Davos Klosters is one of the largest freeride areas in the Alps: 46 kilometres of marked ski routes across five mountains, plus the unsecured terrain beside them and ski tours up to 3,145 metres – and the Swiss avalanche bulletin is written here in town. What our guests mention most in their reviews is not the piste but exactly this: backcountry, touring, confidence. This guide explains what each mountain offers, which tours carry which grade, what the equipment costs – and when we do not go.
Freeride, ski touring, ski routes – what is what?
Ski routes are marked in yellow: monitored and secured by the rescue and piste service when open, but not groomed. Davos Klosters has 46 kilometres of them across twelve routes. Freeride means skiing the unsecured terrain beside them, with the lift doing the climbing. Ski touring means climbing on skins and descending away from any lift.
Outside the marked routes, avalanche equipment is mandatory and the decision whether and where to go belongs to someone who knows the terrain and the snowpack. Our recommendation: for ski touring beginners and anyone without avalanche and snow knowledge, go with a snow sports instructor holding the Swiss federal diploma (eidg. Fachausweis) or a mountain guide. Ride and Smile is on the official Davos Klosters guide list.
The six mountains through a guide’s eyes
| Area | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Parsenn | the largest area, 12 km of yellow descents on five routes. The lift company itself says you need “some local knowledge to find the best routes – the locals do not give their gems away easily” |
| Jakobshorn | 13 km on two marked routes into the side valleys. It also hosts the Avalanche Training Centre and the Freeride Learnline, a teaching trail with QR stations |
| Rinerhorn | “the locals’ insider tip”: powder descents to the valley even on snowy days, untracked slopes along routes 4b, 9b and 12 |
| Madrisa (Klosters) | start of the Madrisa circuit over the Schlappinerjoch (2,203 m) to Gargellen in Austria and back over the St. Antönier-Joch: 24.9 km, 250 m of climbing, 2,200 m of descent, around 6.5 hours |
| Pischa | the only area in Switzerland with no groomed pistes. The drag lifts were dismantled; only the cable car to 2,483 m runs. One marked freeride descent (no. 6 Flüelamäder, 3.3 km); everything else at your own risk |
| Schatzalp/Strela | not a freeride area. Positioned as a “slow mountain”, 100 per cent natural snow |
⚠️ One piece of news to know before you plan around Pischa. In July 2025 Sportbahnen Pischa AG and Davos Klosters Bergbahnen announced that they will cease operating the Pischa cable car in spring 2027. The 2026/27 season could be the last one. If you want to ski Pischa, this is the winter.
Which mountain is most popular with freeriders? The Jakobshorn. The descents are easy to find and so is the way back to the lift – which removes the biggest stress factor for anyone new to off-piste terrain. Most of those descents are checked for avalanche danger and lie between the marked pistes. The caveat that belongs with it: always respect the lift company’s avalanche warnings – checked does not mean secured.
The individual routes with altitudes are described in Davos and Klosters calls for ski touring, off-piste and freeride.
Ski tours around Davos Klosters, by SAC grade
This table is in no brochure. The figures come from the SAC tour portal of the Swiss Alpine Club and assume good snow, weather and visibility.
| Tour | Summit | Start | Grade | Ascent | Descent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rätschenhorn | 2,703 m | Klosters Dorf, Schafcalanda top station | L | 0:30 h, 100 m | 1,600 m |
| Chörbsch Horn | 2,650 m | Schatzalp, Davos | WS− | 3 h, 800 m | 800 m |
| Pischahorn | 2,981 m | Dörfji, Pischa top station | WS+ | 1:30 h, 520 m | 1,180 m |
| Büelenhorn | 2,513 m | Duchli, Davos Dorf | WS | 3 h, 950 m | 950 m |
| Flüela Schwarzhorn | 3,145 m | Flüela pass road | WS+ | 2:30 h, 820 m | 820 m |
| Madrisahorn | 2,825 m | Schafcalanda top station | ZS | 1 h, 200 m | — |
| Chüealphorn | 3,077 m | Sand, Sertig valley | ZS | 4 h, 1,220 m | 1,220 m |
| Sattelhorn | 2,980 m | Sand, Sertig valley | ZS | 3:30 h, 1,120 m | 1,120 m |
| Pischahorn, long variant | 2,981 m | Dörfji, descent to Klosters | ZS | — | 1,900 m |
The Rätschenhorn is the region’s special case: half an hour of climbing above the top station, then 1,600 vertical metres of descent at grade L. That is exactly why it is our most frequent first tour.
What the SAC grades mean
| Grade | Steepness | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| L – easy | up to 30° | no risk of sliding, soft rolling terrain |
| WS – slightly difficult | from 30° | short slides that run out gently; kick turns needed |
| ZS – fairly difficult | from 35° | longer slides with a chance to brake; risk of injury |
| S – difficult | from 40° | long slides, partly ending in steep steps: danger to life |
The SAC states this explicitly: the grades are guide values in good conditions. With fresh snow, breakable crust or poor visibility, the same tour is a different tour.
When we do not go
This is the most important section of the article, and it follows no house rule – it follows the official recommendations of the SLF.
| Danger level | Official SLF recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1 low | ski extremely steep slopes (over 40°) one at a time |
| 2 moderate | careful route choice; ski very steep slopes (over 35°) one at a time |
| 3 considerable | “avoid very steep slopes” – that is, over 35°. The SLF calls level 3 “the most critical situation for winter sports enthusiasts” |
| 4 high | “restrict yourself to moderately steep terrain” – under 30° |
| 5 very high | avoid snow sports away from open runs and routes |
The number that persuades more than any rule: according to SLF statistics, 97 per cent of fatal avalanche accidents involving winter sports take place on terrain steeper than 30 degrees, 82 per cent above 35 degrees and 43 per cent above 40. Only 3 per cent happen on terrain flatter than 30 degrees. And around 90 per cent of people buried triggered the avalanche themselves.
Equally telling is when things happen. Level 3 prevails on roughly 30 per cent of winter days and accounts for about half of all avalanche deaths. Level 2, which many treat as harmless, prevails on about half of all days and accounts for around 30 per cent of deaths. Level 4 accounts for only about 10 per cent, because hardly anyone goes out.
When we do not go is the guide’s decision, made on the day. We deliberately do not publish a fixed danger level. Too much goes into that call for a number to carry it: who is coming, what the conditions are, which tour is planned, what the alternative in the valley is. The guide plans the tour in detail and makes the decision – and passes it on even when you were hoping for the opposite.
Putting a number online would achieve the opposite of clarity. It invites an argument at the meeting point about a figure that knows nothing about the actual conditions that morning.
In poor visibility our guides choose routes below the tree line.
The avalanche bulletin comes from Davos
The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF sits at Flüelastrasse 11 in Davos Dorf, minutes from our meeting point. The avalanche bulletin for the whole of Switzerland is written there.
- Published daily at 5 pm, valid until 5 pm the next day
- An additional morning bulletin at 8 am whenever level 3 or above is reached
- Free in the SLF’s White Risk app; extended analytical tools accessible on the SLF web platform
We read it every morning before a tour, and in the avalanche course we teach you how to read it.
For scale: on the long-term average around 24 people a year die in avalanches in Switzerland; the rolling twenty-year average is currently 21. In the winter of 2025/26 there were 15 by the end of March. Most accidents happen in Valais and Graubünden.
Equipment
Mandatory on every tour – as listed in the official leaflet from the SLF, the SAC, Swiss-Ski and Swiss Snowsports:
- Transceiver, probe and shovel – the three belong together; individually they are useless
- Helmet, climbing aids (skins, ski crampons), first-aid kit, mobile phone, means of navigation
Additionally recommended: an avalanche airbag. A study involving the SLF shows it reduces mortality in cases of critical burial from 22 to 11 per cent. It does not replace transceiver, probe and shovel – it complements them. In roughly 20 per cent of cases it fails to inflate, usually because it was not deployed.
Why we take the practice seriously: the first 15 minutes offer the best chance of recovering a buried person alive. After that the odds fall steeply. Which is why the group does the searching, not the rescue service.
Rental in Davos and Klosters
| Equipment Type | Available At | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Touring / Freeride Set | Go Vertical (Davos Dorf), Bardill Sport (Klosters), Gotschna Sport (Klosters) | Skis or splitboard with touring bindings, skins & boots |
| Avalanche Safety Kit | Go Vertical, Bardill Sport, Gotschna Sport (Klosters) | Modern 3-antenna avalanche transceiver, probe & shovel |
| Avalanche Airbag Pack | Go Vertical, Bardill Sport, Gotschna Sport (Klosters) | Dedicated canister or electronic airbag pack with trigger unit |
Gear can be hired daily or weekly. We strongly suggest reserving your equipment well in advance of your first tour.
Which format fits you?
Freeride Guide – into the terrain by lift
For skiers and snowboarders who are confident on black pistes and want their first powder slopes beside the piste. Your guide picks tested slopes, coaches technique in powder and takes the safety decisions.
Half-day (3 hours) or full-day coaching (6 hours) for 1–2 people, with options for additional participants. → Book the Freeride Guide
Beginner Ski Touring Course
Six hours per course day, four to six participants, in English and German. We use the Parsenn railway for most of the ascent, so you climb only about 400 vertical metres yourself. Content: walking technique on touring skis or splitboard, kick turns, avalanche basics, powder skiing, choosing equipment.
Prerequisite: confident on black pistes, speed under control in poor visibility. If you have never skied powder, book a private lesson first – you do not learn to ski on a ski tour; there is simply not enough descent.
Dates for 2027: 30–31 January · 20–21 March · 27–28 March · 3–4 April. The course runs on the Saturday and the Sunday, six hours a day from 9 am to 3 pm; you can book one day or both. Minimum four, maximum six people – if fewer than four sign up, the group can cover the missing places or the date is cancelled. Equipment not included. Booking and details: → Book the touring course
Ski Touring Guide – the private tour
For beginners who want to learn from the ground up and for advanced tourers who want more vertical and better lines. Difficulty up to WS+ on the SAC scale, groups ideally up to four, video analysis on request. Meeting point flexible: hotel, valley station, bus stop or the start of the tour.
Full-day private tour (6 hours) for 1–2 people, with options for additional participants. → Book the Ski Touring Guide
Avalanche Course – before you go alone
One day, six hours: tour planning with the SLF’s White Risk tool, recognising avalanche danger in the terrain, practising the emergency with transceiver, probe, shovel and airbag. CHF 500 for one or two people, plus CHF 40 for each additional person.
There are no fixed dates – we set the course day by the conditions, usually on the Parsenn. Taught in German or English. We ask for no particular skiing level; if you want the course for freeride and off-piste, you should be comfortable on black pistes.
Avalanche equipment is not included. Rent transceiver, probe, shovel and airbag at Gotschna Sport in Klosters or at Bardill and Go Vertical in Davos – tell us when you book and we will arrange it with the shop. → Book the Avalanche Course
Women’s Ski Camp – Freeride & Ski Touring for Women (March 2027)
An exclusive mountain camp by women for women, led by our certified female snowsports instructor. In an encouraging, small-group atmosphere, we refine off-piste technique, master avalanche safety protocols, and enjoy pristine powder bowls away from crowded resort slopes.
Dates 2027: first weekend of March, around 8 March, with strictly limited places. The product page with price and availability is being built – until it is live, booking goes through us. Details and booking: → Enquire About the Women’s Ski Camp
If you want to add the free-heel technique, we also teach telemark.
When is the best time?
The freeride descents are officially open from mid-December to mid-April, depending on snow; whether a secured route opens is decided by the rescue and piste service. Ski touring in Davos Klosters runs from December to June – in spring mainly at the Flüela pass, officially regarded as a ski touring paradise once the pass road is open.
The areas open in stages in 2026/27: Parsenn Davos from 13 November, Jakobshorn from 27 November until 11 April, closing last of all. Rinerhorn and Madrisa from 18 December to 29 March, Pischa from 26 December.
On spring tours: Spring ski touring in Davos Klosters.
Who guides you?
Three of our team guide here, all snow-sports instructors holding the Swiss federal diploma (eidgenössischer Fachausweis): Manuel and Ruedi on skis, Matteo on a snowboard.
One clarification we would rather make ourselves: we have no IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide on the team. If you are after a high alpine tour with rope, glacier and crampons, that is the qualification to ask for – and you should know it before you book. What we guide are freeride descents and ski tours in terrain we have known for years.
What guests say
Three Google reviews, quoted as written – on the avalanche course, a guided tour, and coaching in freestyle and freeride:
“Great avalanche training in Davos, super useful and well explained by Manuel. Definitely a must for anyone into freeride.”
— M. A., Google
“Great experience with Manuel as a guide. He adapted the tour to the expectations of each person in the group, gave us some very valuable tips and took us to some nice areas with powder in April!”
— Javier M., Google
“Matteo was an outstanding instructor and guide. He is truly an all-around expert in both freestyle and freeride, and his coaching made an immediate difference in my riding. … I also want to thank Fernanda from Ride and Smile for organizing everything on short notice and matching me with the perfect instructor.”
— Kaan A., Google
Frequently asked questions
Which mountain in Davos Klosters is most popular with freeride skiers? The Jakobshorn: both the descents and the way back to the lift are easy to find, and most of the terrain lies between the marked pistes and is checked for avalanche danger. The lift company’s warnings still apply.
Do I need a guide for freeride in Davos Klosters? Not strictly for the yellow marked ski routes; for everything else, yes. For ski touring beginners and anyone without avalanche and snow knowledge, we recommend a snow sports instructor with the Swiss federal diploma or a mountain guide. A guide gets you to the right slope on the right day and takes exactly those decisions.
At what avalanche danger level should you stay out of the backcountry? At level 3 “considerable” the SLF advises avoiding very steep slopes over 35 degrees, and at level 4 “high” restricting yourself to terrain under 30 degrees. Ninety-seven per cent of fatal avalanche accidents happen on terrain steeper than 30 degrees.
What equipment do I need for a ski tour? Touring skis or a splitboard, skins, touring boots and poles, plus a transceiver, probe and shovel – those three are inseparable. An avalanche airbag is additionally recommended. Rental packages are available daily at local shops such as Go Vertical, Bardill Sport and Gotschna Sport (Klosters).
Can I join as a ski touring beginner? Yes, if you ski or snowboard confidently – black pistes, controlled speed in poor visibility. Touring itself is what you learn on the course. If you have never been in powder, take a private lesson first.
How much does a freeride guide cost in Davos Klosters? Pricing depends on your chosen format: private half-day or full-day freeride coaching, custom ski touring itineraries, or our intensive full-day avalanche course. View real-time availability and book directly on our product pages: Freeride Guide, Ski Touring Guide, and Avalanche Safety Training.
How long is the freeride season in Davos Klosters? The marked freeride descents are open from mid-December to mid-April. Ski touring is possible from December to June, in spring mainly at the Flüela pass.
Your day in the backcountry
Tell us your level, your equipment and your preferred day – we propose the right format. Freeride Guide · Ski Touring Guide · Beginner Ski Touring Course · Avalanche Course
+41 81 543 10 87 · info@ride-and-smile.ch
Sources for public facts: SAC tour portal and SAC difficulty scale for ski tours (routes and grades), SLF (danger levels, slope-angle statistics, bulletin times, White Risk, accident statistics), the “Achtung Lawinen!” leaflet by SLF, SAC, BASPO, Swiss-Ski and Swiss Snowsports (emergency equipment), Haegeli et al. 2014 (airbag), Davos Klosters Bergbahnen (Facts and Figures, freeride routes, operating times, Pischa cable car announcement), davos.ch (freeride, ski tours, guide list), madrisa.ch (circuit), Go Vertical and Bardill Sport (rental prices 25/26). As of 10/09/2026.
