Best Advanced Black Ski Runs in Davos-Klosters: A Guide

As ski guides we can honestly say that Davos-Klosters is one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland.  It is home to some of the best black ski runs in Switzerland. But what we normally see is that the resort is often praised for how accessible it is to beginners and intermediate skiers.

Many of the pistes are wide, scenic and cruisy, making it an ideal destination for relaxed skiing and for progressing your technique (if you are one of those, you’ll find our guide to the best Beginner Slopes here and to the best Blue and Red runs for Intermediates here)  

However, if you are an expert skier or snowboarder, you will also find plenty of terrain here that delivers the challenge you’re looking for. And we know what we’re talking about. As professional ski guides and ski coaches with years of experience, we have seen many situations on these slopes: from intermediate skiers accidentally ending up on black runs and struggling their way down, to highly experienced riders. Who we’ve guided on some of the steepest and most technical pistes in Switzerland and absolutely loved every minute of it.

While Davos-Klosters is not always the first resort people think of for extreme terrain, it actually hides some seriously challenging black runs, with steep gradients, long vertical drops and demanding snow conditions.

In this guide, we’ll rank the best black ski runs in Davos-Klosters, ordered from the “easiest” black runs to the most challenging ones. This way, advanced skiers and snowboarders can progressively test their skills and decide which runs to tackle first. Throughout the article we’ll also reference the official ski maps of Davos-Klosters, so you can easily locate each piste and plan your route on the mountain.

Let’s dive into the best advanced black runs in Davos-Klosters.

#5 – Parsenn “Gipfel” (Run number 1) – The Easiest Black Run in Davos-Klosters

Located in the Ski resort of Parsenn, Gipfel (Piste 1) starts at the summit of Weissfluhgipfel and descends toward the heart of the resort. Despite being classified as a black piste, Gipfel is surprisingly friendly for strong intermediate skiers who want to try their first Black run.

The slope is short, wide, and relatively forgiving, with only two steeper walls that briefly increase the gradient.

These sections add a bit of excitement but are not excessively steep, and they are followed by flatter terrain where you can easily regain control. One of the reasons we rank this as the easiest black run in Davos-Klosters is the consistently good snow quality.

Thanks to its high altitude near the summit, the snow here tends to stay soft and grippy. It’s also less likely to become icy compared to many other black runs lower in the resort. Another big advantage is the width of the piste. You have plenty of space to control your speed, practice technique, and make wider turns without feeling pressured.

Who is this run for?

• Strong intermediate skiers looking to try their first black run
• Advanced skiers and snowboarders wanting a warm-up lap at the top of Parsenn
• Riders who want to practice technique on steeper terrain

#4 – Jakobshorn Black Run (Piste 7)

Coming in at number four on our list is Black Run number 7 on Jakobshorn, another relatively accessible black piste in Davos-Klosters.   One of the reasons this run is so popular is how easy it is to access. A short ride on the 4-person chairlift brings you right to the start of the slope, making it quick and convenient to lap several times. Like our previous entry on Parsenn, this run is short and quite wide, which makes it less intimidating than many other black pistes in the region.

However, we rank it slightly harder than the Gipfel run because of its constant gradient. Unlike some slopes where the terrain flattens out and gives you a moment to slow down or recover, Piste 7 keeps a steady steep pitch from top to bottom.

There are very few natural breaks in the slope, which means you need to stay in control the whole way down. That said, this is exactly what makes it such a great training run for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Why we like this run

• Consistent steep gradient
• Wide piste with plenty of room to move
• Easy lift access for multiple laps

For developing skiers, this is an excellent place to practice short turns and control on steeper terrain. For expert riders, it’s the perfect slope to really push your carving on steep pitches. If you’re confident and the snow is good, you can open up your turns and enjoy the feeling of high-speed carving on a proper black run.

Overall, Jakobshorn’s Piste 7 is a fantastic step up in difficulty and a great progression before tackling the steeper and longer black runs elsewhere in the resort.

#3 – Bräma (number 1) & Jakobshorn Nord (number 5) – Jakobshorn

This is next Black Ski Runs in Davos-Klosters. Still on Jakobshorn, the next runs on our ranking are Bräma and Jakobshorn Nord. We grouped these two pistes together because they are very similar in character and difficulty, and both offer a clear step up from the previous black runs on our list.

Both runs start with a very steep and challenging wall, which immediately tests your technique and confidence. This first section is often the most demanding part of the descent and requires strong edge control and good balance. After this steep opening pitch, the terrain gradually eases into more manageable slopes, allowing you to relax a bit and finish the run more comfortably.

The main reason we rank these runs as more challenging is the snow conditions. Due to their exposition on the mountain, it is very common to encounter hard-packed snow or icy patches, especially in the morning or after heavy skier traffic. Because of this, the steep upper wall can sometimes feel significantly harder than the gradient alone would suggest.

Why these runs are more challenging

• Very steep entry wall right from the start
• Frequent icy conditions due to the slope’s exposure
• Requires good edge control and confident technique

For advanced skiers and snowboarders, these runs are a great way to test your ability on steeper terrain with more technical snow conditions. Once you manage the initial pitch, the rest of the run becomes a rewarding descent down one of the most fun areas of Jakobshorn.

#2 – Meierhofer Tälli to Wolfgang (Piste 13) – Parsenn

Next on our list is Piste 13: Meierhofer Tälli, located on the Parsenn side of Davos-Klosters and finishing in Davos Wolfgang. For us, this is one of the coolest black runs in the entire Davos-Klosters region. What makes it so special is the combination of beautiful terrain, incredible panoramic views, and the fact that it’s often surprisingly quiet.

Even on busy days, you can sometimes ski the whole run without seeing many other people. The descent starts quite gently, giving you time to prepare before the slope drops into a beautiful, steep face. This section is wide and very enjoyable, offering the perfect terrain to practice controlled short turns.

If you are a very strong skier or snowboarder and the snow conditions allow it, you can even enjoy some high-speed carving on steep terrain. After roughly 100 metres, the piste flattens slightly, creating a natural resting point before the most technical section of the run.

From there, the slope suddenly funnels into a steep bottleneck. This section is often hard-packed or icy, and because the terrain narrows significantly, it can feel much more intimidating than the previous open face. This is the crux of the run, and it’s where many riders end up skiing carefully just to get through it.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that weaker or less confident skiers avoid this section, as it can be quite demanding when conditions are firm. Once you pass the bottleneck, the terrain becomes easier again as the run continues down toward Davos Wolfgang.

Getting back to the lift

Since this run finishes away from the main Parsenn lift system, you’ll need to take a short bus ride back. Fortunately, it’s very convenient: the bus stop is located right at the end of the run, and buses run approximately every 10 minutes.

At the bottom you’ll also find a couple of great options if you want to take a break:

• A gas station with a small bar, perfect for a quick coffee or even a beer
• A restaurant just across the road, ideal if you want something more substantial

Because of the beautiful setting, varied terrain and quieter atmosphere, Meierhofer Tälli is one of those runs that many advanced skiers remember as a hidden gem of Parsenn.

#1 – Vertical (Piste 42) – Jakobshorn

Taking the top spot on our list is Vertical (Piste 42) on Jakobshorn — without a doubt the steepest black run in Davos-Klosters. This legendary piste drops straight down the mountain and brings you from Jakobshorn back to the valley in Davos in roughly two minutes if you ski it non-stop. The run descends directly under the two-person chairlift called Carjöl, which means that when you ski it… you will definitely have an audience. Riders on the chairlift get a perfect view of every turn — or every slide.

It’s also important not to confuse this run with the much easier blue piste that most people take to return to the valley. Vertical is something completely different. The run starts with a consistently steep but wide slope, offering playful terrain where strong riders can link turns while enjoying an incredible view over Davos. For the first 90% of the descent, the slope is steep but manageable if you have solid technique. However, the real signature of this run is the grand finale.

The final 100 metres are almost literally vertical, forming an extremely steep pitch that is almost always icy due to its gradient and heavy skier traffic. This section is so steep that most riders end up side-slipping or sliding their way downrather than linking turns. Even experienced skiers often take this last section very carefully, and only the strongest riders manage to ski it with clean, controlled turns.

Why Vertical takes the #1 spot

• The steepest groomed run in Davos-Klosters
• Ski directly under the chairlift with a full audience
• A brutal icy final pitch that tests even expert riders

Because of the difficulty of the final section, this run is only recommended for very strong and confident skiers or snowboarders. If you are able to ski the entire Vertical with proper turns, you can safely say you’ve tackled one of the toughest black runs in Switzerland.

We’ll challenge you on some of steepest runs in Switzerland 

For us, Davos-Klosters is an absolutely epic playground for advanced skiers and snowboarders. While the resort is famous for its scenic cruisy pistes, there are also some seriously challenging runs hidden across mountains like Parsennand Jakobshorn. At The Snow Experience Davos, we spend our winters exploring these slopes.

If you don’t have the level yet, we have designed a training program for intermediate skiers that will help you build the technique and confidence needed to tackle runs like these: Intermediate Jam.

If you’re already a strong rider, we’ll happily challenge you on some of the steepest and most exciting terrain around Davos with our Advanced Coaching Camp. Either way, we’d love to show you what makes skiing here so special