Schatzalp & Strela
Inbetween magic mountaina and mountain magic
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.
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.
Addresses
Bobbahnstrasse 23
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
Bobbahnstrasse 23
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
Schatzalp
7270 Davos Platz
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+41 81 415 21 88
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