Nick - Product Manager"Follow the sun – Start your day on the Arosa side, then take the Urdenbahn to Lenzerheide in the afternoon for sunshine all day."Great for: Snow sure, apres ski, non-ski activities, relaxed skiing, learn to skiarosa
Set high in the Plessur Valley at 1,775 m, Arosa is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque and welcoming mountain resorts — famed for its sunshine, reliable snow, and relaxed, traditional character. Since 2013, the Urdenbahn cable car has connected Arosa with neighbouring Lenzerheide, creating a single ski area of 225 km of pistes across two valleys, forming one of the largest and most varied ski domains in eastern Switzerland.
Many slopes benefit from artificial snow-making — about 60 % of the slopes have snow-making support. Arosa has very high average snowfall (over 8 m annually, making it among the more “snow-assured” resorts). Many of the upper slopes get early sun exposure, even when the town below is in shadow.
Arosa transformed from a quiet farming village into a fashionable mountain resort in the late 1800s, when its clean Alpine air made it a popular health retreat. By the early 1900s it was hosting ski races and attracting wealthy visitors from Zurich and across Europe. Its elegant hotels, wooden chalets, and horse-drawn sleighs built its reputation as one of Switzerland’s earliest and most charming winter resorts — a blend of nostalgic tradition and modern comfort that endures today.
Getting There
Arosa is one of Switzerland’s most scenic train-access resorts — a 26 km railway line from Chur climbs 1,000 m in just one hour, offering breathtaking views. For self-drivers, it’s around 2 hours from Zurich, with covered parking available at the resort entrance.
Why SkiWeekends Loves Arosa
- Ski-in/out hotels close to the lifts
- Great for mixed-ability groups and couples
- Historic charm with a modern lift system
- Superb sunshine and snow record
- Easy access by rail or road from Zurich
- Seamless link to the Lenzerheide area
Our top hotel picks for a ski holiday in Arosa: Hotel Altein
Browse our ski holidays to Arosa and book a great value break with Skiweekends.
SKI AREA OVERVIEW
Two Valleys, One Lift Pass
Arosa’s own slopes stretch from the village up to the Weisshorn (2,653 m) and Hörnli peaks — offering long, sunny runs and panoramic views across the Grisons Alps. The terrain is ideal for beginners and intermediates, with wide pistes, gentle gradients, and great snow reliability.
From the Hörnli sector, the spectacular Urdenbahn cable car glides silently across the Urden Valley, opening access to the Lenzerheide ski area. Here, you’ll find steeper terrain on the Rothorn and Scalottas sides, long cruising runs, snowparks, and even night skiing under floodlights.
Together, Arosa-Lenzerheide offers:
- 225 km of interconnected slopes
- 43 lifts and 3 mountain sectors
- “Runda Lai” panoramic ski circuit
- Family zones, snowparks, and freeride routes
- Night skiing and snowmaking across most runs
Your Arosa ski holiday awaits!
- Follow the sun – Start your day on the Arosa side, then take the Urdenbahn to Lenzerheide in the afternoon for sunshine all day.
- Ride the Urdenbahn – Don’t miss the spectacular 5-minute crossing between the two valleys; the views are incredible.
- Lunch with a view – Try the Sattelhütte above Arosa or Alp Stätz on the Lenzerheide side for panoramic terraces.
- Runda Lai circuit – A full-day ski safari linking both areas – great for confident intermediates.
- Arrive by train – The scenic Chur–Arosa line is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful rail journeys.
- Perfect for short breaks – Compact resort, ski-in convenience, and easy Zurich access make it ideal for weekends.