Just about everyone using the train to get around the fantastic Swiss ski resorts in the canton of Grisons (Graubunden) will travel through the capital, Chur. Chur is as important to skiing in Switzerland as Innsbruck is to Austria.

The lovely old town is a short walk from the sensational integrated train and bus station. A modern shopping precinct separates the two.

Quality hotel and apartment accommodation is available near the train station, but I would recommend staying in the old town for its ambiance and the nightlife. The old town has an incredible number of bars in all kinds of nooks and crannies. The more you look, the more you find. 

Most of the bus and train routes have stops adjacent to the west gates of the of the old 'stadt', which makes putting on your ski boots in your hotel and walking to your transport a cinch. The train to Arosa and buses to Lenzerheide and Laax all stop there.

Whilst Chur may have not have snow in the city (due to low elevation and a freaky geographical location influencing temperatures) the surrounding mountains have excellent annual snowfalls and reliability. The old town is in shadow for much of the day in winter, so it is best to get out and onto the mountain tops.

Of all the ski resorts near Chur, the Powderhounds pick for terrain that suits all levels of skier and snowboarder would be Lenzerheide. Take the bus to Churwalden and go up from there in the new (and very flash) gondola. 

Don't ignore the smaller ski resorts in the area, like Tschiertschen, Hochwang and Brambrueesch. They can be fun, are often deserted and provide some interesting ski touring options and freeride routes.


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