With its quaint atmosphere and chalet-style buildings, it’s easy to see why this village is a favourite ski resort among royalty and celebrities.
Klosters, or officially “Klosters-Serneus,” is home to some of the world’s best downhill skiing, featuring slopes for beginners as well as seasoned skiers. With its welcoming atmosphere and charming white-stucco chalets, Klosters is often considered a more intimate alternative to the busy neighboring resort of Davos. Aside from skiing, enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing and skating. In the summer, head to Klosters to hike or mountain bike through woods and alpine meadows.
Visit the 15th-century church of St. Jacob, the only surviving part of the monastery for which the village is named. Note the church’s beautiful windows, which are the work of Swiss painter Augusto Giacometti.
Learn about the village’s history at the folk museum Nutli-Hüschi. Set in a 16th-century wood-and-stone farmhouse, this museum displays traditional objects from the 17th through 19th centuries, which reflect life in this region. Look for an interesting child’s bed that could be expanded as the child grew taller.
The most popular ski area in Klosters is Parsenn, which offers 18 cableways and ski lifts, as well as some of the longest runs on the continent. Ski along more than 68 miles (110 kilometres) of well-maintained runs.
Madrisa, Klosters’ other ski area, is set on 6,200-foot (1,900-metre) Sonnenberg Mountain. Madrisa offers long downhill runs and more than 22 miles (35 kilometres) of cross-country trails. Take the kids to Madrisa Land, one of the largest adventure parks in the country, where they can enjoy pony rides, slip down a 330-foot-long (100-metre) slide and watch goats being milked.
In the summer, ride the Madrisa or Gotschna-Parsenn cable cars to reach the starting points for a number of excellent hikes. The area offers more than 435 miles (700 kilometres) of trails on both sides of the valley, ranging from easy walking paths to challenging mountain trails.
Reach Klosters by train from Zurich, with a connection in Landquart. To get around town, ride the city bus, which regularly runs from the railroad station to the town’s ski lifts.
