Whether you are planning to visit Switzerland in the winter or the summer, spending some time in one of Switzerland’s mountain resorts is a must. After all, you can’t go to Switzerland and not see the Swiss Alps, right?
Have you considered the Swiss ski resort of Lenzerheide? Sitting in southeast Switzerland in the Canton of Graubunden, Lenzerheide ski resort is the perfect place to head to in both winter and summer.
Lenzerheide ski resort offers pretty much-guaranteed sunshine in the summer and the winter. Sitting on the sunny sides of the valley ensures this, and with snow-making facilities, snow is guaranteed in winter too.
Add in the stunning alpine lake, views across mountain peaks, and awesome tourism infrastructure, especially for families, and you have a mountain resort of note.
Join me as I run through everything you need to know about visiting Lenzerheide ski resort. From what to do, how to get there, and lots more, it’s covered here.
Table of Contents
How to Get to Lenzerheide
Lenzerheide is made up of three alpine villages; Valbella, Parpan, and Churwalden which sit high in a valley just 10 km south of Chur, the capital of Graubunden canton.
Getting there is pretty easy from Zurich but takes a while from other major cities in Switzerland such as Geneva.
By Plane
If you are flying into Switzerland and want to visit Lenzerheide, the best airport to fly into is Zurich. Not only does Zurich airport have the most international flights of all Swiss airports, but it also offers the quickest transfer to Lenzerheide via public transport.
By Public Transport
Once you have arrived at Zurich Airport, you can get a train straight to Chur and then hop on the 182 PostAuto Bus from Chur to Lenzerheide. The journey time is about 2 hours and 25 minutes.
From Geneva, you will need to get the train to Zurich HB, change to Chur, and get the bus. The total journey time is 5 hours.
From Bern, the train takes just over 3 hours changing at Zurich HB to Chur and then getting the local bus.
By Car
Driving is a great way to get to Lenzerheide especially in summer as it allows you to explore parts around Lenzerheide that are a bit off the beaten track.
In winter, driving comes with the risks of icy mountain roads and closures due to snow, so it is probably best to take the train/bus.
The drive from Zurich airport to Lenzerheide is about 150 km and takes on average 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Driving from Geneva to Lenzerheide takes around 5 hours and the fastest route is via Zurich.
From Bern, the drive to Lenzerheide ski resort is around 3 hours.
Things to Do in Lenzerheide
Guaranteed Skiing All Winter Long
The great thing about Lenzerheide is the snow-making infrastructure they have at the ski area which equals good snow all winter long so you can always ski Lenzerheide.
Add in that one side of the valley gets sun in the morning and the other gets sun in the afternoon, and you have the ideal skiing vacation.
Lenzerheide is home to over 225 km of ski slopes all of which are groomed to ensure they are as best as can be. Sitting at 2,865 meters above sea level, the views from the slopes are pretty spectacular.
You will find a range of runs at Lenzerheide including blue, red, and black-rated slopes for all levels of skiers. Whether you are a beginner finding your skis or an advanced skier, the slopes of Lenzerheide have something for you.
Lenzerheide also offers things such as Full Moon Skiing, SnowNight slopes every Friday, and other cool ways to enjoy your hobby.
There are more than 40 ski lifts up to the ski areas that get you up the slopes quickly, and even some lifts designed specifically for kids, so they are always comfortable too.
Sledding
Lenzerheide is also home to some sledding (tobogganing) routes which guarantee a fun adrenaline-fueled journey down the mountain.
There is an illuminated toboggan run that starts at the restaurant at the Scharmoin middle cable car station. The run is 3.8 long with fun turns, and you can hire a toboggan too. It ends at the Rothorn valley cable car station so you can grab a cable car back up with ease.
Why not have a lovely sunset fondue and then rush down the mountain at night on the illuminated run.
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Another fun sledding experience awaits you at the Rothorn cable car station, so you can even double up.
Cross-Country Skiing
Lenzerheide is also a great place to do some cross-country skiing. You will have access to more than 56 km of cross-country skiing trails that take you through breathtaking landscapes and stunning views.
There is even an illuminated trail so that you can enjoy some cross-country skiing at night. A section of the Lantsch/Lenz is lit up every evening and is a wonderful thing to do if you are looking for some romance with your partner.
Explore The Multitude of Mountain Biking Trails
In the summer, the mountain biking trails around Lenzerheide open up and the variety of trails on offer is pretty astounding.
With over 250 km of downhill courses, free ride trails, and marked trails, you’ll find a new mountain biking route for every day that will not disappoint.
Throw in 920 km of GPS tours and you have a huge amount of mountain biking options available to you which will have you exploring a lot of the landscapes and views Lenzerheide has to offer.
You can even use the cable car to get up to Rothorn and mountain bike back down or access the downhill trails from Alp Stätz via the chairlift.
Take To The Many Hiking Trails In Winter & Summer
Lenzerheide is home to some amazing hiking trails in both winter and summer. When you fancy some peace and quiet, simply take a stroll out of town onto one of the many marked trails to get into the mountains, forests, and valleys.
In the winter, you can choose from a total of 80 km of winter hiking trails to use to explore the snowy landscapes. There are 7 loop trails that start and end in Lenzerheide which are well marked, making going winter hiking about as easy as can be.
In the summer, lots more trails open up and you will have access to an incredible 170 km of marked hiking trails that take you to lakes and rivers, across valleys, through forests, and up mountain peaks too.
Lenzerheide has even thought about kids enjoying the walking trails too with pre-made cell phone safaris that allow them to learn about nature along the trail.
Enjoy Some Refreshing Heidsee Lake Water Activities
One of the best things to do in summer in Lenzerheide is to spend some time around Lake Heidsee.
Lake Heidsee is a great place to sunbathe, swim, and picnic in the summer. It also offers some fun activities including sailing, fishing, and more.
The Lenzerheide Water Sports Center has lots of fun things to rent including kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, pedal boats, row boats, windsurfers, and sailing boats too.
If you want to learn how to sail or windsurf, you can also book sailing and windsurfing lessons with the Lenzerheide Water Sports Center. You can also use the beach volleyball court for free.
There is also a Lido next to Lake Heidsee which is a great place to keep kids entertained on sunny days in the summer. They can swim, use the climbing wall, and even play on a pirate ship.
If you would like to go fishing in the lake at Lenzerheide, you can but you will need your own equipment and a SANA (Swiss Fishing ID) or Swiss Sport Fishing Brevet. Tickets cost CHF 25 per day and can be bought at the tourist office.
You can catch both brown and rainbow trout in the lake, and BBQ them at sunset at one of the many BBQ areas around the lake.
Play a Round Of Golf In The Swiss Alps
Lenzerheide is also home to a stunning golf course. The 18 holes have you playing around alpine valleys and skirting the edges of beautiful forests.
The course is a Par 69 and sits at 1,400 meters (4593 ft) above sea level and is known as one of the most beautiful golf courses in Switzerland and in Europe.
Lenzerheide Shopping
It costs between CHF 80 and CHF 120 for a round depending on the time of year and whether it is a weekday or weekend. Booking in advance is a must and you can book here.
There are some wonderful shopping opportunities in the Lenzerheide holiday region. You will find a wide range of shops from little boutiques with unique souvenirs to fashionable clothes and lots more.
You should also check out the local food shops in Lenzerheide. The bakeries have delicious local bread and you will also find great cheese from the region as well as Swiss chocolate, local tarts, and lots more.
Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife at Lenzerheide
Lenzerheide is home to a wide range of bars and restaurants. Whether you are looking for some fine dining at a Michelin Star restaurant or some traditional Swiss cuisine, it has you covered.
There are a lot of cocktail bars where you can sip a martini overlooking the mountains and some of them stay open late so you can party the night away.
Between family-friendly establishments and clubs where you can dance all night, Lenzerheide has an apres ski scene for everyone.
