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Article #305: Ski Resort Focus - Arosa (Jeckyll) and Lenzerheide, Switzerland

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Arosa: Jeckyll and Lenzerheide, mountain, a hike and traverse along the
Switzerland ridge, pausing occasionally to negotiate
The Arosa train begins its journey as a some slightly rocky sections, the
tram, along the streets of Chur, soon Malakoff couloir comes into view. The
heading into the mountains. It passes by option of a steep narrow gully, or
gorges and over historic viaducts, still slightly more open face, sends you heart
farmed by the families of yester year. in mouth down a break in a seemingly
Lost in time villages with pretty wooden impregnable rock band. You are now in
stations line the route as the train the Lenzerheide valley and a path
winds majestically towards its lethargically leads you to Parpan,
destination. Soon the whistle shrieks, reassuringly easily after the adventure
proudly announcing its arrival to Arosa, so far. In Parpan, you pick up the
at the head of the Schanfigg valley. Heimberg chair, which, time permitting,
Arosa is beautifully set around a frozen accesses the Silvano Beltrametti world
lake amid spectacular mountain scenery. cup pistes of Lenzerheide - a must for
It captures perfectly the atmosphere of a any budding racer. If time is short,
winter paradise of reminiscent of how a then head for the Rothorn2 cable car.
winter holiday used to be. This deposits you quickly onto the
Annually, the twelve day horse racing impressive summit of the Rothorn, a
festival on the frozen lake, the mountain blessed with many skiable, away
international humour festival set in a from it all, valleys and faces, however,
grand marquee up on the mountain, balloon sustaining only one actual piste.
festivals and winter golf tournaments are A traverse around the lip of the
just a few grand events to catch. Horse Totalalpli at the back of the Rothorn
drawn sleighs jingle through the mountain summit, brings you to the entrance of
landscape carrying their guests to where Alplihorn bowl, which begins the return
waiters elegantly ply their trade around to Arosa. This descent itself would be
the cosily blanketed guests on lovely the highlight of any ski day, but with
wooden sun loungers to bask in the famous the rest of the ski safari route already
Arosa sun and enjoy the mountain accomplished, the route simply becomes a
restaurant atmosphere. fitting crescendo to an extraordinary ski
In town, smartly dressed tobogganers, day that will linger in your ski memoires
following the tradition of Arosa's for a long time as one of your finest
standard transport, slide by on the roads days.
which have been deliberately left covered If the idea of the huge off-piste
in snow to enhance the magical winter potential of this area does not appeal,
atmosphere. then do not worry. Plans are afoot for
The early evening sees the ice hockey the 2008/9 season to build a gondola from
teams or curling club in full swing. the Top of the Hornli in Arosa to the
Lanes of teams are involved in gliding Schwarzhorn mountain of Lenzerheide.
Scottish granite across the ice. This will allow early intermediate skiers
Complimentary evening cable car rides, to easily access the world cup resort of
regular fireworks and Full Moon Parties Lenzerheide.
from the highest peaks, cap off the The combined resorts will create a snow
feeling that Arosa is a truly special sure, huge area of ski pistes, ranging
winter experience. from 1500 metres to nearly 3000 metres.
The beautiful ski bowl of Arosa lies snow It is likely that this project will
sure between 1800 metres and 2700 metres, propel Arosa further into the
guaranteeing high quality snow on its International market.
perfectly groomed pistes Whilst all good, we trust Arosa will not
Skiing: Arosa has runs suitable for every lose any of its "special" charm.
level of skier and boarder and a state of Those looking for a catered chalet in
the art lift system, effortlessly Arosa will find Chalet Runca a
whisking people from peak to peak. traditional Swiss chalet with the modern
There is the former World Cup downhill comforts. It sleeps any party size from
run from The Weisshorn summit for the one to 12 and parties of 16 are possible
more advanced, as well as ideal runs for when using the first floor apartment to
beginners and intermediates, including sleep in. This is run by Snowy Pockets,
from the top of Bruggerhorn, the headed by Helen and Mike Onions, who, in
staggeringly beautiful blue run heads off their 14th season in business, employ a
into another world, miles away from the qualified chef and chalet host to manage
hustle and bustle of the main mountain, Chalet Runca and have a special
with incredible views of the summits' of arrangement with a fully professional and
Davos in the distance. It seems caring crèche. Snowy Pockets offer the
impossible that this run can return to apartment on a self-catered basis also.
Arosa, however you arrive at Pratschli, Chalet Runca is in the heart of Arosa,
for the return to the Weisshorn cable near to all the facilities, reached
car. either by foot on the snow-cleared paths,
Mixed ability groups can meet up easily by horse and sleigh, or by hopping on the
for lunch and après-ski at a number of resort bus for speedy door to door
picturesque and lively spots. The Disney transport. Snowy Pockets provide wooden
sponsored Mickey Mouse Alpine Club (kids sledges (set up with back rests and
ski school) ensures the children are sheepskin sleeping bags), which are
progressing happily enabling plenty of popular alternatives to children's
ski time for parents on the mountain. buggies for strolling around town and
Snowboarding: Part of Arosa's enjoying the forest walk and toboggan
renaissance as a cool resort includes its tracks.
enthusiasm for snowboarding. Arosa has How to get to Arosa. From Zurich
world class facilities, notably the fun airport, in two hours, train and
park with a big air kicker and 130 metre intercity train reach Chur.
half pipe, where snowboarders can .
'board-in' (as in 'drive in') to the Statistics:
Mountain Mac mountain restaurant. Arosa Snow Sure.
hosted the world FIS snowboarding Web:
championships in January 2007 and is the Lifts altitude: 1739 - 2653m
home of Gian Simmen, the former Olympic Cable Cars: 3
Snowboarding gold medallist. High speed chair Lifts: 10
One of our favourite ski days in Arosa is Drag Lifts: 4
a three resort ski safari of Arosa - Conveyor Belt Kids Lifts: 2
Tchiertshen - Lenzerheide (this combined Nursery Runs:4
lift ticket is available as a 30 CHF Blue Runs: 21 (35%)
extension to the Arosa lift pass) Red Runs: 31 (50%)
This begins at either the Weisshorn or Black Runs: 3 (15%)
Hornli summit, where entry into the Downhill Runs: 100km
incredible Urdental valley is possible - Cross Country: 30km
lift and piste-free for miles, and Snow Cannons: Yes
continually descending to the secret Night Skiing: Yes
hideaway village of Tchiertshen; surely, Winter Hiking: 60km of cleared paths
the Jeckyll in this pack, being unspoilt Tabogganing: Yes
traditionally timbered Switzerland with Ice Skating: Yes
it's own mountain hinting at enormous Off Piste: Plenty
off-piste challenge. Ski Touring: Excellent
After riding the lifts of Tchiertshen to Heliskiing: Yes.
the summit of the steep Gurgaletsch






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