Silvaplana Ushers In The New Season With Vibrant Winter Opening
As an icy-cold blast hit the Engadin region announcing the start of winter, it brought with it a burst of excitement in Silvaplana. Kicking winter into gear, the Silvaplana Winter Opening on 21-23 November returned with its signature mix of culture, snow and high-energy action. From a vibrant Snow Kids Village, culinary delights and live concerts to parties and the first lifts spinning at Corvatsch, the 2025 Winter Opening set the tone for the season ahead.
The undisputed centerpiece was Silvaplana Rocks The Rail, the urban-style rail jam that transformed the picturesque Julierstrasse into a temporary snowpark. With riders throwing down, and skiing through the middle of the village, spectators lined the course to take in the action and celebrate the arrival of winter in true Engadin style.
Saturday started with several kids’ categories taking part on the four-feature course tucked between the traditional alpine buildings of the Swiss village. With the fresh snow in town squeaking beneath the spectators' feet, the pro riders started warming up on the set-up. As the sun set, the mercury fell even further, and the DJ got the crowd hyped for the start of the pro session.
In the freeski pro category, Gian Andi Bolinger (SUI) and Naiomie Koller (SUI), who also prevailed in the U15 category, came out on top in two competitive fields. Boligner’s nose butter 270 front swap to switch on the double kink rail was a standout in style and technicality. “The course was tight, so it was not easy to put down a full run,” said Bolinger after the contest. “But the atmosphere was great with the crowd and the music, so it was really fun.”
Young-gun Gustav Nawarkiewicz-Wisniewski (POL) and Kim Leusch (SUI) won the men’s and women’s snowboard pro session respectively. Nawarkiewicz-Wisniewski’s run was switch heavy, with both Cab and switch backside 270s onto the rails. Leusch’s run had a combination of controlled and clean 50/50s on all the features. “In the pro contest, the level was really high, and it was a fun competition to be a part of,” said head judge Mario Winkelman. “It was great to see the level of the kids’ contest too and the progression within the age groups.”
In the U15s contests, Gustav Nawarkiewicz-Wisniewski (POL) also took the top spot in the men’s with Lela Helfenstein (SUI) taking home top honours in the women’s snowboard. While Edi Schuler (SUI) and Naiomie Koller (SUI) cleaned up in the U15 freeski categories.
“It is so awesome to see the kids come out here and be able to shred in front of their home crowd, in front of their parents and friends,” said local rider and Silvaplana-Corvatsch ambassador Jeremy Denda. “Having the whole community from Engadin, St Moritz and Silvaplana come together for a day of freestyle action is something truly special. Thanks to the organisers, and to Silvaplana especially, for putting this event together because it’s what keeps our community healthy and alive.”
Once the on-snow excitement was over, the crowd braved the cold for an electric performance from Lucerne rapper LCone, who kept the festive atmosphere going into the night.
On Sunday, much of the community made the most of the bluebird weather to go for a first ski at Corvatsch. Perfect weather, grippy snow and pristine slopes combined for a perfect first day on the mountain.
With more snow in the forecast to add to the already brilliant early-season conditions, Silvaplana’s winter season is off to a fantastic start.
