Relaxing instead of rushing speed. Those who prefer to admire the ski slopes from great heights do not have to ride a gondola in Arossa, Switzerland. In the balloon, you can enjoy the landscape in peace.
It’s a clear winter morning. The lone runner skis over the frozen Obersee, and only a few dog walkers are out with their four-legged friends. Things in Arosa in Switzerland only become more busy later in the morning. Then more and more jeeps come out on ice. Large packages and baskets are unloaded. ‘You will be amazed at how quickly the balloon grows from a small lump with a volume of 1.5 cubic meters,’ says one of the pilots.
After only half an hour, a dozen colorful balloons are filled with hot air to the top. The ropes are quickly released and one balloon slowly takes off. From a bird’s eye view, travelers experience the beauty of this mountain world with its white giants.
Arosa, located at the end of the Schanfigg valley at an altitude of 1800 meters, offers its visitors much more. Even the journey from Chura is an experience. Those who arrive by car will overcome the 30-kilometer route with 365 turns and conquer 1150 meters above sea level. A comfortable alternative is to ride the Retian railway. The fiery red train takes an hour to climb, disappearing 19 times in black tunnels and crossing numerous bridges, including the 62-meter high Landwasser viaduct across the Plessur River, a technical masterpiece. Upon arrival in Arosa, the valley opens.
Enjoy the beautiful views
Like the spider’s web, the cable car and the cable car cover the southern slopes of the ski resort, offering about 60 kilometers of well-maintained trails. Weisshornbahn gondolas, for example, transport winter sports fans to the top of 2653 meters in two phases. ‘Before you put on your skis, first enjoy the beautiful view of the snowy mountain ranges,’ advises ski instructor Rene Arn.
Then there follows down the middle path to the interstation or Tschuggenhütte. ‘We have a few black trails, like the one from Hörnli. But if you want to show your skills, you might be better off somewhere else,’ says Rene.
Even those who do not want to ski or snowboard will find what they are looking for in Arosa. There are more than 60 kilometers of landscaped hiking trails, many of which meander straight through ski resorts. One of the most beautiful routes leads over the powerful shoulder of the Weisshorn peak.
The road to Sattelhütte
Mountaineers start from the mountain station and descend the path to Sattelhütte. The trail continues via Brüggerhorn to Scheidegg. From there, they can walk directly to Prätschli or decide to take a longer walk over the Rot Tritt viewpoint. Both routes offer a view of the Schanfigg mountain range all the way to the top of Weissflüh.
Aros’s tourism career began as a spa at high altitudes. The climate proved to be ideal for tuberculosis patients. The first sanatorium was opened in 1888. It wasn’t until new drugs appeared on the market in the mid-1950s that the treatment changed. Hospitals became hotels, and nurses ski instructors.
Pascal Jenny, director of Arosa Tourism, is proud of the mountain spa. Like glass sails, the ‘Tschuggen Bergoase’ roofs rise 13 meters high from the slope of the mountain. At night, they illuminate the Aros mountains and are considered a new feature of the resort.
Cover photo: Photo by Fabian Dennler he unsplash
