The Klosters Top Ski Area connects five mountains in the Graubünden canton to form a vast and varied winter sports domain. Known historically as an early centre for downhill skiing, the region pairs the high-altitude, wide-open terrain of Parsenn with the dedicated family slopes of Madrisa and the steeper, technical runs of Jakobshorn. The landscape covers 150 square kilometres, reaching a peak elevation of 2,844 metres at the Weissfluh summit. Skiers travel here for the scale of the area, which has 253 kilometres of groomed slopes and 44 lifts that accommodate tentative beginners and advanced freeriders. The village of Klosters is a quiet, authentic base, distinct from the urban centre of neighbouring Davos. This geographical spread ensures that visitors can find an environment suited to their preferred ski style, whether they seek long valley descents or quiet forested routes. The region balances its long history with modern infrastructure, making it a reliable destination for committed winter sports enthusiasts.
How the valleys link
* Klosters Dorf – Madrisa
* Klosters Platz – Parsenn – Davos
* Davos Platz – Jakobshorn
* Davos – Rinerhorn
* Davos – Pischa
The Klosters Top Ski Area spreads across both sides of the Landquart and Landwasser valleys. It comprises five primary sectors that operate under a single lift network. Unlike domains where every sector connects seamlessly via chairlifts, this region relies on the Rhaetian Railway and a local bus network to link its separate mountains.
The Parsenn sector forms the largest continuous skiable terrain, physically connecting Davos and Klosters. A skier can begin their day taking the Gotschnabahn cable car from Klosters Platz, ski across the Weissfluhjoch, and descend into Davos. To reach the other sectors – Jakobshorn, Madrisa, Rinerhorn, and Pischa – visitors must use the valley floor transport. The train network effectively operates as a horizontal ski lift, moving skiers between the base stations. Madrisa sits directly above Klosters Dorf, accessible via a short gondola ride, while Jakobshorn rises directly from Davos Platz. This distributed layout requires visitors to plan their ski days geographically rather than attempting to traverse the entire domain in a single afternoon. The physical separation between the mountains creates distinct microclimates and terrain styles.
Terrain, lifts & piste mix
* Blue (Easy): 23 km
* Red (Medium): 64 km
* Black (Difficult): 16 km
* Yellow (Freeride): 12 km
The 253 kilometres of slopes across the Klosters Top Ski Area cater predominantly to intermediate and advanced skiers, though beginners are well accommodated in specific zones. The terrain is divided into 23 km of blue runs, 64 km of red runs, and 16 km of black runs, supplemented by 12 km of marked yellow freeride routes. This network uses 44 lifts, which include a mix of modern high-speed gondolas, traditional cable cars, and several older surface lifts on the quieter mountains.
Parsenn offers wide, sweeping red runs and several legendary valley descents. The famous 12 km Nostalgia Run to Küblis involves a vertical drop of over 2,000 metres. Jakobshorn has steeper gradients and open bowls. Madrisa is explicitly tailored for families and less confident skiers, featuring gentle gradients and accessible lift infrastructure. The overall terrain profile encourages long, continuous runs rather than short, repetitive laps. The lift system absorbs peak morning crowds effectively, though some of the older infrastructure on Rinerhorn and Pischa maintains a slower pace.
One pass, one domain
The Davos Klosters Mountains Regional Pass grants access to all five main mountains: Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Madrisa, Rinerhorn, and Pischa. It unifies the disparate geographical areas into a single ski destination. The regional pass includes complimentary use of the local bus network, which is essential for moving between the valley base stations. However, travel on the Rhaetian Railway between Klosters and Davos is not automatically included in all ski pass tiers and may require an additional supplement or a specific combi-ticket.
The pass structure allows exploration across the different sectors. A skier can spend the morning on the high-altitude slopes of Parsenn and the afternoon tackling the off-piste routes on Pischa without needing separate tickets. The Schatzalp area, a smaller mountain sector on the Davos side, operates independently and is not covered by the main regional pass. For those staying exclusively in Klosters and intending to ski only the local family slopes, individual daily passes for Madrisa are available.
Resorts in the domain
The Klosters Top Ski Area encompasses several distinct villages and sectors, each offering a different atmosphere and approach to the mountain.
| Sector | Primary appeal | Access point |
|---|---|---|
| Parsenn | Wide reds, long descents | Klosters Platz / Davos Dorf |
| Jakobshorn | Snowparks, freeride bowls | Davos Platz |
| Madrisa | Families, beginners | Klosters Dorf |
| Rinerhorn | Quiet pistes, local feel | Davos Glaris |
| Pischa | Freeride, ski touring | Davos Dorf (bus) |
Klosters
Klosters retains the traditional architecture and quieter pace of a classic Alpine farming village. It is the primary base for accessing the Gotschnabahn up to Parsenn and the Madrisa gondola. The village is divided into Klosters Platz and Klosters Dorf, both serviced by their own railway stations.
Davos
Davos is a large, high-altitude town with an urban feel, stretching along the Landwasser valley. It provides direct access to Jakobshorn and the Parsenn funicular, alongside extensive off-snow amenities. The town acts as the commercial and administrative centre of the region.
Madrisa
Sitting above Klosters Dorf, Madrisa is the designated family mountain of the region. The sector features 31 kilometres of pistes with gentle gradients, height-adjustable chairlifts, and infrastructure designed to accommodate children and adaptive skiers.
Parsenn
Parsenn is the largest and most famous sector in the domain, linking Klosters and Davos. It is known for its wide pistes and long valley descents that can drop over 2,000 vertical metres down to surrounding railway hamlets.
Jakobshorn
Jakobshorn rises above Davos Platz and is known for its steeper terrain and expansive off-piste bowls. The mountain has a long-standing reputation as a hub for advanced snowboarders and freeriders seeking challenging gradients.
Rinerhorn and Pischa
Rinerhorn offers 49 kilometres of slopes with a quieter, traditional atmosphere and older lift infrastructure. Pischa is managed largely as a freeride mountain, with limited piste grooming, catering directly to off-piste skiers and ski tourers.
Planning a week on the mountain
A week in the Klosters Top Ski Area requires a different approach to regions where all lifts interconnect. Visitors typically dedicate entire days to specific mountains rather than traversing between them. A logical itinerary starts with the expansive Parsenn sector, using the Gotschnabahn from Klosters to access the high-altitude runs near Weissfluhjoch. The wide red pistes here are ideal for finding your ski legs early in the week.
Subsequent days are best spent exploring the distinct characteristics of the other areas. Families often designate Madrisa as their primary base for several days due to its accessible infrastructure and relaxed atmosphere. Advanced skiers usually allocate a full day to Jakobshorn to take advantage of its steeper bowls and varied off-piste terrain. Rinerhorn is an excellent option for escaping the weekend crowds, offering quiet, forested runs and long descents.
The highlight of any week is undertaking one of the classic valley runs, such as the descent from Weissfluhgipfel down to the remote railway village of Küblis. Skiers can then use the train network to return to Klosters. Planning rests heavily on understanding the bus and train timetables to maximise time on the snow.
When to visit & snow reliability
The region has excellent snow reliability, largely due to its high base elevation and geographical position. The main winter season runs from mid-November through to mid-April. The majority of the skiable terrain sits comfortably above 1,900 metres, ensuring consistent conditions even during milder winters. The region receives an annual average snowfall of eight to ten metres.
To supplement natural precipitation, nearly half of all pistes have artificial snowmaking facilities. This infrastructure guarantees top-to-bottom skiing on the major arterial runs throughout the core season. January offers the most reliable powder conditions and quieter slopes after the holiday peak. February and March provide a deep snowpack and longer, sunnier days. The high-altitude runs on Parsenn and Jakobshorn typically maintain excellent winter snow quality well into April, while the lower valley routes to Küblis or Serneus become marginal towards the end of the season. Visitors seeking the best off-piste conditions generally target late January to early March.
Beyond skiing
The Klosters Top Ski Area offers substantial activities for those who do not ski. The region maintains an extensive network of groomed winter hiking trails, allowing pedestrians to explore the high alpine environment alongside skiers. Cross-country skiing is popular, with 35 kilometres of prepared trails winding through the valleys and forests around Klosters and Davos.
Tobogganing is treated seriously in this region. Several long, dedicated runs exist, including a popular route descending from Gotschna towards Klosters. For a quieter experience, visitors can take horse-drawn sleigh rides into the snow-covered side valleys. The nearby town of Davos provides large-scale municipal facilities, including indoor ice rinks and sports centres. While Klosters lacks the large wellness complexes found in purpose-built resort towns, several high-end hotels offer spa facilities accessible to non-residents. The focus remains squarely on outdoor alpine experiences.
How the linked domain grew
The history of the region is inseparable from the early development of alpine skiing in Europe. In 1883, German ski pioneer Wilhelm Paulke undertook what is widely considered the first ski tour in the area. The sport gained serious traction in the early 20th century. In 1913, the first downhill race took place on the Parsenn, and by 1924, the Parsenn Derby had been established as one of the premier ski races in the Alps.
The infrastructure followed the enthusiasm. The Parsenn funicular opened in 1931 as one of the first mountain railways built explicitly for transporting skiers rather than summer sightseers. Jakobshorn saw the construction of one of the world’s earliest ski lifts in 1934. For decades, the various mountains operated as independent entities with competing lift companies. In 2003, economic pressures led the individual companies to merge into Davos Klosters Bergbahnen AG. This consolidation created the modern, cohesive ski domain, allowing visitors to access the vast terrain under a single administrative umbrella.
Who it suits best
The Klosters Top Ski Area is best suited to committed skiers who value varied terrain over seamless, chairlift-to-chairlift convenience. Intermediate and advanced skiers will find the wide reds of Parsenn and the off-piste bowls of Jakobshorn rewarding. The region appeals strongly to those who enjoy long, continuous descents and the sense of journey that comes from skiing down to a remote railway station.
Klosters is ideal for visitors seeking a quiet, traditional Alpine atmosphere. The Madrisa sector makes the area highly suitable for families with young children or mixed-ability groups who need a safe, contained environment. The region is less suitable for visitors who dislike using buses or trains to reach the slopes, or those who expect ski-in, ski-out accommodation as standard. The fragmented nature of the mountains requires a degree of geographical planning that might frustrate those looking for a purely effortless holiday. The area rewards those willing to explore its separate peaks and embrace the distinct character of each mountain.
Getting there
Nearest airports: Zurich Airport (137 km), St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (105 km). Nearest rail hub: Klosters Platz.
External links
- Davos Klosters Mountains
- Rhaetian Railway (RhB)
- SLF Avalanche Bulletin
- Powderhounds: Davos Klosters Review
This guide is published by Alps2Alps for general information only. It is not affiliated with Wikipedia or any resort, airport, or lift operator. Facts were accurate at the time of writing; always check official sources before travel.
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