Diavolezza Lagalb Ski Resort Switzerland
Diavolezza Lagalb ski resort is the high alpine, freeride, dark side of St Moritz, Switzerland. Spread over two separate mountains but with limited intermediate piste trails & no real beginner terrain, Diavolezza-Lagalb is for advanced skiers & snowboarders looking for adventure. And there is plenty of adventure in the expansive off piste which maintains wonderful snow quality throughout the long winter season.
Diavolezza is home to Switzerland's longest glacier ski run & has the views, food & transport ticks to attract all skiers & non-skiers alike. Lagalb is on the opposite side and is quieter than Diavolezza, with shaded north aspect powder laden slopes & superb dining at its summit.
Both Diavolezza & Lagalb have their own train stations, car parks & bus services which provides unprecedented access to this 'inbounds backcountry' ski resort. A wonderful ski holiday destination for any budding powder hound.
Pros & Cons for Diavolezza-Lagalb Ski Resort
Pros
- Quality snow, all terrain above 2,000m elevation.
- Sensational off piste & freeride opportunities.
- Challenging terrain for those that want it.
- 10km+ long valley run via glacier is heli-ski like on its day.
- Gorgeous views.
- Blissfully quiet (sound-wise that is!).
- Excellent transport links.
- Value for money local lift pass.
- Delectable restaurant food & drink.
Cons
- Exposed in bad weather.
- Limited terrain for beginner & intermediates.
- Limited piste trails.
- Limited nearby accommodation.
- Cable cars can be crowded on sunny, powder days.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Small ski areas that may or not hold one's interest for more than a couple of days depending on snow conditions.
- Isolated location.
- It is cold up there!
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
The Powderhounds love Diavolezza Lagalb because the skiing & snowboarding terrain is all about unfettered freeride & powder skiing. It is an 'inbounds backcountry' ski resort in the truest sense of the description. It is not for everyone, but still has something for everyone!!
Check out the ski trail map for Diavolezza Lagalb below.
If you are NOT into off-piste skiing or snowboarding, then Diavolezza-Lagalb should still appeal as a train-based day-trip taking in the views, riding the long, deserted piste trails & eating a fine lunch. If, on the other hand you ARE into riding the off piste - giddy up - you have arrived in heaven.
Effectively two cable cars, one chairlift & four piste trails above the tree line, only those with intermediate ability & above can 'apply' to enjoy everything these two mountains have to offer. Diavolezza has a small beginner area, but neither it nor Lagalb is suitable for them beyond that.
Snow & Weather
With terrain all above 2,000m and generally north-aspect terrain, snow quality & quantity is usually excellent. Weather can be fierce in the ski resort with wind funnelled through the Bernina Pass. In low visibility stay away & head to Corvatsch for skiing or Tirano for lunch! Glorious on a cold, clear day though.
Lift Pass
Two main lift pass types are available: a cheaper local pass just Diavolezza-Lagalb, and an all-resorts 'Upper Engadin' pass that includes St Moritz's Corviglia & Corvatsch, plus all the local trains & buses. Lift pass pricing is becoming more and more ambiguous at ski resorts like St Moritz & Diavolezza Lagalb. All passes are available online via a dynamic pricing system, but the price can vary greatly, and the upper end of the price scale is difficult to ascertain in advance. Passes are alot more affordable when purchased in advance online but are also available at the 'day's rate' (whatever that is!) from the ticket desk at the gondola valley station. Lift passes here are still comparatively ALOT cheaper than in North American, Australian & New Zealand resorts, plus are on a par with the rest of the 'developed' ski world.
Opening Dates
Diavolezza has a longer operating season than Lagalb, running from mid-Oct to early May. It has an awkward initial operating schedule, that involves weekends and an odd short break in early December, before it runs all the way through to May. Lagalb runs from the middle of December to late April.
For detailed info on ski lifts, terrain, maps & passes, see the Skiing & Snowboarding Diavolezza Lagalb page.
Where is Diavolezza-Lagalb Switzerland?
Diavolezza Lagalb is in south-east Switzerland near the Bernina Pass on the frontier with Italy. The ski resort is midway between St Moritz Switzerland & Tirano in Italy.
The town of St Moritz is 86km south of canton Grisons (Graubünden) capital Chur & 203km from Zurich by road. Milan Italy is 125km to the southwest as the crow flies. Diavolezza is 17km (25min) by road east of St Moritz. Lagalb is on the opposite side of the road, a further kilometre east.
Gateway international airports are Zurich (ZRH) & Milan Malpensa (MXP). Both are linked to St Moritz & Diavolezza by train, but private transfers & car rentals are readily available.
The train is the recommended mode of travel to Diavolezza Lagalb. Whether from Milan via Tirano, or from Zurich via Chur & St Moritz, there is no better way to rest, relax & enjoy a voyage into the Swiss Alps riding the world's best railway lines.
Search & book train tickets to Diavolezza & St Moritz.
For the well-heeled, St Moritz has an airport for private & charter flights a few kilometres north of town near Samedan.
For more info on the best ways to get there, see our Travel to Diavolezza Lagalb page.
Diavolezza Lagalb Accommodation
To call Diavolezza-Lagalb a ski resort is probably stretching one’s imagination to the very edge. The two mountains are basic, with each having a car park, base facilities & cable car but only one place to stay overnight between them. That place is up on Diavolezza at nearly 3,000m elevation. The Berghaus Diavolezza has shared dorm (4-bed) & private rooms plus half board in an inspired location overlooking the surrounding peaks & glaciers. Watching the last cable car depart for the evening as the sun dips down is delicious.
Away from Diavolezza-Lagalb to the north at the end of the Morteratsch glacier run, the Hotel Morteratsch sits pretty & next to the train station for quick access back to the ski resort or down to St Moritz. In the opposite direction at Bernina Pass, the classic Albergo Ospizio Bernina sits lonely in the high alpine only 5min drive from the Lagalb car park. Either location provides the authentic Diavolezza Lagalb overnight experience.
Search & book Diavolezza Lagalb ski accommodation.
Of course given the short distances and the ease of train travel (included in the Engadin lift pass), the larger centres of Pontresina & St Moritz provide a more refined ski lodging experience. Diavolezza can easily be skied as a day trip from the Italian side of the Bernina Pass at wonderful Tirano.
Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding
Ski rentals are available near the ski lifts throughout the Upper Engadin via our local partners in Pontresina (2 options that are the closest to Diavolezza), St Moritz, & near both valley stations at Corvatsch. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Diavolezza Lagalb Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
An incredible number of ski guides & instructors ply their trade in the Engadin region & ski resorts at Corviglia, Corvatsch & Diavolezza Lagalb. A good mountain guide can make all the difference to an off-piste powder day in an unfamiliar ski resort or backcountry area, particularly in the high alpine glaciers of Corvatsch & Diavolezza. For more info & options, compare, search & book via our Diavolezza Lagalb Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
Review
The Powderhounds last reviewed Diavolezza Lagalb many seasons ago, had a cracking time & are well overdue for another visit. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read our detailed review!
See how Diavolezza-Lagalb compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe the European ski resort ratings page.
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