Pontresina

On a south-facing shelf along the Flaz Valley, Pontresina is a beautiful resort town. It grew by converting its farmhouses to pensions and hotels for use by summer tourists. Today its climbing school has made a name for itself, and the village has become a popular hiking center. From here you can see clear across to the Roseg Valley, once filled with a glacier that has retreated to the base of Piz Roseg itself. The River Flaz winds through the valley from the Morteratsch glacier, which oozes down from Piz Bernina. Although the main street is built up with restaurants and shops, the resort still has a relaxed atmosphere. Every second Thursday from the end of June until the middle of August, there's a street market in the lower part of the village, with locals selling fresh produce and handmade crafts. The altitude of Pontresina (6,000 feet) ensures wintry weather, and skiers have easy access to the slopes of Diavolezza (9,751 feet). In the off-seasons between Easter and mid-June and mid-October through Christmas, many hotels are closed.