natural  atttractions present in the territory of that Swiss Canton.

Arosa All Inclusive Card is a great incentive and demonstration of welcome reserved for tourists,an operation which gave Arosa further popularity.The visitors with that special card obtained by spending one night spent in a Hotel,Aparthotel or Camping can receive some interesting free services such as the use of  lifts and entrance to the Hörnli Weisshorn,Adventure Park,the entrance in the Regional Museum,renting pedal boats and other excellent facilities.

In addition to all the mentioned options and opportunities to spend pleasant stays in that unforgettable corner of the Swiss Alps worth a very special mention the local culinary aspect.There are many typical and gastronomic specialities ready to satisfy the most exigent palates in that corner of the Canton of Graubunden.

Meat is undoubtedly of excellent quality and try the famous and delicious Kalbfilet consiting in veal tenderloin or the Rindfilet a very delectable fillet of beef.Very popular is also the Schweinschnitzel which is a kind of breaded pork while another highlight is of course the Lederpiessli a special grilled liver which is among the most popular specialities prepared in the Canton.


 Also fish is present with the famed Trout Meuniere prepared with almonds and perch is served in several restaurants.Among the notorious recipes based on local great cheese try naturally the famed the Fondue,that great speciality consisting in melted cheese flavoured by a touch of white wine in which you can dip pieces of bread and furthermore you can taste the traditional Raclette which is a traditional plate prepared with slices of melted cheese accompanied by potatoes and pickles.

Just like in the nearest Northern Italy is also present the famed braised polenta and the famous risotto.Naturally do not miss to try the typical Rosti,considered the national plate,a relevant speciality of the German-speaking Switzerland that you can find including in Arosa.

The resort of Arosa is close to some important airports and thanks to that there are many chances of brilliant connections.The nearest is the Engadin Samedan Sankt Moritz Airport situated at 32,0 kilometres away while Lugano-Agno Airport is approximately situated at 65,0 kilometres from Arosa.The most important airport in terms of connections offering more chances of landing is certainly Flughafen Zurich AG,Zurich Airport located at a distance of 113,0 kilometres which receive a large flow of International flights.. 

There are many reasons to choose Arosa as destination for holidays or for a short break including it can be inserted if you are planning a tailor made tour of Switzerland or obviously if you are a skier and fond about winter sports or also a golfer or simply interested to discover amazing places.

Arosa is of course a great destination among the most complete you can find in the unforgettable Swiss Alps all that enjoying more than pleasant stays in a place which offers the visitor a multitude of natural attractions very difficult to forget.


Francesco Mari


Recommended Hotels in Arosa 

Hotel Arosa Kulm & Alpin SPA 
Grand Hotel Arosa Tschuggen 
Hotel Waldhotel National 
Hotel Blatter´s Bellavista
Hotel Excelsior Swiss Quality
Hotel Sunstar Parkhotel Arosa
Hotel Hof Maran

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