Klosters: skiing on Parsenn and Madrisa in Graubünden

Introduction

Klosters combines the atmosphere of a traditional Graubünden village with direct access to two contrasting ski mountains: extensive Parsenn via the Gotschna cable car and family-focused Madrisa above Klosters Dorf. For winter 2026/27, continuous operation on Parsenn Klosters is scheduled from 4 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, while Madrisa is scheduled from 18 December to 29 March 2027. Reserve your ski hire in Klosters online before travelling. The combination of village character and large-area skiing is one of Klosters’ strongest advantages.

Klosters in the Davos Klosters region

Klosters lies in the Prättigau valley in eastern Switzerland, surrounded by the Silvretta and the mountains leading towards Davos. Klosters Platz and Klosters Dorf railway stations make it practical to move around by Rhaetian Railway. The wider Davos Klosters Mountains network lists around 250 kilometres of pistes, but Gotschna and Madrisa are the two principal local gateways for skiers staying in Klosters.

Direct access to Parsenn from Gotschna

The Gotschnabahn rises from Klosters Platz into Parsenn, one of Switzerland's classic ski areas. The operator promotes around 97 kilometres of pistes, with broad descents, substantial vertical and terrain for different levels. From Gotschna, skiers can move towards Weissfluhjoch and the Davos-facing sectors, creating long circuits without returning to the same lift after every run.

Madrisa: the family mountain above Klosters

Madrisa is reached from Klosters Dorf and is promoted as the resort's family mountain. It offers around 31 kilometres of slopes plus children's practice areas, with four practice lifts helping young skiers progress before tackling longer pistes. The mountain also offers a scenic descent towards Schlappin and an approximately 8.5-kilometre sledging run towards Saas, making it useful for mixed family days.

How much skiing is available?

A regional pass can open access to Parsenn/Gotschna, Jakobshorn, Rinerhorn, Pischa and Madrisa, plus selected valley lifts. The current official facts page lists 253 kilometres of ski slopes, 81 runs and 44 lifts across the five Davos Klosters Mountains. Not every sector is linked by piste, so train, bus or road transfers are part of exploring the complete region.

Klosters for beginners

Beginners are often most comfortable starting on Madrisa, where learning areas and a family-oriented layout make progression easy to understand. Ski schools can help with first turns, stopping and lift use before longer blue runs. Parsenn also has easier terrain, but its scale and long descents are more rewarding once basic control and endurance have developed. Starting with a lesson can make the transition between the two mountains smoother.

Families and children

Families benefit from having Madrisa and Parsenn close together but with different personalities. Madrisa concentrates children's facilities and easier terrain, while stronger skiers can still find sportier runs. Klosters itself is calmer and more compact than central Davos, and rail connections, local buses and two main mountain access points simplify daily logistics for parents travelling with children.

Intermediate skiing

Intermediate skiers are particularly well served by Klosters. Parsenn's long blue and red pistes are ideal for building mileage, practising carving and enjoying sustained descents. Wide slopes allow skiers to settle into a consistent rhythm, while the link towards Davos gives a ski day a genuine sense of travel. Madrisa provides a smaller alternative when a relaxed day is preferable.

Advanced skiing and long descents

Advanced skiers can use Parsenn's black pistes, marked routes and substantial vertical to create demanding days. One of the area's best-known experiences is the long Parsenn descent, with lines that can reach around 12 kilometres depending on the route and open connections. Strong skiers should still watch final lift times because some long descents can finish away from the original starting point.

Snowboarding and varied terrain

Snowboarders will appreciate Parsenn's broad cruising pistes and the variety available across the regional mountains. Riders focused on freestyle can travel to Jakobshorn, the best-known freestyle mountain in Davos Klosters. Around Klosters itself, prepared pistes suit carving and freeriding terrain can be attractive after fresh snow, provided conditions and avalanche risk are properly assessed.

Freeride and mountain safety

Outside secured pistes, avalanche danger, wind loading, hidden obstacles and poor visibility can create serious hazards. Check the current avalanche bulletin and local information before leaving controlled terrain. Carry and know how to use a transceiver, shovel and probe. When you do not know the mountain or want to enter complex terrain, skiing with a qualified local guide is the safer choice.

Skiing between Klosters and Davos

Parsenn is the key ski link between Klosters and Davos. From Gotschna, skiers can enter the central Parsenn network and continue towards the Davos sectors, then return while lifts and piste connections remain open. The Rhaetian Railway is a useful backup if a day finishes elsewhere and also makes an evening visit to Davos possible without driving.

Cross-country skiing and winter walking

The Davos Klosters region has an extensive Nordic trail network for both classic and skating technique. Valley-floor routes around Klosters give cross-country skiers an alternative when visibility is poor higher up. Winter walking and snowshoe routes add further options. After snowfall, check official trail status and avalanche information, especially before using routes that leave prepared winter paths.

Sledging and other winter activities

Madrisa's approximately 8.5-kilometre sledging run towards Saas is one of the area's standout non-ski activities. Davos Klosters Mountains also lists a scenic sledging route from Gotschnaboden towards Klosters. Ice skating, curling, winter hiking and pedestrian mountain trips broaden the programme for rest days and for groups in which not everyone wants to ski.

Village atmosphere, food and après-ski

Klosters is known for a quieter, more traditional atmosphere than Davos. Wooden chalets, established hotels and restaurants give the village an understated Alpine character. Mountain huts on Parsenn and Madrisa serve Swiss and Graubünden dishes and provide natural meeting points. Après-ski is available, but visitors seeking a livelier evening can easily use the rail connection to Davos. For many guests, Klosters works best as a peaceful base with access to a much broader regional programme.

How to organise a ski day in Klosters

Check the live lift report, weather and avalanche bulletin before choosing between Parsenn and Madrisa. Clear days favour an early start on Parsenn, where long pistes make it easy to cover distance. Madrisa can be simpler for family days or changeable weather. For 2026/27, Parsenn Klosters is scheduled for continuous operation from 4 December to 4 April and Madrisa from 18 December to 29 March, subject to conditions.

SKiSET ski hire in Klosters

SKiSET currently lists one bookable shop in Klosters: Skiservice Andrist Sport AG, Gotschnastrasse 15, 7250 Klosters, close to the Gotschna cable car. It is listed as open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 during its operating period, with free delivery, boot fitting, workshop and repair service, drying and free in-store storage.

Why book online with SKiSET?

Online booking lets you select your dates and equipment category before arrival. The shop receives the reservation in advance, while final boot fitting and binding adjustments are completed in person. This is especially useful for families and groups organising several equipment sets, and it gives everyone a fixed collection point before the first morning on the mountain.

Other SKiSET destinations in Graubünden

SKiSET also has station pages for Savognin and Disentis. Davos is the natural extension of a Klosters stay because Parsenn links the two destinations. Savognin and Disentis provide different ski experiences elsewhere in Graubünden and require separate travel planning.

Conclusion

Klosters offers two complementary local mountains: the long, classic pistes of Parsenn through Gotschna and family-friendly Madrisa. Add the wider Davos Klosters network, strong rail connections, Nordic skiing, sledging and a calm village atmosphere, and the destination works for both committed skiers and mixed winter groups. Reserve your ski hire in Klosters online and collect your equipment at Skiservice Andrist Sport AG. With the first-day logistics arranged in advance, you can focus on choosing the mountain that best suits the weather and your group.