Silvaplana

Silvaplana is a municipality in the district of Maloja in the Swiss canton of Graubünden and the name of a lake in the municipality.

Silvaplana (1815m above sea level) / Surlej/ Champfèr is located in the middle of the wide Engadine lake plateau and surrounded by a striking mountain landscape. The location offers a wide range of activities for anyone who likes to breathe the fresh, dry air and enjoy the unique panorama.

History

The first sign of a settlement in the borders of the municipality are some roman-era broken pillars in the Julier pass. The village church was first mentioned in 1356. A new, late gothic church was built in 1491. In 1556 the village converted to the Protestant Reformation.

Geography

Silvaplana has an area, as of 2006, of 44.7 sq.km. Of this area, 19.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 14.1% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 2.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (64.1%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).

Silvaplana is located on Lake Silvaplana in the Upper Engadine Valley. It is located in the Oberengadin sub-district of the Maloja. Above the village at 2,284 m, the Julier Pass connects the Engadine valley to the rest of Graubünden and the Rhine watershed. While the stream Ova dal Vallun which connects Lake Silvaplana and Lake Champfèr runs through the village. It consists of the village of Silvaplana and the hamlets of Surlej and Albana as well as part of the village of Champfèr.

Winter

The lake plateau and snow-covered mountain pine woods provide the ideal setting for long walks. 180km of well-prepared tracks make Silvaplana a cross-country skier's paradise. Kitesailing on the lake, tobogganing on the 1km long toboggan run, snow-shoe treks and an ice stadium with a curling rink guarantee pure winter fun.

An aerial cableway with large cabins takes you from Surlej to airy heights just below the Piz Corvatsch (3'303m above sea level) peak. Here you will find an extensive and varied ski area including a snowboard park linked to the Furtschellas pistes and St. Moritz. Every Friday evening floodlights turn the night into a ski day. The provision of professional avalanche camps has made the Corvatsch particularly attractive for freeriders.

Successful, well-established packages such as the Norwegian Week at the beginning of December, Carving Days in December and Snow-shoe Festival in January constitute the winter highlights. The Coppa Romana, the quintessential curling event, takes place every January.

Sports

The lake is well known for its predictable winds and is therefore a popular venue for water-sailsports including particularly windsurfing, kitesurfing and dinghy-sailing. There is a major watersports centre on the SW shore. An advantage of this location is that spectators are never far from the action, as they might be for more conventional maritime locations.

Summer

Silvaplana offers a wide range of relaxing holiday opportunities in summer and autumn as well. The region is just as ideal for fishing as it is for windsurfing, kitesailing, mountain biking and walking. For those who prefer more peaceful activities flower-filled meadows and stone pine forests provide an ideal setting for relaxing while taking in views of snow-covered mountains. Summer events in Silvaplana include the Mountain Bike Cup in June, the Silvaplana Women's Run in July and the internationally established Engadinwind.com Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Cup in August.