Things to do
Lenzerheide,Switzerland
The Canton of Graubünden is one of our favorite places in the world and we're so excited to share it with you all! It's also the largest state in Switzerland - here are some of our favorite activities to help you have the best bündner experience...
For the Adrenaline Junkies
Schlittelbahn
Roughly translated from Swiss-German as “Death Sledding”, this very well could be the highlight of your trip. Hop aboard the Bernina Express in Chur and enjoy a beautiful snowy train-ride up into the mountains to the town of Preda. Steps from the train station are multiple sled rental huts (our advice is to spring for the “sporty” sledge and the “ice cleats” regardless of your speed interest). Haul your sledge up over the train tracks, sit back and enjoy some once-in-a-lifetime views of the mountains, and some serious speed for adventure seekers.
Each run is 5km or about 20 minutes down the mountain, and at the bottom you can take a chairlift up to attempt a different run from Derlix. When your day is done, pack your sled up over your shoulder and drag it literally through the town of Bergun, stopping for a drink perhaps at the ice bar before hopping back on the train and home.
Albula Skateline
A 20-minute drive or Post Bus from Guarda Val, Surava is a little village in the Albula valley on the world-famous railway line between Chur and St. Moritz. Although it is located at just 900 metres above sea level, the conditions here are perfect for ice tracks, and are the home of a fantasy-land of cross country ice skating. A 3km track through the forest takes between 20-45 minutes.
Ice skaters of all skill levels are welcome, although the closing date of the season is variable based on weather conditions.
Visit Liechtenstein and Strip Miles of his Strava CR Over the Alte Rheinbrucke
The Principality of Liechtenstein is tiny, and very cool for all of you geography nerds. Squished between Switzerland and Austria, with a total area of just 61 square miles and a population of 39,000, merely setting foot on Liechtenstein soil puts you in rarified air in the world (let alone your friend group).
Luckily for you, it’s just about an hour drive (or 1.5 hour bus/train ride) to the capital city of Vaduz. If you find yourself inclined and very competitive, bring your running shoes and attempt to take down Miles’ Strava CR, which will require a 100 meter sprint in under 13 seconds across the Alte Rheinbrucke, a very old covered bridge over the Rhine River that officially makes the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Good luck.
World-Class Skiing
Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Lenzerheide presents a winter wonderland for skiers of all levels. With its breathtaking mountain scenery, well-maintained slopes, and state-of-the-art lift system, the entire region provides an unforgettable skiing experience. Please take advantage, whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's something for everyone.
For those staying in Lenzerheide, you'll have an extensive ski area with some of the best skiing in the world over 225 kilometers of pristine slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers. Experience the thrill of gliding down wide-open pistes while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
And for those interested in living the Swiss skiing dream, the trusty SBB Train System will deliver you within an hour’s ride to other world famous destinations like St. Moritz, and Davos.
Carve your way through the Alps, and create lasting memories in the snowy embrace of Switzerland’s world-class skiing. We'll see you on the slopes!
For the Culture Junkies
City Tour of Chur
Not only is Chur Adriana's dad's hometown, it is also where Adriana lived while getting her Master's degree, and the oldest city in Switzerland! While the pedestrian only "Altstadt,"or Old Town, is easily explored on ones own, the city's tourism organization offers a city tour that's not to be missed.
While the traditional city tour will help orient you in Die Alpenstadt, Chur Tourism also offers a number of thematic tours. For the foodies they offer a "city nibbles" tour, for the history buffs there is a tour through Chur's two archaelogical sites, and even a tour focusing exclusively on the 800 year old cathedral that's perched at the top of the city.
Ride the Glacier Express
"The Slowest Express Train the World" covers just 180 miles on it's 7 hour journey, but across those 180 miles you'll cross 291 bridges, pass through 91 tunnels, and watch picture perfect Swiss scenery pass by through the panorama windows. The Glacier Express makes a stop in Chur and for just a taste of the journey, ride into the Engadine Valley to the swanky town of St. Moritz. For a longer experience board the train in Chur and head to the town of Zermatt and the Matterhorn.
Feed the Alpine Squirrels
The leisurely 1 Kilometer walk between the town of Lenzerheide and the large alpine lake, Heidesee, is made even more magical by the company of the unusual black squirrel or Eichhörnchen as they're called in Swiss-German. Be sure to pick up some unshelled nuts at the local Migros for the squirrels to eat right out of your hand!
Relax in the Spa and Thermal Baths at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
The Tamina Therme is an architectural masterpiece. The public thermal baths unite traditional spa culture with a modern range of saunas.
The Tamina Therme offers a huge variety of indoor and outdoor pools and various warm and cold water baths with water jet and shower features. Relax, recharge and leave feeling totally revitalised. Visit the sauna world, which offers the perfect surroundings for show infusions, ceremonies and rituals with its Nordic kelo houses. The varied range of spa treatments also includes exclusive beauty treatments, massages, haki treatments and health-conscious cuisine.
For the Foodies
Swiss food is more than just cheese and chocolate, here are some of our favorite local specialities to try
Capuns
Next to cheese fondue (of which there will be plenty), there are few dishes that will fuel you through a cold Swiss day like the traditional Bünder dish of Capuns. Graubunden's take on the dumpling, Capuns is a pasta-like dough mixed with meat, rolled in a chard leaf, and served in a rich broth topped with grated cheese. Hungry yet? Every family and restaurant puts their own unique twist on the dish so we recommend trying a few!
Cremeschnitte
If a cream puff and a mille feuille had a baby it would be good, but not quite as good as a Swiss Cremeschnitte. While not technically Swiss in origin, the Swiss have really perfected the Cremeschnitte. Nothing puts the perfect cap on a mountainside meal like a hefty slice of Cremeschnitte - our favorite can be found at Motta Hütte on the slopes of Lenzerheide!