Lenzerheide for a day!

Finally decided on Arosa for trip No 2 on March 8.

But for a bit of variety midweek I'm thinking of nipping over to Lenzerheide for a day.

Trains and Post Bus look pretty efficient there and back - and would appear to drop off/pick up at the Rothorn Cable Car.

Does anyone have any useful info, tips, ideas etc that will make the trip more worthwhile. As always, thank you.

In terms of pistes available Lenzerheide is much larger then Arosa. It is split into two distinct sides though. It is possible to get from the West side to the East(Rothorn) side via a connection under the road in Parpan, but you will have to use the local sports bus to get from the Rothorn side to the West side. There are probably more pistes on the West side then the Rothorn side but both sides offer some fun riding. I'm not sure what kind of stuff you want to ride, but there are many options to consider for your trip over.

Easiest way to get on the pistes is either get off the bus at the Rothorn Cablecar, Churwalden or Valbella. Stopping in Churwalden or Valbella will get you direct access to the west side. Getting off at the Rothorn stop will (suprise, surpise) get you up to the Rothorn side. The views are stunning from the tops of the lifts on both sides.

You are looking at about 2hrs travel time each way though for a day trip. That's a lot of travelling when you've got a great resort right on your doorstep. Especially when you consider how close the two resorts are as the crow flies. I'm not sure how you are on back country riding, but there is a combi ticket done by the resorts of Tschierten, Lenzerheide and Arosa which allows you to tour between the three resorts. This is only advisable if you know what you are doing, but you can also hire a guide to bring you round.

I ski and snowboard regularly in that area of Switzerland so if you have any specific questions just ask.

Thank you. Most helpful. The travel time is one hour 45 each way and that, as you say, is quite a lot. I've skied in Arosa before so I am looking for a bit of variety midweek and not too deterred by a bit of travelling (especially as the Swiss are so efficient at these things). The guide option is certainly one I'm going to look at.

Also through my internet surfing I've found another little place called Hochwang (I think) plus the ski area at Chur-Brambuesch which both look diverting for a morning (less travelling as well, I think).

Also goes to show there are so many, many ski areas that we don't know about - and that are neglected by the tour ops.

PS - I ride my bike; I go ski-ing on the snow! :mrgreen:

I've only been to Brambrüesch during the summer on the bike (yes I ride that too! )), but I have been told that it is a family orientated place. Its where the locals from Chur go with their kids, and I believe once you up to the area its just a couple of pull lifts and quite flat slopes.

As for Hochwangs (St. Peters) I have never been there, but was told that I should check it out a few weeks back. I was told that if I liked Tschiertschen then I would like St. Peters too. It is apparently similar to Tschiertschen but with more sun.

If you want an alternative, you could also try Pizol, its 1hr 50m from Arosa by public transport. I went there for the first time last Saturday and enjoyed it a lot. Its not as big as Lenzerheide, but it has quite a lot of nice wide slopes.

You probably know this, but you can check the travel times to and from any place in Switzerland on this link. www.sbb.ch

Again, many thanks. The SBB website is excellent as is www.myswitzerland.com in planning holidays and excursions.

Had a good look at the Brambuesch map - five lifts including a chair that takes you up to 2,200m.

Hochwang has three lifts only but they serve quite a number of runs. It also looks like there's a free minibus from St Peter Molinis station but they appear to run in conjunction with the trains up from Chur and not the trains down from Arosa.

Will investigate more when I get out there, but thanks again for the assistance.