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Best Ski Resorts in Davos Klosters

Parsenn is the best ski area in Davos Klosters for 2026, because its long, sweeping descents toward Klosters and Kublis are the signature skiing of the region and the reason serious skiers come. Jakobshorn is the freestyle and party mountain, Madrisa above Klosters is the family favorite, and Pischa, Rinerhorn and Schatzalp are the quiet escapes. One regional pass covers six separate mountains linked by train and bus, so a week here is about choosing which peak to ski each day rather than picking a single resort.

By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

How we ranked them

Six mountains, one regional pass

Davos and Klosters are two towns sharing one of the largest ski regions in Switzerland, with around 300 km of pistes split across six unconnected mountains reached by the Rhaetian Railway and free ski buses. Because the mountains are separate, we rank them on terrain, snow and atmosphere rather than on ski in ski out convenience, which is limited in both towns.

Davos is a large, functional alpine town that doubles as a conference and sports hub, while Klosters is smaller, prettier and quietly grand. We weigh which mountain suits which skier and flag the quiet contrarian options, because the joy of this region is spreading your week across very different peaks.

Skiers descending a Swiss alpine mountain

The ranking

The mountains ranked

Parsenn

Parsenn is the best mountain in the region and the reason to come, with broad, rolling terrain and famous long descents toward Klosters and the village of Kublis that run for several kilometers. It links Davos and Klosters by lift and rewards strong intermediates who love covering distance. This is classic, confidence building Swiss skiing on a grand scale, and it carries the best on mountain restaurants too.

For: Intermediates and experts who want long, scenic descents and the most terrain.

Skip if: Beginners who want everything contained on gentle nursery slopes.

Jakobshorn

Jakobshorn, rising straight above Davos, is the young, freestyle mountain with the best terrain parks and the liveliest on slope bars in the region. It draws snowboarders and a confident crowd who want steeper pitches and a party at altitude. The skiing is more compact than Parsenn, so it is a brilliant day rather than a whole week, but it is the social heart of Davos.

For: Snowboarders, freestylers and groups who want park laps and slope side apres ski.

Skip if: Families and anyone seeking calm, gentle cruising.

Madrisa

Madrisa, the sunny shelf above Klosters, is the family mountain, with gentle terrain, a dedicated children's area and a relaxed, sheltered feel. It is the easiest place in the region to teach children to ski and to spend a low pressure day. Expert skiers will find it tame, but for families based in Klosters it is the natural home mountain.

For: Families with children and beginners who want a calm, sunny mountain above Klosters.

Skip if: Advanced skiers chasing steep terrain and big vertical.

Rinerhorn

Rinerhorn, a short train ride down valley from Davos, is the quiet locals' mountain, with uncrowded red and blue runs and a genuine away from the crowds feel. It is the antidote to a busy Parsenn weekend and a favorite for relaxed intermediates and families wanting space. The area is modest in size, so it suits a calm day rather than a full week of variety.

For: Intermediates who want quiet, well groomed pistes without the crowds.

Skip if: Groups who want size, nightlife or a big terrain network.

Pischa

Pischa is the freeride and ski touring mountain, deliberately low key with limited lifts and a focus on backcountry access rather than groomed mileage. It is the choice for skiers who want to skin and tour or chase untracked snow with a guide. Piste only skiers will find it too small, but for the off piste minded it is the region's hidden gem.

For: Tourers and off piste skiers who want quiet backcountry access.

Skip if: Piste cruisers who want a full network of marked runs.

Schatzalp

Schatzalp is the charming contrarian choice, a tiny sun terrace mountain reached by funicular from Davos with a handful of gentle runs and a historic hotel at its base. It is perfect for absolute beginners, a half day with small children, or a long lunch with a view. Nobody comes here for mileage, which is exactly the point.

For: Absolute beginners and anyone wanting a gentle, scenic half day with a famous view.

Skip if: Anyone wanting a proper day of varied skiing.

At a glance

Davos Klosters mountains compared

Rank	Resort	Best for	Budget band per person
1	Parsenn	Long descents and terrain	$4,000 to $8,000
2	Jakobshorn	Freestyle and apres ski	$2,000 to $4,000
3	Madrisa	Families	$2,000 to $4,000
4	Rinerhorn	Quiet cruising	$2,000 to $4,000
5	Pischa	Touring and off piste	$2,000 to $4,000
6	Schatzalp	Beginners and the view	Under $2,000

For the full overview, read our Davos Klosters region guide and the Switzerland destination guide. The two town bases are reviewed in detail on the Davos resort review and the Klosters resort review.

Book the extras and save

Lift passes, private guides, airport transfers and lessons are where a group trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.

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Questions worth asking

Davos Klosters FAQs

What is the best mountain in Davos Klosters?

Parsenn is the best mountain in Davos Klosters, with the longest descents and the most varied terrain, linking Davos and Klosters by lift. Jakobshorn is the pick for freestyle and apres ski, and Madrisa for families. Most visitors ski Parsenn the most and use the others for variety.

Should I stay in Davos or Klosters?

Stay in Davos for size, choice of hotels, nightlife and direct access to Parsenn and Jakobshorn, and stay in Klosters for a smaller, prettier and quietly grander base with Madrisa and Parsenn above. Klosters suits couples and families wanting calm, while Davos suits groups wanting amenities. Both share the same lift pass and are linked by frequent trains.

Is Davos Klosters good for beginners?

Davos Klosters works for beginners, with gentle areas on Madrisa and Schatzalp and a strong ski school presence, though the region is spread across separate mountains rather than one contained nursery zone. Families teaching children often base around Klosters and Madrisa. Booking lessons ahead is wise in peak weeks.

How big is the Davos Klosters ski area?

Davos Klosters offers around 300 km of pistes across six mountains, which makes it one of the largest regions in Switzerland, although the mountains are not all linked by lift. You move between them by train and free ski bus. Strong skiers rarely run out of terrain across a week.

Is Davos Klosters expensive?

Davos Klosters sits at the premium end, with most weeks landing in the $4,000 to $8,000 per person band once smart hotels and Swiss dining are added, though self catering and quieter mountains can bring it under $4,000. Klosters in particular carries an exclusive reputation. Booking lift passes and transfers ahead helps control the total.

Which mountain is best for off piste in Davos Klosters?

Pischa is the dedicated freeride and touring mountain, while Parsenn and Jakobshorn also hold good off piste in the right conditions. The region has a deep ski touring tradition and excellent guiding. Always ski off piste with a qualified guide and proper avalanche equipment.

Have it arranged

Tell us the dates. We price the trip.

If you want a Davos or Klosters week arranged by specialists, send your dates, group size and budget below and we will route your brief to operators who know both towns and all six mountains. Whether you want a grand Klosters chalet or a flexible Davos hotel, one brief brings tailored proposals back to you.

Every brief is read by a real planner. You will hear back within two working days, in season.

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