Lake Silvaplana

Lake Silvaplana (German: Silvaplanersee; Romansh: Lej da Silvaplauna) is a lake in the Upper-Engadine valley of Grisons, Switzerland. It takes its name from the village of Silvaplana. The lake is also connected to the nearby Lej da Champfèr. Together with its larger neighbour, Lake Sils, it is among the largest lakes of the Grisons. Lake Silvaplana is overlooked by several mountains over 3,000 metres, notably Piz Corvatsch, Piz Julier and Piz Surlej. The lake's drainage basin culminates at Piz Corvatsch (3,451 m) and comprises several glaciers, the largest being the Vadret dal Tremoggia.

A campsite is located on the Northern end of the lake. The lake is also used heavily for sports, such as kitesurfing and windsurfing in the summertime. In the winter, once the lake freezes, it is used for cross country skiing, walking trails, and kitesurfing on snow, with the famous Engadin Skimarathon crossing the lake annually. The rare occasion of black ice also brings ice skaters to the lake.

Champfèr

Champfèr ( [tɕɐmpˈfɛɾ] ) is a village in the Upper Engadin valley of the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. The Western part of the village belongs to the municipality of Silvaplana and part of the village belongs to the municipality of St. Moritz. The two halves of the town are separated by the creek Ova da Suvretta.

Lej da Champfèr, a basin of Lake Silvaplana, takes its name from the village.

The village used to house a convent that has since been converted to the hotel Chesa Guardalej. The village is also home to the famous restaurant Joehri's Talvo run untilMarch 2011 by chef Roland Joehri and his wife Brigitte. The Michelin Guide has awarded the restaurant, located in an old farmhouse, two stars.

The etymology of Champfèr is unclear. One possibility is that it is based on a glacier. In 1129, its name was "Campofare", in 1471, Campher, and in 1519 Chiamfer (from Campus ferri). Another explanation could be that the name is meant to say fruitful fields or meadows, chan'ver.

The Church San Rochus was built in 1521.