Grüsch: Winter Sports, Trails and Culture

Grüsch is in the canton of Graubünden and belongs to the Prättigau/Davos region. Since 1 January 2011, the municipality has included the villages of Grüsch, Fanas and Valzeina. The Prättigau stretches for around 40 kilometres between the narrow Klus gorge and the Silvretta region; green-shimmering Bündner slate mountains define the area. In Grüsch, you’ll find seasonal winter sports, hiking and biking trails, and culture at the Kulturhaus Rosengarten.

Winter Sports in Grüsch-Danusa

The winter offering at Grüsch-Danusa includes ski runs ranging from blue to black, boardercross and a fun park. Cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and sledging are also available. The children’s area is in the middle of the ski area, right next to the Schwänzelegg mountain station at an altitude of 1,800 metres. It has four magic carpets and ten different short runs. Beginners make their first turns in the large children’s area before continuing on the chairlift.

The FuXpark is also on the Danusa plateau, at an altitude of 1,800 metres. Its two courses each have four rails: one is designed for beginners, the other for slightly more advanced children. The Swiss Ski School Grüsch-Danusa teaches children and adults skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing, with group or private lessons available. As this is a winter activity, it’s a good idea to check current course availability before your trip.

The Grüsch ice rink also offers seasonal activities: it is open for skating from August to March. Friendly matches and league games of HC Prättigau-Herrschaft are played there on weekends, and spectators are welcome. From November, a hockey school is held every Tuesday from 17:15 to 18:15, where young hockey players learn to skate through play. Check match dates and current hockey school sessions in advance.

Hiking and Biking Trails

The Grüsch-Danusa panorama trail offers 360-degree views across the Prättigau as far as Klosters, of the Silvretta mountains and the Rhine Valley, and of the Rätikon range. The panorama hiking trail starts and ends at the Berghaus Schwänzelegg. There is a short 2-kilometre loop and a longer 4.6-kilometre loop. As access depends on the season, check current accessibility before setting out.

The municipality has numerous hiking and biking trails; interactive maps of the trails can be downloaded. Another option is the Vitaparcours fitness trail: it is 2.8 kilometres long and runs through fields and woodland. Along the route are 15 stations with a total of 43 exercise options. The trail is free to use at any time, alone or with others.

The easy Crupspitz Trail is 10.8 kilometres long and starts in the village of Grüsch. On the way back to Grüsch, it passes the ruins of Solavers Castle. The ruins are on the hiking trail between Grüsch and Seewis, above Seewis-Schmitten. They are freely accessible and open at all times; nevertheless, check access conditions before your visit. For e-bike trips, a route from Grüsch climbs mostly on paved agricultural improvement roads to the Valcaus mountain inn. Check the route conditions and the mountain inn’s availability before setting off.

Culture and Local History

Two-thirds of the Kulturhaus Rosengarten is open to the public, including the basement theatre and the Prättigau local history museum. The basement theatre presents a programme of theatre and concerts featuring local theatre groups and cabaret artists. As the programme may change, check the schedule if you’re planning to attend on a specific date. Public access to the cultural centre may also change.

The Prättigau local history museum is on the upper floor of the cultural centre and occupies four rooms. Its collection includes archaeological finds, alpine farming implements, historic toys, everyday ceramics by Lötscher, and traditional crafts from various professions. The Kulturhaus Rosengarten was built in the mid-16th century for the local noble family von Ott. The village’s townscape also features manor houses built by the Finer, von Ott and von Salis-Soglio families between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The history of St. Jodocus Church also goes back a long way: it was first mentioned in 1495 and demolished and relocated in 1720. Until the Reformation in 1561, Grüsch belonged to the parish of St. Johann in Schiers. Together with the museum and theatre programme, this local history offers another way to enjoy your stay culturally as well as through outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Arosa, Seewis in the Prättigau, Davos Wolfgang, Saas, Davos Platz, Schiers, Küblis, Furna

For the full travel overview: Prättigau-Davos.