Grand Hotel Kronenhof Embraces Outdoor Wellness in the Winter Season

The package as you’ve no doubt guessed includes yoga classes and also an early morning silent hike. All you need to do is check-in and use the hotel as a base from which to enjoy winter hiking, ice-climbing or perhaps some relaxing sessions in the Kronenhof Spa. Rest assured if you decide not to put on your snow gear; you won’t be alone. More than 50% of visitors to this quiet corner of the Engadine never set foot on skis, instead opting for some pure R&R.

In the early 1980s, Japanese scientists found that trees have some amazing therapeutic qualities, and by inhaling their aromas, one can potentially immunise the body against disease. This discovery spawned what we know today as forest bathing or silvotherapy. To help guests to experience this, Grand Hotel Kronenhof has created a walk that encompasses the five senses, reflecting their own spa philosophy.

Guests are taken on a guided hike into the Engadine valley to smell the Swiss stone pine (renowned for its relaxing properties). In addition, they’ll be able to listen to the calming burble of the river, gaze at the awe-inspiring Alpine landscape and feel the crispness of the fresh mountain air before stopping for a re-energising cup of hot herbal tea. The guided forest bathing walk which takes place over two hours costs CHF230.

The village of Pontresina is the centre for ice climbing in the Engadine, because the local gorge is transformed into mighty ice walls with impressive stalactites during the winter season. Pontresina Mountaineering School teaches those with decent physical fitness and strong upper body muscles how to scale this ice front using ice axes and special crampons.

For those wishing to expend a little less energy – ice climbing is hard work! – There are plenty of snowshoe trails (from a two-hour beginner trail to an all-day tour) that lead from the village off the beaten track through snowy forests to idyllic viewpoints and frozen lakes, providing a gentler form of outdoor exercise. What’s more, the rhythmic plodding of snow-shoe hiking introduces a meditative element.

While these activities are available throughout the season, one of the best times to experience them is in conjunction with one of Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s Yoga Summit weekends. Guests will experience their own dose of “wild” wellness, with an early morning silent walk through the woods to the stunning small lake of Lej da Staz providing the perfect way to start the day feeling at one with nature.

The three-night package also includes four yoga and meditation sessions, plus the option to enjoy lighter evening meals in the hotel’s Grand Restaurant.

The full Yoga Summit programme can be found below at the foot of this article. Two of these long weekends will be led by travelling yoga teacher Ben Rakdidzija. Ben is a certified American Yoga Alliance instructor who specialises in flexibility, body awareness and more profound relaxation through conscious breathing, using a combination of Hatha, Vinyasa Flow and Yin yoga.

Rates for the Yoga Summit starts from CHF2915 for two people sharing a double room on a half-board basis and include all the activities listed below, for more information and to book, email [email protected] or call +41 81 830 30 30.