Downhills to recharge

«Firn and spring go together perfectly, like me and Thomas,» says Erich laughing. Born in Frankfurt, he has been coming to Sils for more than 40 years, having fallen in love with the local Sils mountain of Furtschellas/Corvatsch and its pistes. Especially in spring. «When the days start to get longer, the real skiing fun can begin. The light conditions, quality of the pistes and views of the lake region are all truly unique. It’s a chance for me to really recharge.»

Devoted fans of firn snow

Once Erich starts gushing it is quite hard to stop him. «Just like on the piste,» jokes Thomas, who comes from the canton of Aargau. Erich and Thomas: these two are pretty much best friends. What unites them? «Anything that is fun and gets the pulse racing: skiing, biking, mountain climbing, hiking,» Thomas names but a few activities. «And we both love taking a break for great food along the way,» adds Erich. Although Erich and Thomas are on skis all winter long, spring skiing is the pinnacle of the season for them, «We love firn. Firn snow is quintessential winter. Eight metres of fresh snow turns into one metre of firn,» explains Thomas. «Firn snow is compact and grainy, so ski edges grip really well and you can really savour the turns.»

The finest firn

The two firn fans generally find the conditions in the Furtschellas/Corvatsch ski area to be just about perfect. «Our local mountain has the best firn, and the most amazing views!», says Thomas. «Partly because the ski area is north facing, and also because of the altitude. We get out at around 3,300m on Corvatsch. And then you can ski down to 1,800m.» For Thomas and Erich, this is the only firn paradise on earth. And what's more, it is massive. «There are so many possibilities here on Corvatsch. Our favourite route goes via the Grialetsch lift to Crap Mellan. It’s so much fun.» The thing that made Thomas and Erich into firn fans is not just the snow and piste conditions, but also the power of the spring sunshine: «Above all, we want to have fun. And that is so much easier when it gets milder in March and April.»

Tips from Erich and Thomas

• Venturing off-piste
  «A unique experience in nature for those who have the skill, but always with respect for protected areas and the snow conditions.» 
• Early start and a relaxing lunch
  «The first few hours in the morning are the most magical. That’s when the slopes are best. At lunch, we then head to a sunny terrace and chill in the sunshine. Ustaria Rabgiusa is our favourite.»
• Views included
  «In the ski regions of Furtschellas/Corvatsch, the impressive 3,000m peaks are all part of the ski experience.»
• Piste preferences
  «The Curtinella Run down to Alp Surlej is our favourite, though we also enjoy the Rabgiusa piste, which goes straight from the Furtschellas mountain station to the sun terrace of the Rabgiusa Hut.»
• Free Sils local bus
  «So handy: the municipality of Sils offers a free shuttle bus from Sils Baselgia to the Furtschellas valley station via Sils Maria.»
• Kuhstall
  «Tender meat in winter and happy cows in summer.» The restaurant Kuhstall is well worth a visit.»
• Hahnensee slope
  «The unrivalled best in the Engadin – a dream for true snow sports enthusiasts!» More information about the Hahnensee slope.
  
• La Rösa
  «The ski run La Rösa from the Lagalb top station on firn snow down to La Motta in the Poschiavo valley is an insider's secret.»
  

Ski area Corvatsch/Furtschellas

The Sils local mountain Furtschellas is open from 21.12.2012 - 16.04.2023
You can find more information about the ski area and its offers here.

We wish you unforgettable skiing experiences!