Posted: September 10, 2013

Author: Jack Shaw

While wrapping up a 2-week hiking trip along the route of the Glacier Express, we found ourselves situated in the perfect location, at the beautiful Hotel Lej da Staz, high above St. Moritz in the Engadin Valley. And an ideal place to explore the MTB potential of this famous valley.

We have always loved the skiing in St. Moritz - and the seeming lack of “hype” surrounding the off-piste and powder skiing there. Sure, there is plenty of other hype in St. Moritz, from the 5-star hotels with their Rolls Royce taxi fleets, to the high-end boutiques and fur coat-wearing patrons. But the Engadin has been also working hard to become the Alps’ Mecca of mountain biking, with a progressive attitude about trail-sharing with hikers, and an excellent lift and transport infrastructure, including trains, and the endless gravel carriage roads (the same ones used for XC skiing in the winter) that connect all of the resorts in the valley.

The set-up in the Engadin Valley is incredible. From the Flow Trail at Corviglia, easily the smoothest, bermiest run in Switzerland, to the moonscape-terrain from 3000m at Piz Nair. And to wrap up the day with a dip in an alpine lake, and a hearty plate of Alplermakaroni, it doesn’t get any better. Come join us next summer for some Engadin mountain bike exploration, you won’t believe what we can find.