At the foot of the Julier Pass, on the largest of the resplendent Upper Engadine Lakes, sits Silvaplana, a village with a character and identity all of its own. The grand Corvatsch Mountain soars high above the resort, which lies to the west of the famed St Moritz, and which also has the highest vertical descent in the region.

The resort of Silvaplana has an especially pleasing Alpine climate with a very pure, aromatic air. The village sits in the canton of Graubunden, which makes the resort a cultural mix of German, Romansch and Italian, with German being the main language. The towering Corvatsch Mountain gives the resort a real Alpine feel, while the hospitality of the 900 permanent residents here is legendary.

You’ll find around 6,000 slope-side beds at the resort, from hotels to chalets and apartments. Apart from restaurants in the village itself, there are mountainside restaurants offering terrific views of the striking panorama. Shops, bars and a nightclub keep visitors entertained, while a rather odd attraction in the form of a zoo delights visitors of all ages.

The challenging 10-kilometre run at Silvaplana is the longest in the region, aided by the top elevation of 3,303m at the resort and a vertical descent of 1,433m. The 65kms of runs include rugged terrain and groomed slopes, offering ski possibilities to all levels, with 35 per cent of slopes for the beginner, 25 per cent intermediate and 40 per cent for advanced skiers.

The 14 lifts at the resort have an uplift capacity of over 1,000 skiers per hour. Additionally, there are great cross-country options here, with the linked area providing 150kms of tracks throughout the region. Snowboarding is also available at the resort, with a well maintained terrain park and a half-pipe.

The canton of Graubunden offers a variety of destinations and resorts close to Silvaplana. The most famous of these is St Moritz, which lies to the east and is a 10-minute journey by bus. St Moritz has to be experienced for the flair and prestige the resort has maintained over the years, catering for everyone from royal visitors to presidents and celebrities. It is an excellent resort in which to have an alternative ski experience, with spectacular views of mountains and villages in the area.

Silvaplana’s season runs from mid-November to May, with great snow conditions all season due to its elevation. There are various cheap options depending on week and hotel of choice. The resort itself is three hours from Zürich, the main international airport, with a train available to the nearby St Moritz, and regular buses and taxis available to the resort.