Photo Story: The Unwinnable Race - Trying to Beat Winter in Davos, Switzerland

Nov 16, 2020
by ASSOSofSwitzerland  


There are a few races that you can't win, one is to beat the onset of winter in the Swiss Alps in late fall. That is why we headed up to the iconic location of Davos for one last all-mountain adventure before the first snowfall.


Rather than follow the crowds we tuned into a whisper we'd heard about an amazing mountain hut hidden in the mountains that surround Davos: Kesch-Hütte.

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From the early morning frost as we unloaded our bikes through to traces of snowfall at our highest point, before warm sun as we rested by some hidden mountain lakes, we experienced every season on these natural trails.

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The Kesch-Hütte sits on a ridge under a large glacier. It's as impressive as we'd heard. After the tough climb, stoke levels are high and we are rewarded with some fresh nut-cake as the sun rolled closer to the horizon.

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Accompanied by the setting sun, we dropped down the final descent, racing to catch a train back up the valley to Davos under the light of our head torches.

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The perfect way to wrap up the summer riding season, we sat proud that evening, recalling the ride as the aforementioned snow hit, and winter won once again.

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Find out more about the kit:

Men's

Women's

Thanks to:

Riders: Francie Arthur and Florian Vogel.

Location: Davos, Switzerland – Thanks to Davos Tourism

Video: Marc Welschinger

Photography and Words: Phil Gale / Emmie Collinge

Posted In:
Stories


Author Info:
ASSOSofSwitzerland avatar

Member since Sep 10, 2019
3 articles

20 Comments
  • 3 0
 heya I'm thinking about moving to the swiss alps soon, but I'm worried about only being able to ride for about 5 months, is there anywhere in Switzerland to ride during the winter months?
  • 1 0
 Other then Davos that is...
  • 3 0
 yeah for sure im living up in lenzerheide and during the winter we head down to places like gawton near bern, they run a train uplift all year round also biel has some good dh tracks and then you have the zurich ueltiberg (hill) plenty of fun trails, you can ride all of these from lenzerheide in a day
  • 2 0
 also i wouldn't say 5 months more like 4 ,were still riding now and still no snow forecast for next week also the bike park is still running on weekends, just say no to snow!!!!!
  • 4 0
 sorry wrong way round, i would say you cant ride for 4 months and can ride for 8@Jaib06:
  • 2 0
 In Valais usually from May until late fall is possible. Sometimes you will have even non snow windows during the winter . Especially if you prefer non lift riding.
  • 1 0
 @kusa: @RUSTYBOI77: thanks for the info guys, will check it out, looking at Valais because I speak french, so will look around, cheers guys!
  • 2 0
 Ticino often has trails open in the winter. There are a few you can ride right out of Lugano.
  • 1 0
 Yes, move to Valais! Biggest playground with the longest season in Switzerland!
  • 10 1
 Switzerland sucks. There are no trails. Just stay away from here.
  • 1 0
 @powpowpow: Yes same in southern Germany
  • 1 0
 Funny enough... Of the plethora of possible tours in and around Davos, they chose the most boring...
  • 2 0
 I think this race was won!
  • 2 0
 Unfortunately; enjoy the snow while it lasts.
  • 1 0
 Fantastic imagery tup Breathtaking landscape! Would love to see the video in colour too.
  • 2 0
 Thats some Euro lookomg kit right there.
  • 1 0
 First proper MTB piece of marketing by Assos.
  • 1 0
 Davos eh? World Economic Forum...lol.
  • 1 0
 sick riding!







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