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Piz Corvatsch. Photo by Rabiator larry.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Piz Corvatsch

Switzerland is a fantastic ski destination in Europe. Mount Corvatsch, or Piz Corvatsch in local parlance, is over 3000 meters high! The ski slopes are wide, and there are good routes for both beginners and experts. It is located in Graubünden’s Engadin Valley.

Piz Corvatsch is an Alps mountain in the Bernina Range that overlooks Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana in Graubünden’s Engadin region. It is the highest point on the range separating the main Inn valley from the Val Roseg. The Corvatsch massif also includes two slightly lower summits: Piz Murtèl (3,433 m (11,263 ft; north of Piz Corvatsch) and the unnamed summit where the Corvatsch upper cable car station is located (3,303 m (10,837 ft) north of Piz Murtèl).

Politically, the Piz Corvatsch summit is shared by the municipalities of Sils im Engadin/Segl and Samedan, but the 3,303-meter-high summit is shared by the municipalities of Silvaplana and Samedan. The summit of Piz Murtèl serves as a tripoint between the aforementioned municipalities.

Several glaciers can be found on the massif’s east side. The largest, located below Piz Corvatsch, is known as Vadret dal Murtèl. Vadret dal Corvatsch is the second largest, located below Piz Murtèl and the station.

1. If you enjoy hiking, Piz Corvatsch is the ideal destination

Two people hiking. Photo by Toomas Tartes.

Hiking is the best way to get to Mount Corvatsch! The journey is full of pleasant surprises, and all that exists is nature. The hiking area around the Upper Engadin lake plateau is without a doubt one of Switzerland’s most spectacular and popular. But even there, where nature has almost gone overboard in conjuring up an idyllic landscape, there are some hikes that dwarf others. One of them is undoubtedly the descent from Murtèl to Lej dals Chöds.

The first section leads you along a wide path from Murtèl, the Corvatsch cable car’s middle station, to Fuorcla Surlej. A narrow path branches off to the left just before the final descent to Fuorcla, marking the start of the magnificent descent to Lej dals Chöds. The final section descends through magnificent pine forests to Surlej.

2. Cable cars are accessible at Piz Corvatsch

A cable car. Photo by Danil Aksenov.

The large cable car itself is impressive, gliding from Surlej to the mid-mountain station in just seven minutes. Even more impressive is the breathtaking mountain panorama that awaits you at the end of the next leg of the journey, when you step out of the cabin at the highest summit station in the Eastern Alps, at 3,303 m (10,837ft).

3. Piz Corvatsch is well-known for its daytime skiing

Person skiing on ice field. Photo by Valentin B. Kremer.

Corvatsch has the longest illuminated slope in Switzerland, stretching 4.2 kilometers from the Murtèl middle station to Surlej. You can see the slope shining from Corvatsch across the way if you drive down the Julier Pass in the evening.

Every Friday evening, the snow groomers begin by preparing slope no. 10 so that it is ready for the snow sports enthusiasts who arrive for the Snow Night at 7 p.m. or later. Skiing at night is an unforgettable experience. You know it’s the same slope you ski on during the day, just with different lighting.

But that is not the case. Your senses have been sharpened, and you are more focused on the illuminated slope. It’s pitch black outside, with only the moon and stars illuminating the mountains. You feel as if you’ve been transported to another world!

4. Skiing at night is an unforgettable experience at Piz Corvatsch

Tickets can be purchased at the Surlej valley station. The regional and annual ski passes are ineligible for the Corvatsch Snow Night.

Entry tickets in the early evening; that is between 7:00pm to 9:00pm are CHF 31.00 for adults and CHF 18.00 for children. The snow night season pass tickets for adults are CHF 99.00 and 59.00 for children. 

The snow night season pass begins to save you money after the fourth Snow Night. From December to April, you can enjoy the thrill of night skiing under floodlights 18 times.

5. You should dress warmly while visiting Piz Corvatsch

Piz Corvatsch has an alpine tundra climate (ET), with long, cold winters that last the majority of the year and a brief period in summer when average daily highs rise above freezing.

6. Piz Corvatsch has its own railway

Mountain railways. Photo by Yeka.UK.

On December 8, 1963, section two of the Corvatsch mountain railways became operational, making the skiing and hiking mountain completely accessible. Since the Corvatsch was made completely accessible by cable car 50 years ago, the number 3,303 has stood for the highest point in the Eastern Alps reachable by cable car.

More than 55 million visitors have been transported up the panoramic ski mountain since then.

7. Piz Corvatsch supports professional skiing

Since its inception, the Corvatsch has been and continues to be an athlete’s mountain. The only difference is that their skis and pants are now wider, and their hair is now tucked into a helmet.

8. Skiing at Piz Corvatsch in the summer is a plan

Things were very busy in terms of ski sports on the Corvatsch glacier until the early 1980s. Every summer, three glacier ski lifts transported up to 340,000 ski guests on the best days. Due to the glacier recession, the ski lifts had to be shut down in summer 1992.

9. A helicopter tour of the mountains is a must-do

Helicopter at the top of a mountain. Photo by Spondylolithesis.

The Corvatsch mountain station has one of the few mountain airstrips in the Grisons. Enjoy helicopter sightseeing to or from the Corvatsch platform. You need to make a reservation in advance.

10. Enjoy the serenity of nature

A snowshoe hike on a marked trail above the Engadin lake scenery can only be found on the Corvatsch. The snowshoe hike begins at the Furtschellas middle station. It begins in the ski area before branching off into the peace and solitude of the Engadin’s alpine landscape. This trail is ideal for those seeking solitude and pristine nature.

It is well-marked. A trail groomer plows the path, which is marked with purple poles. The hike is appropriate for beginners, and anyone looking for a safe and relaxing snowshoeing experience. 

The view of the Engadin lake scenery from Maloja to St. Moritz is well worth the effort. The path concludes at the Osteria Rabgiusa (2,440 m), where piadine, pizzas, and other specialties are available. The new sun terrace is an excellent place to reflect on the experience.