Discover Pontresina's alpine charm: Adventure and culture combined

In Pontresina, autumn wears a golden crown and history whispers its secrets through the radiant valley. I set out to discover for myself the wonders of the Grand Hotel Kronenhof. What follows is a weekend of alpine ritual, enchanting luxury, majestic nature and a bit of adventure on the side.

The long-distance hiking trail Via Engiadina is a winter dream. Our author surrendered herself to the whiteness of the Rhaetian Alps and lost sight of everyday life.

Whether you’re chasing endorphins or majestic silence, Pontresina offers winter trails that are both accessible and unforgettable. From playful paths to glacier’s-edge challenges, here are five inspiring routes to run or hike – each with its own pace, mood and magic.

Whether you are relaxing in the spa, indulging in fondue outdoors, having fun at the Krönchen Kids’ Club or dining in style in the Arven-stube, the whole family will be entertained by everything the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina has to offer.

He speaks the horses’ language, but never sees himself as a horse whisperer. Werner «Wohli» Wohlwend is a coachman, businessman and family man. His heart belongs to the over 50 horses on his farm.

and precisely ­during the Belle Époque, a small hotel ­located in a picture-perfect ­valley in the middle of the Swiss Alps opened for business. The legend says that an old lady sat at a top window, assessing the wealth of new guests by their luggage, then signalling down a suitable price for them to be charged. Imagine the ­elegant ladies, the carriages,­­ the wood- panelled rooms, and crackling fires. The hotel quickly became known as the Grande Dame of Engadine.