Quality air for those needing care
Everything you need before a stay at House Etania in Davos - house rules, getting there, safety, mitzvos, groceries and walks - all in one place. Content updated for 2024.
Welcome
It is our pleasure to remain committed to the legacy of Chaim V'Shalvah - providing a healing resort to the Jewish community worldwide.
Davos is known for its special healing powers. Individuals with skin ailments (eczema, atopic, psoriasis, etc.), lung conditions, allergies, chronic illnesses, and emotional turmoil have benefited from our facilities. They have found health and healing in the nurturing environment of Davos.
To help those coming for extended periods (minimally 3-4 weeks), Chaim V'Shalvah provides families and childless couples with accommodations in Davos, at a nominal cost.
Chaim V'Shalvah would love to give as many families as possible the opportunity to stay in Etania. Please note and understand that we first prioritize families with the most severe medical needs, and then those who have never been. Our decisions are made by a committee guided by Daas Torah.
We look forward to serving you. Wishing you health and happiness, The Chaim V'Shalvah Team
Kiddush Hashem
Our project needs the support of the local authorities, therefore we must uphold our reputation.
Being a Yid demands we make a Kiddush HaShem at all times. While it seems obvious, we are still going to say it - and say it loudly:
Whoever creates a chillul Hashem and doesn't abide by the rules can be blacklisted, and will not be accepted for further visits.
Keeping noise levels down - this is especially important
It is illegal to use your horn in Switzerland. While many of us are accustomed to hooting when waiting or stuck in traffic - please do not do that in Davos. It is against the law and causes a terrible chillul Hashem.
Neighbors have previously called the police when the noise level was not according to what they are used to. It is imperative that you keep noise levels down, especially during late Friday night zemiros. Please also make an extra effort not to go shopping with entire families in order to keep the noise levels down. Please make sure children do not play outside after 9 pm. During Davening (even early evening) all windows must be closed.
No private food in restaurant
It is strictly forbidden to have your picnic at a restaurant. Even if you buy a drink there, you may not start taking out sandwiches etc. while sitting there.
No littering
People in Switzerland are incredibly polite. Pay special attention to anything with Hebrew letters.
No blocking pathways
Families are often big and excited to meet others, but please not on public pathways - it blocks the way and is a nuisance to residents.
Keep all traffic rules
Even if no one is looking, or the roads seem empty.
No walking on cycle paths
Bikes go extremely fast. Standing in their way is dangerous and wrong.
No using facilities without purchase
A purchase for a large family is not one bottle of water.
Guest card care
Do not misuse or mistreat the guest cards.
Greet others
The Swiss like to be greeted - please do so even if you normally wouldn't.
Air heals when it's healing air
Conditions treated in Davos
Healing benefits of high altitude
The application process
Applications are carefully screened by a committee. If approved, we will contact you approximately 3 months before the proposed opening day.
Apply
Apply using the form. To assure your privacy, only relevant parties receive access to these documents.
Documents
Please include all relevant medical records. We trust you will answer honestly.
Screening
Applications are carefully screened by a committee.
Approval
If approved, we will contact you approximately 3 months before your proposed arrival.
Deposit
Once you've been accepted and confirmed your reservation, a 1,000 CHF deposit must be dropped off at your closest drop-off point, or via a bank transfer. Deposits are put towards breakages, negligence, or other damages - costs are set by the committee. It may take up to two weeks after closing day for deposits to be ready for pick up or returned.
Bank details for transfers - Account name: Verein für Kranke und Erholungsbedürftige · Bank: LUKB · SWIFT: LUKBCH2260A · Account: 1997.0369.2001 · IBAN: CH98 0077 8199 7036 9200 1
Deposit charges
| Unclean or untidy apartment | 250–500 CHF |
| Lost or damaged buggy | 250 CHF |
| Causing a fire alarm negligibly | 1,400 CHF |
| Breaking lift rules | 100 CHF |
| Lost keys | 35 CHF |
| Other lost item or damages | According to cost |
Getting to Davos
There are a few airport options - Zurich and Basel in Switzerland, Milan in Italy, Memmingen and Munich in Germany. While ticket prices may be cheaper at one airport, transportation to Davos may be higher - weigh the full journey, not just the flight. The train from Zurich airport may be cheaper, but can be a hassle with small children and lots of luggage. Supersaver train tickets can be bought in advance.
Day-pass pricing - train ticket: 61 CHF · family (2 adults + 5 children): 427 CHF
| Route | Adult | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich Flughafen | 61 CHF (one way) | 2 hr 45 min | Train 1 from Zurich HB to Landquart.Train 2 from Landquart to Davos Dorf.Cross the road and take bus 301 toward Glaris/Spital to Horlauben - 4 stops. |
| Basel Flughafen | 90.60 CHF (one way) | 4 hours | Bus 50 to Basel HB.Train 1 from Basel HB to Landquart.Train 2 from Landquart to Davos Dorf, then bus 301 (4 stops).You can also go via Zurich. |
Private car / large van (one way, guideline Feb 2024)
| Route | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich – Davos | 400–600 CHF | 2 hr |
| Basel – Davos | 500–700 CHF | 2:45 hr |
| Milano Malpensa – Davos | 600–800 CHF | 3:15 hr |
| Memmingen – Davos | 500–700 CHF | 2 hr |
| Munich – Davos | 600–800 CHF | 3:30 hr |
| Milan – Davos | 600–800 CHF | 3:30 hr |
Car rentals in Italy are cheapest, so flying into Milan may suit some families.
Guest card & daily tax (Kurtax)
The Davos guest card is a mandatory Swiss tax card. From age 12 and up, you pay 5.90 CHF every day; children under 12 need to register but aren't charged. Price per person for 4 weeks: 165.20 CHF. Total for a family of 2 adults + 2 children over 12: 660.80 CHF. Prices are guideline (Feb 2024) and subject to change.
Heimish drivers
- Zurich / Basel
- Joel Zoladz +41 78 847 71 30 · Shimon Malka +41 79 129 16 50 · Efraim Shragei +41 76 536 88 75
- Lugano (for Milan arrivals)
- Chabad House Lugano +41 91 921 37 20 · Chabad House Milano +39 02 2941 4170. Usually the airport transport in Milan is the cheapest option.
- Airport train desk
- 2nd floor of Zurich airport - very helpful, offers the cheapest travel arrangements. Check timing at sbb.ch; if landing after 10:30 pm, book a night in Zurich.
Taxis in Davos & Klosters
| Company | Phone | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Alpentaxi Airport Service | +41 81 416 27 36 | Landstrasse 43, Klosters Dorf |
| Gotschna Taxi | +41 81 420 20 20 | Landstrasse 214, Klosters |
| Express Taxi | +41 81 410 11 11 | Davos Platz |
| Taxi Fly | +41 79 930 44 44 | Landstrasse 180, Klosters-Serneus |
After paying the Kurtax you'll receive a guest card. Fill in the family form (children's ages, length of stay) at least a week before arrival - early forms often unlock a discounted group card. Valid on: Davos Platz–Filisur · Davos Platz/Dorf–Klosters Dorf · all buses within Davos between Stilli and Clavadel. Travel beyond the guest-card zone is charged from its edge.
Care. Commitment.
During your stay, your comfort and convenience are our highest priority. Our team works tirelessly to make this happen. Please contact us for any issue, bearing time differences in mind and calling only during daytime hours.
On-site manager
Mr. Gershon Kornitzer · gekornitzer@gmail.com · +44 7800 917093
Finance manager
Mrs. Sorelle Marder · refuedavos@gmail.com · +44 7469 351119
Rules & responsibilities
We provide the facilities and amenities for your comfort and enjoyment, but require your full commitment to sharing the responsibilities that come with our services. There are rotas among residents for the clean-up and maintenance of communal areas (packing away seforim, toys, etc.) - please take your turn seriously. These rules ensure a pleasant, relaxed stay; families are expected to help set up the Sukkahs before the chag.
Kids and their care
Children will be children! Their play must be supervised, and any mishaps or messes cleaned up by a responsible adult. We do have CCTV in all public areas and can use it to determine the cause of negligence. Toys and play areas must be treated with care.
Need to know: safety
Fire alarms
Very sensitive - pick up on any hazard immediately. A fire-department call-out costs 1,400 CHF, and we have only one minute to cancel a false alarm - guests must know the fire instructions. Visitors who trigger the alarm pay the call-out cost.
Lift
Old and very jam-prone. 1st/2nd floor families shouldn't use it except for heavy items. Never hold doors open or force them. Under-16s may not use it without staff permission. Misuse: 100 CHF.
Tea lights
Foil-container tea lights retain heat - keep at least 4 cm between them to prevent them catching fire from one another. A family that negligently causes the fire brigade call-out bears the 1,400 CHF fee.
Insurance
All family members are strongly advised to have travel insurance. A copy of health insurance must be submitted to secure a place.
Invitations
Outside guests aren't permitted overnight without prior approval - please request well in advance and allow time for a decision.
Room allocations
The committee allocates rooms and apartments by need; no changes after arrival. Don't move bedding or furniture between rooms without manager approval - guests will be charged for furniture damage or lost linen.
Upholding our values
Shul
Shul policies hang in the beis medrash. Seforim were donated on condition they remain in the shul only - please don't move or remove them. The gabbai tries to accommodate different minhagim, but final decisions are his alone; minyan times aren't up for discussion. On weekdays we rely on all adult men to attend on time.
Mikvah
Open mornings 5:30–10 am only, and erev Shabbos until 4 pm only. Absolutely prohibited to use it at other times. For appointments call 0041774264140. Rav Weiss of Zurich is the exclusive contact for anything mikvah-related: +41788969383. Please give 2–3 days' notice.
Succos
We need explicit municipal permission to put up outdoor Sukkahs. The main objection is noise - neighbors complain and file complaints with the town council, which can jeopardize future permits. Please keep the Sukkah quiet, ensure the lights are on before Shabbos, and put the heating on a Shabbos clock.
Shabbos hotplates
Hotplates are in every apartment. Cover with two layers of silver foil before each use. Place the hotplate on the stovetop only once fully cooled - never on a wooden surface, under any circumstances. Thermos flasks in the playroom coffee corner carry hot water for Shabbos/yom tov.
Bal Tashchis
Please be mindful of our substantial heating and lighting costs - it's wasteful to leave rooms heated and lit when unoccupied.
Facilities & amenities
Every apartment is outfitted with a kosher kitchen. Please leave it exactly as you found it - never move utensils between kitchens. There are no cups, dishes, cutlery or kitchen towels; bring what you need. Missing items: notify Mr. Kornitzer, or purchase and toivel your own - we'll reimburse 50% of the cost. Ample extra fridge and freezer space is available.
Meaty
- Stove & oven
- Pots, pans & a hand grater
- Serving spoon, knife & peeler
Milky
- Medium pot & frying pan
- Fridge, soup ladle & serving spoons
- Knife
Staff
Maintenance staff are not for personal use. Visitors may not liaise with them, ask them for personal assistance, or hire them at their own expense. Cleaners may only be booked through Mr. Kornitzer. Please make an extra effort to be respectful and kind to maintenance staff at all times.
Recycling
Recycling and sorting rubbish is paramount to avoid exorbitant charges, as we are charged per kilo. There are four large bins in front of the Etania building, clearly labeled: paper, glass, plastic, and metal. Please recycle as much as you can (rinsing containers and cans whenever possible), and use your rubbish bins sparingly. A green bin in your apartment holds recyclables until you dispose of them outside. This is not optional!
Towels, bedding & mattresses
Each bed comes with a set of towels - please use them appropriately. Towels are not for spillages, blackout curtains, or floor mats. Please don't store spare mattresses on the balcony, as this can cause damage. Leave quilts and pillows in the rooms where you found them, and always ask permission before rearranging furniture.
Laundry
Some apartments have washing machines; others use the fully-equipped launderette on the lower ground floor (machines recently upgraded - read the instructions). Be considerate of others at busy times like motzei Shabbos and yom tov, and leave the room exactly as you found it.
Toys
Available from the toy cupboard - one toy at a time. Outdoor toys stay outside, not in communal areas; scooters, sleds and helmets need care and responsibility. Parents remain responsible for their children's use.
Mountain buggies
Available from reception during service hours - please register the buggy and its number. Outside visitors pay a rental fee, subject to availability.
Coffee corner
In the ground-floor communal kitchen. Children may not access it or take hot water, milk, sugar or cups unsupervised - the kettle there is extremely large.
Out and about: groceries
Plan ahead
Get to know the IRG kosher list before you arrive - we can't print it for you.
Purchase carefully
Different stores sell different, often cheaper, brands. Compare prices and shop smartly.
Prepare diligently
Bring as much non-perishable food as you can (tuna, spreads, etc.) - it helps keep costs down.
Onsite shop
The onsite shop is arranged and managed by Mr. Kornitzer - usually stocked with dairy products, some snacks, basic disposables, matza, grape juice, and frozen poultry/meat/fish. Contact him ahead to order frozen items, as well as challah and bread (order by 9 am for next-day delivery). Many items can be ordered from Zurich with advance notice.
Economical shops in Davos
| Shop | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Migros Davos Dorf | Promenade 146 | Mon–Fri 7 am–8 pm, Sun till 6 pm |
| Coop Supermarket Davos | Bahnhofstrasse 1 | Mon–Fri 7 am–8 pm, Sun till 6 pm |
| Spar (kosher department) | Bahnhofstrasse 1 | Mon–Fri 7 am–7 pm, Sun 9 am–6 pm |
| Denner | Promenade 108 | Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pm |
| Aldi | Bahnhofstrasse 4A | Mon–Fri 7:30 am–8 pm |
| Coop Pronto / Migrolino (pricier) | Promenade 143 / Bahnhofstrasse 8 | Open daily 6 am–10 pm |
During some seasons supermarkets are closed on Sundays, and during others they have limited opening hours.
Emergency services & health
Hospital (Promenade 4, bus 1): +41 81 414 88 88. Bring your European insurance card and travel insurance documents before going.
Hochgebirgsklinik, Davos · +41 81 417 4444 · Herman Burchard Str. 1, 7265 Davos. People have been really helped by this clinic, extremely professional at isolating eczema bacteria to treat the actual infection; they also have asthma healing programs. Entrance fee 1,000 CHF, unused amounts refunded - bring an IBAN at check-in.
Pesach and Succos can be very cold in the Alps - come well-prepared with winter gear; we have a gemach of heavy winter gear. Because it takes time to adjust to the altitude, it's inadvisable to go up high on the first day - dizziness, nausea or light-headedness are common until you acclimatize.
There are plenty of pharmacies along the Promenade, between Davos Dorf Bahnhof and the Ratia Center near Coop.
What to expect, week by week
| Week | Eczema | Asthma |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feeling a little better | Worsening - more inhalers/antibiotics needed |
| 2 | No difference / worse | No difference / worse |
| 3 | No difference / worse | Relief |
| 4+ | Healing quickly | Relief and strengthening |
No one should go off inhalers suddenly, even if symptoms are relieved. If a child is on medication, they must stay on it for the duration unless the condition is mild enough to wean from week 3 - alternating day-on, day-off.
Walks & attractions
At 1,560 m above sea level, surrounded by waterfalls, mountains and easy walking trails, there's so much to do - maps are available at the tourist office. For health purposes, stay within the immediate Davos area only - Schatzalp and Parsenn - and remember what you're here for.
Schatzalp
- Do:
- Schatzalpbahn mountain train; beautiful easy walks winter & summer; toboggan in summer (4/18 CHF, cash, not open in rain).
- Getting there:
- Etania sits at the foot of the mountain - path behind the building, left side, up to the waterfall; then choose the Schatzalp peak route or cross the bridge toward Parsenn Panoramaweg.
- Access:
- Suitable for small children and buggies.
Parsenn / Weissfluhjoch
- Do:
- 3 cable cars; snow; glorious walks (summer only).
- Getting there:
- 10-min walk from Etania to Parsenn Bahn, or bus from outside Migros.
- Access:
- Most walks suit small children and buggies.
Fluela Pass
- Do:
- Beautiful walk up/down the mountain; Go Ape; bike park.
- Getting there:
- Bus opposite Migros to Davos Dorf, walk to Stilli Adventure Park, continue on Fluela path 331.
- Access:
- Possible with buggies at first, gets harder further on.
Rhinerhorn
- Do:
- Cable car, scooter/bike trails, glorious views, petting farm, children's playground.
- Getting there:
- Bus opposite Migros to the Glaris stop.
- Access:
- Suitable for small children and buggies.
Gotschnagrat
- Do:
- Cable cars, glorious walks.
- Getting there:
- Train to Klosters Platz - behind the train station.
- Access:
- Most walks suit small children and buggies.
Jakobshorn
- Do:
- Beautiful valley walks, 2 cable cars, watching paragliders take off.
- Getting there:
- Bus to Davos Platz station - tunnel behind it to the cable car station.
- Access:
- Moderately suitable for small children and buggies.
Madrisa
- Do:
- Cable car, petting zoo, family theme park, adventure trails, water park, scooter trails. In winter it operates as a family ski area.
- Getting there:
- Train to Klosters Dorf.
- Access:
- Suitable for small children and buggies.
Frauenkirch
- Do:
- Beautiful walk between breathtaking views.
- Getting there:
- Bus outside Migros to the Frauenkirch stop.
- Access:
- Possible with buggy and small children.
Monstein–Wiesen–Filisur
- Do:
- A beautiful climb through the mountain.
- Getting there:
- Bus outside Migros to Davos Dorf, then train to Monstein.
- Access:
- Difficult but doable with buggy/small children.
Davos See (Lake Davos)
- Do:
- Walk around the lake.
- Getting there:
- Bus opposite Migros to Davos Dorf.
- Access:
- Possible with buggy and small children.
Photo credits: Fluela Pass: Earth777 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Gotschnagrat: BKP (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Madrisa: Schlaier (CC BY 3.0) · Monstein–Wiesen–Filisur: Jag9889 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Feedback
It's understandable for things not to go exactly as planned, and to feel frustrated by that. That's why we have a capable, dedicated manager, Mr. Kornitzer, who you can always turn to for any matter. If a problem is especially pressing, you can always reach us through the site's contact form.