Arosa Tourism

Participating Kind Hotel

   

Local Impact Partner

Kind Factors

Arosa - A Fairytale Discovery in the Swiss Alps

As far as fairytale locales are concerned, it doesn’t get any more Kind than Arosa, Switzerland. Simply watching the snowy landscape unfold as you chug into the village by hydroelectric train will inspire visions of solar-powered gingerbread houses. Framed by an impressive mountain landscape, the ski resort hamlet sits at 6,000 feet above sea level in Grisons (known to the German speaking locals as Graubünden), Switzerland’s eastern-most canton. Nestled at the bottom of the deep and wide Schanfigg Valley, you can expect a healthy daily dose of vitamin D and some of the freshest air on the planet. Discovered 130 years ago as a health resort, the quaint village has developed into a modern-day vacation paradise offering year-round activities that have little to no negative impact on nature. It’s part of the reason Arosa has been awarded the “Alpine Pearls” label in recognition of its efforts in environmental and climate protection. You’ll also discover sustainable electricity is the law of the land in Arosa. The regional hydroelectric power plants of Arosa Energie supply Arosa and the Schanfigg valley with renewable and CO2-neutral electricity from hydroelectric power. In addition, Switzerland is one of the world's most progressive and committed nations acting on climate change and was named one of the top five countries achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals the fastest. With majestic landscape encompassing every corner of the country,  you’ll understand the eagerness to protect it. Just another reason why Arosa and Switzerland should be a star on any Kind Traveler’s itinerary. 

Winter Wonderland

Guaranteed snow on impressive peaks, bluebird ski days on trails as far as the eye can see and romantic snow-covered trees are what await travelers to Arosa every winter. With 70 km of ski slopes prepared to the highest standard ready to carve, 60 km of superbly maintained winter hiking trails and a diverse winter sports offering, Arosa has something for everyone at every skill level. Since the Arosa and Lenzerheide ski resorts were connected by cable car in the winter of 2014, a total of 225 km of prepared slopes are now available to visitors, making it the largest interconnected skiing region of Graubünden. 

Be sure to hit The Arosa Gay Ski Week in January where you’ll find a perfect blend of real winter flair and the best entertainment and events. Pedestrians in Arosa have plenty of options for winter hikes or can use the network of lifts to take them directly to the ski resort, where they can enjoy time amidst the breath-taking mountain landscape. Alongside (night) sledding, ice-skating, paragliding or romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, visitors can take part in weekly courses in ice-stock shooting and curling. Nature-lovers can enjoy the beautiful, snow-covered winter landscape while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the crispest of air. 

Summer Splendor

Legislation passed by the Swiss authorities 125 years ago ensured that nearly a third of the country’s surface area had to be maintained as forests and woodlands. That’s good news for the summer months, where families, friends and couples discover breath-taking peaks, fragrant Alpine meadows, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. Sports enthusiasts get their money's worth thanks to numerous hiking trails, bike routes, a golf course and tennis courts. Arosa alone boasts more than 200 km of different hiking and walking trails including the “Ten Arosa Lakes hike,” a tour of 15 km leading from one crystal-clear mountain lake to the next. Then there’s the Schanfigg circuit from Chur to Arosa and back with its many traditional cozy mountain cabins, nicely cultivated stretches of land and alpine pastures. 

Indulge Sustainably 

The quaint, unassuming counterpart of Grisons’ nearby glitzier St. Moritz, Arosa visitors come for understated luxury, local traditions, spectacular skiing and naturally, indulging in all things culinary. Consumption with responsibility and a clear conscience is the Arosa way. Numerous Arosa businesses occupying the town’s “sustainability map” operate responsibly and are committed to the sustainable development of Arosa. 

In addition, most restaurants, and shops in Arosa symbolize one thing above all: Regionality. Agung, is a regional pop up in the summertime that specializes in vibrant vegetarian cuisine and panoramic views. Another unique spot we’re crushing on is Güterschuppen Arosa - a tastefully decorated space, housed in a rail freight shed. It stands for fresh, regional cuisine inspired by international ideas. 

Valsana Hotel, is a highlight on the sustainability map with its rustic-chic decor, a trendy update on an alpine setting. The glam accommodations have details that would satisfy any design snob — industrial piping worked into the furnishings, functioning bedside record players, and health-centric farm-to-table fare at Restaurant Twist (a welcome respite from cheese and sausages). But Valsana’s fanciest new feature isn’t visible to guests: The whole establishment is powered by a state-of-the-art “ice battery.” Put as simply as possible, the underground Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system captures waste heat from the hotel’s other appliances and, in a complex process of freezing and melting powers the hotel. Not too shabby. 

Discover Sustainably  

Switzerland’s first bear protection center, The Arosa Bear Sanctuary offers a new home for up to five bears that have been rescued from poor living conditions. The sanctuary (best visited in summer) provides a species appropriate habitat amidst the beautiful mountain scenery of Arosa. Four Paws rescues the bears from poor living conditions and brings them to Arosa where they can rediscover their instincts and live in their natural habitat with meadows, bushes, rocks, creeks and woods. The visitor platform offers exciting information for kids and adults alike and provides an ideal viewpoint on the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. In addition to the observation platform, there is a bear minigolf area and an experience playground to entertain the whole family. All overnight visitors who come outside ski season can get the Arosa all-inclusive card (the first Swiss vacation destination to do so) which affords access to seasonal activities, the local history museum, bike rentals, the rope park, cable cars, and more. 

Eight promises for the Arosa Future

With so much worth protecting, you can be assured the Arosa Eight Promises for the Future will be of utmost priority. The promises are as follows: 

  1. Arosa is a feeling - this is reflected in all our actions.
  2. Environmental, financial and social sustainability are our way of life. 
  3. In Arosa, we celebrate responsible tourism as the lifestyle of the future. We develop offers so visitors can enjoy with a clear conscience. 
  4. The mountains shape us, we remain real and authentic. 
  5. We aim for more and ensure Arosa will become the environmental sustainability pioneer in the Alpine tourism sector. 
  6. We are doers in Arosa - sustainability is therefore not just a theory. We roll up our sleeves and join forces and act. 
  7. We actively live the protection of animals, nature, and the environment. 
  8. We contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 in Arosa. #tourism4sdgs
Arosa 2030 

As expressed by the eight promises, Arosa is not leaving the future to chance. With Arosa 2030, the comprehensive destination strategy, they are continuing a consistent path to sustainability, with the goal of once again becoming tourism pioneers in the Alpine region. Here sustainability means the conscious management of available resources and, at the same time, a focus on ecological, economic, and social aspects - so that future generations will have the necessary resources available and can experience the impressive diversity of nature. 

How to Get There 

Fly to Zurich, Arosa is roughly two hours away. Then catch the airtrain that goes to the main station, Zürich Hauptbahnhof. From there, take a train to Chur and, from Chur, another train to Arosa. Altogether, the trains take about three hours and make for some spectacular scenery. We recommend the hydroelectric train with the Rhaetian Railway. In fact, the Rhaetian Railway has been using hydroelectric power on the Chur-Arosa line since its construction in 1912-14. If you’re coming by car, Chur, the nearest city, is a 40-minute drive on a windy upward road. If you travel by electric car, you will find numerous electricity filling stations in Arosa. Furthermore, the local bus in Arosa takes you comfortably from point A to B within the village.

For nomads wandering the Swiss mountainsides, the expansion of the Swiss railways in the late 19th century offered a vast network of railways and public transport; every city in Switzerland may be reached via public train, bus or boat. We recommend the Swiss Travel Pass - unlimited eco-friendly travel by train, bus, boat across the country and free admission to 500 museums, and unlimited travel on panorama trains up to the glaciers and mountains. 

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