This Charming Swiss Ski Village Has Been a British Royal Family Favorite for Decades—With 5 Ski Areas and 80+ Runs
This Charming Swiss Ski Village Has Been a British Royal Family Favorite for Decades—With 5 Ski Areas and 80+ Runs
Michael CappettaMon, September 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM UTC
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Parsenn is a ski resort above Davos and belongs to the winter sports area Davos Klosters Mountains.Credit: STARPICS/Getty Images
While members of the royal family receive unique privileges and major perks, one of their favorite ski slopes is accessible to everyone. Located on the eastern border of Switzerland near Austria, the Davos Kloster Mountains have attracted members of the royal family for generations. With the region being home to five different mountains and over 80 individual runs there are endless opportunities to enjoy the slopes. There’s also a variety of accommodations to choose from including hotel stays and apartments.
And even though, according to Hello! magazine, King Charles, 77, admitted earlier this year that “my skiing days are behind me,” it’s well documented that he, along with his late ex-wife Princess Diana, his former sister-in-law Sarah Ferguson and sons Prince William and Prince Harry, frequented the mountain area throughout the 80s and 90s. “It’s the quality of the skiing, he knows a lot of people here, he’s comfortable on the mountains, he loves the restaurants, it’s just a second home to him,” a correspondent told The in 1996. “This is his idea of bliss—especially with the boys.”
While the mountain may have the royal seal of approval, travel expert and founder of East End Taste, Vanessa Gordon, also shared with Travel + Leisure last year why it’s her favorite European ski destination.
“What makes it so special is how seamlessly it blends world-class skiing with an abundance of activities for all ages and interests without the sense of feeling overwhelming,” Gordon said. “Davos has a vibrant and down-to-earth energy with great shopping, cafés, and even a full grocery store in the town center, while Klosters offers that idyllic, storybook alpine charm.”
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The Davos Kloster Mountains, which offers a variety of ski passes and ticket packages, are complete with dozens of onsite eateries and nightlife options. In addition to skiing, the resort also offers activities including winter hiking, snow shoeing, and paragliding.
In the warmer months visitors can take advantage of hiking and trail running.
Beyond air and road travel, Klosters is also uniquely accessible by train via the Rhaetian Railway which provides breathtaking views and has been described as a “marvel of railway engineering” as it traverses through mountains.
on Travel & Leisure
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
