Arosa wants to position itself with low-threshold bike offers. What does that mean in detail? DThis means that we have developed offers that are aimed at beginners: These include the Skill Center, the practice course at the valley station of the Hörnli-Express gondola lift, as well as the almost 7-kilometre-long flow trail "Hörnli Trail" For children, we have set up the "Bären Bikebande", the bike school that functions as a counterpart to the ski school in winter.

Is Arosa the place for beginners?
We are the place for beginners who want to get better. With us, you can develop until you have the level to enjoy the trails around the Bike Kingdom with Lenzerheide and the bike park as well as other single trails in Arosa.

Is that the purpose of the bike trails in Arosa, to get fit for the trails in Lenzerheide?
Yes, but not only. The Lenzerheide bike park is clearly the place for advanced riders. But we also have a wide range of single trails. And we have offers for biking families - trails that they can ride together and childcare in the bike schools so that biking parents can venture onto more difficult terrain. Tours such as the "BikeTicket2RIDE Tour" or the Furcletta Tour are highlights for every enduro biker.

What makes the Arosa single trails so special
? Arosa lies at 1800 meters, so many trails are above the tree line and offer a beautiful panorama. For enduro bikers, we are part of the Mittelbünden region together with Lenzerheide and Davos, we are well connected.

Arosa wants to attract families as bike guests. Skiing vacations are the most expensive week of the year for many families. Where do the bike offers stand in comparison?
Children up to and including the age of 5 ride for free on our mountain railroads, up to and including the age of 15 the day pass costs 11 francs for Arosa and 17 including Lenzerheide. A morning or afternoon at the Arosa Bikeschool costs 20 to 25 francs depending on the level, a week of half-day lessons 90 to 110 francs. Guests staying overnight in Arosa also receive the Arosa Card, which includes free admission to the rope park, swimming pool, use of the driving range, pedalo hire and much more.

The bears are omnipresent in Arosa and also in your communication. What significance do they play for tourism?
The bears are our spearhead in summer, our unique selling point compared to other destinations. We associate many things with the bears. The bike school for the children is called Bären Bikebande, the children sleep in bear bedding in the hotels, the adventure trail brings visitors close to the bears. They offer plenty of scope for stories, experiences and corresponding product worlds. As a partner region of the Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide, we are also positioning ourselves in the bike theme under the regional name "Bear Mounains Arosa".

The bears are naturally a summer offer.
Yes, the bears do hibernate in winter, although they actively used the outdoor platform again early on after the last rather mild winter. However, the facilities were closed due to coronavirus. Otherwise, our winter guests can visit the platform on Thursdays and get exciting insights into the world of the bears from the keepers.

This interview was conducted as part of a media weekend in Arosa, which the author attended.