Snowtimes 2019 Davos

Pipo Grass – an invaluable asset to Klosters
45
The ever diligent Pipo Grass at work in the Tourist Office
Georg (Pipo) Grass was born in the Murastrasse by the old Alpenrösli
ski lift and his passion for Klosters, the people and the glorious surrounding
nature is obvious to all who know and meet him.
Text: Clair Southwell
Bilder: Clair Southwell, Foto Schmelz Klosters
Pipo originally trained as an Electro
Technician and was in the profession for
about 35 years. He worked in the Unterland
for 14 years and then his job took him
around the world but he was always homesick
for his roots and eventually he returned
to Klosters to run his own business. Pipo
went on to work as an Electric Engineer on
a project for RePower on Hydro Electric
Water Plants and about 3 years ago when
his work was finished he started looking for
new pastures and was offered the position
of Tourism Coordinator in Klosters which
luckily he accepted! Pipo is the most extraordinarily
genial person you could ever
hope to meet and with his personable face
and infectious smile he radiates warm enthusiasm
and joie de vivre and is also a real
behind the scenes grafter (and team player)
with no task too menial!
One of Pipo’s brilliant inventive ideas
is the ‘Snow and Summer Sculpture’ project
with stunning works of art created by
talented local artists Armin Fasser and Sam
Schöller. Of course the summer sculptures
carved out of massive logs of wood last for
many years, unlike the Ice sculptures, but
what an art it is to chisel away at a massive
packed snow block in freezing temperatures
and create such stunning masterpieces.
This winter Pipo engaged the support of
the Handels- und Gewerbeverein Klosters
and about 25 local businesses got involved.
Another idea of Pipo’s was the popular and
ever growing “Sächsi Schällätä” which is
Klosters calling for the winter to begin – and
it truly did this time with the snow falling
that same evening! Pipo’s love of hiking has
inspired him to create a new healthy outdoor
family project with three parts: the first is
“Experience the Klosters Circular Hiking
Trail” – a signposted circular trail of 42.2
km around Klosters connecting the most
beautiful hot spots of the surrounding mountains
with easy or challenging stages depending
on what you want. For example walks
will take you along the Dwarf Trail and the
Gadäwäg and what better way to learn the
Alps; Falla, Novai, Garfuin and Pardenn
or guests can go and marvel at the historic
Walser settlements in Monbiel, Schlappin,
Saas and Serneus. Or visit the waterfall of
Mezzaselva, the Aquasana monument, the
Cavadürli helical tunnel and much more! It
can also be possible to plan a multi day hike
with overnight accommodation in a tree hut,
sleeping in the hay or in the Town Hall in
Saas – this exciting trail will open in 2020.
The second part is the Circular Hiking Trail
SNOWTIMES 2019
DAVOS KLOSTERS