Winter sports

Arolla, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is the ideal destination for lovers of winter activities.

An ideal environment

Arolla, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is the ideal destination for lovers of winter activities: skiing, snowshoe trekking, ice cave visits, dog sledding and winter walks.

At the heart of the easily accessible Val d’Hérens, Arolla is an ideal starting point for conquering the peaks. Thanks to the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus’s privileged ski-in / ski-out location, you can set off from the hotel’s doorstep for some great ski touring, with access to mountain huts and glaciers amidst vast snow-covered landscapes.

Ski touring, heliskiing, free-ride, ice climbing… dare to be adventurous and book your Arolla Experience.

Ski Mountaineering

Arolla, land of rest and contemplation but also and above all, a mecca of ski mountaineering. Surrounded by the peaks, the Grand Hotel & Kurhaus has welcomed since its creation seasoned mountaineers, and sportsmen who seek to gain height. The Val d’Hérens has the chance to host two beautiful races for ski mountaineering enthusiasts: the Patrouille de la Maya, the Patrouille des Aiguilles Rouges and the famous Patrouille des Glaciers.

On the trajectory between Verbier and Zermatt, our hotel is the ideal place to prepare your race, and allows you to go ski-on-foot to climb the peaks and hurtle down the snowy slopes of this valley floor.

Ski Alpin

Ski, Ski, Ski !

The ski resort is right next to the hotel. When snow permitting, you can ski right from the hotel.
More information on the Val d’Hérens website

Ski touring with a guide

Freedom!

Ski touring with initiation to avalanche risks and study of the snowpack.

CHF 500 per day / group of 2 to 5 people

Contact us : +41.27.283.70.00

Flying with Sam

Free as bird!

Discovering breathtaking landscapes by paragliding with Samuel

CHF 150.00 for a discovery flight

Contact us : +41.27.283.70.00

Ice climbing with Graham

Vertical Limit!

Initiate yourself to ice climbing, like real mountaineers.

CHF 500 per day / group of 2 to 6 people

Contact us : +41.27.283.70.00

Snowshoeing with Thierry

Follow the guide!

A route that will delight everyone, young and old alike.

CHF 300 per half-day / group of 2 to 8 people

Contact us : +41.27.283.70.00

Freeride with Dédé

Adrenalin!

Discover the Val d’Herens while enjoying the powder snow in 4 resorts

CHF 645 per day / group of 2 to 3 people

Contact us : +41.27.283.70.00

Heliskiing with Dédé

Top of the world!

From the hotel, take off for the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla for an incredible experience.

CHF 1’330 per day / group of 2 to 3 people

Contact us : +41.27.283.70.00

UNSPOILT AND ACCESSIBLE

Take your challenge

The Swiss Alps are the ultimate destination for winter sports enthusiasts. In an unspoilt but accessible location, the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus offers the ideal base for tackling the mountainous terrain. Go it alone or rely on our local team of experts to help you organise off-piste and heliskiing, freeriding, ski touring, and ski mountaineering, as well as snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and dog sledding.

A HISTORY OF ADVENTURE

Heart of the community

For years, the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus has hosted adventurers from across the globe, while at the same time welcoming locals from the towns and villages that dot the valley. Among our early guests were Everest pioneers Mallory and Hillary, and, more recently, members of the Swiss Army taking part in the famous Patrouille des Glaciers race. We’re also perfectly positioned along the Haute Route Ski Tour, the most famous such course in the Alps. Today, guests are just as likely to rub shoulders with mountaineers and athletes as they are with local skiers who’ve stopped en route for refreshment.

FAMILY AND FESTIVITY

Seasonal activities for all

A variety of sports and seasonal activities run throughout winter, tailored to the abilities and interests of our visitors. Dog sledding and visits to ice caves are an enchanting part of winter at the Kurhaus, while snowshoeing and fondue under the stars offer romance and seclusion for couples.

HELISKIING

Ski-in, ski-out; on tracks, off-piste

From the Arolla ski domain, skiers have access to ten mountain refuges, six glaciers and tens of thousands of acres of untouched virgin skiing. Looking for a something a bit different? Visitors to the Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus can take advantage of our unique heli-skiing sites for both pick up (five minutes from the hotel) and drop off at 3,780m, one of only two such locations in Switzerland.

On tracks of the world wide famous Patrouille des Glaciers

In the footsteps of the Patrouilles des Glaciers, the famous race that crosses the high peaks between Zermatt and Verbier. Arolla is at the heart of this event, and when conditions are less dangerous we encourage you to contact us if you too would like to follow in their footsteps. We’ll help you find the perfect guide to realize your dream and become a Patrouilleur!