During the week of the World Economic Forum, Klosters is not where most novices want to be. With more action than ever expected in Davos after the long-awaited expansion of the congress centre, the main hotels in walking distance and a general sense of WEF buzz, the ski resort seems a backwater. Even the knowledge that other delegates may more inconveniently located – lodging as far away as Chur, the regional capital of Switzerland’s Grisons canton – is scant consolation.

Nevertheless, 400 of this year’s 2,450 WEF participants – or more than 16 per cent – will end up at Klosters. To minimise the inconvenience of the 7.5-mile trek to Davos, the forum has regular shuttles running into the night. It also holds some of its events in Klosters to complement the Davos programme. With chalet-style buildings, plenty of trees and high mountains dominating the resort’s scenery, the resort is an infinitely more pleasant place to stay than bustling, crowded Davos, whose 12,000 inhabitants make it one of the biggest towns in the European Alps.

“We get a lot of WEF guests, both official participants and individuals, because Davos hasn’t got enough hotels, especially in the top categories,” says Christian Erpenbeck, manager and co-owner of the four-star Silvretta Park and chairman of the Klosters hoteliers’ association. “Frankly, many guests are happier here,” he says, “because they prefer the place and the atmosphere. There’s no barbed wire, no police officers. Many delegates like Klosters because they can meet discreetly and quietly, away from the limelight.”