Piz Nair

Piz Nair is a mountain of about 3,057 m rising above St. Moritz and Celerina (Celerina/Schlarigna) in the Upper Engadine, canton of Graubünden. Part of the Albula Alps, it serves as St. Moritz's own house mountain: lifts carry you almost to the top from town, and the outlook takes in the whole Engadine lake basin.

How do you get to Piz Nair?

The journey has several legs. From St. Moritz, take the Chantarella–Corviglia funicular, which opened in 1928 as the first funicular in Switzerland to lead straight to a ski resort. The ride takes roughly 7 minutes. At Corviglia you change to the Corviglia–Piz Nair aerial tramway, whose upper station sits a few dozen metres below the summit. From Celerina, you can also work your way up via Marguns. Expect about 30 to 40 minutes door to door from central St. Moritz, depending on connections. Check the current timetable, as operating hours shift with the season.

What can you see from the top?

The panorama stretches over the Upper Engadine lakes, the Bernina group including Piz Palü, Corvatsch and the Bregaglia range. In clear weather, visitors report distant peaks toward the Ortler. A bronze ibex called "Guardiaun Grischun" stands near the upper station as the mountain's emblem. A panoramic restaurant, Piz Nair 10 000 Feet, named after the altitude in feet, operates up here too.

Is it good for skiing and hiking?

East of the summit lies the Corviglia ski area, the core of the St. Moritz domain. In summer you can walk down: one route follows the piste for about 800 m, then turns onto the trail toward Lej da la Pêscha and the Suvretta Pass. From the pass, trail 671 runs nearly six kilometres through Val Suvretta. You can also head down toward Marguns or return to Corviglia.

When should you go?

The lifts run year-round, so the summit works in winter and summer alike. In winter it is a starting point for downhill runs. In summer, mornings tend to bring clearer skies and quieter paths. At over 3,000 m, pack a warm layer even in July.

FAQ

Is this the same Piz Nair as the one in the Lower Engadine? No. The name recurs in the Alps. This page covers the peak above St. Moritz and Celerina, about 3,057 m high.

How tall is it? Most sources give 3,056 to 3,057 m. Small differences come from varying surveys, and the upper lift station sits below the actual summit.

Do you need climbing skills? No. Lifts take you almost to the top, and the last stretch is a short walk from the upper station.

Is there a restaurant at the top? Yes, the panoramic Piz Nair 10 000 Feet restaurant next to the upper station.