The festive week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is by far the most thrilling, prestigious, and lively period of the entire winter in Davos Klosters. At the historic Eisstadion Davos, the world-renowned Spengler Cup—the oldest invitational ice hockey club tournament in the world—fills the air with electric international camaraderie. Simultaneously, Europe’s highest city transforms into a storybook alpine wonderland illuminated with festive lights.
Unsurprisingly, this is also the most sought-after week of the ski season. If you are spending New Year’s Eve in Davos, you face a unique challenge: How do you balance world-class morning skiing on uncrowded powder with hockey excitement, fine dining, and quality family time without getting trapped in holiday crowds?
As resident private ski instructors and guides, we know every slope, secret trail, and quiet terrace in the valley. In this holiday guide, we reveal how to maximize every moment of your festive stay.
The Ultimate Holiday Pairing: Ice Hockey Culture & Crisp Alpine Air
The Spengler Cup takes place annually from December 26 to 31. Elite teams from Switzerland, North America, and across Europe battle inside the awe-inspiring wooden dome of the Eisstadion Davos. Because match times are typically scheduled in the afternoon and evening (15:10 and 20:15), the tournament creates an effortless holiday cadence:
- 08:30 AM to 01:30 PM: Hit the mountain early. Enjoy crisp morning corduroy, fresh snow, and empty runs.
- 01:30 PM to 02:30 PM: Relax over a scenic mountain lunch or ski down to the valley.
- 03:00 PM: Put on your hockey scarf and enter the vibrant stadium or the festive Fan Zone in the Kurpark.
- From 06:30 PM: Indulge in traditional Swiss gastronomy or catch the thrilling night session on the ice.
Beating the Holiday Crowds: Where and When to Ski
During the holiday week, many visitors naturally gravitate towards the central hubs of Parsenn and Jakobshorn. Knowing local timing and terrain makes all the difference:
1. The Early-Morning Advantage on Parsenn
Catch the first funicular up to the Weissfluhjoch at 08:15 or 08:30 AM from Davos Dorf or Klosters. The sprawling alpine bowls and carving motorways belong almost exclusively to you for the first two hours. While others are still finishing breakfast, you will have completed thousands of vertical meters of uninterrupted skiing.
2. Rinerhorn & Pischa: Peaceful Alpine Havens
- Rinerhorn (Davos Glaris): While Jakobshorn is buzzing with music and lively après-ski, Rinerhorn remains a true local secret even over New Year’s Eve. Wide, sporty red and black runs, sun-soaked terraces, and virtually zero lift queues.
- Pischa (Flüela Valley): No groomed high-speed runs, no rush—just untouched high-alpine nature, marked snowshoe trails, and sweeping mountain panoramas.
3. Madrisa for Young Families
If you are travelling with children, the sprawling sun terrace of Madrisa in Klosters Dorf offers the most relaxed environment in the valley. Gentle learning slopes, dedicated fun parks, and a distinctly calm, friendly ambiance away from the bustling town centers.
Read our complete breakdown of all regional ski areas: → The 6 Mountains of Davos Klosters Compared
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Davos: Pure Alpine Magic
Whether you prefer black-tie glamour or rustic authenticity, Davos Klosters caters to every holiday mood:
- Traditional Gala Dinners: Landmark hotels such as the Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère, Hotel Grischa and the Hard Rock Hotel Davos, and in Klosters Hotel Vereina and the Alpina Boutique Hotel, host New Year’s Eve evenings with festive menus and live music – Hotel Grischa, for example, with a live set by the band 77 Bombay Street. The most popular sell out early: booking months in advance is essential.
- Rustic Chalet Fondue in the Alps: For true alpine charm, book a table at a historic wooden tavern in the Sertig or Dischma valleys, or head to Klosters: Alp Garfiun, a former dairy farm in the valley above Klosters, is famous for cheese fondue and fondue chinoise – about 45 minutes’ walk from the Monbiel car park on a wide, car-free path, and on winter Thursdays a horse-drawn carriage leaves Klosters Platz station at 6 PM (reservation required). Berghaus Alpenrösli in Klosters serves rustic alpine cooking made with local produce.
- New Year’s Eve on the Mountain: Celebrate high above the valley, with the ride up and down included:
- Restaurant Jatzmeder (Rinerhorn): gondola up from Davos Glaris at 7 PM, welcome drink, a three-course New Year’s buffet, a midnight toast and the last ride down at 1:15 AM – with the floodlit toboggan run open before or after dinner. From CHF 92.
- Chalet Güggel (Jakobshorn): cable car up at 7 PM, cocktail and dinner, live band, a toast on the terrace at 11:55 PM and rides down every half hour until 2:30 AM. CHF 255 per person.
- Fuxägufer (Jakobshorn): Carjöler chairlift up from 7 PM, a four-course dinner and a DJ party, then down by snowcat and gondola until 3:30 AM. CHF 275 per person.
Places are limited – book directly with each restaurant.
- Midnight Mountain Fireworks: At the stroke of midnight, official fireworks burst above the snow-capped summits, echoing across the valley alongside the ringing of village church bells.
Why Private Ski Instructors are Essential During New Year’s Week
New Year’s week is the busiest period on the ski calendar.
A dedicated private ski instructor or guide from Ride and Smile transforms your festive vacation:
- Doorstep Concierge Service: We collect you directly from your hotel or private chalet—avoiding chaotic morning meeting points.
- Effortless Crowd Avoidance: Your private instructor knows every sun angle and lift flow intimately, expertly steering you past crowded corridors to pristine, quiet slopes.
- Help with Mountain Hut Bookings: We have a good relationship with the mountain huts and help you get in touch and make a reservation. We cannot promise you a table – the huts allocate their own seats, so during the holiday week it pays to ask early.
- Attentive Coaching for Children: Your children receive uninterrupted, patient attention, progressing rapidly in a safe, confidence-building atmosphere while parents enjoy their own mountain time.
Important Booking Note: Between 26 December and 5 January our instructors are usually booked weeks ahead – ask early.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Year’s in Davos
How do we get around town during the Spengler Cup?
Traffic around the hockey stadium and cable car bases is heavy during match times. We strongly advise leaving your car parked – the local buses and the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) run frequently. With the guest card or the Premium Card you travel free of charge: if you are staying in Klosters, public transport and the train to Davos are free; if you are staying in Davos, public transport is free and the train is free as far as Davos Laret.
Are ski lessons available on December 31st and January 1st?
Yes. At Ride and Smile, we teach every day of the season, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. In fact, January 1st morning is one of the best times to ski, as slopes between 09:00 and 11:30 AM are remarkably quiet and serene.
How do I purchase Spengler Cup match tickets?
Tournament tickets should only be purchased through the official Spengler Cup ticketing portal. Standing and seating tickets for evening matches sell out very quickly, while afternoon matches often have better ticket availability.
Make This Holiday Season Unforgettable
Experience the festive magic of Davos Klosters with bespoke coaching, rapid progress on snow, and seamless organization for your family.
Reserve your private holiday ski guide today: → Enquire About Private Ski Lessons for New Year’s Week → Book Kids Ski Lessons & Family Mountain Coaching → Meet Our Private Instructor Team
