No wonder the region’s restaurants, bars and cafes often boast magnificent open-air terraces where guests can enjoy the sensational views while soaking up the sun. A relaxed and cheerful atmosphere is guaranteed.
You’ve just enjoyed a few thrilling runs on the pistes? Or perhaps spent an enchanting morning on cross-country skis? Or felt at one with nature on a panoramic walk through the magical winter landscapes of the Engadin? Then you need just one thing to perfect the moment: a well-deserved break on one of our sun terraces!
The meeting place by the Hahnensee run. This insiders’ tip is situated on what is arguably the best downhill run in the Engadin. The Hahnensee piste leading down to St. Moritz Bad is an absolute dream; equally exquisite is the good, hearty fare served at the Restaurant Hahnensee
The Alpina Hut is a classic among international Ski huts and offers a variety of traditional Swiss and local dishes. After a good meal on the beautiful sun terrace or in the cosy restaurant, the snow bar is waiting for some aprè-ski with contemporary music and fancy drinks.
Towering well over 3,000 metres into the Engadin sky, Corvatsch is a genuine all-rounder: its snow sports area extends from Sils via Silvaplana all the way to St. Moritz and offers anyone on skis, snowboard or snowshoes a colourful combination of action, fun, recreation and views. Thanks to the mountain’s location and altitude, you can find some of the Engadin’s finest sun terraces here.
At the Berghaus Fuorcla Surlej, a down-to-earth mountain refuge at a giddy 2,755 m above sea level, the whole world lies at your feet. The famous glacier-draped peaks of the Piz Bernina (4,049 m) and Piz Roseg (3,937 m) look down on you as you relax and enjoy the delicious home-made specialities. You can reach this delightfully sunny spot only on skis in winter – or, in summer, following a 40-minute walk from the Murtèl middle station of the Corvatsch cable car.
The rustic Alpetta mountain restaurant halfway down the Chastelets piste promises delicious alpine cuisine in a cosy and genial atmosphere. On the delightful sun terrace, you can forget the bustle all around and focus on moments of pure pleasure
Silvaplana-Surlej and Sils Maria, both located at the foot of the Corvatsch ski area, are also real sun traps. In winter, the popular Beach Club Sils on the shore of Lake Silvaplana (near the lake’s westernmost point) becomes a gastronomic hotspot where can you enjoy homemade regional specialities in the open air – along with crispy pizzas baked in a wood oven.
In the heart of the village of Sils Maria, Bar Cetto is a popular meeting point for locals and holiday visitors. The surrounding mountains look down on the charming garden terrace, where guests of all ages enjoy convivial pre-dinner drinks, leisurely nightcaps or tasty snacks.
The Arvenstube at the Arenas Resort Schweizerhof in Sils Maria also offers a delightful spot in which to soak up the sun; gastronomic highlights include the fresh salad buffet, pasta and regional specialities.
The “she-devil” – that’s what “Diavolezza” means in Romansh – tempts winter sports addicts from all over the world onto her pistes. Not surprisingly, the cuisine served at the panoramic Bellavista restaurant in the Berghaus Diavolezza is devilishly good. Traditional recipes from Graubünden and the Valtellina play the star role here against a backdrop that could not be more theatrical: the glacier-draped peaks of the Piz Bernina (4,049 m), Piz Palü (3,900 m) and their supporting cast. Any snow sports enthusiast is sure to be completely bewitched!
The delightful village of Zuoz nestles at the foot of the towering Pizzet, framed by 3,000-metre summits: the backdrop for a charming family ski area and a network of picturesque winter walking paths. The Hotel Castell, near the foot of the slopes, offers one of the valley’s most delightful spots in the sun in the form of a work of art. The gently rocking wooden terrace by the Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata boasts an original and stylish design to complement the glorious mountain views and the delicacies prepared in the Castell’s kitchens.
The highest station of the Rhaetian Railway, Ospizio Bernina, lies at an altitude of 2,253 m on the Bernina line, beside the frozen Lago Bianco. Once you step down from the much-loved “little red train”, you face a thrilling choice of adrenalin-fuelled activities, from snowkiting and ski mountaineering to freeriding: adventure is in the mountain air. But high thrills also demand relaxation and refreshment, so we recommend a break on the sun terrace of the station’s Bahnhofbuffet or – after a short walk over to the frozen Lagh da la Cruseta – on the sun terrace of the Albergo Ospizio Bernina.
The next railway station along the Bernina line, Alp Grüm, is also the stop for a panoramic sun terrace: at the Albergo Ristorante Alp Grüm, located at an altitude of 2,091 m, whose sweeping views inspire a sense of boundless freedom. The sublime sight of the dramatic Bernina massif, the sparkling Palü Glacier and the lush Valposchiavo to the south seduce every visitor into staying longer than intended!
