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Davos
Overview
Davos (UK: , US: ; German: [daˈfoːs] or [daˈvoːs] ; Romansh: ; Old Italian: Tavate) is an Alpine resort town and municipality in the Prättigau/Davos Region in the canton of the Grisons, Switzerland. It has a permanent population of 10,832 (2020). Davos is located on the river Landwasser, in the Rhaetian Alps, between the Plessur and Albula Ranges.
The municipality covers nearly the entire valley of the Landwasser, and the centre of population, economic activity and administration is two adjacent villages, Davos Dorf (engl.: Davos Village) and Davos Platz (Davos Place), which are 1,560 m (5,120 ft) above sea level.
Gaining prominence in the 19th century as a mountain health resort, Davos is perhaps best known today for hosting the World Economic Forum, an annual meeting of global political and corporate leaders. With its long history of winter sports, Davos also has one of Switzerland's largest ski resorts and hosts the international Spengler Cup, an ice hockey tournament, every December.
Facts
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Source
WBP almanac
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Media
From Wikipedia4,433 words
WBP editorial3
Beyond the Forum: Davos in winter
While Davos is synonymous with the annual economic summit, its ski domain stretches over 300 kilometres of pistes that rival any Alpine resort. The town’s layout, split between the older Davos Dorf and the more cosmopolitan Davos Platz, means you can glide from quiet, forest‑lined runs to high‑altitude, wind‑swept bowls without leaving the municipal borders. Night skiing on the Parsenn plateau, illuminated by low‑angle moonlight, offers a rare sense of solitude that the bustling conference centre never provides. After a day's descent, locals favour the communal “chuchi” – small mountain huts serving hearty raclette and mulled wine – as a relaxed counterpoint to the formal networking lunches elsewhere.
Seasonal rhythm: when the lakes melt
Come late spring, the meltwater that feeds Lake Davos swells, turning the shoreline into a mosaic of shallow lagoons and reed beds. This is the optimal period for anglers and birdwatchers, who can spot the occasional black‑spotted stickleback and a flock of curlew migrating through the valley. The surrounding meadows, freshly carpeted with alpine herbs, are perfect for guided walks that combine botany with folklore; locals will point out the plant traditionally used to flavour the region’s herbal liqueur, a practice that predates the town’s modern tourism boom. Photographers also benefit from the soft, diffused light that the higher peaks cast over the water during this transitional phase.