In family-friendly Arosa, the ski is not the limit

One of the best ways to arrive in Arosa is by train -- It's fast,
efficient and convenient  (Photo: Taylor)

AROSA, SWITZERLAND —  One of the best things about visiting  Arosa, Switzerland is getting there. Situated at the bottom of a wide valley and accessible by car or branch line train from Chur, the snake-like route takes an hour of traveling across  serpentine twists turns as it passes through several tunnels before arriving.

Making tracks to Arosa  (Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)

Rhaetian Railways trains operate hourly between Chur/Arosa, through panoramic scenery where pictures fail to fully capture the spellbinding magic of the journey. As the old adage goes "seeing is believing," and nothing can top the "marshmallow world" ride to Arosa.

By the time visitors arrive in Arosa, they are already in a festive holiday mood, which further enhances the ambiance of the storybook village.

Arosa is a year-round resort
(Photo: Taylor)

Since 1877, Arosa has been a well-known sunny Alpine family-friendly health resort. Thanks to its geography, it is largely sheltered from strong winds which adds to its appeal.

Arosa is a year-round resort making it equally enjoyable in summer and winter. With more than 4,000 guest beds ranging in every price range plus a year-round population of slightly over 3,000, the village is geared for tourism with nearly a one-to-one ratio of visitors to locals.

The Arosa Bear Sancutary was an overnight favorite
(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)

Among the favorite things for families with children is the newly opened Arosa Bear Sanctuary working in partnership with the Arosa Bear Foundation, VIER PFOTEN. Capacity for the sanctuary is up to five bears and the foundation organizes tours of the exhibition for those who wish to learn more.

The on-going program allows families to view the animals "up-close-and-personal" during their rehabilitation process.

The viewing area is safe and fun
(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)

Complete with a restaurant, visitor's platform and children's playground, the sanctuary also organizes tours through the reserve.

Also popular with families is the Squirrel Trail,  a nearby path beginning in front of the Romantik Hotel BelArosa that allows guests the opportunity to feed squirrels and birds right out of the palms of their hands. The picture book trail is well worth a stroll even if visitors choose not to feed the creatures along the way.

Arosa is fun any time of year
(Courtesy: RhB.com)

Another favorite in August and September is the International Hill Climb Arosa Classic Car which takes place between Langweis and Arosa. Sometimes called the "Monaco of the Mountains" attractions include both on and off-track events.

With two lakes in the center of Arosa, the Untersee (Lower Lake) is ideal for summertime activities with a sandy shore, solar-heated paddling pool, a 165-foot slide, diving boards and a garden restaurant.

Horse racing in the snow always attracts a crowd
(Courtesy:  Michael Merttler--mySwitzereland.com)

The Obersee or Upper Lake, is more popular in winter with ice skating and, better yet, the stunning but unusual sport of snow horse-racing.

Skiing is a staple of Arosa's activities with an emphasis on families  (Courtesy: Arosa Tourism)

Skiing is, of course, a staple of Arosa's winter appeal, however the Weisshorn Cable car takes both summer and winter guests to a new panoramic restaurant some 8,700 feet above sea level. With views of more than 400 mountain peaks, including the city of Chur, the 360-degree panorama is especially alluring.

The Weisshorn Cable Car was
important for ski business
(Photo: Taylor)

The first-known settlements in Arosa date as far back as the 13th century, but it would not become a popular winter resort until it began to gradually evolve in 1900. The first ski lifts were built in 1938, but it wasn't until 1956 that the Weisshorn Cable Car was opened.

Arosa was part of the municipality of Davos until 1851. Not until then did the town begin to develop its own identity.

A. Conan Doyle loved Switzerland and wrote about Arosa in 1894 Soon, the Brits discovered it too (Courtesy: Switzerland Tourism)

Historically, the region and skiing received much recognition from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Doyle was an avid sportsman who was wintering in Davos when he ordered some "skiing boards" from Norway and hiked up the mountain with two guides.

The trio skied into Arosa before stopping for lunch at the Seehof, the first hotel in the city. Doyle later wrote of his adventure in The Strand in 1894, and soon after, British skiers were making a beeline to Arosa.

Though quiet, Arosa does have
a unique history (Photo: Taylor)

Arosa has had some other important events as well. During Christmas in 1925, Erwin Schrödinger was vacationing there when he made his breakthrough discovery of wave mechanics.

In 1933, Thomas Mann stayed in Arosa during the first week of his Swiss exile.

And on 20 February 1940, Germany's Ulrich von Hassall met with Britain's J. Lonsdale Bryant in Arosa to plot the overthrow of Adolf Hitler.

With 140 miles of slopes, Arosa has space for everyone
(Courtesy: Arosa Tourism)

Skiers, snowboarders and sledders can choose from 140 miles of slopes with guaranteed snow in winter in the region of Arosa Lenzerheide, making it the largest interconnected skiing region of Graubünden.

The modern Urden cable car can now also be used by pedestrians who can enjoy 87 miles of well-maintained hiking and walking trails.

The snow-sport region of Arosa Lenzerheide awaits with  numerous family-friendly blue slopes. On these specially marked slopes, racing is out and leisurely curving in.

Honeyland is another favorite attraction for children
(Courtesy: Arosa Tourism)

At the children's facilities in Arosa Lenzerheide where kids get their first experience on skis, funny characters  highlight the first turns which are not difficult. The Honeyland Prätschli, the Kinderlands Auarara, Fastatsch and Heimberg are easy to reach and the terrain is only slightly descending.

The Prätschli production "Honigland" (Honeyland) is a public, free beginner/children's area where the ski lift features various staging elements that create a new world of experience. The topic of "honey" is based on the bear sanctuary adventure. 

Try something really different --
night skiing
 (Courtesy: alpenwild.com)

Those who enjoy snowshoe hiking, night skiing, sledding, cross-country skiing and even curling will also find everything their hearts desire in Arosa.

There are even horse-drawn sleighs where you can snuggle under warm blankets for a delightful hour-long ride into  Alpine vistas.

After a long day on the slopes, head indoors in December where big name comedians show up for the Arosa Humor Festival during the winter pre-season.

Each January, the unofficial Ice Snow Football world championship, brings former national players from all over the world to battle for the much-coveted title right in the heart of the snowy mountain peaks.

Arosa is truly a family-friendly "land for all seasons", where Sherlock Holmes would have most assuredly described the joys of the region as "Elementary, my dear Watson."