Engadin Valley and St Moritz

The Upper Engadin, A High Valley Of Lakes And Larch Forests, Home To The Glamorous Winter Resort Of St Moritz, Which Hosted The Winter Olympics In 1928 And 1948 And Invented Winter Tourism In 1864. Nearby, Pontresina, Sils And The Morteratsch Glacier And The Bernina Railway. · St Moritz, Graubunden

The Upper Engadin is a high valley at about 1,800 m in eastern Graubunden, a string of lakes and larch forests under peaks and glaciers, with the resort of St Moritz at its centre. St Moritz bills itself as the Top of the World. In 1864 the hotelier Johannes Badrutt bet English summer guests that winter here would be warm and sunny, and the bet started winter tourism. The town hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, and it still runs the Cresta Run ice toboggan track and the horse racing, polo and even cricket held on the frozen lake. Around it lie Pontresina, Sils Maria, the Morteratsch glacier and the Bernina railway. The honest picture is a glamorous and very expensive resort with little old-town feel, but the landscape is superb, and summer is quieter and gentler for hiking, biking and sailing. Trains link the villages, so you can stay in a cheaper one and ride in each day. Book winter rooms early, bring layers for the altitude, and expect the sun to be strong even on a cold day. The Engadin suits visitors who want scenery and space more than nightlife.

High alpine valley of the Inn river at about 1,800 m in eastern Graubunden, with the resort town of St Moritz on its lake and Corviglia ski area above, St Moritz, Graubunden, Switzerland

The valley is open all year. The ski season runs roughly from December to April, with lifts shut in the spring and autumn off-season. Many hotels, shops and mountain railways CLOSE for a few weeks in May and November. Museums keep short hours and shut on some days, so check locally.

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