Switzerland
PONTRESINA
TOURIST INFORMATION
ENGADINE ST. MORITZ
Pontresina CH-7504
Telephone: (41) (81) 838 8300
Fax: (41) (81) 838 8310
URL: pontresina.ch
Email: pontresina@estm.ch
GRAUBÜNDEN
(German speaking region—also Romansch and Italian) Pontresina is a traditional Engadine village with narrow streets and medieval houses. A few miles southeast of St. Moritz, it is generally less expensive.
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Elevation: Base: 1,800 m (5,904 ft); Top: 2,978 m (9,768 ft)
Vertical: 1,178 m (3,864 ft)
Terrain: Like St. Moritz this pretty town is sheltered on a terrace facing southwest. Skiable mountains loom over it but skiers also visit Lagalb and Diavolezza south of town, in direction of Italy, or Corvatsch and Corviglia. High percentage of intermediate terrain.
Skiing Circus: See St. Moritz map for other possibilities; bus connections to other areas
Lifts: 56 in region, of many types and capacities
Lift Capacity: 67,480 p/h region
Ski Season: Mid-November to early May. 70 km (43 mi) of guaranteed snow.
No summer ski
Cross Country: 180 km (112 mi) in region. Many of the scenic tracks and walking trails are near Pontresina
Ski School: 60 qualified instructors for group and private lessons
Mountain Restaurants: On Lagalb, Diavolezza, and other mountains in the region
Other Winter Activities: Ice skating/natural; curling, horse drawn sleigh; sledding, indoor swimming; mountaineering; sleigh riding; snowshoe walking; ice hockey; more than 120 km (74 mi) of footpaths
Après-Ski: Bars, discos, cafes, fine restaurants, fondue poarties, art and folk museums, concerts, theatres, cinema
Shopping/Services: Large variety of shops
Child Care: Kindergarten (Hotel Saratz); also a skiing Kindergarten
Credit Cards: AE, DC, VISA and others accepted
Lodging: 2,200 hotel beds; 3,000 others in holiday flats and private rooms; youth hostel
Transportation: Gateway Airport: Zürich (3 hrs)
Closest Provincial City: St. Moritz (7 km)
By Auto: Via Chur and Julier Pass
By Train: Via Chur and Samedan
Best Deal: “Top Hit” arrangements starts at 302 Swiss francs
Other Information: An acknowledged climatic resort. To learn about other resorts in the Engadine valley, see also the St. Moritz and Silvaplana pages here in the Blue Book.
Rates: See Rates section
Spotlight On Pontresina |
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(Originally
written for OnTheSnow.com) |
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Pontresina sometimes may get lost in the shadow of St. Moritz, five miles away from this resort in the Graubünden canton of Switzerland. But cross country skiers know where to find it. They know that this resort contains all that Nordic fans covet: great tracks - more than 100 miles of them in the region; majestic scenery to admire as they glide along, and a calendar of events that appeal to this side of the sport of skiing. Chief among them is the annual Engadine Ski Marathon that attracts 13,000 long distance racers from around the world. Pontresina also is known as a mountain climbing center with a tradition that predates the first ascent of the canton’s highest mountain more than 150 years ago. This is not to say that downhill skiers, won’t find some thrilling terrain in this part of the Engadine. The resort with its narrow streets and medieval buildings doesn’t offer ski in/ski out opportunities. But close by car, bus or train are several impressive mountains: Muottas Muragl, north of the town, and Diavolezza and Lagalb to the south on the way to the Bernina pass to Italy. Diavolezza is a mostly intermediate mountain with great views and a glacier. Lagalb and its varied terrain are everybody’s cup of Glühwein. There are easy, groomed cruising trails, headier stuff with sheer drop-offs, and wide expanses of deep powder. Of course, skiers who elect to book into Pontresina rather than St. Moritz have the same options of skiing and snowboarding in other areas, including the rolling snowfields of Corviglia or the plunges on Corvatsch. The entire region has 217 miles of prepared slopes, long runs (one of them for six miles), and 56 lifts. Among the lifts are seven cable cars and three funiculars. Pontresina, before it became a full-fledged winter sports resort, was known as a place to “take the cure.” That type of clientele is still to be seen on the 95 miles of walking trails or participating in gentler activities, such as Bavarian curling and sleigh riding behind horses or dog teams. Although there are bars and discos, the town is quiet at night. Zurich, three hours away, is the primary gateway to this pleasant spot. |
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