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