Hard to believe that 150 years ago some crazy people just crashed down over snowy hills, a kind of staves fixed on their leather shoes. In the Engadine Valley the english aristocrats discovered the little village St.Moritz as a meeting point to spend the wintertime. By the time the sporty part of St. Moritz was nearly forgotten, just the wonderful parties on the frozen lake with champagne and fur coats got into everybody’s mind. But anyway so there is enough space on the slopes in the middle of the amazing mountain scenery.
To ski in the lonely Ära of the Bernina Mountains you have to put your ski skins and walk for some hours but it will be unforgettable experience. Nothing but silence and an oberwhelming nature. Much easier to reach are the popular and vey well prepared slopes of the Corviglia and Corvatsch, the freerides of Hahnensee at the Corvatsch, Morteratsch-Glacier at the Diavolezza und from the Lagalb down to the valley of Valtellina. But by the way: on the slopes at Furtschellas you can be as well very much on your own.
Where to stay ?
Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains A luxury retreat for sporty guests. The cross-country ski run goes along behind the hotel building and to reach the gondola up to the Corviglia it is a stone’s throw. After being in the cold everybody likes to enjoy the stylish wellness area with pools and different saunas. The one who didn’t have enough sport during the day quite a spacious gym is waiting for you. Via Mezdi 27, Tel 081 838 3838. www.kempinski.com/st.moritz
Badrutts’s Palace Hotel Palace ist Palace, the famous luxury hotel of St. Moritz. From the vey beginning, the opening in 1892 the upper class met here and this never stopped. The one who can’t afford a room, should at least go there for the afternoon tea, enjoying the atmosphere of the vast lobby. Don’t forget to go to there terrace or have a look through the window, the view on the lake can’t be any better. Via Serlas 27, Tel 081 837 1000. www.badruttspalace.com
Hotel Müller It is a hotel where most of the people feel comfortable. All the rooms show a contemporary design, very functional and who ever needs more space there are as well some suites and a loft opposite the main building. The Hotel doesn’t have any pool or spacious wellness, just a convenient sauna. Perfect! But two very good restaurants, one with italian cuisins and the other one, named Stüva is well known for dishes with fish. Via Maistra 202, Pontresina Tel. 081 839 3000. www.hotel-mueller.ch
Hotel Waldhaus You can’t fail. The Hotel is sitting like a medieval castle on top of Lake of Sils. One of the best hotels in den Engadine Valley, a wonderful combination of tradition and hospitality, with a huge potential of regular guests. As in all traditional houses the spacious lobby is where everybody meets, having an afternoon tea or reading the newspaper. You should not miss the dinner in the wonderful dining hall. A big memory of the old days. Via da Fex 3, Sils. Tel. 081 838 5100. www.waldhaus-sils.ch
Where to eat?
Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains – Enoteca During winter season the Kempinski Hotel opens 4 restaurants and I prefer the easy going Enoteca. Relaxed interior design with small tables, the winebar in the center and exciting food create a vey special atmosphere. On the menu you find the “triologie” three small dishes and the very best the “tasting of the Engadine Valley”. Totally different is the asian Sra Bua with a tasty Sushi menu and an excitingly good “spicy tuna roll”. Via Mezdi 27, Tel 081 838 3081. www.kempinski.com/st.moritz
Chesa Veglia The atmosphere of a medieval farmhouse in combination with traditional cuisine can’t fail. In the Chesa Veglia (means old house) you have three restaurants and two bars: the very popular “Pizzeria Heuboden” and “Patrizier Stuben” with traditional dishes like breast of duck or sliced veal but the best is the dessert of Crêpes Suzette, prepared at the table. Via Veglia 2, Tel. 081 837 2800. Pizzeria, opens at 6.30 pm, Patrizier Stuben at 12 pm. www.badruttspalace.com
Matsuhisa The japanese Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa just opened his Premium – Restaurant “Matsuhisa” in the Badrutt’s Palace. It is one of only six restaurants worldwide und you can eat a mix of a japanese and peruvian cuisine like his famous “black cod” or “yellow tail Jalapeno”. Open only in winter till March 14. Opens at 7.30 pm. Tel. 081 837 2661. www.badruttspalace.com
Banfis Bar It is a perfect place for a convenient, unexpensive lunch. Located in the middle of st. Moritz-Bad you see a lot of locals and so can enjoy the everyday’s atmosphere. The menu has only one main dish which changes daily but you always can have pasta and salad. Worth a visit! Open for breakfast and lunch. Via del Bagn 5, Tel 081 833 2579. www.banfisbar.ch
El Paradiso The Number One Ski Hut in the St.Moritz region, situated on the Corviglia. Easy to get even without skis. Amazing view on the lakes and the opposite mountains of Corvatsch and Bernina. Very good food and famous for cream slices. Via Engiadina, Tel.081 833 4002. www.el-paradiso.ch
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Skifahren
The Engadine is the Nonplusultra for alpine skiing and ambitious cross-country. You see many good skiers and a lot of cross-country people aiming for the famous Engadine Marathon. But it is as well a catwalk for the actual fashion and you won’t miss the colour of the season.
Skiservice Corvatsch The main store is near the Gondola to the Corvatsch in the village of Surlej and you find a wonderful range around alpine skiing. Extremely wellknown for renting all new models of skis and shoes. In the upper floors you find a big choice of fashionable ski suits and a lot of fashion in the snow. Ski Corvatsch has 13 stores, very convenient at the hotels Kempinski, Carlton und Badrutt’s Palace. Via dal Corvatsch 29, Silvaplana-Surlej. Tel. 081 838 7777. Opens at 8 am till 7 pm. www.skiservice-corvatsch.com
Advice: Regarding fashion Christine Conrad recommends the label Frauenschuh from Kitzbühel. Wellknown für the finest Ski fashion, very offen a combination of Loden with modern textiles.
Dorina Sport Her little store in St. Moritz -Bad is the meeting point for cross-country people in the Engadine Valley. Besides being in her store Dorina Riedi is an excellent ski instructor and many of them are vey loyal clients today. Very fashion-minded you find the lastest outfits, so this winter you will see the trendsetter in lemon and black. Via Surpunt 19, St. Moritz. Tel. 081 833 8085. Opens Mo – Sat 9am till 12.30pm, 2pm -7pm.
Advice Dorina Riedi recommends for the experienced cross-country people the ski runs to Palüd lungia or the Statzer Alp and to the Val Roseg. All three runs are quite steep, uphill and downhill, bit you won’t too many others. Immer
Where to shop ?
For sure you find all luxury labels in St.Moritz, like everywhere else.
Silvano Vitalini It is not easy to find the little boutique of Silvano Vitalini in the center of St.Moritz. He is a local and after some studies he settled down in his hometown. A lot of made to measure regarding evening wear in collaboration with Dania Good. besides men’s jackets and hand knitted pullovers.Plaza dal Mulin 8, Tel. 081 833 3301. Opens Tue – Fr 2 pm till 6.30 pm, Sat 1pm – 6 pm. www.silvanovitalini.com
