Valbella at Heidsee: Alpine scenery, winter sports and culture

Valbella and Lenzerheide form a high valley on the shores of Heidsee. The lake and mountain landscape, winter sports and local history offer different ways to enjoy a stay in the region.

Between the lake and the mountains

Valbella lies at around 1,500 metres between Lenzerheide to the south and Parpan to the north. To the south, the village borders Heidsee at 1,484 metres; to the north, Lenzerheide Pass at 1,547 metres marks the edge of the village and the transition into the Churwalden valley. Stätzerhorn lies west of Valbella, and Parpaner Weisshorn to the east. Valbella is on Swiss Main Road 3.

Heidsee: nature and water sports

A nature reserve on Heidsee is home to botanical rarities such as bog gentian. The lake is also a habitat for tufted ducks, little grebes and goldcrests. In summer, its water warms to over 20°C.

At Heidsee, the Lenzerheide Water Sports Centre offers windsurfing, sailing, wingfoiling and stand-up paddling. Courses are seasonal and cater to everyone from beginners to advanced participants. If you are planning water sports, check which courses are available during your travel dates.

Winter sports in Valbella

The Valbella ski lift is a button lift measuring 1,276 metres. The ride takes seven minutes, and the lift has a capacity of 1,000 people per hour. The Val Schamaela run, number 68b, allows visitors to return to Valbella and its car parks.

The covered Kinderland Fastatsch children’s ski area has its own terms of use: it is open to all visitors at weekends. The magic carpet can also be used during the week. The children’s lift is used by the Lenzerheide snow sports school and is not open to the public. As access arrangements are seasonal, it is advisable to check the terms before travelling.

The Valbella cross-country skiing centre is right by the lake and is a starting point for a day of cross-country skiing. Facilities include a toilet and shower, a changing room, lockers with space for a backpack, and a waxing room. The centre is accessible by public transport via the “Valbella Canols” stop. Check the timetable before travelling; if particular facilities are important to your plans, it is also worth checking the latest information on amenities.

Local history and Senda Cultura

Valbella was once a Maiensäss, a seasonal settlement where farmers from Lain, Muldain and Zorten lived during the spring and autumn weeks. The village’s development is closely linked to the history of Lenzerheide and dates back to the 1880s. Insel-Chalet is also part of the village’s history: the Lenzerheide-See post office was housed there for several decades.

Valbella Pentecost Church was consecrated in 1977 and is dedicated to the mystery of Pentecost. At the request of the local population, Saint Maria Goretti is its patron saint. The church’s history adds to the stories of life in the high valley in earlier times and the development of the holiday resort.

The “Senda Cultura” discovery trail in Lenzerheide and Valbella tells the story of the Lenzerheide holiday region. You can walk its 21 panels in one go or in several stages. This lets you spread out the local and regional history rather than covering every stop in a single visit.

More activities

Lenzerheide Bike School offers private lessons, group courses and camps. For children and young people, its programme includes the Kids Bike League and Youth Bike Camp. The guides lead visitors along varied trails and show them different parts of the Lenzerheide biking region. Check in advance which formats are available during your travel dates.

For the broader travel overview: Vaz/Obervaz.