Skiing in St. Moritz

The abundance of snow and the assurance of good weather give St. Moritz its competitive edge over other ski resorts across the globe.  Its location, climate and altitude, which is between 1,800 and 3,303 meters makes it ideal for winter sports and activities such as skiing and snowboarding.

St. Moritz is considered as one of the best destinations for ski holidays since it offers various skiing areas for tourists and locals that are available close by.  The Upper Engadin region boasts of 350 km of ski pistes, which are marked ski runs or paths down a mountain.  The most popular ski areas in the region are Corviglia, Corvatsch and Diavolezza and these can cater to all skiers from any skill level.

Below are some tips, categorized by skill level, with regards to skiing in St. Moritz:

For Experts:
Those who are looking for a very challenging run can go to the ski areas of Lagalb and Diavolezza. There is a very popular off-piste glacier route preferred by expert skier out in Diavolezza, which goes off the back beneath Piz Bernina to Morteratsch.  Other excellent alternatives for expert skiers include the ski area located at the north-facing slope right above Margus as well as the routes from Piz Nair and the Corvatsch summit.  Heli-drop services are also being offered om Fuorcla Chamuotsch for ski runs going back to the Engadin valley via Val Suvretta or Valletta dal Guglia.

For Intermediates:
There are various ski areas around St. Moritz that are perfect for intermediate skiers.  Some of these areas include the pistes on Corviglia, which are well-groomed with an ideal cruising terrain, though some consider it as being too monotonous.  Thus, it is often recommended to ski on the Marguns bowl or the Val Schattain if you want a more interesting run.  Another interesting and challenging option for intermediate skiers is the Corvatsch-Furtschellas area, which is more varied since its much higher and wider than other surrounding ski areas.  There is also an easy, open slope at the top of Diavolezza, which is served by a fast quad and accompanied by a long intermediate run going back down.

For Beginners:
The options for beginners include starting at the Salastrains and Corviglia areas as well as in Suvretta, which is located slightly out of town.  Those on a family vacation and are looking for a child-friendly lift as well as good, broad beginner slopes at village level can go to the Celerina ski area.  First-time skiers need not to fret since the beginner slopes are good and there are several excellent ski schools within and around the town offering ski lessons.

For a slope report on the various ski areas around St. Moritz, click here.

Snowboarding in St. Moritz
The terrains in St. Moritz are considered to be ‘boarder-friendly’ and the best freeride terrains can be found at Diavolezza and Corvatsch, with several drag lifts available in Corvatsch.  There is also a special boarder’s booklet available in ski shops as well as freeride tours offered by the ski schools

Cross Country Skiing in St. Moritz
The Upper Engadin region is considered as one of the premier regions in the Alps that is ideal for cross country skiing.  The region boasts of fairly reliable snow and 180 km of trails that are surrounded by breathtaking sceneries.