Schatzalp – magic mountain

Bucket List Schatzalp

Twelve things you won’t want to miss on the Schatzalp, Davos Klosters. And if you’re not around long enough to get through all 12 – you’ll just have to come back another time!

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Schatzalp: the magic mountain above Davos

Europe’s first ‘slow’ ski resort with all-natural snow, a popular Hollywood filming location and the inspiration for Thomas Mann’s literary masterpiece The Magic Mountain: the Schatzalp in Davos has inspired its visitors for generations.

The chairlift whirs as it makes its leisurely way up the mountain. Swap pandemonium for peace, breakneck pace for a more relaxed approach. The wide, gently sloping pistes of the Schatzalp-Strela ski resort are perfect for recreational skiers, nature-lovers and families with children. ‘Slow down’ are the magic words on the magic mountain. In short: winter as it used to be. It’s all-natural, too, with no artificial snow. Even inexperienced skiers can tell the difference: the edges of the skis don’t become dull as quickly on natural snow. There is also a lower risk of injury, as you have a softer landing if you fall. And last but not least, it’s also environmentally friendly. No wonder climate activist Greta Thunberg decided to set up camp on the Schatzalp during her visit to the WEF – which drew a lot of publicity.

Classic combined with new: On Schatzalp in Davos, Switzerland, a new offer for families, friends and companies has been added with the Foxtrail.

The Schatzalp in Davos, Switzerland, is situated on a wide sunny terrace (1861 m above sea level). The hotel and with it the whole mountain were immortalised in the novel 'Der Zauberberg' (1924) by the German writer and Nobel prize winner Thomas Mann.

In winter, Schatzalp in Davos, Switzerland, offers cleared winter hiking trails such as the Sonnenweg, waterfall trail, squirrel trail or the route up to the Strelapass. Photo Credit: Franz Thomas Balmer - www.franzthomasbalmer.com

Hollywood on the Schatzalp

And speaking of publicity: the Schatzalp is also a frequent filming location for film-makers. In 2014, the Hollywood film Youth was shot here, followed by the historical romance From the Land of the Moon in 2015, starring Oscar-winning actor Marion Cotillard. This is no coincidence: a large hotel complex in the heart of nature – that’s pretty rare. The Schatzalp is also located on a sun-drenched plateau (1,861 metres above sea level), which makes the light perfect for filming.

A sledge run down to Davos Platz and winter hiking trails

Back to the winter activities: in addition to its easy-going skiing, the ‘slow’ Schatzalp is popular for its classic sledge run and cleared winter hiking trails, such as the ‘Sonnenweg’ (‘sun trail’), the circular waterfall trail, the ‘Eichhörnliweg’ (‘squirrel trail’) and the trail up to the Strelapass. The latter is also good practice for winter trail running on snow.

Thomas Mann and his magic mountain

The Schatzalp is also worth a visit in summertime: take a hike, enjoy a ride on the summer toboggan, pay a visit to the botanical garden or take in the view from the mountain restaurant. The art-nouveau-style hotel was originally designed as a luxury sanatorium. Since 1953, it has been run as a hotel. The hotel – and, with it, the whole mountain – was immortalised in the 1924 novel ‘Der Zauberberg’ by German writer and Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann. And rightly so.

Twelve things
you won’t want to miss on Schatzalp

One

Take a seat in the X-Ray Bar

There are plenty of bars with a special atmosphere. But have you ever enjoyed a drink in an old X-ray room? The walls of the X-Ray Bar light up just like in its sanatorium days, when they were used to display X-ray images. It’s certainly got the X factor.

Two

Pay a visit to the world’s largest collection of edelweiss and gentian

Mountain flowers hailing from the Pyrenees, New Zealand, China, Nepal and Tibet can also be found in Switzerland. From June to September, over 3,500 plant species and varieties bloom in the Alpinum Schatzalp botanical garden.

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Three

Take a winter hike

For non-skiers and anybody who loves a bit of fresh air: the ‘Sonnenweg’ or the ‘Wasserfall Rundgang’ will take you to the Stelaalp and back to the Schatzalp in approx. one hour. These easy walks are cleared daily.

Four

Discover the Schatzalp’s sledge run

The wide, well groomed sledge run, measuring 2.8 km and complete with 18 bends, will take you down through the forest all the way to Davos Platz. Suitable for both children and beginners. The sledge run is open from mid-December to the end of March and its bends are floodlit until 11 pm at night.

Five

Skiing – at a slower pace!

Skiing like it used to be: Schatzalp-Strela is Europe’s first ‘slow’ ski resort, located on the sunny side of Davos. Boasting gently sloping pistes and traditional ski lifts, it’s just an easy, four-minute funicular ride from the centre of Davos Platz. A fantastic ski experience!

Six

Embark on a fun treasure hunt on the Davos Fox Trail

The fox has heard a rumour that Thomas Mann wrote his novel The Magic Mountain in a secret library. Will the trail lead you to it? Find out on the Davos Fox Trail!

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Seven

Take a high-altitude hike on the sunny side

On the Davos 9 Alps tour, you can enjoy a phenomenal mountain panorama with a view of Davos. This hiking trail leads past the historical Hotel Schatzalp and the botanical garden.

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Eight

Off and away on the summer toboggan

Whiz down the 500-metre summer toboggan run and then simply take the lift back up. Open from May to October in dry weather. Great fun, whatever your age!

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Nine

An evening ski tour up the Strelapass

Fancy a quick ski tour after hours, ideally with a stop at a mountain restaurant? During the winter season, the Strelapass restaurant is open on Thursdays until 10 pm. At the top, you can treat yourself to soup, cheese spätzle, tarte flambée or fondue. All home-made at 2,353 metres above sea level.

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Ten

Follow in the footsteps of Thomas Mann

The Thomas Mann Trail, which is open all year round, starts at the Waldhotel Davos and leads up to the Schatzalp, with ten literary stops on the way. Each stop features quotes from The Magic Mountain, so you can learn a bit more about the famous novel – and maybe even step into the shoes of the book’s protagonist, Hans Castorp.

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Eleven

Treat yourself to a slice of home baking at the Strela Alp restaurant

Rhubarb pie, chocolate cake or Linzer torte: the Strela Alp restaurant is famous for its home baking. It tastes best on the sunny terrace, just a short stroll from the Schatzalp.

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Twelve

Scale the Strelapass in winter

Perfect for winter hikers or trail runners, this steep trail leads up the Strela mountain to the restaurant on the pass. At the top, you’ll find a panorama terrace with a view of the Chüpfenflue, Schiahorn and Haupterhorn mountains, with the Tinzenhorn shining in the distance. You might want to linger awhile.