Pontresina / Puntraschigna

Altitude: 1,800 m/5,906ft

Population: 1,820

Pontresina (Romansch Puntraschigna), once a mere village on the road to the Bernina pass and now a popular health resort, climbers' base and winter sports capital, lies in a sheltered spot in the highest side valley of the Upper Engadine, on a natural terrace facing southwest. It is surrounded by forests of stone pines and larches and enclosed by the majestic peaks of the Alps.

The two famous skiing areas of Diavolezza and Piz Lagalp make Pontresina a popular winter sports center. There are about 500km/310mi of walks in the region. Guided tours of the glaciers are popular with climbers as are the nature walks. Golf, fishing, tennis, ice-skating, long-distance skiing, curling and tobogganing as well as winter sports and summer skiing are some of the activities on offer.

Pontresina first appears in the records in 1129, but evidence has been found of human settlement here dating back to the Bronze Age. The name has been thought to derive from one Saracenus who built a bridge here. (Pons Sarasinae).