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