Snowshoeing in Guarda, Switzerland

The real joy of snowshoeing is being able to strike out across virgin snow, exploring areas inaccessible to cross-country skiers and walkers. What’s more, there is no special technique to master – it’s simply a case of walking with your feet slightly wider apart than normal – and little is needed in terms of equipment, as the snowshoes (which you can hire locally and which are rather like plastic tennis racquets) attach to normal waterproof walking boots.

On a snowshoeing week at the atmospheric Hotel Meisser in Guarda, you will discover hidden corners of the picturesque Engadine Valley, with three excursions with your hosts and other guests included. One of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets, the Engadine is a place where winter is truly magical and is characterised by frozen lakes, quintessentially Alpine scenery and picture-book villages whose streets transport you back in time as you walk amid the distinctive stone houses.

Widely considered to be the Engadine’s best preserved village, tranquil Guarda perches high on the slopes of this idyllic valley, affording broad views down to the valley floor and across to the jagged peaks on the other side. The ancient cobbled streets transport you back in time, lined as they are with typical Engadine houses built of stone, with deep-set windows and delicate pastel murals. Near the Meisser Hotel is just a small handful of shops and cafés.

You are warmly welcomed by English-speaking Benno and Maya Meisser, the fifth generation of the family to run the hotel. There is a real sense of history here – the hotel was converted from a 17th-century farmhouse – and the family has created a wonderfully intimate and relaxed atmosphere over the years. The use of light wood throughout the hotel is both stylish and cosy.

Traveller Reviews of This Trip

An excellent holiday in beautiful surroundings. Benno, Maya and the team worked hard to ensure that we enjoyed a really good week – excellent hosts. Even the driver of the local postal bus made us feel welcome, wishing us good evening etc – what a change! Mr R, Surrey, 11/02/2009

For more reviews of this trip, see: Reviews of Snowshoeing Week, Guarda