Arosa travel guide

Why visit Arosa

Arosa combines several qualities that are rare to find in a single Alpine resort: it is genuinely family-friendly in its infrastructure and programming; it is car-free in its centre; it has one of the most dramatic approach railways in Switzerland; and it has a bear sanctuary that is unlike anything else in the Alpine world.

The Arosa Bear Sanctuary (Bärenpark Arosa) was established in 2018 as a collaboration between the municipality and the Swiss Animal Protection organisation. It provides a permanent home for bears rescued from poor captivity conditions across Europe — circus bears, bears from inadequate zoo enclosures — in a large forested enclosure with natural terrain, streams, and winter hibernation facilities at 1,850 metres. Watching brown bears in a natural mountain environment — visible from viewing platforms that allow close observation without intrusion — is genuinely moving, and the educational programme explains the conservation context clearly.

The Chur–Arosa narrow-gauge railway is the other defining approach to the village. In 25 kilometres, the railway climbs 1,500 metres of altitude from the Rhine valley floor to the mountain resort, navigating deep gorges, stone viaducts, and hairpin curves through a landscape that transitions from low Rhine valley agriculture through forested gorge to open Alpine meadow. The engineering is extraordinary — the Langwiesener Viaduct, a concrete arch bridge at 62 metres above the gorge floor, is one of the finest railway structures in Switzerland. The journey takes about 55 minutes and is one of the most rewarding scenic train journeys in Graubünden.

For skiers, the connection of Arosa to Lenzerheide via a single gondola link (opened 2013) created the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area — one of the largest ski areas in Graubünden, with 225 kilometres of marked runs across two valleys. This connection transformed Arosa from a good but somewhat limited ski resort into a genuinely large-scale ski area capable of satisfying intermediate and advanced skiers for a week.

Getting to Arosa

By train

The journey from Zurich to Arosa takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes: first an InterCity train to Chur (about 1 hour 20 minutes), then the Chur–Arosa narrow-gauge railway (55 minutes). The Swiss Travel Pass covers both segments.

From Davos, the connection via Landquart and Chur takes about 2 hours. From Pontresina or St. Moritz, the connection via Chur takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.

By car

Cars are permitted to drive to Arosa but must be parked in the official car parks at the entrance to the car-free zone. From Chur, the road to Arosa (separate from the railway) ascends through a series of tight hairpins — a dramatic but manageable drive in summer; snow chains or winter tyres are essential in the ski season.

From Zurich, the full drive to the car park entrance at Arosa takes about 2 hours via the A3 motorway to Chur and then the cantonal road.

Top things to do in Arosa

Arosa Bear Sanctuary

The Bärenpark is the single most unusual and memorable activity in Arosa for visitors of all ages. The enclosure — roughly 4 hectares of forested mountain terrain — houses a varying population of rescued bears, currently including several brown bears from Romanian circuses and a former zoo.

The viewing infrastructure is well-designed: multiple platforms at different heights and orientations allow observation from above, at ground level, and at a distance, covering the bears’ natural territory without concentrating visitors in one spot. The bears are active throughout the day in summer; autumn (before hibernation) is the most dramatic period, when the animals are at their most active in building fat reserves.

Entry to the sanctuary requires a separate ticket; bears are most visible in morning and late afternoon. The Swiss Travel Pass provides a discount on entry. Children’s programming, with guided education sessions and interpretation materials, is available in German and English.

Browse Arosa Bear Sanctuary tours on GetYourGuide

The Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area

The combined ski area across Arosa and Lenzerheide is the second-largest in Graubünden and one of the most varied in Switzerland. The Arosa sector is best suited to intermediate skiers and families: well-groomed pistes of moderate gradient, good beginner areas near the village, and a relaxed atmosphere without the high-speed competitiveness of some prestige resorts.

The Lenzerheide sector — connected by the Urdenfürggli gondola on the ridge between the two valleys — adds terrain for stronger skiers: steeper terrain, more challenging off-piste, and a different valley character. Skiing from Arosa to Lenzerheide for lunch and returning via the gondola is a full-day classic that showcases the range of the combined area.

Ski school in Arosa has an excellent reputation for teaching young children, and the dedicated children’s ski area (Pradaschier) with conveyor lifts and snow parks is one of the best-equipped in Graubünden. Arosa is a genuinely strong choice for families with children at the early stages of ski learning.

Book ski lessons in Arosa on GetYourGuide

The Chur-Arosa railway experience

Even visitors staying in Arosa for several days should consider riding the railway as a leisure excursion — either the full return journey to Chur (55 minutes each way) or specifically timing a journey to cross the Langwiesener Viaduct in optimal light. The railway’s most spectacular section is the Schanfigg gorge below Arosa, where the track clings to cliff faces and crosses multiple viaducts in rapid succession. Sitting on the left side of the carriage heading downward toward Chur gives the best views of the gorge.

The Chur–Arosa railway is included in the UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Rhaetian Railway. The combination of the railway approach and the bear sanctuary makes Arosa’s visitor experience more distinctive than most Graubünden ski resorts.

Summer hiking

Arosa’s hiking network — over 200 kilometres of marked trails — comes into its own from late June when the snow has cleared from the valley floor and the alpine flowers are at their peak. The trails range from valley walks accessible to all fitness levels to ridge routes above 2,500 metres with technical descent sections.

The Aroser Rothorn (2,980 metres) is the highest accessible point, reached by cable car and with panoramic views across Graubünden. The ridge walk from the Rothorn toward the Höreli and down to Lenzerheide is one of the finest day hikes in the region and connects the two valley resorts on foot as the ski lift does in winter.

The Alteinsee — a small lake at 2,220 metres accessible by a 90-minute walk from the Weisshorn cable car — is a beautiful alpine lake with good swimming in July and August.

Winter activities beyond skiing

The car-free village centre makes winter activity particularly pleasant in Arosa. A natural skating rink operates on the frozen Obersee lake in the village centre — one of the most atmospheric outdoor rinks in Switzerland, with the mountains as backdrop and the bear sanctuary on the hill above.

Tobogganing on the marked luge runs (the Waldbeiz run from Prätschalp is particularly fun), snowshoeing through the forest above the village, and horse-drawn carriage rides through the car-free streets are all available. For a comprehensive guide to Swiss tobogganing, see the tobogganing guide.

The Arosa Culture House

The village has a small but active cultural centre — the Kulturhaus — that hosts concerts, exhibitions, and community events throughout the year. In winter, the concert programme includes classical music and jazz performed in intimate settings; in summer, the programme expands to include outdoor events in the village square.

Where to stay in Arosa

The car-free centre means that all accommodation is within easy walking distance of the ski lifts and the bear sanctuary. The village has hotels across a full price range, from basic guesthouses to the elegant Tschuggen Grand Hotel — the most luxurious address in Arosa, with a celebrated spa and direct gondola access to the ski area.

For families, the Hotel Alpensonne and several similar three-star properties offer family rooms and child-specific amenities at moderate prices. The SYHA youth hostel is a good budget option with a sociable atmosphere.

Ski-in/ski-out is not a concept in Arosa the way it is in some purpose-built resorts — the village is compact enough that no accommodation is more than a short walk from the main lift stations.

Food and drink in Arosa

Village restaurants

The car-free Promenade has a selection of restaurants serving Swiss mountain food: fondue, raclette, Bündner specialties (Bündnerfleisch, Gerstensuppe), and international options. Several restaurants have outdoor terraces that operate in winter with heated covers and fire pits.

Mountain restaurants

The Alpenrose at Prätschalp and the restaurant at the Weisshorn summit are the most popular on-mountain eating options. Both serve good rösti, soups, and hot dishes in the Alpine tradition; the Weisshorn terrace has an exceptional view.

Romansh food culture

Arosa is in the German-speaking part of Graubünden, but Romansh influence on the food culture persists through regional specialties: Capuns, Maluns, Pizzoccheri (buckwheat pasta with potatoes and cheese, originally from the Valtellina but adopted throughout Graubünden) are all available in traditional restaurants.

Practical tips

Bear sanctuary timing

Bears are most active in morning (8:00-10:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00). Midday in summer can see the bears resting in shaded areas and less visible from platforms. The autumn pre-hibernation period (September to October) produces the most active and visible bears.

Car-free logistics

Arriving by train is the most practical approach — the railway station is directly in the village, and everything is accessible on foot. If arriving by car, the car park at Innerarosa is the correct destination; an electric taxi service connects the car park to the village and accommodation.

Ski passes and families

Arosa has a family-friendly ski pass structure with significant discounts for children and young adults. Children under 9 ski free when accompanied by a paying adult. Check the current tariff directly with the ski area before purchasing.

Budget

Arosa is moderately priced compared to Zermatt or St. Moritz but above average for Swiss mountain resorts generally. The bear sanctuary entry is an additional cost. See the Switzerland budget guide for general planning.

When to visit Arosa

December to March is the primary ski season, with excellent snow reliability at the higher elevations of the Arosa-Lenzerheide area. Christmas and New Year are very busy and should be booked months in advance. February half-term brings significant Swiss and German family crowds — great for atmosphere, challenging for accommodation.

Summer (June to September) offers the hiking, the bear sanctuary, the lake swimming, and the mountain cable cars at a fraction of the winter prices. The resort is genuinely beautiful in summer — the car-free village has a tranquil character, the Obersee reflects the surrounding mountains, and the alpine flowers on the hillsides above the treeline are outstanding in July.

Arosa connects naturally to a Graubünden circuit including Chur (the direct rail connection), Davos (via Landquart), and Pontresina (via Chur and the Rhaetian Railway). All covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and combinable in a 7-day Switzerland itinerary based in Graubünden. The combination of the bear sanctuary, the UNESCO Rhaetian Railway approach, and the large ski area makes Arosa the most distinctive family resort in the canton — and one of the most distinctive in Switzerland.