Velmonda

Silvaplana

Spot guide

About riding Silvaplana

Silvaplana is the lake where the wind blows the wrong way. A daytime valley wind normally climbs its valley; in the Upper Engadin it comes up out of the Bergell, over the Maloja pass, and blows DOWN the valley across the lake. At 1790 m under Piz Corvatsch, every summer day asks the same question: does the Maloja come in today? That is exactly the question the verdict above answers.

The winds, by name

Maloja wind. The wind of this page. The Bergell's rock slopes heat through the morning, its up-valley wind climbs to the Maloja pass, shoots over into the Upper Engadin and is reinforced by the slope winds there. SRF Meteo gives 4 to 5 Beaufort on Lake Silvaplana on a typical day, gusting around 6. It sets in shortly before noon, around 11:00 in high summer and as late as 14:00 early in the season, and eases in the late afternoon. At the Kitebeach it comes in side-onshore from the right.

Julier wind. The other regime: in a settled north-westerly the wind falls off the Julier pass straight over Silvaplana onto the lake. It is the strongest wind on the lake, peaking up to 8 Beaufort, but it is offshore and often gusty. Some experienced windsurfers love it because they have the lake almost to themselves.

When to come

The thermal works from May to September, best in July and August. From about mid-January to mid-April the lake is frozen and the riders snowkite on the ice, which this page does not forecast. The water is cold all year.

What to watch

The Julier wind (WNW) is offshore and gusty: it pushes you away from the shore. North and east winds are often gusty. The water sits at 1790 m and stays cold, under 10 °C into early summer. The kite and windsurf zones are strictly separate, you may only launch from the official Kitebeach, and Lej Suot and Lej da Champfèr are closed to all water sports.

Getting there

The Kitebeach is at Mulets, the north-east end of the lake below Silvaplana village, next to the campsite and the Surfcenter. Independent kiters buy their Swiss Kitesurf membership there.

Questions riders ask

  1. What is the Maloja wind?

    A thermal wind that blows the "wrong" way: it forms in the Bergell, climbs over the Maloja pass and blows down the Upper Engadin. Over Lake Silvaplana it comes from the south-west, 4 to 5 Beaufort on a typical day.

  2. When does the Maloja wind blow?

    On sunny high-pressure days from May to September. It usually sets in shortly before noon, around 11:00 in high summer and as late as 14:00 early in the season, peaks in the afternoon and eases from late afternoon. Mornings are usually calm.

  3. Does the Maloja come every day?

    No. It needs sun and high pressure; an overcast day or a strong north-westerly leaves it out. SRF Meteo calls it an almost daily, fairly reliable partner on sunny days. How often it actually delivered here, this page will measure for itself once it has seen enough days.

  4. Do I need a membership to kite here?

    Yes, if you ride your own kit: the Swiss Kitesurf membership at the Kitebeach (day, week or month), liability insurance valid in Switzerland and VDWS level 4 or IKO 3J. If you rent, the day fee is included in the rental.

  5. How cold is the water?

    Cold. The lake is at 1790 m: under 10 °C in spring and early summer and barely above 16 °C even in late summer. A 5/4 with boots is the right call on most summer days.