Located in the Upper Engadine and near to the exclusive ski resort of St Moritz, Pontresina ski resort is a Mecca for snowboarders and cross-country skiers alike due to the extensive off-piste snow. There is 56kms of excellent skiable terrain and skiers and snowboarders also get to use the St Moritz pistes on the same pass, without the expense of staying there.

Like St Moritz, Pontresina is a pretty town sheltered on a terrace facing southwest. The main street is narrow and consists of charming traditional old Romansch-style buildings, and a large variety of shops. There is also a museum and convention centre in Pontresina and there are over 5,000 beds available.

The 56kms of skiable terrain at Pontresina is fairly evenly divided, with 35 per cent available to beginners; 25 per cent for intermediates; and 40 per cent for advanced skiers. An array of ski lifts operates over all pistes with a capacity for about 10,000 people. There are a whopping 180kms of cross-country trails in the region.

Other winter sports activities and facilities include: a snowboarding terrain park with a half-pipe; hiking; ice-skating; curling; ice hockey; horse-drawn sleigh rides; tobogganing; and dog-sledding. In addition, there is an indoor swimming pool, sauna, indoor tennis, a climbing wall and a fitness centre. Fine dining, fondue parties and folklore evenings are popular, and there are a handful of pubs and discos.

The long November to May ski season at the Pontresina ski resort has the best snow from February to early/mid-March, and special rates are offered in mid-December, mid-January, and in March.

The most popular entry point by air is Zürich International Airport and there are regular trains, with several changes, to Pontresina. Hiring a car from the airport is a far more convenient an option.