A two-time Winter Olympics host and the birthplace of alpine winter tourism, the Engadin Valley resort of St. Moritz is a ski town—one that’s as renowned for its luxury shops as its ski slopes. This is where the rich and famous come for storied Swiss elegance, staying in grand old hotels and enjoying high-altitude activities around the lake and mountains. Skiing, skating, shopping, and schmoozing make up the many St. Moritz things to do.
St. Moritz is sunny year-round, but most people know it as a winter destination with a ski season that stretches from the end of November to the end of April. The season’s first three months are always busiest with annual events that include the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in early December; Polo World Cup on Snow at the end of January; and White Turf (horse racing on the frozen lake) in mid-February. For quieter pistes and slightly lower prices, visit in March.
Most travelers enter St. Moritz by car or train. You can ascend the train station via Switzerland's longest escalator. With luggage, it’s easy to organize a pickup with your accommodation provider—most hotels offer some kind of shuttle service. Other options include getting around by bus (free with the Swiss Travel Pass) or by foot, as St. Moritz is a walkable town.
If the spectacle of a horse race on a frozen lake isn’t enough, the White Turf event in St. Moritz is famous for another curious race known as skijöring. In this contest, race horses gallop over the ice of the frozen Lake St. Moritz, pulling their jockeys—on skis—behind them. The race is the real crowd-puller behind the White Turf event, so early booking is recommended if you want to see it.
