Après-Ski in Davos: My Favorite Spots on & Around Jakobshorn
I’ve been going to Davos during ski season for the last two years, despite one small problem: I don’t actually know how to ski.
I took my first ski lesson last winter and, let’s just say, it’s not looking very promising for me.
Luckily, you absolutely do not need to know how to ski to enjoy one of my favorite parts of winter in Switzerland: après-ski.
Over the past two winters, Davos has become one of my favorite places to take friends when they visit us during ski season. My ideal day involves taking the lift up Jakobshorn, walking over to Jatzhütte, finding a spot outside in the sun, ordering a beer and macaroni Bolognese, and settling in for the afternoon.
And when it’s time to come down the mountain, the day doesn’t necessarily end there.
Here’s my favorite way to après-ski in Davos—from drinks on top of Jakobshorn to beers and darts later that night.
Jatzhütte: My Favorite Après-Ski Spot in Davos
If you only take one recommendation from this post, make it Jatzhütte.
Sitting high on Jakobshorn, Jatzhütte is exactly what I imagined après-ski in Switzerland would be like before moving here.
There’s an indoor restaurant and bar, but the outdoor area is what makes it special for me. On a nice winter day, the terrace fills with people sitting at tables, on benches and stretched out on lounge chairs overlooking the snowy mountains.
There’s music playing, drinks flowing and skiers coming in from the slopes throughout the afternoon.
The whole place just has a really fun energy.
I’ve been for the last two winter seasons now, and it’s become one of those places I automatically think of when friends come to visit during ski season.
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What I Order at Jatzhütte
Apparently I don’t need much variety when I find something I like.
Every time I go to Jatzhütte, I’m perfectly happy with macaroni Bolognese and a beer. They also have snacks like chicken nuggets and fries.
It’s warm, hearty mountain food and exactly what I want when I’m sitting outside surrounded by snow.
Jatzhütte does have a full restaurant and bar, though, so there are plenty of other food and drink options if macaroni Bolognese isn’t calling your name quite as loudly as it calls mine.
Honestly, the food is only part of why I keep coming back.
Give me a lounge chair, good music, a cold beer and that view and I can happily spend most of the afternoon there.
You Don’t Have to Ski to Visit Jatzhütte
This is probably my favorite thing about the experience.
I don’t ski to Jatzhütte.
You can take the cable car up Jakobshorn as a pedestrian and then walk from the upper station to the restaurant.
That makes it a really fun winter activity if you’re traveling with skiers but don’t ski yourself—or, like me, you’ve taken exactly one lesson and haven’t exactly discovered a hidden natural talent.
The walk isn’t something I’d do in regular city shoes, though. You’re still on a snowy mountain, so wear warm clothing and proper winter boots with good grip.
I’d also check the current pedestrian lift schedule and mountain conditions before heading up, since weather can affect mountain operations.
For the 2026/27 season, continuous winter operation on Jakobshorn is currently scheduled to begin December 4, 2026 and run through April 11, 2027, conditions permitting.
Check current Jakobshorn operating dates and mountain information
When Should You Go to Jatzhütte?
If you have some flexibility during your Davos trip, I’d choose a clear, sunny day.
So much of what I love about Jatzhütte is sitting outside.
Being bundled up in winter clothes while sitting in the sunshine with snow-covered mountains around you is part of the whole experience.
The atmosphere also builds throughout the afternoon as more people finish skiing and stop for food and drinks.
If you’re visiting as a pedestrian, just remember that you still need to pay attention to the last lift down. I wouldn’t get so comfortable with that second—or third—beer that you forget you still have to get off the mountain!
After Jatzhütte: Bolgen Plaza
Eventually, everyone has to come back down Jakobshorn.
But that doesn’t mean après-ski is over.
At the bottom of the mountain, near the Jakobshorn valley station, you’ll find Bolgen Plaza.
This is usually our next stop.
During ski season, it can get packed as everyone starts coming down from the mountain. There’s music, drinks, food and a big outdoor area, so it feels like a continuation of the party you just left above.
The atmosphere is different from Jatzhütte.
Jatzhütte is somewhere I’d specifically make plans to spend the afternoon. Bolgen Plaza is more like:
We’re all back at the bottom of the mountain…now what?
Apparently the answer is another beer.
Because it’s right at the bottom of Jakobshorn, it’s also incredibly convenient. You don’t have to figure out where to go next or travel across Davos immediately after coming down.
For me, Jatzhütte → Bolgen Plaza is the perfect combination.
Still Going? Beers & Darts at Caprizzi
If we’re still in the mood to go out later, I’ve also ended up at Caprizzi.
Caprizzi is a much smaller, more casual bar in Davos where we’ve gone for beers and darts.
There’s nothing particularly fancy about it, and that’s exactly what I like about it.
After spending the afternoon on a Swiss mountain surrounded by incredible views and a packed après-ski crowd, sometimes ending the night playing darts in a little local bar is exactly the move.
It’s a fun option to keep in mind if you aren’t ready to call it a night once Bolgen Plaza winds down.
My Ideal Après-Ski Day in Davos
If friends were visiting me this winter, this is exactly how I’d plan the day.
I’d head to Jakobshorn around late morning or early afternoon and take the cable car up as a pedestrian.
From there, we’d walk over to Jatzhütte and spend the afternoon outside.
I’d order my usual and beer, find somewhere in the sun and stay for the music and atmosphere.
Later in the afternoon, we’d take the lift back down and head to Bolgen Plaza for another drink with the post-ski crowd.
Then we’d probably head back to the hotel, warm up and decide whether we were done for the night.
And if the answer was no?
Beers and darts at Caprizzi.
Not a single ski required.
Where I Stayed in Davos
On one of my Davos trips, I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel Davos.
It’s right in Davos and fits the vibe of this kind of winter weekend really well. There’s a spa and pool along with restaurants and bars, so you have somewhere to relax once you’re done being outside for the day.
One important thing to know if you’re planning a 2026 trip: the hotel is currently closed during construction and is scheduled to reopen on December 15, 2026.
So if you’re planning to visit earlier in December, you’ll need to choose another hotel.
What to Wear for Après-Ski in Davos If You’re Not Skiing
You don’t need to dress like you’re about to spend eight hours skiing if you’re heading up Jakobshorn as a pedestrian.
But you are still going to be on a mountain in Switzerland in winter.
I’d wear warm layers, a proper winter coat, gloves, sunglasses and—most importantly—winter boots with good grip.
There is walking involved once you’re on the mountain, and snow and ice are not where I’d experiment with cute shoes that have zero traction.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are also worth bringing. A sunny day surrounded by snow can be surprisingly bright.
Is Davos Worth Visiting If You Don’t Ski?
Absolutely.
I think that’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve grown to love these Davos days.
I live in Switzerland, I’m surrounded by people who ski, and I’m still very much figuring out whether skiing and I are ever going to become friends.
But I love being in the mountains during winter.
I love taking the lift up, being surrounded by snow-covered peaks, sitting outside with friends, eating something warm, drinking a beer and watching everyone come off the slopes.
And Jatzhütte lets me experience that entire side of Swiss winter culture without requiring me to successfully get myself down a mountain on skis.
Maybe I’ll eventually get there.
Until then, I’ll be on the lounge chair with the macaroni Bolognese.
Planning an Après-Ski Trip to Davos
If you’re planning your own winter trip, I’d build your day around Jakobshorn and Jatzhütte, then leave the evening flexible.
Start on the mountain, continue at Bolgen Plaza once you come down, and head into Davos later if you’re still in the mood to keep going.
And if you’re traveling with a group where some people ski and others don’t, this is an especially fun way to spend the day. The skiers can enjoy Jakobshorn while the non-skiers head up separately, and everyone can meet at Jatzhütte.
Before going, always check current lift operations, pedestrian access, weather and Jatzhütte opening information. Mountain schedules can change depending on conditions.
Davos Klosters mountain information and operating times
Would I go back?
Considering I’ve already been two winters in a row and now take visiting friends there…
I think we know the answer.
Xx Sylvia
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