Our mission

• Revive and continue a historic tradition 
• Preserve and promote skiing as part of our cultural heritage
• Raise awareness of the challenges posed by climate change and take various active steps to support glacier protection

 

Our initiatives

• Entry fees
  A quarter of the registration fees will be donated to glacier preservation projects.
• Charity auctions in 2024 and 2025
  The Viva la Via glacier edition in Pontresina has twice hosted an auction for the benefit of glacier preservation projects. Crampons, ice picks, wooden skis and other relics found during the summer’s annual “Glacier Clean-up Day” on the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers were transformed into works of art by Engadin artists Nora Engels and Severin Niggli. Following the awards ceremonies, these pieces were auctioned off, with all proceeds going towards glacier preservation projects.
• 2026: Raffle
  The charity auction will now be replaced by a raffle. The Diavolezza Glacier Race is already part of the summer editions of Viva la Via on 17 July and 14 August 2025 in Pontresina. Guests can buy a raffle ticket for CHF 2.50 and have the chance to win great prizes – sponsored by Diavolezza Lagalb AG and the Pontresina mountaineering school. 
  Raffle tickets in support of glacier protection will also be available at the winter Viva la Via glacier edition. 

The following projects have been supported so far:

2025
CHF 6,388 was donated to the Cover Project Foundation project

• Diavolezza Glacier Race 2025: a quarter of the income from entry fees 
• Viva la Via glacier edition 2025: auction of works of art by Severin Niggli
• In March 2025, the Orma Whisky distillery donated CHF 25 for each special edition 2024/2025 “Vadret” bottle sold.

The Cover Project Foundation works with scientists and universities to preserve glaciers as freshwater reservoirs around the world.
The funded projects aim to support people who depend on the meltwater supply from glaciers and the protection of the environment. At least 200 million people worldwide will face water shortages if their glaciers disappear. On the one hand, the Cover Project Foundation focuses on snowmaking on larger glaciers to preserve the ice surfaces. New ecological techniques are used for this snowmaking. On the other hand, smaller glaciers are covered with fleece blankets to preserve the ice surfaces. You can find detailed information about both projects on the website.

2024
CHF 4,000 was donated to the GlaciersAlive association

• Diavolezza Glacier Race 2024: A quarter of the income from entry fees 
• Organisation and implementation of the Bernina Glaciers Clean-Up Day on the Pers and Morteratsch Glaciers
• Viva la Via glacier edition 2024, auction of works of art by Nora Engels

GlaciersAlive
The GlaciersAlive association supports various projects for the protection of frozen freshwater reservoirs with the aim of ensuring a sustainable water supply in mountain regions. Further information is available at “MortAlive”.