Short answer
Arosa Lenzerheide in Graubünden is one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland, with 225 kilometres of pistes and 43 lifts. Half of the pistes are blue, and the children's pass costs just a third of the adult pass – considerably less than in many other Swiss resorts. The villages of Arosa and Lenzerheide are linked by the Urdenbahn cable car, and Arosa is reached by one of the most beautiful trains in Switzerland from Chur.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Switzerland, Graubünden
- Ski area
- Arosa Lenzerheide
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1470 – 2865 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 225 km
- Lifts
- 43
- Season
- November – April
- Nearest airports
- Zurich (approx. 2 h 15)
- Train
- Train to Chur, then train to Arosa (about 1 h) or bus to Lenzerheide (about 30 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
4,3 / 5
- Beginner slopes Almost half of the pistes are blue, with children's areas in both Arosa and Lenzerheide.
- Snow reliability Arosa sits at almost 1,800 metres and the pistes reach over 2,800 metres.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts Lifts start from both villages, and in Arosa much of the accommodation is close to the slopes.
- More than skiing The train ride to Arosa, skating on the lake and two villages to explore.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Arosa and Lenzerheide lie on either side of a mountain in Graubünden, and since 2014 they have been linked by the Urdenbahn – a cable car that floats over the Urden valley without a single pylon on the way. Together the villages form one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland.
For families there are two things that make the resort special: many easy slopes and a children's ticket that costs much less than you would expect in Switzerland.
Arosa or Lenzerheide?
- Arosa – at almost 1,800 metres, at the end of a valley reached by train from Chur. A quiet mountain village with a lake, where the slopes are considered especially easy.
- Lenzerheide – by a lake at about 1,470 metres, closer to Chur and easier to drive to. Livelier, with more restaurants and shops.
Both share the same lift ticket and ski area.
The pistes
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 110 km | 49 % |
| Red | 87 km | 39 % |
| Black | 28 km | 12 % |
The area has 225 kilometres of pistes and 43 lifts, from about 1,230 metres up to the Parpaner Rothorn at 2,865 metres. Almost half is blue, and you notice it: there are plenty of wide slopes where the whole family can ski together.
Cheap children's tickets
Switzerland is expensive, but in Arosa Lenzerheide a children's day pass costs only about a third of the adult pass. With two or three children it makes a big difference to the week's budget. Check the age limits and bring ID for the children to the ticket office.
Arosa Lenzerheide with kids
- Children's areas in both villages, including in Innerarosa and at Heimberg in Lenzerheide.
- Ski schools in both villages.
- Rest day: skating on the lake in Arosa, or a ride on the train down through the valley.
If it is your first ski trip, everything about ski school, equipment and daily rhythm is in the guide to the first ski trip with kids.
How to get to Arosa Lenzerheide
- By train: take the train to Chur, about an hour and a quarter from Zurich. From there the train to Arosa takes about an hour, through a narrow valley and over high bridges – an experience in itself. To Lenzerheide the bus takes about half an hour. We go through the journey from Sweden in train to the Alps.
- By air: land in Zurich and take the train onwards.
- By car: Lenzerheide is easy to drive to. The road to Arosa has many bends, and the train is often easier.
Arosa Lenzerheide or other resorts in Graubünden?
In the same canton lies Laax and Flims, also big and family-friendly, and Davos and Klosters further east. Arosa Lenzerheide is best for families who want many blue slopes and cheap children's tickets. We compare all the Swiss resorts in ski resorts in Switzerland.
Packing for Arosa Lenzerheide – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Should we stay in Arosa or Lenzerheide?
Arosa is higher, at almost 1,800 metres, at the end of a valley reached by train, and feels like a quiet mountain village. Lenzerheide sits by a lake at about 1,470 metres, close to Chur, and is easier to drive to. Both share the same ski area.
What is the Urdenbahn?
A cable car that crosses the Urden valley between Arosa and Lenzerheide without pylons on the way. It takes about five minutes and lets you ski the whole area on the same day.
How much does the lift ticket cost in Arosa Lenzerheide?
The children's pass costs only about a third of the adult pass. With several children it is therefore cheaper than in many other Swiss resorts.
How do you get to Arosa Lenzerheide?
By train to Chur, about an hour and a quarter from Zurich. From there the train to Arosa takes about an hour, and the bus to Lenzerheide about half an hour.
Is Arosa Lenzerheide good for beginners?
Yes. Almost half of the pistes are blue, and there are children's areas in both villages. The Arosa side is considered especially easy.
