Discover the Corvatsch Snow Safari
Vicky, March 2025
image: © Engadin Tourismus AG
If you’re a skier who lives for long descents and maximum mileage, indulge your adventurous spirit with the Corvatsch Snow Safari. This route is easily accessible from St Moritz in the spectacular Engadin region of Switzerland.
Perhaps you’ve tackled the full Three Valleys, from Courchevel 1650 over to Orelle, or you’ve made it from Le Fornet at the top-end of Val d’Isère all the way to Tignes Les Brevières (and back again), and you’re looking for your next thigh-burning, ski-it-all-in-a-day challenge? The Corvastch Snow Safari might just be what you're after...
This isn’t your average ski day. It’s a full-on journey across some of the most breathtaking terrain the upper Engadin has to offer – perfect if you love to pack in the ski miles and soak up spectacular scenery.
Quick Facts
- Ski from Furtschellas in Corvatsch to Celerina in Corviglia all in one day
- 4,444 vertical metres
- 44 kilometres of descent
- 18 restaurants along the route
- 2 peaks above 3,000m: Pitz Corvastch & Piz Nair
The Snow Safari stretches from the summit of Furtschellas above Sils Maria at 2786m, winds its way through the expansive Corvatsch area, followed by St. Moritz, and wraps up in charming Celerina. All in, it's over 4,000 metres of descent – that's a lot of skiing in one unforgettable day.
Start Remote, Ski Home
The adventure kicks off in the peaceful and slightly off-the-beaten-track village of Sils Maria. From there, you'll take the lift up to Furtschellas, where your snow safari begins with a long descent down to the hamlet of Surlej (home to the unique Nira Alpina Hotel). Then it’s back up to the summit of Piz Corvatsch – one of the highest peaks in the eastern Alps at 3,303m – from where the 9km-long Hahnensee piste beckons, but not before you take a moment to savour the views of the distant peaks and the valley floor with its frozen lakes, far below.
View from Piz Corvatsch
You’ll eventually ski into the St. Moritz area where the next highest peak, Piz Nair, reaches 3,057m. The historic slopes here are home to many a World Cup ski race - and of course yet more panoramic views and perhaps a suitable lunch or coffee stop? Once you’ve recharged the batteries, the final leg takes you down into Celerina, a quaint village that marks the perfect end-point to this ski odyssey.
Picture-Perfect Pit Stops
What makes the Snow Safari extra special – beyond the epic descents and variety – is the curated experience along the way. The route features designated photo points, letting you capture those "wow" moments with the Swiss Alps as your backdrop. Whether you're stopping for a group shot on a peak or catching your breath above a frozen lake, these photo ops are built-in memory makers. And with an average of 322 days of sunshine a year, there’s a high chance of bluebird conditions and great photos!
Piz Nair
Getting There & Back: Seamless and Scenic
You might be wondering how to get to Furtschellas in the morning, and back from Celerina after a long day on the slopes? That’s all part of the beauty of skiing in Switzerland: the public transport, in particular the wonderful Swiss Rail network.
Local public transport is included with your St Moritz lift pass (full Upper Engadin area), and the local ski buses and trains run like clockwork. You can relax and enjoy the scenery on the way up and unwind as you ride home after an adrenaline-filled day.
Tips for Your Corvastch Snow Safari
- Start early: Give yourself the full day to enjoy the route without rushing.
- Dress in layers: Conditions can vary as you change altitude and direction.
- Don’t skip the photo points: You’ll want those memories!
- Grab a map: You can download the route map here.
- Fuel up: There are great mountain huts along the way for a warm lunch or coffee with a view.
- Download the Swiss Rail app for easy travel to and from your start and end points.
So whether you're in it for the powder, the panoramas, or the pure joy of covering serious vertical in a single day, the Corvatsch Snow Safari is a bucket-list ski experience. Contact our Ski Specialists today on 0131 243 8097 or Enquire Online now.