Jatz Park

Overview and significance

JatzPark is the flagship snowpark on the Jakobshorn above Davos, and it sits at the center of a freestyle legacy that Switzerland takes seriously. Davos built part of its modern snowboarding and freeski identity on the Jakobshorn, and the JatzPark is the current home base for that scene: compact by big-resort standards, but engineered for short, intense laps where progression is the whole point.

What makes the park stand out is not a sprawling footprint, but the way everything is concentrated into a dedicated corridor with its own lift. The lines are built parallel to the Jatz Junior drag lift, so you can repeat quickly, keep eyes on landings, and settle into a training rhythm without long chair rides or confusing traverses. It is the kind of park that rewards riders who want to put in real reps rather than chase a single highlight hit.

Terrain, snow, and seasons

JatzPark is positioned high on the mountain, around the 2,500 meter level below the well-known Jatzhütte area, which is a major reason it can run a long season. The operator highlights the combination of altitude and modern snowmaking as the foundation for reliable park operations, typically targeting an opening from the beginning of December through mid-April when conditions allow. That matters for freeskiers because park shape quality is often more important than fresh snowfall, and consistent cold-weather windows help shapers keep takeoffs and landings predictable.

Being high also comes with a particular snow feel. On clear days, surfaces can firm up quickly and stay fast, which makes jump sizing and speed control more sensitive than in a lower, softer park. On storm days, visibility and wind can become the main challenge rather than snow depth. The smartest way to approach a first lap is to treat it like a speed check: roll the line, watch how riders are setting their pace, and adjust before committing to larger kickers.

Because JatzPark is part of a working ski area, its daily condition is closely tied to grooming and shaping schedules. When the park is freshly maintained, it tends to ski clean and confidence-inspiring. When weather is volatile, features and lips can change more rapidly than you might expect, especially in exposed sections. Planning around daily operating updates is the difference between a smooth session and a frustrating one.

Park infrastructure and events

The park’s structure is built around multiple lines at different difficulty levels, shaped and maintained daily by a dedicated park crew. The operator describes four parallel lines offering a progression ladder from beginner-friendly waves and boxes to more demanding rail setups and larger kickers. The key is that these lines sit side-by-side, which makes it easy to scale up gradually while keeping the same access point and the same visual reference for speed and spacing.

For riders focused on rails, the park includes medium and more challenging rail concepts that invite technical tricks, not just straight slides. For jump-focused skiers, the kicker lines range from smaller to bigger, with the biggest feature often referenced as “Big Berta,” a set-up intended to be a true pro-level test. Even if you never intend to hit the largest jump, having that full spread in one park is useful: it lets a crew mix abilities while sharing the same session zone.

JatzPark is also an event venue rather than a static “park-only” amenity. Davos has staged European Cup-level freestyle competitions in and around the park, including formats centered on Big Air and rail-focused disciplines. When those events are in town, it can elevate the atmosphere and create a mini-festival feel on the Jakobshorn. It can also affect access, because portions of the park may be reserved for training and competition. If you are traveling specifically to lap the park, it is worth timing your visit either to watch the show or to avoid the busiest competition windows.

Access, logistics, and on-mountain flow

Access is straightforward: JatzPark sits on the Jakobshorn sector of the broader Davos Klosters Mountains network, and the park can be reached via the Jakobshorn lift system from Davos Platz. Once you are on the Jakobshorn side, the park is positioned directly beside the Jatz Junior drag lift, which is the engine for efficient lapping. This design keeps the session loop simple: drop into a chosen line, ride out, load the drag lift, and repeat with minimal downtime.

On-mountain flow is best when you pick a clear plan early. If your goal is progression, start on the easiest line and step up only when you can repeat a trick cleanly. If your goal is filming, the side-by-side line layout makes it easier to keep track of friends, rotate angles, and regroup without losing each other across the hill. The park’s compact nature is a strength here, but it also means you should be mindful of traffic. On busy days, patience at feature entries and clear communication with other riders prevents collisions and keeps the park friendly.

Because the park sits high, comfort logistics matter. Wind and temperature shifts can be dramatic compared with the valley, and a quick extra layer or face coverage can be the difference between a long session and an early exit. The upside is that you can often stay in winter-quality conditions up top even when lower elevations are warmer or changing.

Local culture, safety, and etiquette

JatzPark is embedded in a strong local freestyle culture, and it tends to operate like a training ground. That means etiquette is not optional. Respect the flow, wait your turn, and avoid stopping in landings or blind zones. If you fall, clear the feature as quickly as possible. If you are hiking a rail or taking a second look, do it from the side where you are visible and out of the runout path.

Feature inspection is especially important here because the park supports everything from first-time boxes to large kickers. A jump that looks “manageable” from above can feel very different once you see the lip shape and landing pitch up close. Take a warm-up lap, observe how other riders set speed, and commit only when you are confident. Helmets are the norm in serious parks, and impact awareness matters because higher-altitude snow can ski fast and firm.

Finally, treat the shapers with respect. Daily maintenance is what keeps a park like this rideable, and closed ropes or blocked entries usually exist for a good reason. If a section is closed, do not duck it. A short wait is always better than a season-ending injury or damaged features that shorten the park’s lifespan for everyone.

Best time to go and how to plan

The most reliable window for consistent park conditions is typically mid-winter, when cold nights support stable snowmaking and shaping. Early season can be excellent when the park opens on schedule, but feature variety may build gradually as the base deepens. Late season can deliver great spring sessions as long as overnight refreezes keep lips and landings stable, but timing becomes more sensitive, and surface quality can change quickly through the day.

Plan your session around two realities: weather and events. Wind and flat light can make jump judging difficult at altitude, so choose days with clearer visibility if you want to push bigger tricks. If there is a major competition week in Davos, expect that the park may run with modified access or temporary closures. When in doubt, aim for non-peak weekdays for the cleanest lap flow and the least time spent waiting at feature entries.

Why freeskiers care

Freeskiers care about JatzPark because it delivers a focused, repeatable freestyle environment in one of Switzerland’s classic winter destinations. The high-altitude setting helps extend the season, the dedicated drag-lift layout turns practice into efficient repetition, and the multi-line structure supports real progression from first hits to advanced kickers and technical rails. Add Davos’s long-standing freestyle reputation on the Jakobshorn, and you get a park that feels less like a side attraction and more like a purpose-built home for riders who want to level up through disciplined laps.