
Corvatsch
120km of piste, 1,506m vertical, 3,303m summit. North-facing powder skiing in Graubünden, Switzerland.
Corvatsch rises to 3,303 metres above the Upper Engadin valley, claiming the highest mountain station in Graubünden and a commanding 1,506-metre vertical drop. The resort spreads 120 kilometres of piste across 26 marked runs, with 74 per cent graded intermediate and north-facing slopes that hold snow reliably from late November through April. Three aerial tramways access separate sectors at Corvatsch, Furtschellas and Murtèl, whilst the peak station sits above a small glacier that extends skiing well into spring.
Intermediate terrain dominates with wide cruising runs and sustained descents reaching 1,000 vertical metres on several lines. The 9-kilometre Hahnensee piste drops from Corvatsch summit to St Moritz Bad, threading through varied pitch and aspect. Furtschellas offers gentler graded blues for progression, whilst expert terrain includes steep couloirs and marked freeride zones above the glacier. Corvatsch Park ranks among the Alps' larger terrain parks, hosting FIS Freeski and Snowboard World Cup events annually.
The mountain attracts a sports-focused clientele distinct from the neighbouring Corviglia scene. On-mountain dining centres on substance rather than luxury, with the 3,303-metre summit restaurant serving polenta-based dishes and mid-station Murtèl offering wood-fired pizza. Friday night skiing illuminates a 4.2-kilometre run, Switzerland's longest floodlit descent. The Hossa Bar at mid-mountain anchors après activity.
Ikon Pass holders receive seven days' combined access across all St Moritz areas, with Corvatsch included in the Engadin Mountain Pool regional pass. The 2025-26 season runs 22 November to 26 April. Corvatsch suits confident intermediates and expert skiers seeking sustained vertical and reliable snow conditions away from St Moritz's central crowds.
At 3,303 metres, Corvatsch tops out higher than almost anything else in the St Moritz region, and the snow reflects it, with 7.6 metres a year keeping the slopes dependable late into the season. The sporty Upper Engadin mountain covers 120 kilometres of piste across 26 runs, with 1,506 metres of vertical from 1,797 metres. Intermediates dominate at 74%, with 11% beginner, 10% advanced and 5% expert. Terrain suits confident skiers who want sustained, open descents rather than nursery slopes, and three aerial trams plus a handful of chairs keep the large area linked together.
The Hahnensee run, known as the Königsabfahrt of the Engadin, is a black descent of about 9 kilometres to St Moritz Bad and is the signature piste. Freeriders head for Fuorcla Surlej, reached from the top of the Corvatsch cable car, which offers around 1,000 metres of vertical through wide powder slopes and steep couloirs; this is serious terrain needing proper gear and a guide. Murtèl has wide rolling blues for lower intermediates, and Friday night skiing lights up the longest floodlit run in Switzerland. Best for strong intermediates and advanced skiers, with limited options for beginners.
The 2025-26 season opened 22 November and runs through 26 April, spanning five months of lift-served skiing. Corvatsch typically operates one of the Engadin's longer seasons, with north-facing aspects and high elevation preserving coverage into late spring. Early-season openings in late November align with the resort's 3,303-metre summit elevation advantage.
Snowfall averages 760 centimetres annually at upper elevations, though recent seasons show variability. The 30-year average sits near 170 centimetres, whilst the 2023-24 season delivered only 80 centimetres. North-facing exposure and glacier presence help maintain base depths above 100 centimetres during peak winter. Limited snowmaking supplements natural accumulation on key runs including the night skiing route.
January through March delivers prime conditions, with February offering the deepest snowpack and coldest temperatures for powder preservation. April extends the season on upper slopes, where spring corn develops reliably on sun-exposed aspects. Powder can linger for days in shaded sectors given Corvatsch's quieter midweek traffic compared to Corviglia.
Friday night skiing runs 7pm to 1am December through January and 7pm to 2am February through April on the 4.2-kilometre illuminated descent. The Corvatsch Park terrain features and halfpipe operate throughout the season. No summer glacier skiing operates despite the summit's elevation. Mid-November through early May represents the reliable window for snow conditions.
Corvatsch occupies the south-western flank of the Upper Engadin valley in Graubünden canton, opposite St Moritz across the valley floor. Base facilities sit between 1,797 and 1,870 metres elevation near the villages of Surlej, Silvaplana and Sils im Engadin. The resort stands 12 kilometres by road south-west of St Moritz town centre, surrounded by peaks including the 3,451-metre Piz Corvatsch summit.
Silvaplana (population 900) and neighbouring Surlej provide the closest accommodation options, connected by free electric shuttle buses running every 20 minutes to the Corvatsch tramway. Sils im Engadin lies 1.1 kilometres from base facilities, whilst St Moritz sits 7 kilometres distant with regular PostBus connections. The valley's lake plateau stretches below at 1,800 metres, flanked by Piz Bernina at 4,049 metres to the south.
Road access follows Route 3 through the Engadin valley, reached via Julier Pass from the north or Maloja Pass from the south. Zurich lies 203 kilometres distant with a 2.5-hour drive via Chur, the Graubünden capital 86 kilometres north. Milan sits 125 kilometres south-west over the Maloja Pass. The Vereina rail tunnel offers an alternative approach from Austria.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) provides the primary international gateway at 211 kilometres, requiring 2 hours 47 minutes by car. Milan Malpensa (MXP) sits 183 kilometres distant. Train connections run from both airports to St Moritz station via Chur on the Rhaetian Railway, with journey times near 4.5 hours from Zurich. Local buses complete the final 8-kilometre transfer from St Moritz to Corvatsch base stations.
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