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Lenzerheide Ski Resort
In the 2013/14 season, Lenzerheide joins hands (well, lifts - the Urdenbahn tramway from Urdenfürggli to be exact) with neighbour Arosa to form one of the biggest ski areas in Switzerland.
Of the two linked ski areas, this one has the lion’s share of the slopes - 155km compared to Arosa’s 70km. They stream down to the east and west of the resort, which spreads out along a valley around the gorgeous lake Heidsee. Lenzerheide town is home to most of the ski lifts and you can also access the pistes from Valbella on the other end of the lake (a village that’s practically merged with the town these days) and the smaller hamlet of Parpen.
The bulk of hotels and restaurants can be found branching off the Voa Principala, the road that runs through the centre of the valley, linking Lenzerheide town, Valbella, Parpan and some other hamlets. In around half an hour’s drive, the same road leads to Chur - capital of the Grisons canton and oldest city in Switzerland. A Sportbus (usually free to use) runs around the town, villages and hamlets throughout the winter season, and public buses like the 182 take travellers to Chur.
Like other members of the Graubünden family (St Moritz and Klosters included), there’s a certain air of luxury in this neck of the woods – buildings tastefully take on traditional Swiss style, housing 4* hotels and chalets belonging to the likes of Roger Federer. While you don't have quite as much choice of lodgings as neighbour Arosa, there’s still a good range of places to stay, from hostel-like accommodation to plusher pads.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Graubünden, Switzerland
Established: 1936
Open: December - April
Downhill: 225km
View our detailed Lenzerheide snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Lenzerheide snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Zürich Airport (ZRH) | 145km, 2 hours |
| EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL) | 230km, 2.5 hours |
| Milan–Malpensa Airport (MXP) | 218km, 2h40 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2653m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1229m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1229m |
| Longest run: | 13.3km |
| Slope Orientation: | W E NW |
| Vertical Drop: | 1424m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 225km |
| Beginner slopes: | 49% |
| Intermediate: | 39% |
| Advanced slopes: | 12% |
| Lift Pass Price: | CHF 290 (adult 6 day Arosa Lenzerheide) |
| Nearby resorts: Arosa, Savognin | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Lenzerheide
Short beginner slopes are served by drag lifts near the Lenzerheide and Valbella bases, where the likes of Schweizer Schneesportschule and Epic Ski teach the basics. For progression, look to the west side where longer blues can be accessed by taking the ski bus to the Tgantieni chair. Piste #45 is a designated family slope, where racing is banned to maintain a smooth, cruisey pace. Ski the #40a Sie & Er then take the Pedra Grossa lift to link runs down to Valbella. On the east side of the valley, the first Rothorn lift leads to the forested Curtschin and Crapera pistes. If you fancy experiencing the Arosa half, ski the Urdenbahn followed by the Hornli Traverse piste.
Confident red run skiers and snowboarders can take on the longest descent in the area, setting off from the Rothorn peak and gliding down to Parpan via the Totalpli, Weisshornmulde and Heimberg pistes. It initially dips into another valley and takes you through a mountain tunnel before re-joining the east side. There’s a fabulous red from Piz Scalottas worth skiing too.
For the ultimate challenge, tackle the Silvano Beltrametti World Cup piste. On the east side and reached by the Heimberg and Motta chairs, it’s black graded and said to be the steepest women’s downhill on the planet with a gradient of up to 65% and a length of 2.45km. Off piste, the Parpan Rothorn is your local freeride mountain, with more terrain over on the Weisshorn.
On the west side, families love the fun slope and freestylers can hone technique in the JibArea - both at Alp Stätz. There’s also the Park ’n’ Pipe Tschuggen (by the Tomeli lift) and the Wood Ranch (on piste 15) over in Arosa.
Lenzerheide Apres Ski
While it’s not quite Verbier when it comes to après ski, Lenz. still has a decent supply of bars to provide a tipple when required. Central Pub is an Irish watering hole serving Guinness and whiskies with pool tables and darts for entertainment, while Chämi Bar has a refined atmosphere, with piano music, cocktails and a cigar menu. On a sunny day, bag a seat at the Goldgräber in the middle station, which often hosts live concerts in the spring. Over in Parpen, the Allegra Bar has a cosy, chilled out environment. In Valbella meanwhile, we like Bar Sil Mot at the edge of the piste for watching the world ski by.
When it comes to mealtimes, La Patata’s menu includes regional classics, grill dishes and Italian food (try the gnocci) - well worth booking in advance as its deservedly popular.
For fine dining, La Riva and Guarda Val both have Michelin stars, producing amazingly artistic dishes and treating guests as royalty. If you don’t mind a detour, nearby Schauenstein in Fürstenau has a world-leading three stars for its ‘exemplary’ cuisine.
Back down on earth, Heid Stuebli is a cracking spot for pizzas and fondue, and Motta Hutte for mountainside burgers with a smashing view.
This resort has Switzerland’s first biathlon arena and if you fancy a crack at the sport, a number of taster sessions and group activities are usually available. There are more than 80km of hiking paths for winter walkers, while those who prefer exploring on two wheels can try fatbiking or the snowbike park. Skaters have a rink in Parpen as well as the Skateline, a 3km ice course that runs along the riverbank to and from Surava. The Lenzerheide Sports Centre has another rink for indoor skating.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Lenzerheide
Best time to visit & ski Lenzerheide
With pistes facing east and west, you can follow the sun through the day in the early winter months to enjoy some truly glorious skiing. Likewise, later in the season it’s possible to ski ahead of the sun to experience the snow before it begins to thaw. Compared to Arosa’s south facing slopes, this side of the ski area generally sees the better snow conditions towards the springtime. Look out for special events like full moon skiing, snow nights and early bird sessions which help you extend your ski day even further.
Peak Dates
A ‘Magic Forest’ has appeared over Christmas in Lenzerhide in the last few years, with light displays, a festive market and music events.
Night sledging on the Scharmoin run, hotel gala dinners and fireworks are some of our favourite events over the New Year in Lenzerheide.
Look out for special events like the outdoor mountain cinema over Half Term in Lenzerheide.
We love the EarlyBird ski session that usually takes place on the Sunday morning over Easter in Lenzerheide - see the sun rise over the mountains for a truly humbling and spectacular start to the day.
Families in Lenzerheide
Proud holder of the Swiss Families Welcome label, Lenz. greets families with open arms. Mascot Globi is known to head up a children’s programme with puppet shows, bonfire nights and other exciting events throughout the winter season. Pistes #45 and #73 are special family ski slopes, where slow, steady progression is allowed and speedsters are prohibited. You’ll also find the Children’s World areas near the base, where first timers can learn in a fun, safe environment. Off skis, buy sledging day tickets for the runs in Scharmoin (3.8km) and Tgantieni (1.5km), or head to the Tschugga slope (1.5km) later on, which is floodlit in evenings. Teens will love the SnowBikePark and Fatbike experiences, while a stint in the sports centre satisfies all ages with the H2Lai spa, ice skating and other activities.
GroupsGroup Holidays Lenzerheide
With one of Switzerland’s top ski areas at your ski tips, Lenzerheide is a safe bet for groups of any abilities. While beginners learn on the gentle blues around the town, more experienced skiers can set off on a safari of the ski area, zoom down the World Cup piste or hire a guide and sample the powder. Non skiers are well catered for, with wellness facilities and activities in the Sports Centre as well as excellent transport links to Chur and other nearby towns. Gather around a fondue in Heid Stuebli to share stories of the day, or get everyone together for ice skating or night skiing sessions.
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