The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide to Arosa, Switzerland: Bars, Hotels, and Ski Week Hotspots
When the snow starts falling and the harnesses come out, there’s only one place in the Swiss Alps where the ski pass doubles as a flirtation strategy: Arosa. Every January, this resort town turns into a powder-covered playground for Arosa Gay Ski Week, drawing thousands of queer travelers for seven days of ski, sweat, and everything in between.
To cut through the tourist fluff, Grindr went straight to the source—asking real Grindr users in Arosa where they eat, drink, dance, and recover. The result? A hyper-local, highly-horny travel guide built for gay, lesbian, and queer folks who don’t just want inclusive—they want explicitly welcoming.
Watch the Episode
Grindr hit the slopes (and the saunas) for a full episode of Grindr Presents: Host or Travel? filmed during Arosa Gay Ski Week. Get the receipts on who’s hosting, who’s traveling, and which hotel has the best views—inside and out.
Whether you’re chasing a hookup, a fondue, or just some post-spa eye contact that turns into a second apartment key, here’s where to go, what to order, and why Arosa should be high on your winter list.
Bars & Clubs in Arosa
Arosa isn’t overrun with nightlife—but what it does have is tight, walkable, and reliably full of gay men, lesbian ski crews, and people with stamina. The rule: drink, dance, don’t overthink it.
Panorama Bar @ Kursaal
A daytime café with mountain views, by sundown it becomes a soft-landing for the post-ski crowd. Located in the Kursaal complex (epicenter of Gay Ski Week), Panorama pulls in locals and out-of-towners with après-ski drinks and a prime view of the Weisshorn. Comfy, casual, and openly queer-friendly.
Wunderbar
Equal parts cocktail bar and café, Wunderbar handles the shift from espresso to gin with no awkwardness. The décor walks the line between rustic and sleek. You’ll see skiers still in their gear, flirty expats swapping pass info, and maybe a quiet three-way forming over the G&T menu. Relaxed, but never boring.
Disco Wandelbar
When the only decision left is “top floor or bottom floor,” head to Wandelbar. It’s the only true nightclub in Arosa, and during Gay Ski Week it becomes the gravity well for every party in town. Drag DJs, sweaty dance floors, and fog machines that don’t quit. Doors stay open until 4 AM—so pace yourself, or don’t.
Restaurants in Arosa
Fuel up, make eyes across the table, or just inhale cheese like it’s a kink. These spots hit the cuisine spectrum from fondue-slicked nostalgia to sleek, mountain-sourced indulgence.
aifach
One menu. No choices. Just sit down and let it happen. aifach serves a surprise multi-course dinner each night with local ingredients and zero fuss. Communal tables mean you’re guaranteed company—and probably a new crush before dessert.
Güterschuppen
Set in a former railway depot, this lively tavern balances industrial vibes with alpine comfort food. Char-grilled meats, melted cheese, loud tables. Great for groups, better for post-ski carb loading. Feels like a frat house, smells like a fondue orgy.
Hörnlihütte
A mountain hut perched above town and reachable by lift or long ski descent. During ski week, its terrace becomes a queer sun trap: skiers sprawled on loungers, schnapps in hand, lips sunburned from either weather or making out. They serve rösti, sausages, and other Swiss standards with a side of breathtaking scenery.
Hotels in Arosa
When the lifts stop and the blackout curtains close, you’ll want accommodation that gets it. Arosa delivers—whether you want a luxe spa, a social lobby, or just soundproofing between you and the guy you met at Wandelbar.
Hotel Seehof
Overlooking the lake, Seehof is pure chalet luxury with central location and a flexible attitude about who’s sharing which bed. The restaurant serves hearty Swiss cuisine, and the lounge is perfect for collapsing after a long day on the slopes (or in someone else’s bed).
Hotel Aves
This self-check-in hotel opened in 2022 and immediately became a go-to for younger ski week crowds—it's budget-friendly without screaming hostel. Expect Scandi aesthetics, a lively restaurant, and tech-forward rooms with views. Bonus: plenty of apartments for group stays or long weekends that stretch past your return flight.
Valsana Hotel & Spa
Eco-minded but not smug about it. This hotel features a sleek spa, indoor pool, sauna, and the on-site Twist bar/restaurant for clean eating and dirty martinis. LGBTQ-inclusive, with design-forward rooms and balconies overlooking the alpine landscape. A little wellness, a little filth—just the right ratio.
Tschuggen Grand Hotel
If you’re going full diva, go here. Five stars, private mountain railway, and a spa built into the hillside like a Bond villain’s wet dream. Rooms are all panoramic views, plush linens, and soundproof bliss. During ski week, this is HQ for the high-budget crowd—complete with Champagne breakfasts and invite-only tub sessions.
The Bottom Line
Arosa Gay Ski Week may be the anchor, but Arosa isn’t a one-week wonder. It’s a queer-friendly resort built for pleasure, no matter the season. Between the freeride terrain, drag ski races, snow-capped backdrops, and après-ski shenanigans, there’s no shortage of stimulation.
Visit in January for the full festival lineup, or book off-season for chill vibes, affordable pass deals, and easier hotel availability. Just don’t come expecting discretion—Arosa doesn’t do half-hearted. It’s sex-positive, slope-ready, and fully loaded with gay energy.
Pack your harness and your SPF. This Swiss resort knows how to host a party—and it’s not waiting for you to catch up.
