Silvaplana
Silvaplana, Graubünden, Switzerland
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Parawing, SUP
Best time to go: June–September
Lake Silvaplana sits at about 1,800 metres above sea level in the Upper Engadin valley, near St. Moritz in southeastern Switzerland. In summer, a thermal wind known as the Maloja wind blows up the valley from the southwest almost every afternoon on sunny days, usually building in the early afternoon and dropping in the evening. It is one of the most reliable wind systems in the Alps.
The lake offers flat to choppy water, and the thin air at this altitude means you may need a bigger wing than at sea level for the same wind strength. The water is very cold, fed by snowmelt and glaciers, so a thick wetsuit, boots and gloves are needed even in summer. The main launch areas have sandy and rocky sections. There are schools and rental centres on the lake shore. Local rules control where and when wind sports are allowed, so check before launching. The season runs from about June to September, when the lake is free of ice.
Month by month at Silvaplana
- January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, air -1°C (nights -11°C), 19 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, air 2°C (nights -8°C), 18 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- March: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, air 3°C (nights -7°C), 23 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- April: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, air 6°C (nights -4°C), 24 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- May: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, air 10°C (nights 1°C), 25 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- June: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, air 16°C (nights 5°C), 28 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- July: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, air 18°C (nights 7°C), 30 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- August: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, air 18°C (nights 7°C), 29 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- September: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, air 14°C (nights 3°C), 24 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- October: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, air 10°C (nights 1°C), 22 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, air 3°C (nights -6°C), 18 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- December: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, air 1°C (nights -8°C), 19 sunny days, 11 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Silvaplana?
June–September, when it is windy most often.
How windy is Silvaplana?
About 23 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in June.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Silvaplana
- Lake Como – Colico (47 km)
- Lake Garda – Torbole (106 km)
- Lake Garda – Campione (107 km)
- Lake Annecy (287 km)
More: All spots in Switzerland · Kitesurfing in Switzerland · Wingfoiling in Switzerland · Windsurfing in Switzerland · Parawing in Switzerland · SUP in Switzerland
Compare with: Lake Garda – Torbole vs Silvaplana · Lake Como – Colico vs Silvaplana · Lake Garda – Campione vs Silvaplana · Lake Annecy vs Silvaplana