In the Engadin, we are huge fans of slow traffic and enjoy our glorious nature preferably the simple way on foot or by bike. Even when time is of the essence and we need to use road and railway, we naturally keep heading for our sustainability goals.
You are travelling to our high valley with the Rhaetian Railway? Then you are in for a delightful journey in a class of its own. The natural wonders that roll past the train window are overwhelming, the viaducts and loop tunnels bear witness of the most supreme art of engineering. What’s more, the train ride is eco-friendly, as the Rhaetian Railway powers its trains entirely by hydroelectricity! At the same time, the company optimises the energy efficiency of all its operations, thus allowing it not only to improve its own carbon footprint but also to make a significant contribution towards improving the carbon footprint of its customers and business partners.
In 2017, on occasion of the Alpine Ski World Cup in St. Moritz, an electric (hybrid) bus was put through its paces. It is not only due to this project, however, that the 2017 championship is considered the most eco-friendly Alpine Ski World Cup to date: The international mega event committed itself to a sustainability charter with more than 20 “green goals”. The hybrid bus complemented the St. Moritz bus fleet for the duration of the event and was recharged by the first mobile quick charging station in Switzerland. It provided valuable insights, proving that such a vehicle could function without a problem even in extreme low temperatures of minus 20 degrees, and that it could easily master steep winter terrain. With almost no noise and air pollution, the modern bus was definitely one of the winners of the Alpine Ski World Cup.
Since 2018, a free electric shuttle bus has been operating in Silvaplana. It was the first 100% electric bus to be put into operation in the Engadin with success. Meanwhile, Engadin Bus is also testing the potential of using electric buses for its regular services with the first approved 12m electric bus in Switzerland. The new e-bus is a so-called "depot charger." The batteries are charged by means of a stationary charger. A complete charge takes about 10 hours. According to the manufacturer, the expected range of the e-bus is 200 to 270 kilometers, depending on the area of operation and conditions.
In winter 2018/19, the offer of snowshoe tours was launched as a pilot project by the Swiss Alpine Club SAC. The idea was to make tour starting points accessible that were previously not accessible by public transport in winter.
One of the offered routes leads from Silvaplana to the Julier Pass and vice versa - where two ski touring areas with descents into the Upper Engadin extend around the Piz Güglia and the Piz Grevasalvas.
The bus runs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on general holidays twice a day there and back from approximately mid-December until the end of April/beginning of May.
Important: Tourers and snowshoers are responsible for assessing the feasibility/safety of a tour. The snow tour bus and transportation providers are only responsible for the ride to the starting point. The snow tour bus and the regional providers of the transport service do not accept any liability in case of damages.
Reservation:
The journey with the snow tour bus must be reserved until the evening before at 18.00 o'clock on the respective route page.
They are not only eco-friendly but also pretty chic: the energy benches that provide energizing relaxation at selected locations in the Engadin. The multifunctional bench – winner in the category Public Design of the international «German Design Award» – serves not only as seating, but also offers convenient additional functions like a bike rack, a USB plug-in charging station for mobile devices, a plug-in charging station for e-bikes and free WiFi.
