AROSA & SHINE

Sunrise on the Swiss slopes

As the sun began to rise behind the white mountain tops of Arosa, I pulled down my goggles and started to zigzag down the slope, making fresh tracks in the virgin snow ahead of the crowds.

Where you might expect to ski alongside the world’s best in Klosters, or buy your next Gucci number in glam St Moritz, this Swiss resort ticks different boxes – old-fashioned and traditional.

The alpine village of Arosa is hidden away from the hustle and bustle, but what it lacks in flamboyance it more than makes up for in charm.

We stayed at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, and despite it being unassuming from the outside, the style is saved for Carlo Rampazzi’s designed interiors where modern art meets 80s funk, with the overall look luxurious yet not too formal.

But the best part about the hotel is its very own private mountain railway, where guests can take their skis from the boot room and be at the lifts within two-and-ahalf minutes.

So to make full use of it, we got up early on our first morning in the village and headed to the top of the mountain for breakfast.

We ate at the Weisshornhutte, a mountain hut at the top of the peak, before being first to step out on to the QUIRKY Skylight structures on hotel spa

slope, watch the sunrise then glide down the mountain. Idyllic.

The resort caters for all abilities. From wide pistes that encourage lengthy sweeping turns to sharp drops that make your heart race, Arosa is ideal for the whole family. After a morning of solid skiing, we had worked up an appetite and settled down for lunch at the Alpenblick, a cosy chaletstyle pit stop positioned halfway up the slope.

As we gazed up at the summit and the glorious blue sky, various cold platters of Swiss meat, hearty local sausages and cheese fondue were placed on the table.

The only downside to the cheese fondue is it can leave you feeling slightly bloated, but this is soon alleviated by ICE AND EARLY Best to get to slopes at sunrise