Exploring the Engadin: The Ballroom of the Alps

The Upper Engadin is one of Switzerland’s most scenic regions and the area is teeming with sports enthusiasts from a wide variety of disciplines, from surfers and inline skaters to mountaineers and mountain bikers. However, only a few paraglider pilots are drawn to the high valley in summer. Many pilots are rightly wary of the challenging flying conditions at this time of year. The strong valley winds and often turbulent thermals demand experience and steady nerves. 

The Maloja wind is particularly feared. On days with active thermals, it typically reaches speeds of 30-50km/h in the afternoon. What gives sailors and kitesurfers on the lakes a lift tends to put us paraglider pilots off. After all, I wouldn’t want to land backwards if I had a choice.

With good planning and the necessary skills though, it is of course possible to fly safely in the Engadin even in summer. But it is autumn in the Engadin that is the most beautiful time of the year for me.

In the Engadin, autumn feels like an...