Unlike many resorts with a world-class ski area and great amenities, this charming village has managed to retain its friendly and rural atmosphere. Nestled in the pretty Prattigau Valley, it makes a quieter and more attractive alternative to its larger neighbour Davos. The resort has preserved its traditional alpine style chalets, picture postcard scenery and quiet traffic thanks to the bypass.
The village itself is made up of two parts linked by shuttle buses: the centre is Klosters Platz with the Parsenn gondola and most of the shops and restaurants and to the north is Klosters Dorf with the Madrisa gondola and a smattering of hotels.
Its low-key character makes it a favourite haunt of the rich and famous – in the 1950s it was known as ‘Hollywood on the Rocks’ and frequented by stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Prince Charles has become such a regular that there’s a cable car named after him and you might even bump into Wills and Kate on the piste.
The village railway station provides rail links to Basel and Zürich, and it takes 2 hours to drive from Zürich airport.
As the 20 min train ride to Davos is free it’s easy to access all the conveniences that a larger town offers, although there’s plenty of entertainment in Klosters already such as a cinema and 45 km of walking trails.
The resort is great for families, and it has even been granted the ‘Families Welcome’ seal by the Swiss tourism association. On Madrisa there is a fabulous children’s play park and ski school complete with bouncy castle.
6 areas are covered by the ski pass, 2 of which (Parsenn and Madrisa) are accessible from the village. Local transport is included in the pass, so visitors can reach the remaining 4 areas (Schatzalp, Rhinerhorn, Jakobshorn and Pischa) using the bus and train network.
Location: Switzerland, Alps.
Established: 1904
Open: November - April
Downhill: 320km
View our detailed Klosters 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 Klosters snow history.
Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
Zürich (ZRH) | 160km, 2h15 |
Basel (BSL) | 240km, 2h40 |
Innsbruck (INN) | 173km, 2h30 |
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Top Altitude: | 2844m |
Bottom Altitude: | 1260m |
Resort Altitude: | 1200m |
Longest run: | 12 km (Weissfluhgipel-Küblis) |
Slope Orientation: | NSEW |
Vertical Drop: | 2034m |
Skiable Vertical: | 2034m |
Night Skiing: | Yes |
Glacier: | No |
Downhill Runs: | 320km |
Beginner slopes: | 24% |
Intermediate: | 51% |
Advanced slopes: | 25% |
Lift Pass Price: | CHF 332 (adult 6 day) |
Nearby resorts: Graubünden, Davos, St. Moritz, St. Anton |
With snow-sure pistes (over 80% of the ski area reaches above 2000m) Klosters is an exceptionally reliable destination for early and late season skiing.
Beginners and children should start at one of the 3 the bunny slopes around the village. Take the gondola up to the sunny Madrisa area, where there are some easy blue runs and a well-equipped children’s park and ski school.
The Parsenn is the largest ski area in the region and links with Davos; here you’ll find something to suit all abilities. From Parsennhutte there is access to a range of wide blue runs marked 15, 41 and 40a on the map – there’s a good restaurant here where you can grab some lunch or sunbathe.
You’ll find some gloriously long red slopes starting at Weissfluhjoch stretching all the way down to the valley, the longest of these to Küblis is an impressive 12km. The Meierhofer valley below the Weissfluhjoch is best for snowboarders and features a snow park.
There are plenty of harder routes in Madrisa too including the Schlappintobel, a long and challenging black, which passes a little lake and ends in Klosters Dorf. Snowboarders will also appreciate the Jakobshorn area, accessible from Davos, which has wide blue runs, a snow park and two half pipes.
For the adventurous, there’s some excellent but intimidating off-piste through the trees, just above the village on the Gotschnagrat. The notorious and weirdly named Wang face is best navigated with a guide.
In fact there are loads of great freeride lines to be found across the resort, especially in the Pischa area, where marked routes are protected against avalanches but left unpisted. To really get off the beaten track, go ski touring with Alpine Adventures and stay overnight in the Strassberger Furggli hut.
It’s not party central in Klosters, but that’s not to say you won’t find ample bars and restaurants around the village. There are some real gems including the Chesa Grischuna - this characterful hotel and bar attracted some of the biggest Hollywood stars during the 50s; Gene Kelly used to dance on the tables here, and Rex Harrison discussed his music notes for My Fair Lady with the bar’s pianist. For a big night out try Casa Antica, a long-running nightclub with a British undertone. There’s a relaxed feel here, think cosy traditional décor and casual dress, and you can have your own bottle of vodka behind the bar for the whole season.
For excellent food and friendly service eat at the Wynegg Restaurant, where you might bump into Tara Palmer-Tomkinson tucking into a plate of garlic snails. Then there’s the Gotschnabar, a typical Swiss bar with a Moroccan twist. Sip hot chocolate by the fire in the lounge or order the local favourite - rosti with fried eggs. From Michelin-starred restaurants (try Hotel Walserhof) to a kebab shop, there is something to suit every taste and budget.
Non skiers are well catered for here - wander the 45km of signed footpaths, including themed walks such as the ‘glacier nature trail’ with information boards about the landscape, or try snowshoeing or paragliding for an alternative experience of the mountains. You can catch an indie film at the Kulturschuppen cinema or visit the museum of gramophones, radios and televisions. For more entertainment pop over to neighbouring Davos where you’ll find the largest natural ice rink in Europe, a casino, theatre, bowling alley, sports centre and a wellness centre.
Thanks to the high altitude of the ski area, the season starts earlier and stays open later here than most of the resorts in the Graubünden region. The highest slopes on Weissfluhgipfel top out at 2844m and most of the skiing in the large Parsenn area lies well above 2000m, so there’s rarely a problem with snow cover. There are plenty of north facing slopes around too, meaning the sun doesn’t tend to melt the snow in the afternoons. What’s more, the position of runs down to the village and the number of snow cannons mean you can normally ski back home even late in the season. Sometimes the gondolas up to Parsenn can get busy, so to avoid the crowds visit outside peak season or hop on the bus to one of the other 5 ski areas.
Spend a festive week in a charming resort this Christmas in Klosters. Ski alongside the royal and famous, take horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow, and sip mulled wine under the stars. Klosters Christmas ski holidays ‣
Why not celebrate this New Year’s in Klosters with some classy après-ski in this world-famous village. Expect excellent skiing at every level and quirky local festivities. Klosters New Year ski holidays ‣
You’ll have a fun-filled holiday this February Half Term in Klosters. With its famous toboggan runs, a huge children’s park, and miles of pristine ski slopes, everyone will feel welcome at this family-friendly resort. Klosters Half Term ski holidays ‣
Sample some real Swiss chocolate eggs and soak up the sun over Easter in Klosters this year. This picture perfect resort is an ideal late-season destination thanks to its exceptional snow record and high-altitude skiing. Klosters Easter ski holidays ‣
The Swiss tourist association has named Klosters a ‘Families Welcome’ resort, thanks to its friendly atmosphere and great facilities. Little ones will absolutely love Madrisaland, a big children’s park based on the sunny side of Madrisa mountain. There’s a lot to keep them busy such as a mini ski course, trampoline and motorised sledges. If you want some time to yourselves to explore the blue, red and maybe even black runs, Madrisaland also offer childcare and children’s ski lessons. You’ll find beginner slopes based down in the village too and there’s also the huge Parsenn area on the other side, which links with Davos.
There’s plenty in Klosters to keep the whole family entertained. The toboggan runs make a fun group activity and some are flood-lit in the evening if a day on the slopes has left you craving more snow. Non-skiers won’t get bored either – go snowshoeing, ice skating, shopping or wander the 45km of cleared footpaths. Of course, there’s always the chance to chill in a deck chair at one of the lovely mountain bars (we love Erica’s Guesthouse), grab a hot chocolate and work on that tan... the sun is strong up here!
Our hotels are well suited to families - many come with extra facilities like indoor pools (some even have bowling alleys) and a few properties offer their own childcare services if the grown-ups fancy heading out for a sherry. Most hotels offer half-board or full-board accommodation, meaning you don’t need to leave the hotel in the evening for some good quality nourishment.
We do some great package deals on our hotels - save a bundle by buying your flights, transfers and accommodation together. If you prefer you can also choose from our accommodation-only deals or book one of our self-drive holidays. To book your holiday now, or to get some expert advice on where to stay, just give us a ring and we’ll be more than happy to help.
Group holidays are always a lot of fun – and a ski holiday in Klosters is likely to be one that you’ll talk about for years to come. The resort has a history of devoted visitors who just keep coming back for more, including royal and famous faces. There are so many exciting activities for you to do together –snowshoeing up a mountain or a group skate on the rink anyone? You might even fancy a sledging race down one of the flood-lit toboggan runs.
Then there’s the skiing, which is obviously the main attraction. You’ll find a wide variety of brilliant slopes to suit all levels - from the children’s park and beginner’s slopes on Madrisa to the long intermediate runs that wind their way down to the village. The wide blue slopes on Parsenn are good for snowboarders and there’s also a snow park in the Meierhofen area. Advanced skiers and boarders will enjoy some challenging black slopes; we love the long one down to Wolfgang. Don’t miss the amazing off-piste too, which is truly some of the best in Switzerland. If you’re a group of experienced powder seekers, hire yourselves a guide for a fantastic tour off the beaten track; try out the wonderful 18-km routes down to Fideris and Jenaz.
In the evenings everyone can explore the village’s great après-ski together. Party animals should make a bee line for the rustic but classy Casa Antica, where DJs provide a good mix of tunes for a cosmopolitan crowd (Princes Harry and William have been spotted here). If you’re looking for a cosy atmosphere, snuggle down with sherry on the sofas at the Gotschnabar.
The great thing about hotels for groups is that they leave more flexibility for any stragglers who might want to join up later. It also means everyone has their own room – look out for hotels with their own restaurant and bar where you can all get together. Browse what’s available below and keep your eyes peeled for our special group deals and discounts.
Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
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Hotel Silvretta Park | 4 | £ 1024 |
Hotel Sport | 3 | £ 798 |