Skiing on natural snow in Europe's first relaxed ski resort, a Hollywood setting and inspiration for Thomas Mann's literary masterpiece "The Magic Mountain": The Schatzalp in Davos has delighted generations.
The historic chairlift hums leisurely upwards. Peace and quiet instead of hustle and bustle, coziness instead of a speed rush. On the wide, gently sloping pistes of the Schatzalp-Strela ski area, leisurely skiers, nature lovers, and families with children feel especially at home. Slowing down is the magic word on this magical mountain. In short: a winter like it used to be. And all on natural snow, without any artificial snowmaking. Even inexperienced skiers can tell the difference. Because ski edges don't dull as quickly on natural snow. The risk of injury is also lower, as falls are softer. And last but not least, this is also better for the climate. No wonder climate activist Greta Thunberg set up camp on the Schatzalp during her WEF visit – generating considerable publicity.
Speaking of publicity: Schatzalp is also a popular film location. The Hollywood film "Youth" was filmed here in 2014. In 2015, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard followed with the historical romance "Mal de Pierres." During the filming of the historical spy series "Davos 1917" in spring 2023, Schatzalp served as the location for the fictional sanatorium "Urhaus Cronwald."
Back to winter activities: In addition to leisurely skiing, the Slow Mountain Schatzalp also boasts a classic toboggan run and cleared winter hiking trails such as the Sonnenweg, Wasserfallrundgang, Eichhörnliweg or the route up to the Strelapass. The latter is also good training for trail running on snow.
Summer toboggan run
Open13. June 2026 to 18. October 2026
Daily open* from 10 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 5 pm , only during dry weather
* only during dry weather (no rain or snow) / during peak hours, continuously
* During September only open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Length: 500 m
In summer, a visit to the Schatzalp is well worth it: hiking, summer tobogganing, visiting the botanical garden, or enjoying the view from the mountain restaurant. The Art Nouveau hotel was originally conceived as a luxury sanatorium. It has been run as a hotel since 1953. The hotel, and with it the entire mountain, was immortalized by the novel "The Magic Mountain" (1924) by the German writer and Nobel laureate Thomas Mann. And rightly so.
There are plenty of bars with character. But have you ever toasted a glass where X-rays were once developed? In the Piano Bar, with its historic X-Ray Smoking Room, you can enjoy fine afternoon tea and homemade cakes during the day. In the evening, select spirits and rare wines from the 110-year-old wine cellar are served.
For those who enjoy being outdoors: The Sun Trail or the Waterfall Loop will take you back to Schatzalp via Strela Alp in about an hour. These easy walking paths are cleared daily.
The wide, well-prepared toboggan run is 2.8 km long and leads through 18 bends through the forest down to Davos Platz. Also suitable for children and beginners. Open from mid-December to the end of March and the bends are illuminated until 11 p.m.
Skiing like in the old days: Schatzalp-Strela is Europe's first relaxed ski area on the sunny side of Davos. Gently sloping slopes, rustic ski lifts and only four minutes from the center of Davos Platz by a comfortable funicular. Ski Heil!
Those out on foot or in trail running shoes in winter can take the steep climb over the Strelaberg up to the restaurant at the pass. At the top, a viewing terrace rewards with views of the Chüpfenflue, Schiahorn, and Haupterhorn – and the Tinzenhorn gleaming in the distance. This is where you can take a longer break.
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