My escape to Arosa-Lenzerheide with the Eurobus Skiexpress

0 Shares

Update 2021: This ski bus transfer is no longer being offered.

There is a great German word that does not have an English translation as descriptive as it should: Schweinehund quite literally means "pig dog".

Schweinehund gets used in phrases like "Ich muss meinen inneren Schweinehund überwinden," which translates to: "I need to overcome my weaker self." We all know that feeling when you want to do something like go for a run, file your taxes or tidy your flat. But there are many reasons not to get started: it is raining, you are still waiting on a document, or Netflix keeps showing further episodes.

In the past few years, I have had a bit of an innere Schweinehund with skiing. Getting up early. Getting my gear together. Lugging it all to the train station. Struggling to find a seat. Not having anywhere to put my stuff nicely. Transferring from the train to the bus and hoping that I have everything with me.

I might be exaggerating to some degree, but let's be honest: there should be a better way that does not require me to drive in my own car or spend a night in a hotel by the slopes. I have good news: there is a better way. It is the Eurobus Skiexpress that will take you from a central pick-up spot in the city directly to Arosa-Lenzerheide. I have tried it out, and here is my review.

The Eurobus Skiexpress offers a smooth transfer to the slopes

A warning: you will still need to get up early! But once you reach the bus terminal, it is smooth sailing from there. In Zürich, the meeting point is right by the Hardbrücke train station. The seats on the bus are comfortable, and there are coffee, beverages, and free WiFi on the bus.

Your skiing gear disappears in the luggage compartment of the bus. No need to try and force it into a rack that is too small - or have it fall over. The best part is that the bus brings you directly to the lift with no additional transfers.

On a February weekend, Ich habe meinen inneren Schweinehund besiegt and I take the Eurobus Skiexpress straight to Arosa-Lenzerheide. The bus driver welcomes everyone at the station, helping us load our gear. Then we hit the road and I use the 1.5-hour journey to catch up on some sleep. Optionally, you could get off in Churwalden, a ski arena with morning sun which is connected to Lenzerheide (which is sunny in the afternoon).

Got no skis of your own? No problem.

The lift facilities in Lenzerheide have recently been updated and are comfortable to use. With a wide range of blue, red, and black pistes, there is skiing for everyone.

This is the cable car to the top of Rothorn, which links the Lenzerheide and Arosa ski arenas:

Those who are not into skiing could go for other winter activities, such as sledding, winter hiking, or snowshoeing. There are also delightful restaurants for when you get hungry. (This is where you might meet some of the locals - or Zürchers pretending to be locals...)

After a day on the slopes, take the easy way home

The mountains offer a resource that we are often lacking in the cities during those foggy winter months: sunlight. Once you have spent your day producing vitamin D, getting back home is a breeze. This is the time of day when other snow enthusiasts need to trek back to their cars or make the long trip home with transfers. Do you know that feeling when you are hauling your ski gear and a freezing cold drop of melted snow hits the back of your neck and travels down your back, causing you to shiver?

No such moment for me as I lean back in my seat on the Eurobus, warming my hands with a cup of hot coffee. It is no secret that travelers on the Eurobus Skiexpress go from lift to bus in a few steps and sit comfortably the entire way back to the city. After a day of sun, fresh air, and altitude, I use the ride home to sleep even more...