Surselva (Winter)

West of Chur, the Surselva region is a broad valley watched over by towering peaks. Many locals speak Romansch, a Romance language spoken only in a few small pockets here in Graubunden. The main resort area is the Alpenarena, which consists of the adjacent towns of Laax, Flims and Falera. Unlike nearby Davos and Arosa, the Alpenarena is little known to American tourists, but it offers slightly lower prices and a family atmosphere. Most guests rent a holiday apartment or chalet for a week at a time, but there are also several very fine hotels. Skiing and snowboarding are excellent, with 29 lifts and 140 miles of pistes. With a vast ...

West of Chur, the Surselva region is a broad valley watched over by towering peaks. Many locals speak Romansch, a Romance language spoken only in a few small pockets here in Graubunden. The main resort area is the Alpenarena, which consists of the adjacent towns of Laax, Flims and Falera. Unlike nearby Davos and Arosa, the Alpenarena is little known to American tourists, but it offers slightly lower prices and a family atmosphere. Most guests rent a holiday apartment or chalet for a week at a time, but there are also several very fine hotels. Skiing and snowboarding are excellent, with 29 lifts and 140 miles of pistes. With a vast network of cross-country tracks and two thrilling sled runs, the area has no end of winter sports opportunities for the whole family. These are modern resorts that focus on winter sports, so there's little in the way of quaint Alpine architecture, shopping or nightlife. For a day out, take the charming Rhaetian Railway farther up the valley to the picturesque towns of Disentis or Ilanz.

About the Expert

Charlie Morris is the author of the Open Road guidebooks Best of Honduras, Best of Costa Rica, Best of Belize, and Switzerland Guide.