Engadine, a Swiss Winter Wonderland

- Hotel Privata, Sils
Stunning Engadine Valley | Picturesque scenery, walking paths & historic villages
Alps journeys | Take the spectacular Bernina Express train ride through the Alps
Hotel Privata | Combines design & tradition, celebrating local art and culinary heritage
Charming Sils | Nestled between two serene lakes, Sils is traditional and endearing
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • detailed information about the area
  • rail and bus from/to Zürich Airport (if flying)
  • free use of local public transport
  • Engadine, a Swiss Winter Wonderland
    - Hotel Privata, Sils
  • The beautiful Engadine Valley
  • Good choice of cross-country trails
  • Scenic trails © Filip Zuan Engadin St Moritz Tourismus
  • Plenty of walking options © Christof Sonderegger Engadin St Moritz Tourismus
  • Superb views from Muottas Muragl
  • Tasty Engadine nut tart
  • Take a ride on the Bernina Express
  • Pretty Sils © Fabien Gattlen Engadin St Moritz Tourismus
  • Traditional detailing on the front of Hotel Privata
  • The hotel lounge
  • The hotel restaurant
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • detailed information about the area
  • rail and bus from/to Zürich Airport (if flying)
  • free use of local public transport

Holiday information

A winter walking holiday in Sils

for skiers and non-skiers
The Engadine Valley in easternmost Switzerland holds a lot of trump cards when it comes to winter holidays, with spectacular walks, all amid picturesque scenery of lofty peaks and historic stone-built villages.

Indeed, the atmospheric village of Sils at the western end of the valley is a veritable winter playground, with a large network of walking paths. If that weren’t enough, you can also appreciate the tranquillity of the valleys on snowshoes, cross-country ski in this world-class skiing region, enjoy the buzz of tobogganing, or take a trip on the Bernina Express, one of the most spectacular train rides through the Alps.
After a day filled with stunning walks and scenery, you return to the heart of the village and the wonderfully welcoming Hotel Privata, which offers a unique blend of design and tradition. Marc Chagall was a guest here in the 1960s and the Engadine’s own rich artistic heritage is celebrated in the sgraffito decoration of the stonework and the artworks on every floor. In addition to being devoted art aficionados, your hosts are deeply committed to the culinary traditions of the region; each evening’s dinner is a celebration of family heritage, skillfully showcasing locally sourced produce to create a truly exceptional dining experience.

Our expert says

“The hotel’s blend of tradition, design and friendly service puts a stay here in a league of its own. Sils and its lakes are close to St Moritz, but very few people know of them. That’s no bad thing, as it means that instead of glitz, there’s a real sense of history – you feel as though you’re stepping back in time every time you head out to the winter walking trails.”
Inntravel winter holiday expert


Winter activities

There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of the activities as the mood takes you.
  • 150km in the Engadin St Moritz region
    With frozen lakes and a choice of quiet valleys, Sils is a paradise for winter walkers. The lifts in the nearby downhill ski area also give walkers access to prepared trails in the mountains which command bird’s-eye views. Local bus and train travel is free of charge for hotel guests, enabling you to explore even further afield.

    All trails are well signed, and any snow specially flattened to facilitate walking. In the detailed documentation we provide, we give an overview of our favourite options, including the following three routes:

    Val Roseg: 7km
    No holiday to Sils is complete without a visit to this delightful traffic-free valley. Starting from the nearby village of Pontresina, the path ascends gradually to a restaurant, whose sunny terrace is a great spot for lunch or a slice of cake before returning either on foot or by horse-drawn sleigh.

    Sils to Maloja: 7km
    Sils sits between two lakes, Silvaplanersee and Silsersee. This easy route takes you across the latter and onwards to Maloja, the Engadine’s gateway to Italy.

    Fex Valley, 4.5km
    Climbing from Sils to 1,944 metres, this route is a little more challenging, but it rewards with beautiful panoramas over the frozen lakes and surrounding mountains, plus there is a guesthouse at the midpoint which serves delicious regional specialities.
    A snowy stroll © Filip Zuan Engadin St Moritz Tourismus
  • Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing & more

    Snowshoeing
    There are a number of snowshoe trails in the area around Sils, as well as slightly further afield on Muottas Muragl, a high mountain plateau whose tranquillity is arguably best enjoyed on snowshoes.

    Tobogganing
    Sils boasts two toboggan runs, one of which descends through forest to the shores of one of the frozen lakes.

    Ice skating & curling
    Sils’ ice rink is natural, and is open daily, with floodlit evening sessions a couple of times a week. The adjacent curling facilities offer introductory lessons on Thursdays in January and February.

    Downhill skiing
    With a total of 25 pistes (3 blue runs, 19 red and 3 black), the Corvatsch-Furtschellas ski area above Sils caters for all abilities. An even greater variety of slopes can be found at nearby St Moritz, 20 minutes away by bus.

    Cross-country skiing
    The Engadin St. Moritz region offers 220 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails suitable for all skill levels, characterized by its wide, flat valley floor and stunning high-Alpine landscape, complete with frozen lakes. Skiers can easily access trails starting from Sils, with the added convenience of a free local transport network, although a trail pass is required. The terrain near the village features easy, gently undulating trails, while more challenging routes lead into the surrounding valleys.

    Each March, the region hosts the Engadine Ski Marathon, attracting over 14,000 participants for its 42-kilometer course, which visitors can explore in sections or tackle in full during their stay.
    Tobogganing © Filip Zuan Engadin St Moritz Tourismus
    Curling © Fabien Gattlen Engadin St Moritz Tourismus
    Beautiful trails
    Well-signed routes
  • Bernina Express, St Moritz & more

    Bernina Express
    A journey on this picturesque, UNESCO World Heritage railway is not to be missed. Starting in St Moritz, the line not only takes in 55 tunnels and 196 bridges as it winds its way across the Alps from Switzerland to Italy, but also reveals astonishingly contrasting scenery, from glaciers to swaying palm trees.

    Muottas Muragl
    The main reason to visit Muottas Muragl is the view – located at almost 2,500 metres above sea level, this high mountain plateau in the Upper Engadine commands superb vistas of the surrounding peaks and lakes. You could simply enjoy a leisurely lunch at the panoramic restaurant, but there are also several walking options – including a philosophy-themed path – and a couple of snowshoe hikes if you wish to take in more of the scenery.

    St Moritz
    The glitz and glamour of St Moritz – a good choice for a day of people-watching – is just twenty minutes away by bus. As well as boasting 5-star hotels and chic boutiques, the resort is home to the Olympia Bob Run (the oldest bobsleigh run in the world) and the famous Cresta Run. 
    Funicular to Muottas Muragl
    St Moritz
  • Special events
    Christmas is celebrated with a festive meal on 24 December. New Year's Eve is a very relaxed affair, with a gala dinner followed by Glühwein at midnight.

About Sils

Sitting serenely between two lakes, Sils (altitude: 1809m) is a pretty village of traditional painted stone buildings. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who used to holiday here, described it as ‘the most charming corner on earth’, and it feels a world away from its more stylish and cosmopolitan neighbour, St Moritz. Although small, Sils offers a good range of facilities, including a post office, bank, sports and souveniers shops, plus several cafés.
Hotel Privata

Bedrooms

Prices & travel
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 14 December 2024 - 30 March 2025

    Start varies according to travel method* | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Adults
    13 Dec - 28 Dec 2025 £2051
    05 Jan - 31 Jan 2026 £1771
    01 Feb - 28 Feb 2026 £1911
    01 Mar - 22 Mar 2026 £1721
  • Combining high-speed Eurostar and TGV with the clockwork efficiency of Swiss railways, this is relaxed independent travel at its finest. You’ll be in the Engadine Valley in time for dinner!

    However, the best views are kept for the last part of the journey, so in fact we recommend breaking your journey in Zürich, otherwise the passing lakes and mountains will be shrouded in darkness. After a night of traditional Swiss hospitality, take a comfortable Swiss Intercity following the shores of Lake Zürich and Walensee, then change to a local narrow-gauge train which passes through a tunnel into the idyllic Engadine valley. There is no price difference, other than the cost of your overnight accommodation in Zürich.

    If you would prefer an alternative route, our rail specialists can tailor the arrangements to suit you and provide a quotation.

    > Travelling by train to Switzerland: what to expect
    > More about 'by rail' prices

    Route on which prices are based

    Outward journey Departure time
    from London     		Arrival time
    at hotel
    St Pancras–Paris–Zürich–Chur–St Moritz–Sils (Eurostar, TGV, regional rail & postbus, 11h45), walk from Sils bus stop (0h03) approx 0755 Sat (it is not recommended to travel from London on Sun) approx 2030
    Homeward journey Departure time
    from hotel     		Arrival time
    in London
    Walk to bus stop (0h03), Sils–St Moritz–Chur–Zürich–Paris–St Pancras (postbus, regional rail, TGV & Eurostar, 13h20) approx 0825 approx 2045
Price from
£1,721pp | 7 nights
Engadine, a Swiss Winter Wonderland. 7 nights
Price from
£1,721pp
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