The ENGADIN VALLEY and SAMEDAN

Samedan 1700m is located in the Engadin valley in south east Switzerland. Maloja is at the head of the valley and at the edge of one of two large lakes that are frozen over in winter and the ski trails are over the snow covered ice. You cannot get anything flatter than that. The Engadin Skimarathon starts at Maloja and St Moritz is located at the 17km mark. There is then a short hill and then downhill to Pontresina which is located in a side valley. The marathon trail then follows level terrain to Samedan at 25km and then on to the finish down the broad open valley at S-chanf, a total distance of 42km. From here the valley narrows and the river follows a gorge but the track continues on a forest road for 12 km to Zernez. It is possible in good snow conditions to follow groomed trails for another 12 km to Such and then Lavin and return up valley by train.

Samedan (pictured from the golf course) is situated on the sunny side of the valley, is a compact village with a good range of essential services, accommodation and food. It has easy access to the XC trails and it is not too hilly. St Moritz-Dorf is too far from the trails and is very hilly and St Moritz-Bad is spread out and not on the train line. Pontresina is up a steep hill and about 1km from the trails and station. Bever is about 2km from Samedan and is close to the trails, has a station and bus service but other services are limited.

  There are about 250km of groomed trails in Engadin. The Skimarathon trails are all groomed for skating and classical. The greatest number of skiers is on the lakes where there are three or four classic tracks in each direction and a double width skating track in each direction. There are about twenty towns or villages scattered along the trails and all have accommodation and food available. West from St Moritz is served by buses and east from St Moritz there are train and bus services. Transport costs are rather expensive but worth it as the services extend the skiable distance. There are numerous classical tracks groomed from or near most of these villages. There are fabulous mountain range views in all directions. Most of the area is free of avalanche danger so safety closures of some side valleys still leave plenty of trails to ski.

  Trails worth skiing are a challenging one on the side of the hill above the lake from Maloja to Sils Maria;  Pontresina to Morteratsch and on to the glacier and the more difficult trail to Val Roseg where there are glaciers at the head of a valley. The short but steep climb up to Alp Staz is worthwhile. Bever to Alp Spinas is uphill but has easy grades and does give a good run back down. S-chanf to Zernez is the longest run between villages and the scenery is a change from the open valley.

  A trail map is for sale and there are large trail maps displayed at several junctions along the trails and all trail junctions are clearly marked with signs similar to street signs. Trail fees of SF7 per day are payable or a season’s pass for SF30. There are at least four XC ski school centres that sell waxes and provide ski benches for waxing and there are a number of retail ski shops in the area.

There is snow usually from mid December  and reliable snow in January and the first half of February but note that the Skimarathon held on the second Sunday in March is often run on wet snow and through puddles of water. In 2001 there was plenty of snow for the Loppet but some rain and soft snow in March. It can get very cold in winter and temperatures of minus 30 can be expected occasionally and minus 10 to 15 quite common. When the sun is shining there is a lot of radiant heat but not enough to cause sunburn on the face. The bottom photo is at Zuoz near the end of the Engadin marathon track.

  Other activities possible are a visit to St Moritz to check out the fur coats and Rolls Royces and do a bit of window shopping. St Moritz has winter horse racing and polo in an arena set up on the lake and for excitement there is often activity on the world champion class bobsled track and a Nordic ski jump. The downhill slopes of St Moritz and Celerina are linked and provide more runs than can be done in a day. A return train trip over the Bernina Pass to the Italian town of Tirano is only about 80km. Allow a full day for the trip. There may be concerts or music recitals in the area. Horse drawn sleigh rides are a feature of most European snow bound towns although when the snow is light they put down a set o wheels. It is possible to ice skate and play curling, and watch ice hockey.                                                     

Try tobogganing.  A short train ride takes you to Preda at 1788m where you take to the groomed trail in a Schlitten ( a toboggan on runners ) and finish up 5 km later at Bergun station at 1372m. There are regular trains and you can do it all day on a daily ticket if desired. It is easy to learn and can be done solo or with a passenger. Sit on the toboggan with the legs straight and lean back holding on to the rope. To turn right lean to the right and if that doesn't work keep leaning and dig the right heal in the snow. To slow down dig both heels in the snow.

Contact the Tourist Office at  info@samedan.ch                 website  www.samedan.ch 

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