Ski Touring
The Way to Another World
As soon as the skins are on and it's time to start the ascent, you'll begin to transition into the silence that many ski tourers are looking for. Whether you start on the valley floor or take the mountain railroad to save a few meters of altitude at the beginning so you can go even higher - the possibilities in the Engadin are as endless as the vastness of the valley itself.
In the realm of the three thousand metre peaks
The Bernina Pass does not offer quite as many summit destinations as the Julier Pass. However, there are fewer people on the road and the landscape is extremely impressive with the nearby peaks of the Bernina group. The Diavolezza car park is just 15 minutes from Pontresina. Not only do the ski tours to the Piz Alv (2974 m) and Piz Minor (3048 m) start there, but also the ‘Diavolezza Challenge’: a marked ascent route that is protected from alpine dangers with timekeeping and a competition. Night training sessions are also held here every Friday.
Mountaineers use the Berghaus Diavolezza (2978 m) as a starting point for high-altitude tours in the Bernina massif. One of the most beautiful ski tours in the Engadin also starts here. The tour over the Gemsfreiheit (3185 m) down to Morteratsch (1896 m) is not very difficult, but at the same time very spectacular. Because you walk over the Pers Glacier, where you can feel the mighty Piz Palü in your face. Watch out: If you have no experience on glaciers, this ski tour is only recommended in the company of a mountain guide.
The Julier Pass (2284 m) is probably the best-known ski touring area in the Engadin. From Silvaplana, it's just a few minutes to the various car parks where the ski tours begin. The Julier Pass is popular because it offers plenty of choice and variety. Our mountain guides will find a safe route here in all conditions. Classics are the Piz Surgonda (3196 m) and the Piz Lagrev (3165 m), which offers a magnificent view of the Engadin. The Chamanna Jenatsch (2653 m) is also located in the Julier region. The SAC hut is also the starting point for the ascent of the famous Piz d'Err (3307 m).
A small ski touring jewel opens up on Muottas Muragl (2454 m). The well-known excursion mountain is accessible by funicular railway and is particularly popular for winter hiking and tobogganing. But with Piz Muragl (3156 m) and Piz Vadret (3199 m), first-class ski tour destinations also await here. As the two peaks are located in the heart of the valley, they offer a great overview of the entire Engadin.
The village of Zuoz lies in a dreamy and peaceful location on the Inn and on both sides, leisurely ski tours beckon, some of which start right on the doorstep. Zuoz also offers a ski area that considerably shortens the ascent time to Piz Belvair or Piz Griatschouls. On the opposite side of the valley, Piz Arpiglia is a popular summit destination.
Other ski tours that start directly in the village can be found in Madulain (Muntischè), La Punt (Crasta Mora) or St. Moritz (Piz Mezdi).
On the road with the pros
Pontresina Mountaineering School
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Adventure high tour
A high-altitude tour to Piz Palü (3901 m) begins on the Diavolezza (2978 m), where the panorama of the ‘Festival Hall of the Alps’ is simply stunning. A cable car takes you up to the popular ski and panoramic mountain. Mountaineers who want to get out early can spend the night in the comfortably furnished mountain lodge. There are few technical difficulties on Piz Palü, but surefootedness and a head for heights are required on the exposed summit ridge. The path through the Cambrenabrüche, where you feel like you are in an ice labyrinth, is impressive.
The winter ascent of Piz Bernina (4049 m) is a very long and difficult high-altitude tour. A total of 1600 metres in altitude have to be conquered. You pass close to gaping crevasses in the glacier. And to reach the summit, you climb over the rocky Spallagrat ridge. In addition to a good level of fitness and skiing technique, you need experience of walking and climbing with crampons. The tour also starts on the Diavolezza.
Graubünden also has an Haute Route. This leads from the Engadin to Davos in four days. You will climb some of the most beautiful ski tour peaks in Graubünden and spend the night in the SAC huts: Es-cha (2594 m), Kesch (2632 m) and Grialetsch (2542 m). For all deep snow fans and hut romantics.
In addition to the classics described above, the Engadin also offers plenty of challenges away from the crowds. In Val Forno near Maloja, for example, you will find the SAC hut of the same name, from where you can tackle the mighty Monte Disgrazia (3678 m). Piz Tschierva (3546 m), with a challenging but rewarding descent into Val Roseg, can be reached from the Boval hut. The Piz Cambrena (3606 m), which can be climbed directly from the Bernina Pass, is also interesting. And what is your summit destination? The Pontresina mountaineering school will be happy to help you.
Powdern
The Diavolezza/Lagalb and Corvatsch are heavenly for freeriders - you'll find as much powder, cliffs and endless slopes as you want in the Engadin. It's not for nothing that the best freeriders in the world meet here every year to conquer the legendary Corvatsch north face!
Freeriding means skiing in its most original form, it's like surfing on snow and the moment when your body releases countless happiness hormones.
The famous north face
In addition to Diavolezza, the northern slopes of Corvatsch also offer what you are looking for as a freerider. The terrain is challenging and the north face, which is up to 65 degrees steep, is the annual venue for the Engadinsnow freeride contest. While the pros find rocky slopes and gullies here, connoisseurs opt for the wide deep snow slopes for more relaxed freeriding. Regardless of which type you are - safety first! Always pay attention to the avalanche conditions and never go off-piste without the necessary equipment.
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The call of freedom
First lines? Safety first!
What is important when ski touring and freeriding in unsecured terrain.
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avalanche bulletin
All important information for ski tourers: snow situation, snow maps, measurements & profiles.
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