3 Epic Days in Davos: The Ultimate Winter Sports and Scenic Itinerary
A Life-Endangering Trip To The Mountains
In the Easter Holidays of 2018, we decided to spend 3 days in Davos, Switzerland. It was peak snow season and we were extremely interested in trying some classic winter sports. Because Davos offers a wide variety of winter sports possibilities, it was the perfect destination for our snowy getaway.
To make the most of our time, we bought a 3 day Ski Pass, which allowed us free usage of the local public transport and the mountain chairlifts. After booking a cozy little cottage in Davos, we drove down in the evening, ready to begin our exploration the next morning.
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Arriving at Davos
- Via Train or Bus: Davos is an easy ride away! Zip through Zurich, Landquart, or Chur by rail or bus. Plan your route and grab your tickets on Busbud here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Zurich Airport to head straight into our legendary alpine valley. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Switzerland
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
Day 1: The Iconic Bernina Express and Lake Davos
Bernina Express
We woke up early in the morning and caught a train from Davos to Chur to begin our journey on the famous Bernina Express. We had booked a round trip ticket from Chur to Tirano for 264 CHF.
Pro-tip: Secure your tickets for Bernina Express using the widget below.
The Bernina Express is a world renowned scenic train ride featuring massive panoramic windows. The route takes you on a beautiful journey around UNESCO World Heritage Sites, passing through breathtaking tunnels and over historic bridges. While the ride is an investment, the magnificent views make the experience totally worth the cost. Because it had recently snowed, the alpine vistas and snow covered bridges looked exceptionally magical.
Unfortunately, a landslide occurred on the tracks before we could reach Tirano. We had completed more than 75% of our one way journey when the train was forced to turn back toward Chur. Despite the change of plans, the journey was still incredibly rewarding. We were even given a full refund for our Bernina Express tickets since we were unable to experience the complete route.
When we arrived back in Chur, we found an excellent Halal Döner shop and stopped for a quick bite. We spent some time walking around and exploring the charming surroundings of Chur before catching our return train back to Davos.
Lake Davos
As we headed back toward our lodging, we took a short detour to visit Lake Davos. The lake was completely frozen over and looked absolutely magnificent in the winter air. After spending some peaceful time admiring the frozen landscape, we headed back to our cottage, ordered some takeout, and went to bed early after a long day.
Day 2: Sledging Adventures at Madrisa and Rinerhorn
Day 2 was completely dedicated to sledging. This was only our second time ever trying the sport, so we were still fairly new to the game.
Madrisa Ski Resort
After breakfast, we used the public transport system to reach the Madrisa Ski Resort. We rented our sledges for just 10 CHF for the entire day and rode the chairlift up the mountain to reach the start of the sledging track.
The track itself was very long but not challenging at all. However, because it was later in the season, there were several patches where the snow had melted, forcing us to pick up and carry our sledges to the next snowy section. The lack of snow made the sledge move at a very slow pace, so we could not quite get the speed and thrill we were seeking. After completing the track once, we decided to head over to another ski resort to try our luck.
Rinerhorn Ski Resort
Rinerhorn Ski Resort sits at a higher altitude than Madrisa, which turned out to be exactly what we needed. We rented our sledges again for 15 CHF for the day and took the chairlift up the mountain.
The moment we arrived, we could tell the track at Rinerhorn was in much better condition. The sledging experience here was absolutely thrilling. The sledge remained fast, and the track had plenty of snow coverage to keep us gliding smoothly. We loved the high speed run so much that we repeated the track two more times before heading down the mountain for dinner and returning to our lodging.
Day 3: Scavenger Hunts, Cross Country Skiing, and an Unforgettable Finale
Magical Portal
We started our third morning with the Magical Portal, a unique outdoor scavenger hunt that used to be offered by a local company in Davos. Although it is no longer available today, it was an incredible experience. They handed us a tablet loaded with riddles and clues, and we had 90 minutes to solve the mystery by exploring different locations around Davos.
The freezing winter weather slowed down our walking pace, so we did not manage to solve every single riddle in the given time limit. Even so, we had an absolute blast running around the area searching for clues.
Langlaufen at Langlaufenzentrum Davos
Next, we decided to try our hand at cross country skiing (Langlaufen) at the Langlaufenzentrum Davos. We barely lasted 45 minutes trying to get a grip on the technique. I kept losing my balance constantly. Even though I had always heard that cross country skiing was fairly easy, I struggled significantly. After 45 minutes of tumbling, I decided to put myself out of my misery and called it quits.
Rinerhorn Again
With a bit of time left before our departure home, we decided to head back to Rinerhorn for a few final sledging runs. Our first run of the day went smoothly, but during the second go, disaster struck. I lost control of my sledge and tumbled slightly off the side of the mountain track.
I ended up lying upside down in the deep snow, waiting for Mehran to come rescue me. At first, I felt completely fine, but as we began walking toward the exit, a piercing headache hit me. We decided to call the emergency services, and I was taken to the local hospital in an ambulance.
To this day, I still tease Mehran that it was all thanks to my dramatic fall that he got to ride in the passenger seat of a Swiss ambulance! The hospital staff took X-rays to ensure my spine and neck were not damaged. Once everything was deemed perfectly okay, we were cleared to leave. It was certainly a dramatic and adventurous end to our trip, and it is a memory we still laugh about today.
Final Remarks
Our 3 days in Davos felt like a holiday at a winter wonderland. It was beautiful, it was white and it was adventurous. The two major highlights of our trip were the sledging at Rinerhorn and the Bernina Express ride. Davos is definitely recommended for people who want to experience a holiday dedicated to winter sports.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davos Switzerland good for beginner winter sports?
Yes! Davos offers a massive variety of winter sports options for all skill levels. While some activities like cross country skiing can take practice, resorts like Rinerhorn offer fantastic, well maintained sledging tracks that are perfect for beginners looking for a thrill.
How much does the Bernina Express cost and is it worth it?
A round trip ticket from Chur to Tirano costs around 264 CHF. Despite being an investment, the panoramic windows, UNESCO World Heritage views, and stunning mountain passes make it entirely worth the cost.
What is the best way to get around Davos during winter?
Purchasing a local Ski Pass is highly recommended. It grants you free access to the local public transport network as well as the mountain chairlifts, making it incredibly easy to hop between different ski resorts like Madrisa and Rinerhorn.
