Location
The long-established Grisons resort of Arosa lies at the end of the wildly romantic Schanfigg valley at a height of around 1,800m. The imposing arena of mountain peaks encompasses an extensive network of hiking routes in summer and numerous winter sports activities in winter. The topography of its position in the basin of the valley makes Arosa very sunny, with the added benefit of protection from strong winds. The lack of through traffic means that the air is particularly pure; Arosa has accordingly been well known as an alpine health resort since 1877.
Public transport connections
Arosa is reachable from Chur in under 1 hour by local Rhätische Bahn rail service; or by car, driving up 365 serpentine bends.
Schools
There is a primary and secondary school, while the nearest Gymnasiums (selective college preparatory schools) include the Bündner Kantonsschule in Chur, the Schweizerische Alpine Mittelschule in Davos, and the Sport Gymnasium Davos.
Sports and leisure activities
Winter
The winter sports destination of Arosa Lenzerheide (another popular tourist mecca) tempts skiers and snowboarders with 225km of pistes with guaranteed snow. In the meantime, this ski region has evolved into the largest linked piste area in the Grisons - thanks to these new links, you can transfer from the Arosa Hörnli to Lenzerheide's Urdenfürggli and back in just 3 minutes each way. The recently installed Urdenbahn cable car can also be used by those on foot, providing easy access to a further 140km of prepared walking and hiking trails. The range of piste-bound attractions is rounded off by two dedicated snow parks and a fun slope for freestylers to jib in to their heart's content. Snowshoe walkers, tobogganists (whether by day or night), cross-country skiers, curling and ice stock sports enthusiasts are also amply catered for. Seasonal highlights include the Ice Snow Football match - unofficial snow football world championship held in the snow-clad mountain arena - whereby former national team players from all over the globe compete for an intensely fought-over title (January), and the Arosa Comedy Festival, when familiar figures from the world of cabaret and comedy perform stand-up routines for the amusement of guests in Arosa's pre-season (December).
Summer
The cable car linking the Arosa Hörnli and the Lenzerheide Urdenfürggli is also open in summer, making it easy to transfer from one destination to another. In Arosa alone, the hiking routes extend to over 200km of walking and rambling trails. One particular highlight is the 15km long so-called 10 lake hike, on which you pass one crystal-clear mountain tarn after another. The circular route along the Schanfigg plateau from Chur to Arosa and back is stunningly beautiful, with quaint, traditional mountain huts and rolling farmland contrasting with the alpine panorama. Mountain bikers have a number of tracks at their disposal in Arosa, while there is the zip-wire adventure park with seven obstacle courses for those without vertigo. In addition, after just one night's stay - regardless as to whether you are in a holiday apartment, on a camping site, or at a hotel - Arosa offers visitors the very convenient All-Inclusive Card in summer, whereby tourists can take advantage of numerous activities an no extra cost: cable car rides up to the Hörnli and the Weisshorn, the zip-wire park, entrance to Schanfigg's local museum, hire of a pedalo, and plenty more besides, is all included. Must-see attractions include the Weisshorn (2,653m) and its new Panorama restaurant with 360-degree windows affording views of 400 of Switzerland's peaks as far as the neighboring border and extending down over Chur, Grisons' regional capital; the lakeside beach on the Untersee, an idyllically situated bathing facility with sandy shores, lawns to relax on, sundecks, a solar-heated paddling pool, a 50m waterslide, diving boards, table tennis tables, and an open-air restaurant; the famous squirrel trail - not at all shy, the whole family can have fun feeding the squirrels along this pathway near the village; and Arosa's golf course, with its magnificent alpine surroundings and, at 1,850m, one of the highest 18-hole courses in Europe.
Shopping
With a Denner as well as a Coop, there is everything to hand in Arosa for your day-to-day needs in addition to specialist outlets including a bakery, a butcher, and a dairy.
Restaurants and hotels
Arosa has a wide selection of hotels and restaurants, with over 50 choices of hostelry offering a range of menus from local specialities to national dishes and international cuisine.
Sightseeing
Attractions include the Maran dairy, the local museum at Schanfigg, and Arosa's mountain chapel.
Prime locations
Maran, Maranerhang, Innerarosa
