Walther Giazetta, Winter 2022/23, English

a tt e z a i G NUMBER 12

WINTER SEASON

9 DECEMBER 2022 TO 10 APRIL 2023

BETTER TOGETHER SNOW ENCYCLOPAEDIA UP INTO THE SUN SNOW MOVIES www.hotelwalther.ch

Dear Walther Guests,

a n i s e r Pont h g i h flying

f e i r b NEWS in

SKI JUMPING IN PONTRESINA

RENOVATION ORIEL JUNIOR SUITES

During the off-season, we have renovated our popular oriel junior suites. Attention has been paid to every detail so that guests can find an atmosphere of relax­ ation and well-being – especially when it comes to the choice of colours. The new rooms are fresh, elegant and timeless. The junior suites consist of a sleeping area with an inviting lounge area with a view of the mountain panorama, a bathroom, an adjoining dressing area, built-in wardrobes and a tea/coffee corner. All furniture is unique and was specially made for the junior suites. The Virginia Maissen Interior Design Studio Zurich was again in charge of this redesign.

Dear Readers The Giazetta cover shows an official Pontresina poster In the first half of the twentieth century, Pontresina

This all makes us very happy, and, above all, it spurs us

from 1930. The first ski jumps were built here at the

regularly organized ski jumping competitions. In the

on to continue on this path. We are passionate ­hotel­iers,

beginning of the twentieth century near the Languard

municipality alone, there were four to five ski jumps of

and our desire is to offer our guests a perfect stay in

chairlift and below the Spaniola Tower. They allowed

different sizes. The international ski jumping events

our family-run Grand Hotel in the mountains – tailored to

jumps of 20–30 metres. In 1907, the Bernina Ski Jump

in Pontresina were among the leading sporting events

their wishes, desires and needs. Continuous development

in Val Roseg was built. In the 1920s, a new, larger ski

in Europe at that time. In 1930, at 75 metres, the local

is important to us, as well as the willingness to go the

jump was built, allowing for jumps of up to 80 metres.

ski jumper even set a world record. Truly flying high!

extra mile.

This facility was officially opened in 1925 with an inter-

This probably also inspired the original poster, which

national competition. Many big ski jumping events The current Giazetta is meant to inspire you to fly high

followed, with up to four competitions each winter.

this winter. Come on up, soar to our peaks, and enjoy

At that time, Pontresina's international ski jumping

Hotel Walther is currently also flying high. We are start­

the invigorating mountain sun. Experience sporting

events were among the leading sporting events in

ing the winter season with a freshly motivated team.

delight while skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating,

Europe. In 1928, Swiss Bruno Trojani was the first

Our four oriel junior suites and other rooms have been

curling, and winter hiking – and visit top events such

jumper to fly over 70 metres – Adolf Badrutt even set

renovated, and the websites of our two hotels have ­been

as the horse races on the lake or the bobsled world

a world record of 75 metres in 1930. In 1948, the last

updated. In the spring, the NZZ voted Hotel Walther the

championships. Culinary highlights await you in our

competition took place on the Bernina ski jumping hill.

best charm & design hotel in Switzerland, and four

diverse restaurants, and in our Gondolezza, you will

months later, we received the award for Hotel Entrep­

float to cheese heaven.

we chose as the cover of the current Giazetta.

reneur of the Year from the Swiss business magazine «Bilanz.»

personal highlight at 1,800 metres a.s.l. this winter.

NEW WALTHER WEBSITES

A warm welcome,

The websites of Hotel Walther and Hotel Steinbock

We look forward to seeing you experience your very

SURF HERE, IF YOU PLEASE …

were redesigned this year, and the content was revised and updated with the latest Internet technology.

We want to give you an even better impression of Anne-Rose & Thomas Walther

our lively, family-run businesses with new images

and the friendly Walther team

and video clips. You can plan your stay directly on the website and reserve rooms using the dynamic booking tool. You can also book a table in one of our restaurants there. Have a look and sign up for our newsletter. We would also love to hear your feedback on the new pages. hotelwalther.ch, hotelsteinbock.ch hotelwalther.ch, hotelsteinbock.ch

We would also be happy to advise you personally at +41 81 839 36 36. We look forward to your call!

2 | Editorial

Short News | 3

#bettertogether

WITH REINFORCEMENT AND FRESH WIND INTO THE NEW SEASON In April 2022, Hotel Walther was voted the best charm & design hotel in Switzerland by the newspaper NZZ. Four months later, Anne-Rose and Thomas Walther were awarded the best hotel entrepreneurs of the year title by the Swiss business magazine «Bilanz.» The couple took over the 115-year-old hotel 25 years ago as the third generation.

MIRA HAUNS HOSTESS AT HOTEL STEINBOCK «Mira, we have to talk …» That was Thomas Walther's prelude one day in winter 2017/18 and resulted in the

The ­«establishment full of soul» was able to score with its local identity and authentic hospitality. Good hoteliers show

completely surprising offer to manage Hotel Steinbock

young people that the hospitality industry is not just about serving food and cleaning rooms, but when there is

as an operations assistant. Mira Hauns had previously

a natural flow, and everyone enthusiastically pulls in the same direction, grand moments are created that make eyes

worked in reception at Hotel Walther and in reserv­

shine in front of and behind the scenes. With the newly recruited management team and the «old hands», we swear

ations, but from 2000, she had also worked in service

ourselves in for the winter season – under the motto #bettertogether.

at the Steinbock for two or three years. Her strengths

GIANFRANCO & BETTINA GIOVANOLI DEPUTY MANAGEMENT

are her calm demeanour, her talent for organization, her language skills, and a high degree of steadfastness and perseverance.

Steinbock and Walther are definitely #bettertogether.

The newly married couple joined Hotel Walther in June

The Steinbock's guests benefit from the infrastructure

2022. Their connection to the mountains and the Engadin

of the 4-star hotel; together, the two establishments can

and the size of the traditional family business were

offer varied cuisine in four different restaurants. The Hotel

decisive in this personnel decision. As partners, they

Steinbock also remains open for a full eleven months of

complement each other in many areas. Both have their

the year.

strengths and skills. Gianfranco is a disciplined, well-organized person with an affinity for numbers.

He takes care of food & beverages, where he has signific­ ant experience, as well as doing IT and human resources work. Bettina, in turn, supervises rooms, does marketing, and assists with human resources. The duo work in close cooperation with each other. They want to keep the tried and true, while moving the Walther into the future with new ideas. They are convinced that a good team is the foundation of every hotel. Therefore, they strive to actively support, challenge, and encourage the employees.

SANDRO JARAY F&B MANAGER This winter, the spontaneous, zodiac sign Aries person­ ality starts his first season at Hotel Walther. He found the position advertised on LinkedIn one morning and applied right away. «For me, the Walther is one of the best hotels in the Engadin, and I've seen only positive feedback.» The sociable golfer and tennis player is resilient, enthusiastic, and adaptable. And he is convinced: «Without a team that sticks together and goes the extra mile for their colleagues, a restaurant can't work.

This is why we are #bettertogether.»

ALESSIO FALCOMER MAÎTRE D'HÔTEL After positions as a restaurant manager on the Orient Express, on the mega yacht of a Swiss billionaire in Monte Carlo, and five years on the shores of Lake Garda, Alessio Falcomer arrived at the Hotel Walther a year ago. His passions are food and wine. Resolute and altruistic, he detests excuses. «In my free time, I pay for a gym member­ ship I don't use; I cook and travel. The age of my team ranges from nineteen to seventy years: My mission is to bring different mentalities together and different points of view in harmony. Together, we can achieve the best result for our guests.»

4 | #bettertogether

|5

A SMALL SNOW ENCYCLOPAEDIA

THE BIG SNOW

An Engadin children's book classic: Flurina is taken off guard by a huge snowstorm. After a long search, her brother, Schellen-Ursli, finds his sister, who has gotten into trouble near a fallen fir tree and carries her home safely.

It is hard to imagine the Engadin without snow. Not only does our snow-covered landscape look simply magical, but over the centuries, we have also produced a number of ideas on how to use the snow for leisure and sport. We have learned to build snowmen and snow huts, race down the mountain slopes on

SNOWGROUSE

skis, let horses pull sledges into idyllic side valleys, organize horse races on the frozen lake – and also

The ptarmigan is excellently adapted to the bitter cold and the harsh living conditions in the high mountains.

car races, build snow sculptures, and have even learned to produce artificial snow.

As a result, snow has become an important economic

ice, and then water vapor is deposited on these crystall-

resource. Whether for winter sports or as a water source

ization nuclei and freezes. The shape of the crystals varies

for energy and agriculture – it is simply indispensable

from little needles to the well-known star structures.

SNOW LEOPARD

The fascinating big cat inhabits rocky and rugged mountain regions in the Central Asian high mountains at up to 6000 metres a.s.l. The thick, grey fur protects them from the intense cold.

in the mountainous region. Frozen snow turns to ice on our glaciers, and thus becomes a natural water reservoir

What all shapes have in common is their hexagonal

and a balancing element for climate regulation.

structure. And yet every snow crystal is unique. With a diameter of just one millimetre, a single ice crystal cont-

At normal winter temperatures, snow is often close to

ains around 100 trillion water molecules. It is, therefore,

its melting point and is, therefore, sensitive to changes in

nearly impossible for two snowflakes to have an identical

weather and climate. This so-called snow meta­morphosis

structure. Each one is different.

SNOWMOBILE

can transport one or two people on unconditioned slopes.

can lead to avalanches and entails dangers for people and infrastructure. In Pontresina, the snow situation is

When the snow piles up on the ground, a complex mat-

constantly monitored and surveyed to take any necessary

erial is created. It is soft and fluffy at first, but the ice

precautionary measures at an early stage.

crystals grow together within a short time. They form

With the Bombardier Ski-Dog from the 1930s, it could be even more than 2 people.

a porous structure, similar to an ice sponge. While one Snow is an inconsistent material. It is constantly chang­ing

cubic meter of fresh snow contains so much air that

and can alter its properties very quickly. Snow is formed

it weighs just 50–100 kilograms, older snowpack can

when supercooled water droplets in clouds solidify into

easily weigh 400 kilograms.

SNOWPLOW

A vehicle for clearing snow on and off the road and the railroad tracks. On the Bernina route, the steam-­powered snow t­ hrower from 1910 is still in use.

SNOW WHITE

is one of the most popular fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. First appeared in the famous Fairy Tales of 1812.

Since then, the story has been adapted and filmed hundreds of times.

SNOW CANNON

… also snow gun. Water is forced through an air current under pressure, thus mechanically producing snow.

TECHNICAL SNOW

Snowmaking techniques are constantly being developed to use less energy and water and have less impact on ecosystems.

Snow stored over the summer makes it possible, regardless of the weather, to prepare cross-country ski trails, slopes, or the bob run at the beginning of the winter season.

SNOW MAPS

Show the current snow situation in the Alps.

6 | A small snow encyclopedia

Illustration by Arthur Rackham, 1909

SNOW FARMING

WHISK

SNOWMAN

The popular snow sculpture first appeared in the eighteenth century. With the growing popularity of the postcard, the snowman was then discovered as a motif for Christmas and New Year's greetings. World Snowman Day is celebrated on January 18.

With a stalk provided kitchen device with springy wire for stirring sauces and pudding as well as to beating of egg white and cream.

|7

RESORT & ACTIVITY MAP

HOTEL WALTHER

LEGEND: 1. HOTEL WALTHER 2. WALTHER LOBBY 3. ART NOUVEAU HALL 4. LA TRATTORIA 5. BAR & SMOKING LOUNGE 6. ENTRANCE & RECEPTION 7. AQUA VIVA WELLNESS WITH SWIMMING POOL 8. HOTEL STEINBOCK 9. STEINBOCK RESTAURANTS 10. GONDOLEZZA 11. PARKING GARAGE 12. TOBOGGAN RUN 13. CHILDREN'S SKI PARADISE

8 | Walther Resort & Activity Map

Kalender Sommer 2020 ||11 9

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UP TO THE SUN Somehow it sounds paradoxical, but winter in the mountains is more pleasant. No fog, plenty of sunshine

3. MOUNTAIN HOUSE DIAVOLEZZA

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The mountain railway takes you comfortably up the Diavolezza. From here, you have a fantastic view of the

and the sun shines longer. The first English winter guests in the Engadin noticed that too. It’s not just the

4'000+ metres-high peaks of the Berni-

fabulous winter panorama that's to be enjoyed – the sun terraces of the countless mountain huts are great

na massif and the glacier world. On

places to eat and drink. We have put together some tips for sunny winter days for you. Enjoy the adventure!

the terrace, indulge in delicious regional cuisine. corvatsch-diavolezza.ch

4. TAKE THE BERNINA RAILWAY DOWN SOUTH

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1. ALPINA HUT The rustic mountain hut on St. Moritz's local mountain, the Corviglia, was the first ski hut and has retained much of its charm to this day. On the sun terrace, you can enjoy a fantastic view of St. Moritz and the Upper Engadin lake landscape. Simple hut dishes are served. The snow bar in front of the

line is also an experience in winter.

The historic building dates back to

panoramic mountain. The funicular,

A charming town with typical

the St. Moritz Winter Olympics. It was

built in 1905, was the first cable car

restaurants await you in Poschiavo.

renovated by the British renowned

in the region and still conveys that

At the final stop in Tirano, Italy, you

architect Lord Norman Foster. The

James Bond feeling today. At 2,456

are greeted by the first palm trees.

pavilion, with a restaurant, bar, and

metres a.s.l., a breathtaking panorama,

rhb.ch

beautiful terrace, is a memorial of the

romance, and culinary delights await.

rich sporting history of the Engadin.

mountains.ch

It is regarded as the Engadin's

Alpina is a popular meeting place in the

5. LA TENDA SILVAPLANA / SURLEJ

middle of the ski area. Drinks, music, and

A visit to LA TENDA, a carefully

also beach chairs galore.

erected tent by the bridge between

7. VIEW OF THE PIZ CAMBRENA

An ice rink, cross-country skiing

Silvaplana and Surlej, can easily be

The mountain house on the Bernina

trails, food tents, the snow polo

integrated into a stopover during a

Pass has a hidden terrace with a

tournament, international horse

winter walk around the Upper Engadin

wonderful view of the Cambrena.

races, and other attractions await

lakes. On the menu: cheese fondues,

You can also enjoy fine specialities

on Lake St. Moritz – which turns

snacks, and everything for après-ski.

from Val Poschiavo and Veltliner

into the strolling promenade of

wines.

St. Moritz in winter.

cambrena.com

stmoritz.com whiteturf.ch snowpolo-stmoritz.com

alpinahuette.ch

2. ICE SKATING ON LEJ DA STAZ From mid-December to mid-January, an ice ring is cleared on Lej da Staz. Enjoy a beautiful winter walk to get there in one hour. Ice skating in the middle of nature! Don’t forget to bring your skates with you.

10 | Up to the sun

8. MUOTTAS MURAGL

The journey on the UNESCO railway

6. SPORTS HISTORY AT THE KULM COUNTRY CLUB

kulm.com

9. AMUSEMENTS ON THE LAKE

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FROZEN (2010) Director: Adam Green | Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell, Kane Hodder, and many more When three skiers get stuck on a chairlift at a New England ski resort that's closed for the next week, they must make a life-and-death decision that proves more dangerous than staying put and freezing to death.

STAR WARS: EPISODE V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

WINTER MOVIES FOR COSY EVENINGS

BEST SNOW MOVIES A SMALL SELECTION OF CHILLINGLY BEAUTIFUL

Director: Irvin Kershner | Starring: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and many more As Luke Skywalker learns the ways of the Jedi from the aging master Yoda to defeat the evil Galactic Empire, the epic saga continues. But Darth Vader is determined to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, overconfident Han Solo, Chewbacca, droids C-3PO, and R2-D2 are thrown into various states of imprisonment, betrayal, and despair.

THE THING (1982) Director: John Carpenter | Starring: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, and many more The members of an American outpost in Antarctica must fight an alien organism capable of perfectly mimicking its victims. They soon find this task harder than they thought, since they don’t know which team members have already been assimilated. Their paranoia threatens to tear her apart.

THE SHINING (1980) Director: Stanley Kubrick | Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, Tony Burton, and many more In Stanley Kubrick's cult movie, Jack Torrance takes a janitor's job at the Overlook Hotel, where he is isol­ ated from the rest of the world for the winter with his wife, Wendy and son Danny. But they are not prepared for the madness that lurks within.

FARGO (1996) Director: Joel Coen | Starring: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, and many more Jerry, a small-town Minnesota car salesperson, is drowning in debt … but he has a plan. He is going to hire two thugs to kidnap his wife to extort a hefty ransom from his rich father-in-law. When people die, Police Chief Marge comes into play, a heavily pregnant detective who will stop at nothing. You can bet her investigative skills will put a spanner (or monkey wrench) in the works for the crooks!

ARIEL (1988) Director: Aki Kaurismäki | Starring: Olavi Kasurinen, Irmeli Katariina Pihlaja, and many more A mine is closing in northern Finland. This means that Taisto Kasurinen is unemployed. His father hands him his car keys and goes to the bathroom, where he shoots himself. Taisto drives the car, a convertible, in the Finnish winter with the top down – he can't find the button – to Helsinki to begin a new life. There, he is attacked and robbed.

He falls in love with the single mother Irmeli, gets imprisoned, escapes, and robs a bank … The film ends at the port of Helsinki, where Taisto, Irmeli, and Riku take a boat to the freighter Ariel to go to Mexico.

THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS (1967) Director: Roman Polanski | Starring: Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate, Alfie Bass, Sydney Bromley, and many more In this entertaining vampire satire, a renowned professor and his dopey apprentice fall victim to their curiosity about vampires while getting into trouble on the trail of an ominous damsel in distress.

THE HATEFUL EIGHT (2015) Director: Quentin Tarantino | Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Dern, Michael Madsen, Kurt Russell, and many more Bounty hunters seek shelter from a raging snow­ storm and become caught up in a murderous plot of betrayal, lies, and deception.

ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969) Director: Peter R. Hunt | Starring: George Lazenby, Telly Savalas, Diana Rigg, and many more After a romance with Contessa Teresa, James Bond tracks his nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld to his base in the Swiss Alps and uncovers a secret plot to blackmail the world. Filmed in the wintry Bernese Oberland.

Source: Movie Stills Database

12 | Best snow movies

| 13

THE OLDEST BOBSLEIGH CLUB CELEBRATES ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

WALTHERi n ter o ff ers

W

PONTRESINA: A TOP-CLASS CROSS-COUNTRY-SKIING PARADISE The magical snow covered landscape, clear air, wonderful cross-country ski trails, excellent infrastructure, and an abundance of expertise make Pontresina a paradise for cross-country skiers. Cross-country skiing is booming and has developed into a secret trend

«Ventre-à-Terre»-five-man bobsleigh shortly after the start (historical postcard)

sport in recent years. Pontresina supports the Engadin Ski Marathon as its main sponsor. During the marathon week, the Marathon Village adds to Pontresina's attractive promenade for locals and guests. The winter resort has been actively involved in Swiss cross-country skiing for years and is a regular venue for regional and national young talent competitions. Together with local cross-country skiing schools, Hotel Walther has For detailed information .

put together four packages for beginners and experi-

and other packages, .

enced skiers. You can find information about the

please visit our website..

«Get-Ready-Camp» or the «Cross-country skiing

Or give us a call..

pleasure packages» on our website.

We are happy to advise you personally..

T +41 81 839 36 36.

On 21 December 1897, the world's first bobsleigh club was

Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz – Celerina

founded in St. Moritz. A few years before, the first attempts

Two Olympic competitions and numerous European and World

at this new sport, sledging with a bobsleigh, had taken hold.

Championships have already been held on the Olympic Bob

This is how the history of one of the most fascinating sports

Run from St. Moritz to Celerina. The only natural ice rink in

and one of the most legendary clubs began. The Saint Moritz

the world is also the oldest bobsleigh track. Unlike in the rest

Bobsleigh Club (SMBC) celebrates its 125th anniversary this

of Europe, North America, or Japan, the St. Moritz ice track

With the «Sleep+Ski» package, guests of Hotel Walther

winter.

is shovelled and prepared by hand with no artificial ice, just

receive a ski pass for CHF 45 per day for the duration of

SLEEP + SKI FOR HOTEL GUESTS

snow and water. From 22 January to 5 February 2023, the

their stay. It includes the use of the fifty-eight mountain

An information wall was set up in St. Moritz, and various

bobsleigh, skeleton, and Parabob World Championships will

railways and the entire variety of the Upper Engadin

projections will commemorate the anniversary. On the original

take place on the bob run.

snow sports region. Free public transport is also included.

track from 1897, there will be a race with historic sledges and

hotelwalther.ch

WALTHER CULINARIUM

This offer is valid throughout the winter season until

clothing. To set it up, the road from St. Moritz to Celerina will

The fastest taxi ride

7 May 2023. For information, see

be transformed into a bobsleigh track. Furthermore, nostalgic

Speed: 135 km/hr. Centrifugal force: 4.5 G. Acceleration: maximum.

bob rides will be organized on the Olympic bob run.

On a taxi ride through the Olympic Bob Run, you can experience

engadin.ch

the legendary ice track with all its curves up close as a passenger.

New bobsleigh museum

Adrenalin high included. An experienced bob pilot sits in front

Now 125 years after the legendary Bob Club was founded, the

of you, and an experienced brakeman in the back. Early registr­

«Olympic Cresta and Bob Museum» opens its doors across

ation is required.

The «Walther Culinarium» offers wonderful variety

the street from the Kulm Hotel in the newly built Scala cinema.

and diverse options in four restaurants and in the

It allows for an exciting insight into the living history of bob­

lobby and bar. Whether you prefer grand moments in

sleigh and Cresta sports in St. Moritz and has an indoor slide

the Art Nouveau restaurant, Italian cuisine in the

across all floors.

Trattoria, hearty and regional dishes at the Steinbock or fondue in a decommissioned cable car – we pay

Exhibition at the St. Moritz Design Gallery

special attention to what we serve everywhere. The

The «St. Moritz Design Gallery» in the Serletta car park is the

philosophy is: ­« Sophisticated but not aloof.» Food

largest gallery in the Alps, with up to a million visitors a year.

should not only surprise in terms of taste but also

The exciting story of the Saint Moritz Bobsleigh Club is presented

become an experience through the unique ambience.

on about seventy large posters along the escalator.

14 | The oldest bobsleigh club

hotelwalther.ch | hotelsteinbock.ch

Walther winter offers | 15

WALTHER

CROSSWORDS WINTER 2022/23

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1 American cult director 2 Italian restaurant

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3 Pontresina skiing mountain 4 Snow management

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5 For fondue 6 Winter sport

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7 Pulls the sledge 8 Our fondue lounge

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9 Match-winning

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10 For long and high jumps

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11 Celebrates 125 years

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12 Finnish studio film

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13 Lands at the airport

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14 Sound when the ice breaks 15 Part of Pontresina’s

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sports history

16 Fairy tale 11

by the Brothers Grimm

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17 Equestrian sport on the frozen Lake St. Moritz

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18 Oldest ski hut on the Corviglia

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19 First name of the famous spy 20 Science fiction epic 21 Our motto Who is ready for the Walther Crossword Challenge? Simply fill in the crossword puzzle, then sort the letters in the orange fields below in the correct order. The solution describes a mountain peak in the Bernina region. By the way - you will find most of the answers in this Giazetta.

Solution:

Five winners every month throughout the winter season. The first five per month who present the crossword puzzle with the correct answer at the reception will win an

Collect moments – not things!

Stay in touch with us and follow us on Instagram! #walthermoments #grandmoments #lieblingsmomente #bergwinter

The next summer season begins on 9 June and ends on 22 october 2023.

Hotel Walther · Via Maistra 215 · CH-7504 Pontresina · Telephone +41 81 839 36 36 · www.hotelwalther.ch Also part of the Walther family: Gondolezza & Hotel Steinbock, Pontresina · www.hotelsteinbock.ch

www.spotwerbung.ch

aperitif for two.