Discover the beautiful resort of Arosa for an altogether different summer holiday experience.

We’ve made the mountains our home and have been unlocking their potential for thousands of skiers for many years, so it is with great excitement that we pres- ent our new Swiss mountain adventure programme in Arosa. Following our successful pilot launch last summer, we are brimming with ideas and suggestions to bring new adventures to life for families looking for a more active holiday they can share together.

We selected Arosa thanks to its unique location at the end of a high alpine valley, surrounded by beautiful peaks which shelter the resort and create a wonderful summer micro-climate. With no transit traffic through the village, the atmosphere is calm and quiet and the air is particularly pure. It is no coincidence that Arosa was such an important wellness resort back when patients were prescribed clean mountain air to help with respiratory diseases. You’ll feel a million miles from the crowds and the bustle of the city or the packed beaches of the Mediterranean as you tie up your laces and embark on your morning adventure!

“The resort is very calm and beautiful during the summer when the busy winter atmosphere is replaced by a much more relaxed pace of life! Nothing compares to the beauty of the Alps; the snow-capped mountains sharply contrasting with the vast greenery and the echo of cowbells is mesmerising, combined with the summer ushering in longer lazier days, truly makes it a magical place to be.”

You’ll be taken care of by our experienced team who will coordinate all your arrangements, support you with local shuttles and deliver our exciting supervised morning programmes for children in our Mountain Scallywags Programme (active 4-7 year olds) and our PB Mountain Acad- emy (9 years+). Our daily activities will keep kids active and entertained for full mornings with the option to include a supervised lunch. Which means you can indulge in the facilities of your chosen hotel, or take to the mountains for your own adventures before afternoons spent together as a family enjoying all the resort has to offer.

We caught up with Kerri-Ann, who oversaw our pilot progamme last summer, and asked her to share her insights about the programme and what worked so well:

Q: What worked well for the kids in your programme?
“We pride ourselves on our kids clubs. No matter the season, the programmes are filled with energy and adventure, where children can build on existing skills as well as acquire new ones. We ultimately prioritise the safety and enjoyment of the children whilst also ensuring that they feel comfortable and are engaging with the activities and having lots of FUN! It is our priority that every element of their Powder Byrne experience is delivered by people that really care”

Q: What did you get up to and what stands out as particularly successful?
“The children were full of mountain energy and so was the programme! The week was filled with stimulating and age-appropriate activities such as mountain biking, archery and climbing and high ropes at the rope park. The mountain biking pro- gramme was truly fantastic and a huge hit with the children. With the help of a kind and knowledgeable instructor, we were able to master the basics in the skill centre, where there are four different practice trials and a magic carpet, the perfect infrastructure for beginners and intermediate bikers who wish to refine their techniques. Once we had mastered the skill centre, we could go further afield, on local trails, and in our second session, we could head up the mountain on the Hornli-Express, and complete the Hornli trail, unique to the Alpine region. 6.8km long, and the topographical conditions allow for the flow trail to be ridden by practically all skill levels and if you wanted to cheat on any uphill sections you can always rent an Ebike!

The Archery programme exceed expectations, follow- ing a marked trail through rough terrain, past water- falls and wild gorges. The quarry are lifelike replicas of wild animals which young hunters have to stalk and hit with their bow and arrow. The course offers an exciting experience for all levels, simulating real-life situations, and was highly recommended by the group.”

Q: Share with us some of the highlights for families to enjoy in Arosa?
to enjoy in Arosa?

“There is an abundance of activities available in Arosa for families. Especially with the complimen- tary Arosa all-inclusive card, available to all guests who stay overnight. The Arosa Card enables you to use many leisure activities, including the resort lifts. Rain or shine, there is endless fun to be had. The bear sanctuary is a highlight, where you can spend time with bears that have been rescued from the circus and given a new lease of life back in their mountain habitat. However, a trip to The Bear Sanctuary is not complete without visiting the Weisshorn sculpture, located on the Weisshorn summit, offering 360° views of more than 400 mountain peaks in Switzerland and neighbouring countries. Unmissable, the bear sculpture stands proudly at 2,653 metres above sea level.

In addition, the squirrel trail is a great family activity for younger kids, where the wild squirrels come up close and eat directly from the palm of your hand, enchanting both adults and children. Pedalos and canoeing are available free of charge at Lake Obersee, with beautiful views of the town and mountains for those who prefer to be on the water.”

Q: Whilst the children are with you in the Mountain Adventure Academy Programme, what sort of activities can adults get up to?
“Adults can have just as much fun as Children in Arosa, with both exhilarating and relaxing activities available. Adults can enjoy hiking, mountain biking or E-biking, both guided or solo, horseback riding across the mountains, yoga as well as amazing mountain restaurants. In total, there are 200 km of summer hiking trails, from easy walks to long-distance treks. Some of them start from the resort, others are reachable by cable car further up the mountains. If golf is your thing, then look no further, as Arosa is proud to offer one of Europe’s highest golf courses. The 9-hole course was built in 1945 as one of Switzerland’s first golf courses. After adventures, there plenty of time for a peaceful afternoon spent at the swimming lake or in the hotel spa.”

Q: What would you say was your favourite place in Arosa?
“My favourite place in Arosa is Lake Untersee, also known as the Lido. I would describe it as a haven, with the idyllic freshwater swimming available, diving boards, a floating inflatable trampoline, a beach volleyball court, and so much more to keep all of the family entertained. The restaurant Strandbad, located right next to the lake, offers a cosy atmos- phere, with a big sun terrace serving a great menu, cold drinks and delicious ice creams.”

Q: What are your top recommendations for dining in Arosa?
“The dining options in Arosa are endless, with many restaurants that appeal to families and also more elegant, fine dining options for adults (evening babysitting available with our team). Bullrian and Aifach are recommended for adults with their tast- ing menus offering sensational and memorable food journeys. Le Bistro is another wonderful choice, with its ever-changing daily menu of fresh fish, meats and seasonal vegetables, and holds 14 Gault Millau points. My top recommendations for family dining include La Famiglia, for lovers of Italian cuisine, and Güterschuppen, a converted train station building that opened in 2018 and serves delicious wood-fired meat, fish and vegetables, with lovely terrace views of Lake Obersee. The majority of restaurants have terraces for al fresco dining during the warm sum- mer months, and for those who wish to dine up the mountain, Alp Arosa and Alpenblick are wonderful options that offer incomparable views of Arosa and the surrounding landscape, serving food carefully selected from the local region.”

Q: One of Arosa's great advantages is its proximity to nearby resorts. Would you recommend taking a day trip outside of Arosa?
“Venturing out to Lenzerheide for the day is a great opportunity for those wishing to explore further afield. With more adventurous water sports options available on the crystal-clear Heidsee Lake, such as windsurfing, sailing and paddle boarding, there are endless possibilities for hours of fun. The journey to Lenzerheide is all part of the big adventure day, involving a few lifts and a picturesque hike across the mountains. Across the Swiss Alps in the summer, endless high-and-mighty mountains, glittering glaciers, and turquoise lakes are waiting for your memories and experiences you and your children will never forget.”

Join us in Arosa for a unique summer adventure. Combine your stay with a few nights in Zurich to soak up the summer vibes and visit fascinating museums, enjoy world-class shopping, visit the interactive Lindt Chocolate Factory and dine at spectacular restaurants. We’ll be delighted to put together a personalised proposal so you can enjoy a truly special Swiss Summer adventure with Powder Byrne.

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