Disentis Ski Resort Switzerland

Perched right near the source of the mighty Rhine River, Disentis 3000 ski resort is a wonderful distraction from the hubbub of larger, better known skiing areas. Disentis takes its strength from being a traditional Swiss ski resort but with expanding lifts & terrain providing quality skiing inbounds & amazing backcountry freeride out-bounds.

Disentis is connected to Andermatt by the fabulous train, only a short walk from the station, plus is now lift connected to Sedrun as well. These days, Disentis is marketed as a combined ski resort destination with Andermatt & Sedrun and is often referred to as ASD (Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis)

Pros & Cons for Disentis Ski Resort

Pros

• High elevation ski area in a snow-sure region of Switzerland.
• Recent additions to the lift system, simplified access & interlinking with Sedrun.
• Very quiet mid-week, no lift lines.
• Huge skiable vertical on perfect pistes for beginners & intermediates.
• Access from top lifts to several fabulously long freeride off-piste valley descents & exceptional backcountry runs.
• Good après ski & mountain dining available at Caischavedra (top of cable car).
• New ski-in accommodation - Catrina Resort Apartments & Hostel.
• Super access by public transport (train & bus).
• New base facilities at S.Catrina provide all the requisite services for the ski area.

Cons

• Limited on-piste trails for advanced riders.
• Despite over 60km of piste trails, there is not enough on-piste diversity to maintain interest for more than a few days (unless it snows & the off-piste valley descents are available).
• Small number of mountain huts/restaurants & eating out opportunities in the village.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

• Predominantly southeast-aspect terrain that is delightfully sun-soaked in the morning!
• Resort village/lift base at S.Catrina is separated from the main town of Disentis (a shame in our view!).
• Lengthy upper mountain T-bars may challenge some snowboarders & skiers.
• Quiet after-hours.
• Lacks high-end accommodation, shopping & dining - if that matters to you, stay at the Chedi in Andermatt.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Essentially two high alpine valleys & a long ridge to the resort base, Disentis 3000 is an intermediate skiers delight on the lengthy piste trails, plus the source of a plethora of backcountry touring routes & freeride descents. The terrain faces predominantly south & east, guaranteeing morning sun on a clear day, whilst avoiding the worst impacts on the afternoon sun. In either alpine bowl, surface tows serve low intermediate & beginner groomers, but more importantly act as the conduit for free-tourers to access the upper ridges, glaciers & valleys beyond - in particular Val Strem which descends into Sedrun, plus Vals Gronda, Pintga & Segnas which descend back into Acletta/S.Catrina.

See the Disentis ski trail map.

It is possible to ski the entire 1,606m vertical on-piste from the top T-bar (2,833m) all the way down to the S.Catrina base (1,227m) - a satisfying journey of over 8km. The descent includes the resort’s only advanced trail which winds down below the tree-line. Similarly, the entire vertical can be done off-piste most simply via the Val Segnas. For many, a guide may be useful to get the most out of the journey.

The ski lifts at Disentis are vastly improved following the opening of the new Cuolm da Vi cable car, which connects the area to Sedrun. The deserted slopes are served by surface tows in the higher alpine terrain, limiting the already small numbers of skiers & snowboarders in that zone! A useful novice learn-to-ski area with several surface tows exists at the S.Catrina base area. The best ‘inbounds’ off-piste terrain is under & near the Parlets triple chair.

Lift Passes

Disentis has a reasonably priced local ski resort lift pass. In addition to huge skiable verticals on sunny, deserted slopes when skiing & snowboarding Disentis, the sensational SkiArena Andermatt Sedrun, can be included in a 'combined ticket' for an additional fee. Similarly the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn can be added to the lift pass as well. All Disentis lift passes of 3-days or more duration are valid throughout the entire ASD (Andermatt-Sedrun- Disentis)

With Vail Resorts purchase of the ski lifts at Andermatt in season 22/23, the resort Andermatt-Sedrun, AND now Disentis, has unlimited unrestricted access for free by holders of a full Epic Pass. Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis for the holder of an Epic Pass Australia has 5-days unrestricted access. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn railway connecting Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis is not included but is accessible to Epic Pass holders for an exclusive price. To get your free ski pass, one needs to present proof of a valid Epic Pass and valid photo ID at an Andermatt, Sedrun or Disentis ticket window. You will then receive an ASD lift access card that requires a deposit of 5CHF. Deposits will be refunded when the card is returned. You will be issued the requested days for your stay and will be able to purchase additional lift access via a discount lift ticket at 50% off if your total included days are exhausted.

Where is Disentis Switzerland?

The Disentis ski resort is in Graubünden (Grisons) canton, Switzerland. Whilst the ski resort may be called Disentis, the town of Disentis (or Mustèr) & its namesake abbey (or kloster) are 1½km away by road. The village area of the ski resort is more often referred to as Acletta &/or S.Catrina.

By road, Disentis is one-hour west of the canton capital of Chur & around 2½hr from the gateway airport of Zurich (ZRH).

The train is the recommended mode of travel to Disentis & its neighbouring resorts of Sedrun & Andermatt. Two trains are required to get to Disentis from the airport at Zurich. One direct to Chur, then another from Chur to the station at Disentis/Mustèr. The comfortable journey usually takes less than 4hr.

By rail, Disentis/Mustèr station is a linking point between regional trains from Andermatt in the west & Chur in the east. The closest train station to the resort is the tiny Acla da Fontauna between Sedrun & Disentis/Mustèr. The short 5min walk is a nice leg stretcher to the cable car. The lift base at Acletta is connected to Disentis township by the local route 491 bus (or just walk/take a taxi!). From Disentis township, get off at the ‘Bergbahnen’ stop directly adjacent to the cable bar valley station (tal station). From Andermatt, the train goes over Oberalppass to Acla da Fontauna - the last stop before it terminates at Disentis/Mustèr. Train journeys to & from Andermatt are free for lift pass holders & take just over an hour - more than enough time to get a good in the après ski carriage & enjoy a coffee/brioche in the morning & a beer or cocktail in the afternoon.

Search & book train tickets to Disentis.

For anyone not keen on taking the excellent public trains to Disentis, the next best option is a private transfer direct from the airport to your hotel.

Search & book all transfers from Zurich airport (or other location) to Disentis.

Disentis Accommodation

Immediately in the vicinity of the lifts at Acletta/S.Catrina are the new Catrina Resort Hotel Apartments & Catrina Hostel. Both are part of the same complex, are ski-in & only a few steps from the cable car base. A conveniently situated Coop supermarket makes self-catering in the apartments a breeze, but there is also an on-site bar & restaurant. Several apartments are available for rent a short distance further up the hill in the village proper. Lower down near the novice ski-school zone is the cosy, friendly Catrina Lodge (also ski-in). On the main road is the Hotel Pazzola (ski-in from the valley trail) & toward Disentis township the classic Nangijala Hostel (which isn’t really a hostel at all it just has shared bathrooms!), both within a few hundred metres of the cable car base!

In Disentis township itself, some lovely hotels are centrally located & provide a livelier alternative to being out near the ski lifts. Try the Hotel Alpsu & the good value Hotel La Furca. Both hotels are close to the Disentis/Mustér train station - a major terminus & connector to Chur & Zurich.

Search & book all Disentis ski resort accommodation.

With a ski resort based on two separate villages & very efficient train transport links, Andermatt Sedrun has a great range of accommodation available. And now more than ever, a true mix of traditional & ultra-modern lodging options define Andermatt.

The authentic Swiss village of Andermatt is compact & wonderful, with a full range of shops & services. Its only downfall may be the lack of midday sunshine as it sits in the shadow of the Gemsstock for much of winter. As such the village can be as cold as the coldest ski resorts in Europe. If you like to live in the sun, wait until February at the earliest. Like us, if you don't care about the sun, forget what you just read!

In addition to the many traditional hotels & guesthouses, Andermatt has numerous new & contemporary hotels & apartments. The Chedi & Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen bring both luxury & real choice to the people plus set a standard for everyone else to aspire. An added bonus is that the Radisson Blu is in the sunny part of the valley but still only 5 min walk from town & even less to the train station & gondola base.

Search & book all Andermatt accommodation.

The traditional Swiss village at Sedrun has a sunnier disposition than Andermatt & now has a direct lift link to Disentis (via the new Cuolm Da Vi cable car) in addition to the train. Its singular downfall is the lack of lift or ski trail connection between the main town centre & the ski lifts at Dieni that link to Oberalppass & Andermatt. Accommodations are spread across three areas - Sedrun, Dieni & Rueras in between. Each has their own train station making access easy. The recent lift connection of Sedrun & Disentis ski resort make it a far more attractive proposition than previously.

Search & book Sedrun accommodation.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski rentals are available with our partners just near the cable car base in Acletta/S.Catrina. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Disentis Ski & Snowboard Equipment Rental page.

If contemplating the off-piste freeride valley descents into Vals Strem, Gronda, Pintga & Segnas, the company of a local ski instructor or guide can make all the difference. For more information & booking, see our Disentis Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Nearby Ski Resorts

Aside from SkiArena Andermatt Sedrun to the west, in the other direction to the east is Brigels - one of our favourite European family friendly secret stashes. A little further on is the vast intermediate's paradise of Laax-Flims-Falera, with its incredibly modern lift system. Take the local trains & buses to get to these nearby ski resorts.

Reviews

The Powderhounds reviewed Disentis in 2019 & we thoroughly enjoyed this surprising ski area. We are due to return this season. See all review & extra photos via the link on the left column (or top of page if on a mobile).

See how Disentis compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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