Davos, Switzerland — The eyes of the world this week have been tuned into a small Swiss ski town.
From January 19th through the 23rd, the World Economic Forum is taking place in the ski town of Davos. The event brings together many world leaders, business executives, celebrities, and other notable dignitaries to discuss current events around the world. Not much to discuss this year, it appears.
Each year, there’s a theme, with this year’s being A Spirit of Dialogue. This year’s events are getting a little bit more attention than usual due to President Trump’s ambitions to acquire Greenland. Justified or not, this has frustrated notable U.S. allies in NATO, leading to greater attention to their delegations’ speeches.
So why is this major event happening in Davos, a quaint ski town in Switzerland? Here’s the historical context behind the location, along with what the skiing is like there.
Why Davos?
Back in 1971, Professor Klaus Schaub founded the European Management Forum, which was intended to discuss business strategies to compete with American companies. Klaus chose Davos for its peaceful surroundings, which allow leaders to unwind and focus on dialogue rather than outside noise. He was also inspired by the book The Magic Mountain, set in Davos.
Eventually, as more foreign conflicts and financial issues impacted the planet, the forum began to allow government leaders to participate. The event changed its name to the World Economic Forum in 1987, which has been formally known as such since.
The Ski Resort
While most who attend the World Economic Forum aren’t there for skiing, Davos Klosters still offers a great skiing experience.
Overall, the resort comprises six separate ski areas. For the most tenured skiers, Pischa is the go-to choice, as there are no groomed runs there. Parsenn is great for carvers, as it’s home to one of Switzerland’s longest ski slopes. Schatzalp-Strela is a historic, relaxed ski resort that inspired The Magic Mountain. Madrisa is the ideal mountain for families. Rinerhorn is described as a hidden gem for families and also features night skiing. The newest run is situated at Jakobshorn, with a 1000 km vertical drop that ski racer Jasmine Flury loves.
As a whole, the ski resort consists of around 300 kms of trails and 57 lifts. Other winter activities include fat biking, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice mini golf.
Image/Video Credits: Damian Markutt, CNBC, World Economic Forum, Davos Klosters
