Chesa Pool Winter
Back again at the little paradise Chesa Pool.
After visiting the Hotel in Summer and Autumn, it was time for the last chapter of the assignment - covering the winter season.
The snow conditions were unfortunately not at their best. January should be one of the best months concerning snow and winter conditions, but I guess climate change is kicking in. on the positive side of all, the sun was shining pretty much every day! Blue sky and the best conditions to tank Vitamin D and enjoy the beautiful views and sports opportunities the region has to offer: hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, biking, ice skating. An outdoor lovers Disneyland.
The Hotel's peaceful location guarantees excellent nights of sleep, easy mornings with a well-served breakfast and endless possibilities to discover the region.
The Hotel has organised a sauna possibility right at the front door for wellness lovers. If the temporary sauna is not enough for a complete experience, visitors also always have the option of using the amenities of the Ovaverva fitness and spa in St. Moritz for free. A pretty good deal!
As in summer and autumn, when booking at least two nights at the Hotel, guests receive a free pass to all local public transport and lifts to the peaks. The perfect combo to explore the region entirely.
During winter, the lakes are frozen, and the entire valley, from Sils to St. Moritz, can be crossed by foot or cross country skiing. It is a unique experience to walk above frozen lakes while hearing its movement from underneath. Walking above it is at its own risk, but mostly a safe thing to do (I guess if you follow the herd, you should be ok, avoid the edges of the lake 😉).
As in all other seasons, visitors can also choose to get a carriage to go around the Val Fex. The carriages go from Sils Maria to the back of the valley. You can decide where to hop in and where to hop off.
To read a bit more about what I've done during my visit, scroll down (after the pictures).
After having a day out and about, exploring the region and coming back to a cosy environment, friendly service and delicious food shouldn't be taken for granted. The Chef Matija daily prepares a special 4-course menu with seasonal and local ingredients (the a la Carte Menu is always an option if you prefer not to take the daily special). The food is carefully prepared, the looks, tastes, and textures are a piece of art that your body will thank. The freshness of the ingredients is felt in all dishes, and if you stay for an entire week, you won't be bored by the options. If you have intolerances, allergies or prefer to mix and match, the cook will adapt the dishes according to your needs. I confess I will miss not only the view but also the food.
The sommelier Davide, a true wine lover, will assist you in which wine you should choose to pair with the food.
On Sundays, the Veggie BBQs with live music prevails. A great atmosphere with excellent homemade food prepared by Geronimo on the Grill and the duo Bruna and Tiziano playing songs that you'll want to sing along, with a view that will make you want to stay the entire afternoon.
All in all, if you're looking for a place to escape the rush of your routine, do some sports, stay outdoors, relax or get inspired by nature, Chesa Pool is without a doubt your go-to.
A few of the things I've done during my stay:
From St. Moritz to Piz Nair with the train and cable car. A stunning view. A curious fact about this tour that I didn't know about: three Sundays during winter and three Sundays during summer they offer a sunrise experience. One can get the lift early morning and experience the beauty of the sun rising from the alps. Something I've inserted on my list (if not with the cable car, then maybe the option of hiking the way up during summer)
A relaxing walk from St. Moritz to the Stazersee and back to Silvaplana (through the lake)
Sunset by the Silsersee - a stunning view
Walking through the valley created by the Morteratsch glacier's meltdown and arriving at where the glacier still stands (in Pontresina, a car is needed to reach the walk's starting point). There, you will find two small beautiful ice caves. It is worth the visit!
Starting from Chesa Pool, a walk to the back of the Val Fex. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to walk to the end, where a glacier is located, but certainly, a beautiful walk to do (can be done by foot, snowshoe, or cross country skiing), with a stunning view of the entire valley guaranteed.
Walking through the Silsersee to Maloja - you might get a few glimpses of the
Most of the time, there is a bed of snow above the three main lakes in the valley: St. Moritz, Silvaplana and Silsersee, hiding the frozen water underneath the path.
On rare occasions, locals and visitors might also experience the famous "black ice"- "the name given to a smooth layer of ice without snow, which shimmers dark blue to black".
This phenomenon allows skaters to move freely around all lakes. A phenomenon I hope to experience once still.
On a few spots, the black ice is still visible, though. A fascinating thing to observe is the water's formations when frozen. Bubbles of air and cracks in multidimensional layers. Like a universe on the ground.
Some splitting is seen when walking across it, making one question if the lake is dangerous to cracking open. The feeling is intensified when hearing the sounds of the lake in movement underneath the unseen surface—a unique experience.
Walking over is on own risk, since in the past, accidents have happened, and no one wants to be responsible for the unpredictable nature.
Here is a link to a few ideas of activities suggested by the Hotel.