Autumn, the leaves are falling from the trees... Mother Hulda gently shakes her pillows for the first time, the first glacier ski areas open their doors, powder addicts wake up from their summer slumber and start to check the weather situation and fresh snow forecasts every day full of hope.
The snowfall at this time of year is rather homeopathic, even at high altitudes, which is why real downhill fun is rare. The glaciers with their many insufficiently covered crevasses are also more reminiscent of Russian roulette than powder adventures. That's why we urgently need a substitute refreshment for our souls: off to the Alps for another proper freeride session on our bikes before the mountain railroads start to overhaul before the winter season begins.
The destination of the trip was to be Arosa in beautiful Graubünden (Switzerland). The cheap day ticket for only 8.- sFr was a good reason to take advantage of this offer (incl. swimming pool, golf, parking, cuddling on a pedal boat on a romantic lake...).
Unfortunately, the advertised bike downhill route is only a medium-stretch gravel forest path. There are a few nice jumps, but nothing more. With the exception of a single alpine hiking trail, the entire mountain flank seems to have been leveled for the masses and offers no exciting experiences for adventure-seekers, neither in summer nor in winter. Construction machine fans, however, will certainly get their money's worth in summer with the massive earthworks for slopes, reservoirs and other activities for future artificial snow measures.
After exploring the only real trail, the lift attendant angrily pointed out to us that we were absolutely not allowed to ride off the downhill route because a hiker had complained, our patience was at an end. Even attempts to convince us that, firstly, we hadn't seen a hiker and, secondly, that red socks always get on well with us exemplary bikers, were unsuccessful. Only the trail over the Urdental valley to Tschirtschen met our expectations of a quiet but eventful trail. After around 1000 vertical meters of fine snow-covered single trail, we took the Rhaetian Railway back to Arosa after a short intermediate ascent from St. Peter.
Because the promised swimming pool in Arosa turned out to be a closed mountain lake and the golf course was also successfully hiding from us, the decision was made: Arosa, it was nice to have seen, but nothing more!
We hoped to improve this rather meagre yield
one valley further on in Lenzerheide. On the Parpaner Rothorn, there is a downhill route in the lower sector of the lift, while in the upper sector there are some alpine hiking trails as well as the famous route of the "Bike-Attack"race to explore. The snowfall from the previous week persisted at altitudes of up to 2861m on the Rothorn. 20-40cm of snow on alpine trails is very exciting to ride. Sometimes you wish that the material helicopter would just quickly change your sports equipment.
But even without it, the challenge of powder biking was really fun. The rough south-facing trails, especially the one from Parpaner Rothorn down to Lenzerheide, were nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, first class - an absolute recommendation for technically experienced riders. After a short roll-in on a scree trail, blocked passages alternate with steep technical sections and flowing meadow sections at an incredible 1400m. In the eyes of all fellow riders, this is one of the dream trails that you have to ride. Yes, it's really hard work, but there are definitely more unpleasant things.
Since you can gain a lot of altitude if you are in good shape and have sturdy brakes, the 29 euros for the day pass are well worth it.
After around 7,000 meters, we had truly had enough and relaxed our tired bones a little in the sun at the beautiful Heidsee lake right next to the Rothorn valley station. The crowning glory of the trip was the short stopover at the local Eurospar in Lenz. Delicious cheese from the region, meat from Bünder and an extra portion of chocolate - to make the wait for the next visit a little more pleasant. Lenzerheide, we'll be back!
Infos
Day ticket (summer): 44.- sFr or 29.- Euro (4 lifts open for bikers)
Day ticket (winter): 50.- sFr (weekdays); 62.- sFr (Sat/Sun).
