Our Alpine playground
By
Michela Meni &
Gianmarco Dodesini Valsecchi
The mountain and time
Some places become part of our story because they give us time in its purest form. For us, the Engadin Valley is the perfect retreat, where we can experience true family connection, away from screens and distractions, immersed in nature that invites discovery and sharing. The Kulm Hotel is our refuge, where time slows down and we can experience summer as it should be.
Each year, we return here to rediscover the joy of simple things: waking up with the light filtering through the curtains, walking along alpine trails, diving into crystal-clear lakes and, most importantly, creating authentic memories that stay with us forever. This is not the story of a single day, but a collection of moments that, for us, represent the true meaning of family time.
We are three: Michela, Gianmarco, and Anita, our little explorer. Every journey we take together is a piece of a larger mosaic, made up of shared experiences that, year after year, bind us even more to these mountains.
“...the sky is an impossible shade of blue.”
Here at high altitude, time does not flow – it drifts. It’s a soft material, shaped with our hands and hearts. On the first morning, we wake up slowly. Anita is already up, eager to go outside. We take our time, enjoying the luxury of a gradual awakening, a suspended moment when sleep dissolves into reality.
We step outside. The air is crisp, but not biting; the sky is an impossible shade of blue. We take a leisurely stroll through the centre of St. Moritz, watching the reflection of the mountains in the placid lake. We hold hands, a gesture that needs no words, but encompasses everything.
Then comes the mountain, the Corvatsch. We reach it by bus, a journey that for us is already part of the experience: watching the landscape unfold through the window, the mountains drawing closer, the valleys opening up before us. Travelling by public transport in the Engadin is a pleasure, a way to experience the land without haste, letting ourselves be carried into the heart of these magnificent places.
The ascent
We take the cable car up to Murtèl, letting the view open up beneath us in a seemingly endless panorama. From there, we follow the trail leading to Fuorcla Surlej, a narrow passage between the rocks that feels like a gateway to another world.
Anita runs ahead, discovering wonders in every stone and branch. We follow her with the steady pace of those who know that mountains are not conquered – they are respected. The long walk to Chamanna Coaz is a journey of breath and silence, of footsteps resonating through time. Again and again, we see her laughing at some small hidden marvel along the trail, and we exchange glances knowing, without words, that this is our true journey.
Ascending, the mind clears. The world reduces to its essential elements: breath, heartbeat, the sound of footsteps on the earth.
Then, almost suddenly, Chamanna Coaz appears, a solitary refuge, a human outpost in a primeval landscape. Before reaching it, the trail rewards us with an extraordinary view of the Biancograt and the glaciers of Piz Bernina, an expanse of ice shimmering under the sun. We stand in silence for a moment, captivated by the grandeur of the mountain. As we approach the refuge, we look up and see two eagles soaring above us, gliding through the air with elegant, powerful movements. Here, the wind speaks its own language, and we stop to listen. We sit, letting ourselves be embraced by the panorama. Anita leans against us, absorbed in the vastness before her. We feel united, still, yet so alive.
After resting, we resume our journey and begin the descent through Val Roseg, an extraordinary natural park, a sanctuary of peace immersed in the purest nature. The trail winds gently through forests and streams, and halfway down, we find our favorite spot: a small clearing by the river, where we stop to build dams with stones and bask in the sun. The sound of the water resonates in Anita’s hands as she shapes the current with small improvised barriers, blending with our laughter and the rustling wind through the trees. We stretch out on the grass, letting the sun warm our faces, enjoying one last pause before continuing toward the valley floor.
Swimming at Lake Staz
There are moments when time melts and blends into happiness. We reach Lake Staz, a small body of water nestled in the forest. The atmosphere is hushed, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and the wind gently rippling the lake’s surface.
Anita lets out a joyful cry and dives in, followed closely by us. The water is fresh, enveloping. We laugh, splash each other, and surrender to the lightness of a shared game. Then, tired but happy, we lie on the warm grass, watching the clouds drift above us. A moment of perfect harmony, etched in our memories.
“Because some places belong to the heart...”
Every year, we return to Chamanna Segantini, setting off from Muottas Muragl, to relive the thrill of the climb and rediscover ourselves in this timeless landscape.
The funicular starts from the lower valley and emerges from the forest, suddenly revealing an incredible view. Anita loves to sit in the lowest part of the cabin, to witness the explosion of light and colour when the funicular breaks through the dense trees.
The climb is always the same, but every year it feels different. Anita is older, her legs stronger, her gaze more attentive.
When we reach the top, we sit on our usual bench. The refuge is named after the painter Segantini, who captured the Engadin’s light in his paintings. The first time Anita climbed here, she was only four years old. She was small but determined, and that climb was her first true encounter with the mountains. And now, every time we gaze at this boundless panorama, we know we will return. Because some places belong to the heart, and this is one of them.
The last day
There is always a last day. We have known it from the very beginning, but we try not to think about it.
Breakfast at Kulm is one of the most magical moments. The grand, glass-walled dining hall tells its own story, with large windows that frame the ever-changing scenery like a moving painting. When you sit by the windows, you lose yourself in a breathtaking view. In the morning, light dances on the water, creating ever-new reflections, suspending time in a perfect instant.
As we load our bags into the car, Anita looks at us and says: “What if we stayed one more day?”
We exchange glances and smile.
The Engadin is like this: a place that has taught us to experience time together, to recognise it for what it truly is: a gift. A bond. A story we write year after year, step by step, hand in hand.
About the authors
Michela Meni is a sustainable clothing designer and photographer based in Northern Italy with her partner Gianmarco Dodesini Valsecchi, a Director of Photography and avid outdoorsman.