A Night on the Diavolezza

Dear readers,

There are moments that stay with you forever. One of them was definitely my shoot in early November 2024 on the Diavolezza, at almost 3,000 metres in the Engadin, which covered dusk, the depths of night and the break of dawn. The Diavolezza, the "she-devil", not only offers breathtaking views of Piz Palü, Piz Bernina and the surrounding glacier world by day, but reveals its true, magical beauty only once the sun has gone down and come up again.

The stillness of the heights and the end of the day

After the last day visitors had taken the gondola down to the valley, an incredible silence settled. Up at the Berghaus Diavolezza (at 2,978 m) it felt as though you had been lifted out of the world, very close to the sky and the mountains – a perfect place to escape light pollution. The night was clear and cold, and there was a new moon.

At first, dusk wrapped the peaks in soft, rosy light before darkness took over.

The first picture captures exactly this transition: the last warm light of the setting sun bathes the snow-covered peaks and glaciers in soft shades of pink and gold. The rugged rock in the foreground forms an appealing contrast to the glowing heights. A breathtaking spectacle to end the day!

The Milky Way above the eternal ice – the magic of the deep night

When night fell, the real spectacle began. The sky above the Swiss Alps turned into an endless canvas. The cold at almost 3,000 metres was quickly forgotten, my gaze held captive by the infinite expanse above me. My eyes adjusted to the dark, and I saw a sea of stars overhead, simply gigantic.

The second picture shows the absolute highlight of the night: the glowing Milky Way stretches majestically across the snowy mountain ranges. Far from any city lights, the galactic band shines with a clarity you rarely experience. In the foreground, the Berghaus Diavolezza gives off a warm, inviting light. A small spark of civilisation beneath an ocean of stars – the contrast could not be more striking and speaks of the deep magic of the Alps at night.

Early morning: new light conquers the peaks

After a short night and full of anticipation for the next show of light, I was back outside before sunrise. The reward was another unforgettable play of colour.

The third picture captures this magical moment of dawn. The majestic peaks and valleys emerge from the darkness and are greeted by the first, tender light of the day. The cool blue and violet of the sky meeting the snow-covered mountains creates a peaceful, almost ethereal atmosphere. You can practically feel nature slowly waking from a deep sleep as a new day breaks over the Alps.

💡 Conclusion & tips for your own shoot

If you would like to experience true darkness, the glow of the stars and the magical awakening of the day over the Alps, I can only warmly recommend a night on the Diavolezza. I stayed overnight there, although I was actually outside most of the time.

It is not only a photographic experience, but above all a deeply emotional experience.

My equipment tips for you:

1. Sturdy tripod: Absolutely necessary for long exposures.
2. Fast wide-angle lens: Ideally f/2.8 for the Milky Way.
3. Spare batteries: The cold at almost 3,000 m drains batteries faster.
4. Warm clothing: Several layers, gloves and a hat are essential.
5. Headlamp: Indispensable for finding your way in the dark.

This shoot is a reminder of how small we are amid the vastness of nature and the universe.

I look forward to your feedback

Janet