Alpinism in Pontresina

Pontresina is a famous and traditional mountaineering Town. This accolade is because of its vicinity to the magnificent Bernina Massif. Here the Alps rise again to four thousand metres and more. Piz Bernina (at 4,049 metres) is the only four-thousand-metre peak in the Eastern Alps and the highest mountain in the Canton of the Grisons, Switzerland. Its ascent, especially via the ‘Biancograt’, is a highlight for all mountaineers. Equally famous is the Piz Palü (at 3,900 metres), considered the most beautiful snow and ice mountain of the Alps.

Alpine tours in Pontresina

The Piz Palü (at 3,901 metres) and the Piz Bernina (at 4,049 metres) are the most popular summit destinations in the Bernina Massif. The former can be reached as a day tour with an overnight stay in the Berghaus Diavolezza Hostel, while the crossing of all three Palü peaks or the climb tour over the East Ridge is especially impressive. The Piz Palü destination is also very popular in Winter. The Piz Bernina, on the other hand, is mainly negotiated in Summer. This can be either via the ‘Spallagrat’ (or normal route) or via the exposed and unique ‘Biancograt’. The route up to the Piz Bernina and return is long and usually involves two overnight stays in mountain refuge chalets.

The most beautiful alpine tours in the Val Bernina

Glacier Hiking

Standing on the glacier, feeling it up close and walking across the masses of ice is a unique experience. The Pontresina Mountaineering School offers various glacier hikes in the Bernina Glaciers Adventure Region, which can be negotiated even without mountaineering experience and are suitable also accompanied by children. Sure-footedness and stamina are required, because the hikes take a long time. The starting point is the Diavolezza Mountain Station, from where visitors soon reach the mighty Pers Glacier.

Glacier Trekking

Ice Climbing in Pontresina

This involves vertical ice faces, muscle power and small steel spikes to prevent slipping. Visitors can go ice climbing in Pontresina right in the centre of the Town. This is at the Ova da Bernina White Water Gorge. Mighty columns of ice and icy walls form themselves here in winter. An ingenious irrigation system ensures ideal ice formation. Compared to an icefall in remote terrain, the dangers are lower as the routes are secured with standing positions and belays. However, visitors should not enter the gorge without experience. Ice climbing courses, rented materials and equipment are available from the Pontresina Mountaineering School. The ice climbers can be watched from the sites of the Ova da Bernina Adventure Trail.

Learn more

Winter-Canyoning

Flying over the ice

Should visitors be seeking an experience of the fascinating world of ice in a different way, we would recommend the Winter Canyoning activity in the Ova da Bernina Whitewater Gorge. This guided tour is a combination of a rope park and a Via Ferrata and lasts around two and a half hours. Secured by a rope, visitors can immerse themselves in a bizarre world, and still be right in the middle of the Town. This represents an ideal inclement weather tip, and also suitable for beginners.

Learn more

The Museum Alpin

The Engadin Mountains have found a multifaceted exhibition centre in the Museum Alpin: The fauna, flora and geology of the Grisons Mountains are represented here, as is also the Alpine Culture. The highlight is the exhibition on Summer and Winter Alpinism in the Bernina Glacial >Adventure Region. The exhibit provides an interesting insight into the world of mountaineering, from the courageous Pontresina pioneering days to the conquest of the Bernina Massif and Modern Alpinism.

Story

Portaledge: Spend the night in the ballroom of the Alps

Dusk is falling and the last rays of sun are lighting up the majestic peaks of the Engadin in gold. High above the Morteratsch Valley, we are preparing for what is probably the most extraordinary night we have ever experienced.