Cable cars, hotels, a superchef and more – all new this winter
A new top chef at the Restaurant Talvò, an eighth 5-star hotel, the modernised Diavolezza cable car and other new developments await visitors to the Engadin St. Moritz region in winter 2011/2012. The winter season opens on 22 October – earlier than at any other destination in Graubünden.
In 1,5 months it all starts: Engadin St. Moritz begins its winter season, the first destination in Graubünden to do so. The contrasts between scintillating St. Moritz and the inspiring Engadin promise an unforgettable winter treat.
New 5-star hotel for the Engadin
On 9 December 2011, the eighth 5-star hotel in Engadin St. Moritz opens: the Giardino Mountain. Located in Champfèr, it occupies a beautiful building that was previously home to the 4-star Hotel Chesa Guardalej, and which has been completely renovated. Inspiration for the concept comes from the parent property, the Hotel Giardino in Ascona. The Giardino Mountain has 78 rooms and a spa with saunas, indoor pool, treatment rooms and an exclusive spa lounge. The cuisine, too, is of the highest level, whether served at the main restaurant, the Ristorante Guardalej, at the Stüva, which specialises in delicacies from the Engadin, or at the Ristorante Ecco on Snow. Presiding here during the winter months is Rolf Fliegauf, head chef of the Ristorante Ecco (Giardino Ascona, 2 Michelin stars), assisted by his team.
New top chef at the restaurant Jöhri’s Talvò
In November 2011, the leading chef Martin Dalsass and his wife Lorena become the new hosts at the Restaurant Talvò by Dalsass (formerly Jöhri’s Talvò) in Champfèr. Martin Dalsass is well-known for his creations featuring olive oil; until now he has been running the Ristorante SantAbbondio in Lugano, which won him a Michelin star and 18 GaultMillau points. The new owners of the restaurant, the entrepreneurs Peter Spuhler and Michael Pieper, were determined that it remain a unique rendezvous for devotees of haute cuisine in the Upper Engadin. They bought the restaurant from Brigitte and Roland Jöhri, who had owned the Talvò for nearly twenty years.
Ski events to launch the season
On 26 and 27 November, St. Moritz is holding a celebration to mark the opening of the Corviglia ski area for the season. During the day, ski tests take place up on the slopes; during the evening, the action moves to a ski piste laid out in the pedestrian zone of St. Moritz. This is the venue for the celebrated City Race, at which celebrities, visitors and locals complete on a parallel slalom course.
On 3 and 4 December, Pontresina is the setting for the Nordic Opening – the official start of the season for cross-country skiers.
Modernised Diavolezza cable car
The celebrated Diavolezza cable car is being modernised in the 2011/2012 season, and equipped with the latest technology in order to provide passengers with the highest levels of comfort. As a result, the cable car is closed from 26 November 2011 until 10 February 2012. The Diavolezza then reopens for the latter part of the season, including for spring skiing.
New accommodation options: from igloos to low-energy modern design
Among the new accommodation on offer to visitors this season are options high up on Muottas Muragl and in the village of Brail. For the first time, visitors to Muottas Muragl can spend the night in an igloo village, which can accommodate up to 20 guests. A particular attraction is the Hot Igloo, equipped with a wood-burning stove and which offers views of the stars. In Brail, the In Lain Hotel Cadonau, housed in a 400-year-old Engadin building, is gaining a modern annexe of wood, glass and stone. This opens in early December 2011, and comprises 11 suites, the bar/lounge and a sun terrace.
Dazzling sporting and cultural events on and beside the frozen lake
The world-class events held in January and February on and beside frozen Lake St. Moritz are long-standing highlights of the resort’s winter calendar. From the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow to the spectacular races of the Bob and Skeleton World Cup, and from the Gourmet Festival to the White Turf horse races, the wealth and diversity of events in Engadin St. Moritz are remarkable. For an overview, see http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en/news-events/topevents/.
Big savings on holidays outside peak periods
The Ski & Snowboard Special, the most popular of various special deals on offer, is aimed at flexible holidaymakers who are able to come to the Upper Engadin outside high season and so benefit from discounts of up to 30 per cent. The package is available in durations of two to seven nights, and includes hotel accommodation, breakfast, Upper Engadin lift pass, and free travel on public transport throughout the Upper Engadin. http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en/pauschalenliste/?pauschale=skiandsnowboard_11_12_redesign
Switzerland’s largest winter sports region
What mountains. What space. What light! Engadin St. Moritz enchants visitors with its spectacular natural beauty and its legendary glamour – a unique and winning combination. With its four main peaks, 350 kilometres (220 miles) of snow-sure slopes, 150 km (95 miles) of winter walking trails and 200 km (125 miles) of cross-country ski trails, Engadin St. Moritz is one of the largest – and most beautiful – winter sports regions in Switzerland. Guests enjoy a tremendous variety of sports and leisure activities, a delicious local cuisine, a lively and diverse cultural scene and a packed programme of events. The region’s unique appeal lies in the combination of St. Moritz, the most scintillating mountain resort in the world, and the inspiring high alpine valley of the Engadin. But the main attraction in Engadin St. Moritz is and always will be nature. Here, it has ample space to reveal itself in all its glory, rewarding visitors with boundless possibilities to enjoy it to the full.
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