Silvaplana is the windsurfing capital of the Alps: the wide, exposed lake here funnels strong afternoon winds from the Maloja Pass in a pattern so regular and powerful that it has made this lake one of the top windsurfing venues in the world. Professional competition is held here; in summer the water is dotted with sails from midday onward. Kitesurfing is increasingly popular.
The village itself is small and unpretentious, a good alternative to pricey St. Moritz if you want access to the same lakes and mountains. The lake, at the junction of three valleys, is surrounded by good hiking trails. The Julier Pass road climbs south from here toward the Alps — one of the great Alpine passes, in use since Roman times, now carrying a road rather than a track.