This Alpine valley located in Switzerland’s Grisons canton represents for a large number of people an idyllic location for cross-country skiing. The Engadin Valley with its lakes that go to the foot of its fascinating mountain range presents postcard-perfect beauty for which there are not enough adjectives to describe.

The Engadin Valley has it all perfect snow, perfect geographic location, perfect altitude, and perfect dry and cold climate in the winter. Thus, you are assured of excellent Nordic skiing conditions almost all the time and certainly in March.

In 1969, the Engadin Ski Marathon started. It has never stopped.  It starts on the frozen lake of Maloja and goes to the little village of S-chanf at the lower level of the Engadin Valley.  Every Nordic skier should, at least once in his or her life, race this course. Many, to be sure, come back year after year because the organization is perfect; the transportation is perfect; and the way the race is run is always perfect. And don’t forget, every village you pass through offers new goodies to eat and drink. 42 kilometers never seemed shorter! The Engadin Ski Marathon is the largest Nordic skating race in the Worldlopett circuit. Every year there are about 14,000 participants.  Don’t be fooled by some commentators who say that the course is easy. You have to have good technique and, of course, lots of endurance. And make sure that you know how to go downhill! Otherwise, you might not feel comfortable during the famous descent to the Staz Lake, for example.