Graubünden, Switzerland’s largest canton, is home to two of the most storied names in Alpine skiing — and they could hardly be more different. St Moritz is the world’s original winter resort and still its most glamorous: twice an Olympic host, home to polo on a frozen lake and the hair-raising Cresta Run, and a magnet for the international jet set. Davos, barely 60km away, is Europe’s highest town, Switzerland’s largest ski area, host of the World Economic Forum, and the long-time winter home of King Charles III via its neighbour Klosters. Same canton, two completely different holidays. Here’s how they compare.
Quick Comparison
| St Moritz | Davos | |
|---|---|---|
| Base / Summit | 1,822m / 3,303m (Piz Corvatsch) | 1,560m / 2,844m (Weissfluhjoch) |
| Skiable area | 350km (Engadin St Moritz) | 320km (Davos Klosters) |
| Lifts | 56 | 56 |
| Famous for | Glamour, White Turf polo, Cresta Run, two Winter Olympics | WEF, Europe’s highest town, Klosters connection |
| Town character | Ultra-luxury, international jet set | Working Swiss town, more democratic |
| Price level | Among the most expensive in Switzerland | Premium, but notably cheaper |
| Nearest airport | Zurich (approx. 3hrs by road or rail) | Zurich (approx. 2hrs by direct train) |
| Best for | Luxury travellers, prestige, non-ski glamour | Value, terrain variety, authentic Swiss atmosphere |
The Mountain
On paper the two are close — 350km of pistes in the Engadin around St Moritz versus 320km across Davos Klosters — but they’re organised very differently. St Moritz skiing splits into three main sectors: sunny Corviglia above the town, Corvatsch with its 3,303m summit and the region’s best vertical, and glacier-flanked Diavolezza/Lagalb further up the valley. Davos spreads across five areas — Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Pischa, Rinerhorn and Klosters’ Madrisa — giving it arguably more variety day to day. Parsenn is the jewel: its long descents from the Weissfluhjoch, including the classic run down to Küblis, rank among Switzerland’s great ski journeys. Jakobshorn adds one of the country’s best freestyle parks. Snow is reliable at altitude in both; Davos’s north-facing Parsenn slopes hold their snow particularly well, while the Engadin’s famously sunny microclimate can crust lower slopes even as the upper mountain stays in top condition.
Town & Prestige
This is where the two resorts diverge completely. St Moritz essentially invented glamorous winter tourism and has never looked back. It hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, and its winter calendar remains unique: White Turf horse racing and polo on the frozen lake, the terrifying Cresta Run skeleton toboggan course, and the historic Bob Run. Grand hotels like Badrutt’s Palace and the Kulm anchor a town of art galleries, boutiques and haute cuisine, drawing a fashion-forward international crowd that treats skiing as just one item on the menu.
Davos is a different animal: a real working town — the highest in Europe at 1,560m — with schools, hospitals and year-round life. It’s less pretty and less polished, but many find it more authentic, and the atmosphere is decidedly more democratic. Its claim to global fame is the World Economic Forum each January, when world leaders and CEOs descend on the town. Practical note: WEF week means heavy security, crowded transport and inflated hotel prices — skiers should avoid late January or embrace the spectacle. Neighbouring Klosters, quiet and villagey, has been King Charles III’s favourite ski base for decades.
Getting There
Both resorts are reached from Zurich, but Davos wins on convenience: a direct, famously scenic train gets you there in around two hours. St Moritz takes roughly three hours by road or rail and usually involves a change at Chur — though the rail approach over the Albula line (shared with the Glacier Express and close to the Bernina Express route) is one of the world’s great train journeys, so many treat the longer trip as part of the holiday.
Price
Switzerland is expensive; St Moritz is expensive even by Swiss standards. Five-star palace hotels, Michelin-starred dining and champagne-bar mountain restaurants set the tone, and prices follow. Davos and Klosters sit at a premium level but are meaningfully cheaper across hotels, restaurants and après-ski. For comparable comfort, expect your money to go noticeably further in Davos — with the caveat that WEF week in January briefly turns Davos into one of the priciest places on earth.
Beyond the Slopes
St Moritz is arguably the world capital of non-ski winter sport: polo and horse racing on the frozen lake, the Cresta Run, Olympic bobsled, plus world-class shopping, galleries and spas. Davos counters with big-town amenities, one of Europe’s largest natural ice rinks, superb cross-country skiing, and the buzz (or circus) of the WEF each January. Cross-country devotees should note the Engadin valley around St Moritz hosts the famous Engadin Skimarathon each March.
Verdict
Choose St Moritz for the ultimate luxury ski experience: prestige, Olympic heritage, frozen-lake glamour and the best non-skiing calendar in the Alps.
Choose Davos for more varied terrain across five sectors, better value, an authentic working Swiss town, the Klosters connection, and the easiest journey — a direct scenic train from Zurich in two hours.
Plan Your Trip
Browse activities, ski passes and experiences: St Moritz tours & activities · Davos tours & activities
FAQ
Is St Moritz or Davos more expensive?
St Moritz is significantly more expensive — it ranks among the priciest resorts in Switzerland, with palace hotels and haute cuisine setting the tone. Davos is premium but meaningfully cheaper, except during WEF week in January when prices spike.
What is the Cresta Run?
The Cresta Run is St Moritz’s legendary natural-ice skeleton toboggan track, dating from 1885. Riders descend head-first at high speed, and daring visitors can book beginner rides during winter.
What is Davos famous for besides skiing?
Davos hosts the World Economic Forum every January, drawing world leaders and CEOs. It’s also Europe’s highest town at 1,560m, a historic health-resort centre, and offers excellent cross-country skiing and ice sports.
Can you ski between Davos and Klosters?
Yes — Davos and Klosters share the Davos Klosters lift pass and 320km of pistes. The Parsenn sector links the two sides, and the classic Weissfluhjoch-to-Küblis run finishes near Klosters, with trains connecting the valley towns.
Which is better for families?
Davos generally suits families better: more terrain variety, gentler prices, a real town with plentiful amenities, and quiet, family-friendly Klosters next door. St Moritz caters well to families who want luxury, but at a much higher cost.