Looking at taking my family to Graubünden for a holiday for a week at the End of May next year we are Blue/red route riders. It will be our first Alps Trip.
Looking for other people’s experiences and advice
How did you get there?
Currently thinking of driving but the plane/train my work out better.
Where best to base ourselves?
Currently top of the list is St. Moritz as it seems to have a good mix of trails, we should be capable of riding.
Hi Blake, you've timed your question amazingly with the article on the front page!
info below, but before that: CAVEAT:
However, and its a big one: the lifts, which shut down sometime after easter, will not be open again until the end of June. This year that was June 29th. Now, Graubünden is unusual as it stays open really late well into October), but it is high, and in May most everything above 2000 will be covered with snow still.
Graubunden is just the most amazing place to ride - there is some very good bike park stuff, but really the winner for Davos, Klosters, St, Moritz, Lenzerheide and Flims/Laax is the staggering amount of amazing, endless, single track.
Obviously its alps, so things labeled as moderate (red) are going to be a bit of a step up form UK trail centre trails, but so rewarding to ride.
For a base, I can only talk from my experience. I know Davos and Flims well - Davos we have stayed many times and its great for families. Flims is great for a day, but I'm not sure I'd want to stay there (could be wrong) for a family holiday. Lenzerheide looks awesome, ridden there, but not stayed. Beautiful lake etc, nice town, could be a great base. St. Moritz would be lovely.
If you drive, remember to buy a vignette which allows you to drive on the motorways (you can buy one at the border - and make sure you stick it to your windscreen (if its not 'stuck', you'll get fined). Public transport would eb easy to Davos/St. moritz- fly to Zurich, then get the train directly there.
Having a car might give you flexibility to hit all the resorts though.
Something to think about, let me know if you've any other questions.
Thanks for the reply. I have been meaning to put up this post for a while the front page story just reminded me to do it.
I did worry about snow in May as I know when I went riding in the pyrenees in May some of the passes still had a foot of snow.
Thanks for the advice I will send you a PM once I have sorted out my questions but I think first off is we might need to postpone until later in the year
Aye, its those bloody details that always bugger things up.
I will say that it is a truly stunning place to be. Stunning. Totally worth the effort if you can swing it when the lifts are open.