Travel Tips: Arosa
We are starting with some travel tips, pointing out some magnificent places around Switzerland. This one and all the following articles are created from personal experiences. Today we begin with our 1st of all Travel Tips: Arosa.
From the little Swiss city of Chur, the Arosa train line winds up into the Alps, climbing more than 900 meters in just 26 kilometres. The train makes a right turn in the town of Langwies to cross the Langwieser Viaduct, a towering work of Swiss engineering that is about as magnificent as they get, around 40 minutes into the hour-long trip. There is, therefore, a genuine sensation of arrival as the train arrives in Arosa.
You’re in the mountains, at the end of the line. The only thing left to appreciate after crossing a magnificent bridge is a picture-perfect mountain settlement nestled in a valley between two hills covered with snow. When you get off the train, a vendor will be selling hot, spiced glühwein and waiting for horse-drawn carriages to take you to your hotel. Finally, you’ve found the picture-perfect Swiss town of your dreams.
Arosa may be well-known in Switzerland, but it is popular here. Families come here to teach their kids how to ski. Young Zürich couples use it as a last-minute city getaway, and it is a more affordable alternative to glitzier, more expensive ski resorts like St. Moritz and Gstaad. Moreover, Arosa more than makes up for its lack of Chanel boutiques and yearly snow polo tournaments with charm.
Although Arosa may not be the most opulent ski resort in Switzerland, there are still various things to discover here, from opulent hotels and experiences to heart-pounding outdoor pursuits year-round and yearly events like the adored Arosa Gay Ski Week. You should check out this place if you need your fix of Swiss mountains. To make the most of your visit, start here.
What to See in Arosa
Arosa Lenzerheide
All roads lead to Arosa Lenzerheide, the community’s ski resort that joins Arosa with Lenzerheide (in a neighbouring valley) for a genuinely colossal terrain offering if you’re there during the winter. Most skiing at Arosa is beginner/intermediate level, with plenty of mellow slopes and rolling groomers for lower-intensity, yet still delightful, skiing. There are a few problematic ski trails for thrill-seekers, too.
Walking Trails
The number of walking routes in Arosa, which are maintained by the ski resort in winter and summer, distinguishes it from other Swiss mountain villages. As a result, there is a wide variety of terrain to explore, even for non-skiers. Additionally, in a nation known for its spectacular alpine hut scene, typically only accessible by skiers and experienced climbers, all of Arosa’s huts are accessible by walking trails, allowing everyone to take advantage of a drink, a snack, and the views from higher elevations.
Arosa Bear Sanctuary
The Arosa Bear Sanctuary provides a comfortable home for the rescued animals and a viewing platform from which visitors can appreciate the majesty of these animals in an alpine landscape, even if there are no longer any wild bears in Switzerland.
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Photo by Kevin Oetiker on Unsplash
