Arosa is a long-established resort lying at the end of a delightful narrow gauge railway and a rather tortuous road. It is pretty in parts but very spread out with the most attractive traffic-free section at Inner-Arosa a bus ride away from the station and the main Obersee area. Arosa attracts a large non-skiing clientele and the slopes rarely have queues or crowds. Since December 2013 neighbouring Lenzerheide has been linked by a gondola with Arosa and the combined resorts create the largest linked ski area in Graubünden and one of the ten largest in Switzerland. In addition to the pistes there are an impressive 40km of marked freeride runs and it possible to ski off-piste but within the bounds of the ski area all day. As well as downhill, cross-country, tobogganing, snowshoe walks and winter walks the resort also boasts night skiing, open air skating on the lake, horse and sleigh rides, indoor swimming, full moon parties and a wide range of restaurants and bars.
There is a beautiful and very easy 8 km walk from the Unterseeplatz in Arosa, about 500 metres south of the station to the Langwies station from where you can take the train back to Arosa. The trail runs above the railway line and then along the Plessur to the old Walser village of Litzirüti. From there the route mainly passes through forest until you reach the imposing Langwieser Viaduct. Pass under the railway bridge and ascend up to Langwies station.
Sky and Rail
The nearest airport to Arosa is Zurich. There is a railway station in the airport.
Best of the Slopes at Arosa
Nice long blue run off Brüggerhorn down to Obersee. There is also some good off-piste on Brüggerhorn and the Weisshorn.
Where to Eat and Party in Arosa
Brüggli bar in Inner-Arosa is a good place to start an evening out. Nearer Obersee is the Old India Bar in the Hotel Sorell. The excellent Botta-designed Tschuggen Bergoase spa at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel is open to non-residents. Also with a spa open to the public is the Arosa Kulm Hotel & Alpin Spa, which also has three of the best restaurants in town (+41 81 378 88 88), although the best is probably the Restaurant Kachelofa-Stübli at the Waldhotel Arosa (+41 81 378 55 55).
Getting to Arosa by Train
The best destination to access the downhill slopes by public transport in this ski area is Arosa. Station adjacent to gondola, also courtesy bus between base stations.
