Friday 7 December 2012

Lenzerheide-Switzerland | Unique Mountain Resort, Alpine Oasis of Peace.



Lenzerheide is a a special destination of Switzerland representing a unique mountain resort and an Alpine oasis of peace surrounded by a marvellous crown of stunning peaks, in the marvellous district of Albula, transmitting in a while with all its charm the magic atmosphere you can breathe in the Canton of Grisons also known as Kanton Graubünden.

Part of the municipality of Vaz/Obervaz that small but extremely captivating Swiss village is dominated by the silhouette of the majestic Parpaner Rothorn a superb height of 2899,0 of  altitude part of the Plessur Alps, iconic landmark of that beautiful resort which is also encircled by a chain of other stunning mountains such as the Scharmoin Lavoz and Statz which all together form a striking frame in one of the most scenic corners of the Swiss Confederation.

Located at an altitude of 1,473 metres in proximity of the famous Albula Pass, another superb attraction well known to link La Punt-Chamues-ch also called in Italian Ponte-Campovasto to Thusis through Bergün, a fabulous gateway to enjoy numerous excursions discovering stunning, unforgettable beauties scattered all around the Inn Valley also known as Engadin.

The strategic geographic position of Lenzerheide is simply great because that site lies at just 19,0 kilometres from Chur, the beautiful capital of the Canton, 140,0 kilometres from Zurich one the major centres of the Nation, the splendid Vaduz Capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein is at 60,0 kilometres of distance while the glamorous, eternally trendy Sankt Moritz with also the superb Davos, emblematic ski resort in its immediate proximity is just 39, 0 kilometres away.


Definitely all that makes that site a very inviting place surrounded by all those notable destinations, an aspect more than attractive offering the unique chance to visit during a stay all those renowned towns and appealing cities.

The local scenery is absolutely striking highlighted by the charming presence of traditional stone and wooden Alpine houses, a fantastic, immaculate nature all around its boundaries with several green forests bordering the stupendous course of the Lai, the river crossing a scenic valley which shows also in its most remote hamlets all its beauty
  
Those unforgettable images correspond to most fascinating Switzerland probably you will conserve in the best albums of your trips all time.

Well known to be a superb winter sports resort for the presence of wonderful pistes next to a renowned tradition which consecrated that site of the Alvaschein sub-district  at international level as seat of stage of the Alpine Ski World Cup, a pride of the entire community hosting that relevant event considering the size of Lenzerheide which apart all that offers much more.

Since a long time ago that resort is a beloved destination by all those who are fond of mountaineering, venerated by enthusiast trekkers, a great incentive for cyclists and mountain bikers for the wide variety of trails enjoying special itineraries and in addition very appreciated by numerous people for its peaceful environment. 

An uncontaminated atmosphere is a further great feature delighting a multitude of visitors which elevated that centre as a renowned climatic Spa hub, an activity which started since many decades ago placing that Alpine gem in the highest ranking of the the country.

Next to that wide range of opportunities the tourists can be delighted by an excellent network of very comfortable Hotels and accommodations some of them providing facilities to enjoy the best, trendiest therapies and treatments in very modern, equipped complexes.

Despite the establishment of structures linked to hospitality andI Incoming tourism which offers of the most outstanding services, that place has kept an immaculate image thanks to a clever plan of preservation cleverly managed since many years ago also for that it very loved immediately entering in the preferences of a lot of people.

Many are the opportunities also for all those who want to spend holidays visiting historic sites thanks to a notable historic patrimony in many places in the immediate vicinity of Lenzerheide including in minor centres, the Canton of Graubünden in addition offers a very delectable gastronomy with some specialities among the most exquisite of the entire Nation.

Apart all those magnificent features, that splendid resort also has a very interesting history to narrate since the Middle Ages when in its current boundaries were already present various hamlets scattered along the local valley.

Originally the territory in which was established the first settlement was created by a prehistoric landslide, the first relevant, local community was the Rumantsch Grischun, a Rhaetian Celtic language which had some Latin, Gallic and Lombard influences due to different reasons such as colonisation, rules, migrations, geographic proximity of other settlers who in  different historic periods influenced the former autochtone language.

The Roman Empire occupied that area in 15 BC inserting it in a province called Raetia during the times of Emperor Augustus with capital Curium Raetorium, the present Chur or Coira as it is also known that centre.

The fall Rome was due to numerous invasions by Herules and Ostrogoths, the latter replaced in 536 by the Franks which since the 8th century incorporated those lands in the Holy Roman Empire. 

In the Middle Ages with the breakup of the Carolingian dynasties, that land entered in the sphere of the Herzogtum Schwaber, the Duchy of Swabia  which since the 13th century permitted the settlement of the Walser, a Germanic community coming from the Bernese Oberland in a territory pretty depopulated.

The first official, old name of the site was Lai corresponding to the local stream and in the following centuries new German speaking communities started to occupy the present territory giving it the current denomination. 

Today the predominant language is the German despite the Rumantsch or Romansh is still spoken by approximately the 8% of the inhabitants. 

The first inhabitants were mainly farmers, woodcutters, artisans in a Swiss area which was in old times lived pretty isolated for a lack of communications and infrastructures in a period in which was born in 1367 the Gottes Haus, the pioneer Institution later replaced in 1424 by the Grauer Bund, the Grey League which started its struggle for the formation of a Cantonal Nation with the aim to abolish the feudalism and the foreign influences in Switzerland.

The only chances of communication with some options to reach some places of relevance consisted in old paths leading to the important centres of Chur and Sankt Moritz which since centuries ago were the most relevant destinations for the locals to trade their products coming from the Maggenco, a wide pasture on which the main activities were agriculture and breeding.

Something partially changed in terms of connections in the post medieval era concretely in the late 15th and 16th centuries when beneath the Parpaner Rothorn were discovered some relevant mines.

Due to that considerable discovery in those times was developed a road leading to the Septimer Pass and the Julier Pass developing an Alpine artery linking the village to the beautiful valley Val Sursette in addition reaching the territories of the Engadin towards the Italian border at the foot of the Bernina glacier.

Despite those notable improvements the trips were very slow and due to that there was not the opportunity to create a flourishing commercial activity keeping that community in a shade far from the most relevant routes.

Lenzerheide continued to be a small centre but thanks to another discovery consisting in mineral waters it started to be well known and much more visited.

In  the late 19th century it was protagonist of the first tourist incoming flows mainly receiving people from the nearest towns attracted by that new considerable resource which was since the beginning of a new flourishing era related to the tourism industry as Spa with very positive results. 

A first Official accommodation called Inn Post was opened in 1879  which took later the denomination of Hotel Danis

Seven years later the village was officially declared as a summer Spa resort, the first considerable facilities were established in 1886 continuing with extreme success a brilliant escalation calling year by year numerous visitors.

Despite the progressive development an new further flows of tourists Lenzerheide  greatly conserved the aspect of a site which continues to show with pride the image of a centre which eternally desires to preserve its identity of a unique mountain resort.

In the 90's of that century in the local boundaries was also elevated the local Parish Church, it was also a period in which the village started to receive other kinds of visitors who decided to spend there winter holidays.

Approximately 25 years later the current resort already had six Hotels. in a short time others were opened, in the meantime in its boundaries was also managed the establishment of a network of renting houses and apartments to respond to a continuous increasing demand supplying in that way more and more beds to many people totally in love with that place boasting a bewitching, divine environment.

Thanks to a new and modern arrangement of a road linked to Vaz/Obervaz, automatically the village was connected to all the Graubünden Canton by new pass roads and  in 1936 took place the inauguration of the Funibahn, the Funicular Station, an event which elevated Lenzerheide in the Swiss elite as a destination of very high reputation.

In 1942 was also established the first ski lift pioneer of a boom regarding winters sports with the exploit of Alpine skiing which found in the shade of the Parpaner Rothorn a stunning habitat elevating the resort in the highest sphere at national level in a country with great traditions.

Immediately a multitude people fond of that trendy activity appreciated the local, magnificent slopes a signal which was the start of a brilliant success with a further development of facilities absolutely outstanding generating extreme satisfaction by many visitors with a constant positive feedback.

Naturally thanks to all that next to new, additional services the tourism notably increased and since the 50's Lenzerheide started to have a very distinguished fame all around Switzerland with considerable peaks of affluence consolidating its position inside the highest Swiss ranking but in the meantime also visited by many foreign skiers.
  
Protagonist of a great exploit with a very successful promotion that village of the Canton of the Grisons also attracted the high, aristocratic social class and a famed character as the Princess Antoinette of Luxembourg wife of Rupprecht, crown Prince of Bavaria  decided to live in the present resort where she died in 1954.


In those years another hospitality branch reached a very high level representing the continuation of the previously mentioned apartments consisting in a very trendy offer to spend holidays in charming Alpine Houses, superb chalets and stylish cottages, a style of an alternative kind of accommodations with captivating structures which were added to the already active Hotels.

The joy of many tourists who had the opportunities to enjoy those typical structures all year was another considerable successful stage with many people highly attracted by the comfort of them because full equipped and in addition located in fairytale corners enchanting at first sight.

Those emblematic springs of mineral waters also played an important role as absolute protagonists constantly calling major flows of visitors attracted by benign therapies with furthermore the opportunity to enjoy a total relaxation far from traffic, noise in a site very different than other resorts which had a superb growth in terms of Incoming operations with a constant increasing demand but at the same time conserving its image.

A magnificent operation greatly managed by the local Institutions was concentrated in a plan of conservation of a resort which never had a brutal growth with the establishment of giant buildings which could cause the risk of a shocking disfigurement of the local environment, all that was meticulously planned saving the integrity of the aspect of that magnificent Alpine resort.

Summer and winter since then until today elevated that unique mountain resort as a very pleasant destination for many people who want to enjoy great holidays, an active tourism with a lot of things to do in terms of outdoor activities but at the same time consolidating itself as a right place for others who desire relaxation and serenity. 

That resort is a true oasis of peace, no problems of circulation, parking, once there the visitor can have enjoyable walks any time and all around without stress delighted by the spectacular view of a magic Alpine scenery a marvellous accent during a very enjoyable stay, ideal images to recharge batteries forgetting tensions and worries.

The centre of Lenzerheide is very compact developed around Voa Principala consisting in the main road and in proximity of that long artery which crosses the village from north to south are located Hotels, restaurants and the ski lift complexes.

The local river Digl Lai flows in the northern side of the resort between a square called Plaz Baselgia and  Voa Davos Lai, a pleasant hallway leading to the Heidsee a wonderful Alpine lake situated north of the core of the village representing another superb attraction you can not miss to admire during a stay in that Swiss Paradise.

You can start the visit from the Parish Church, Katolische Kirche San Carlo dedicated to St. Charles erected between 1884 and 1896 on a long rectangular plan highlighted by a scenic, gable roof which covers the apse and the entire nave.

Its exterior layout is furthermore characterised by a beautiful arched portal developed beneath a small fine portico covered by a sloping roof.

On the sides were placed symmetrical lines of mullioned windows and behind the main body was established a square bell tower with a couple of thin slots in its lower section with a circular clock inserted on the upper section completed by a fascinating long dark spire.

Art Gallery Lai in the square Plaz da Posta is an exhibition hosting sport, art and fashion items also representing a relevant platform of Swiss and foreign artists.

One of the main local highlights is the beautiful Igl Lai, a picturesque waters basin also called in German language Heidsee, a stunning marvel situated at an altitude of 1484,0 metres.
  
Inserted in a vast protected and well conserved territory forming huge parkland, that fascinating presence is great in every season, in spring and summer with the green tonality of verdant forests next to the blooming Alpine flora surrounding those fabulous blue waters and in which it is also possible swimming, fishing and practising surfing.

Also in autumn it shows a superb image, very romantic, ideal to enjoy a walk along its shore surrounded by towering mountains, enjoying the different seasonal colours of the vegetation.  

In winter that lake is equally fascinating, is in some occasions frozen and that scenic mutation is part of one of the most attractive marvels of a magnificent scenery of a charming, Swiss fairytale village of the Alps covered by snow.

That enchanting basin is not very big, its surface is just 0,41 square kilometres, it is approximately 600,0 metres long with a width of 900, 0 metres wide boasting a splendid beach with the chance to rent deck chairs, a complex providing changing cabins with opportunities to enjoy different kinds of water sports including sailing.

In addition to complete an attractive network the visitor you will find a Restaurant, the Lido Kiosk offering drinks, sandwiches, ice creams, hot beverages, the chance to play table tennis,volley and including was established  a playground for children.

The Gobi Path is another attraction very suggested site for families consisting in an Educational path immersed in a magnificent, natural environment showing to a child the different traces left by different animals but also other aspects closely linked to nature and its beauties.

Along a specific trail were placed some panels introducing the features of solar energy and the colours of the local minerals, another activity is that to teach the young to look at the cut trunks of secular trees counting their age checking the rings in their sections. 

It is an experience which could be transmitted to the young along a very educative itinerary where they can have the chance to explore, discover and learn several secrets some totally unknown for them.
 
That resort is also a little paradise for enjoying Wellness & Spa providing all the most trendy and  best facilities, therapies, saunas, thermal salt waters, steam baths all that with the support of a very professional staff always ready to consult the most varied requests, highly prepared to satisfy with exhaustive answers all the most demanding customers.

Many others are the activities provided by  superb complexes with modern wellness spaces offering sulphurous springs, facial and beauty treatments, anti stress and anti-aging therapy sessions among others.

All that makes Lenzerheide a splendid destination very appropriate to enjoy all that and much more escaping from the stressful routine of the daily life of a city finding in that Alpine paradise a relaxing haven, an oasis of peace highlighted by those great services to keep your body in perfect, healthy conditions.


The local area with its several Alpine peaks is very loved by a multitude of climbers and trekkers thanks to the presence of over 350, 0 kilometres of trails crossing different valleys reaching Alpine refuges at relevant altitudes in proximity of the summits of the iconic Parpaner Rothorn, Urdensee and Alplisee among others.

Those places are very recommended also for photographers but also for those who want to know  the best of the Alps having the unique chance to discover a territory which is a big mine of treasures and astonishing surprises.

The Parpaner Rothorn at 2899, 0 metres of altitude is a wonderful attraction, on the top of that peak you can admire unforgettable, panoramic views of the entire Canton facing other majestic heights of the Plessur Alps all around forming a superb mountainous crown highlighted by stunning rocky vertical walls of  absolute beauty.

The village also permits along a hike route to reach in one day Arosa and in two days Davos, an itinerary very loved by many trekking fans who are always year by year numerous with the desire to try that great experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

That territory is also very suggested for cycling lovers, the climbs in that corner of Switzerland are a frequent training place of professional athletes but also usual habita oft the notorious Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie often protagonists with challenging, spectacular stages along the local roads.

There are many great itineraries for the most enthusiast cyclists between Coira and Tiefencastel in a land rich of several stunning ascent offering unforgettable, panoramic views while other pretty recommended routes are all around the surroundings of Davos, Arosa and Sankt Moritz considered the pearls of the Canton. (I wrote posts about all those destinations if you are interested)
 
All those places are also suggested for mountain bikers thanks to an ample network of dirt and mixed trails with different coefficient of difficulty, more than appreciated to discover scenic landscapes crossing forests and ending on high plateaus enjoying many kilometres across  a virgin, uncontaminated environment.

A site I recommend you for that kind of outdoor activity is also south of Vaz/Obervaz near Savognin, a small lovely centre at the foot of a stunning peak called Piz Mitgel

That mountain is also very suggested for trekkers and climbers, its southern side is among the most spectacular you can see in the entire Canton of Graubünden with an extraordinary vertical wall reaching that summit at 3159, 0 metres of altitude.

That height is considered one of the most spectacular, its last stretch before to reach the top is a sort of roller coast with some scenic, rugged crests with an extraordinary last stretch characterised by a section forming a giant, rocky pyramid. 

Once there I recommend you a further visit you cannot miss consisting in the wonderful Parc Ela, an enchanting nature park established in 2005 at the foot of the towering, appealing Piz Ela which with its 3339,0 metres dominates a beautiful valley packed by intact pine forests and large verdant plateaus, a diamond of Switzerland, a peak on which were found dinosaurs imprints. 
 
Another highlight of that geographic area is the iconic Crap Furò which translated from its Rumantsch denomination means perforated stone created in the course of the centuries by erosions, rains and ice on a rocky spur approximately 60,0 metres high and in its upper section you can see with a diameter of over 2,0 metres.

It is in its kind a sort of Cantonal icon, according to historic documentations that point is the exact centre of the Canton of Grisons.

Another attraction is definitely the enchanting Lai da Marmorera, an Alpine lake situated at 1680, 0 metres of altitude on a height called Col du Julier, it is  2,6 kilometres long, with a maximum depth around 65, 0 metres and on it was established a dam in 1954 when the old village with the same name was flooded.

Totally encircled by the Alps that waters basin was chosen as protagonist for a Swiss movie produced in 2007 titled Marmorera directed by Markus Fischer, a fictitious story with protagonist a hamlet, its inhabitants and a mysterious woman.

The sensational beauty of that site is the stupendous tonality of its water of a fantastic blue colour which combined with the vivid green of the surrounding vegetation next to the different tonalities of the mountainous Alpine cliffs all around make that place simply fabulous.

Winter sports is a great highlight in Lenzerheide which became a top destination regarding that and it is enough to check what the resort provides as 39 Ski Lifts in 11 different spaces, the resort in partnership with Valbella is part of a complex called Arosa-Lenzerheide Ski area offering the chance for skiing in a huge territory boasting over 225, 0 kilometres of superb slopes served by a network which offers 56 ski lifts.

For  those who love high altitudes the chance to frequent pistes situated at over 2500,0 metres of altitude, prestigious tracks were developed in wonderful areas accessible by Lenzerheide Bergbahnen AG such as Rothorn, Danis, Städzerhorn, Parpan Scalottas, Statz and Mottahutte among others.

All those sites provide superb facilities, wonderful services for all the skiers who want to enjoy stupendous tracks very difficult to forget.
There are in Lenzerheide pistes for everybody including black very appropriate for masters and skiers with a very advanced level on the slopes hosting the FIS Ski World Cup competitions with 19, 0 kilometres of Black slopes, a number a which speaks for itself  telling you what is that great resort.

They are very technical, challenging with great curves, changes of rhythms, highlighted by a stunning alternation of steep straights, mixed sections with great bends, jumps, in brief all what a skier wants.

Some of the most spectacular are in the area of Städzerhorn but towards Cumascheals and Scharmoin.  

Also the entire environment of Rothorn is highly suggested for very experienced skiers, there is in addition a stunning piste called Crappa Grossa very indicated for those who love immediate changes of gradient, ideal for who is a Slalom speciality lover.

The most challenging for many considered a bit as the Queen of the local pistes is located at Städzerhorn Süd, it is 1,8 kilometres long, pretty steep with a coefficient of difficulty pretty high. 

Lenzerheide is also well known for the iconic Silvano Beltrametti World Cup Course well known to have a maximum slope of 66% with an average of over 30% considered a track among the most spectacular downhills in the world.

That stunning piste took the name by a former talented skier from Valbella who was Swiss champion on two  occasions, a member of the National Team who suffered a terrible injury in 2001 during a World Cup competition in Val D´Isére, France and that centre of the Canton of Graubünden decided to pay homage to him with that wonderful track.

Other excellent red slopes  for people with  an intermediate level are available, I suggest you the area of Valbella, the southern section of Scharmoin, further very good are close the Heidsee, you will find some others situated descending from the Piz Danis, pretty challenging and flanking a black track.

The blue pistes for beginners on which it is possible to improve day by day coordination and sensibility on the skis trying some progresses without risks before to move on some with more difficulty are located in the areas of Alp Lavoz, Alp Nova or some very suggested in June Hütte.

The special service Snow Night providing over 3,0 kilometres of pistes illuminated by artificial light with the opportunity to practise Alpine skiing at night is definitely a splendid additional highlight, a great chance for those who desire to spend many hours on snow delighting a myriad of skiing lovers.

That unique mountain resort also provides excellent Ski Schools linked to a great tradition and also several opportunities to practise snowboarding and freestyle with spaces very appreciated by the lovers of those trendy specialities.

Worth a special mention the constant perfect conditions of the pistes,all fantastically prepared perfectly organised with a consistence of snow highly appreciated. 

That is another reason why many skiers choose Lenzerheide because it is a resort which offers the best, it is not a case that small place hosted many times competitions linked to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup stages in different editions.

As in other resorts thanks to the excellent tradition and success of Nordic Ski in Switzerland also that Canton of Grisons site has its stunning trails developed along a great network of over 30,0 kilometres immersed in a splendid nature. 

That is simply superb for those who love Cross-country skiing enjoying a eonderful, natural environment unique in its kind beneath the image of the towering Alps.

At 7, 0 kilometres of distance from Lenzerheide in addition you can visit Churwalden, a small beautiful place which has a great attraction consisting in the iconic Pradaschier,one of the longest toboggan in the country which with its 3, 5 kilometres in length is another magnificent opportunity to spend a day during your stay in an alternative way.

I suggest you that place also for its scenic position beneath the Parpaner Rothorn peak and in that small centre you are in the point consisting in the finish of the previously mentioned Silvano Beltrametti downhill.

If you are an art lover in that place I recommend you to visit Sankt Maria und Michael Pfarrkirche, the local Parish Church elevated in the 15th century, a religious building with a notable, historic value, in its interior you can admire a beautiful altarpiece, marvellous stained glass windows, splendid arcades  and fine vaults. 

Cultural tourism, shopping are other activities to enjoy all around that fascinating land, many are the sites boasting superb Medieval, Baroque monuments, you can discover small fairytale historic centres and regarding the second topic Sankt Moritz is a fabulous Mecca in which you can find all the best about the latest trendy articles made by the most acclaimed fashion designers.

In addition in that acclaimed resort you can find different prestigious Golf courses, great Clubs with a notable prestige offering the chance to play that more and more trendy sport delighted by the image of towering Alpine peaks among them the majestic Bernina glacier.

At Christmas time, that mountain resort lives one of its magic moments with the local Christmas Market surrounded by a spectacular atmosphere attracting several people, a special appointment which calls many people living magic times in a fairytale scenery.

In 1987 Lenzerheide hosted the World Mountain Running Championships which was the third edition of that sport after those celebrated in Italy in San Vigilio di Marebbe and Morbegno, preceding that which took place in Keswick, England.

In June the resort hosts Motor Classics with the presence of about 110 classic race and sports cars, racing motobikes and trailers while in July it is a stage of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

The Canton of Grisons cuisine is a delicious mosaic of different cultures due to the proximity of the Italian Valtellina, the Swiss German Cantons and the local Romansh gastronomic traditions.

A great feature of the local culinary art is that all the plates satisfy the taste of the visitors thanks to specialities with a large variety of flavours and ingredients.

Naturally you can find the famed Rosti and Fondue typical delights, national icons of Switzerland but one extremely, traditional plate is the Maluns boasting a very old historic heritage made with grated potatoes cooked with flour and roasted with butter.

The Capuns is also a very popular dish you can not miss consisting in chard rolls filled with local sausages and try the traditional and tastefully Pizokeln, a Swiss variant of the Italian Pizzoccheri from the Italian county of Sondrio.

In addition you will be delighted by a vast choice of excellent soups, meats and great delicious cheeses. 

A famed plate of the Canton which worth a mention is the Bündner Gerstensuppe a traditional barley soup adding dried meat, carrots, butter and celery. 

That geographic of the Confederation is also well known for its fragrant rye bread considered among the best of the country and also notorious is the Polenta in common with the nearest Italian Northern Lombardy often present on the local tables accompanying different kinds of venison stews.

 Kloten Zurich Flughafen International Airport is a great option to land on destination which offers vast number of flights from there you will reach that resort in approximately one hour and 45 minutes driving by A3 motorway via Chur. 

 In the case you are interested a short break or holidays in that special place I added some links with some suggested Hotels and do not hesitate to contact me if you need more information.

Lenzerheide is a great destination, a resort of Switzerland which offers many things to do, a fantastic Alpine oasis of peace simply perfect to spend beautiful days totally delighted by peace, serenity immediately falling in love with all what will encircle you.

A stay in that unique mountain resort which enchants many visitors for its unforgettable landscapes in an environment more than enchanting at first sight it is always a fantastic choice to plan holidays in a place which will enchant you with all its appealing charm. 

Francesco Mari


Recommended Accommodations in Lenzerheide

Hotel Lenzerhorn Spa & Welness
 Hotel Schweizernhof
Hotel Kurhaus


Recommended Restaurants in Lenzerheide

Restaurant Danis
Restaurant La Patata
Restaurant La Riva
Restaurant La Collina

Useful links


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