What's on in Davos, Switzerland through the year

Peak crowds — World Economic Forum, Christmas holidays in Switzerland

• Closure

  Fluela Pass closed

  5 Jan – 30 Apr · usually

  The high road east over the Fluela is gazetted shut from early January, later than most Graubunden passes since it was the main winter link before the Vereina tunnel opened, and the Engadine is reached by the car train through Vereina instead until the road clears in April or May. Source ↗

• Festival

  World Economic Forum

  14–26 Jan · usuallyClosuresCrowded

  For one week in January the town is fenced, checked at the road and the railway, and every bed for thirty kilometres is taken at several times the normal rate. Ski, but not here, that week. Source ↗

Still on: Ski season (1 Dec – 15 Apr (usually)), Langlauf season (1 Dec – 20 Mar (usually)), Avalanche season (10 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Fluela Pass closed (5 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Ski season (1 Dec – 15 Apr (usually)), Langlauf season (1 Dec – 20 Mar (usually)), Avalanche season (10 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Fluela Pass closed (5 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Ski season (1 Dec – 15 Apr (usually)), Langlauf season (1 Dec – 20 Mar (usually)), Avalanche season (10 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Easter holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

• Closure

  Between-seasons shutdown

  16–30 Apr · usually

  The lifts stop and a good share of the hotels and restaurants close for the two or three weeks between the last ski day in mid-April and the mountain railways' summer season, which the guest card discount starts on 1 May. It happens again for a shorter stretch in November. Source ↗

Still on: Fluela Pass closed (5 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Ski season (1 Dec – 15 Apr (usually)), Avalanche season (10 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Spring holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Opening

  Mountain railways open for summer

  1 May – 25 Oct · usuallyTrail season

  The mountain railways run their discounted summer season from May Day to late October, with the guest card that comes with a hotel stay knocking the return fare on the five home mountains down to a flat rate. Source ↗

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Nature

  Alpine meadows in flower

  15 Jun – 25 Jul · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  The meadows above the treeline and along the Fluela road flower for about six weeks after the snow goes, and are cut for hay soon after. It is the short window walkers plan around. Source ↗

Still on: Mountain railways open for summer (1 May – 25 Oct (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Mountain railways open for summer (1 May – 25 Oct (usually)), Alpine meadows in flower (15 Jun – 25 Jul (usually))

Peak crowds — Swiss National Day, Summer holidays in Switzerland

• Holiday

  Swiss National Day

  1 AugNational holidayClosures

  Bonfires on the ridges, a lakeside firework and everything except the restaurants closed for the day. The mountain railways run a holiday timetable and fill early. Source ↗

Still on: Mountain railways open for summer (1 May – 25 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Mountain railways open for summer (1 May – 25 Oct (usually))

Busy — Autumn holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Larches turn gold

  5–30 Oct · usuallyAutumn colour

  The larch forests above the valley go copper for about three weeks between the summer lifts closing and the snow arriving — the cheapest and emptiest good fortnight of the Davos year.

Still on: Mountain railways open for summer (1 May – 25 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Peak crowds — Spengler Cup, Christmas holidays in Switzerland

• Season

  Ski season

  1 Dec – 15 Apr · usually

  Six separate mountains on one pass, with the Parsenn running long descents to Klosters and the Jakobshorn given over to boards. The town sits high enough to hold its snow into April.

• Season

  Langlauf season

  1 Dec – 20 Mar · usuallySki season

  Davos has one of the largest cross-country networks in the Alps, tracked from the valley floor up the side valleys, and a World Cup weekend in December. Trails are free; the ski passes are not needed. Source ↗

• Hazard

  Avalanche season

  10 Dec – 15 Apr · usuallyClosures

  The national avalanche institute is based here, which tells you something. Backcountry and the passes run on the daily bulletin, and the roads out shut after the bigger storms. Source ↗

• Festival

  Spengler Cup

  26–31 DecMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world fills the rink between Christmas and New Year, and the town with it. Tickets and beds both go months ahead. Source ↗