Activities on ice

Climbing walls of ice

With crampons on their boots and an ice axe in each hand, enthusiasts scale mighty walls of ice painstakingly. They have two options in the Engadin for testing their skills. By the Corvatsch cable car summit station, staff release water at the clifftop to create an ice climbing wall, the highest of its kind in the world; aficionados can also tackle the frozen waterfall in the gorge at Pontresina. The Pontresina Mountaineering School offers daring novices the chance to try the sport under expert guidance. engadin.ch/ice-climbing

Ice rinks in the villages

The Engadin has a long tradition of enjoying a great variety of ice sports. As a result, every village has a rink in winter for curling and ice hockey, figure skating and Bavarian curling –and for simply enjoying a gentle glide across the sparkling ice. engadin.ch/ice

Black ice

Sub-zero temperatures and no snowfall: when these conditions coincide, the surface of the Engadin lakes freezes to form a transparent sheet of ice, black and mysterious, sparkling in the sunshine. This wonder of nature is rare, however, occurring only about twice a decade. Locals and visitors venture onto the ice at their own risk. Information about the state of the ice and tips on how to enjoy it safely are available from local tourist information offices. engadin.ch/black-ice

Madulain ice path

Madulain – Skate across the snow-covered meadows along the Inn, admire the play of light on the river, enjoy the views of the historical heart of the village of Madulain and breathe the pure tranquillity that reigns along the valley floor: the Madulain “ice path” offers a special skating experience, surrounded by nature. The trail starts by the works yard in Madulain. Bring your own skates; please note that you use the ice path at your own risk. engadin.ch/ice-way

1 Ice fishing

Sils – Between January and March, fishing first-timers and fanatics alike can enjoy a unique experience on frozen Lake Sils. engadin.ch/ice-fishing

More info? engadin.ch/ice