St. Moritz is a two-time host resort to the Winter Olympics - in 1928 and 1948 - and a five-time host of the Alpine Ski World Championships. Going even further back, it was at St. Moritz that the very first upper-class British tourists were persuaded to stay the winter in what could be considered the very first European winter sports holiday, back in 1864. In 1882, St. Moritz held Europe's first ice skating competition, as well as the world's first bobsleigh club, in 1897. St. Moritz is considered the cradle of alpine skiing and this Swiss ski resort has played an extremely imporant role in the development of winter sports in general.

St. Moritz consists of two separate areas: Dorf, which was built on the mountainside and is home to the majority of smart hotels and shops; and Bad, which is spread out up the valley from the lake and has a quieter atmosphere. Despite its venerable history, St. Moritz has kept with the times and today offers a modern, cosmopolitan vibe. Located in the vast ski area of Engadin St. Moritz in Switzerland, St. Moritz's world-class reputation means superior hotels, top-notch restaurants and stylish après-ski and nightlife. A true magnet for the rich and famous, St. Moritz has hosted Alfred Hitchcock, Brigitte Bardot and James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me. This lifestyle doesn't come cheap, so be sure to come with a healthy ski holiday budget!

Skiing in Engadin-St. Moritz

The ski areas at St. Moritz surround the eponymous lake and offer beautiful views while skiing and snowboarding. Five principle ski areas make up the Engadin-St. Moritz area: Corviglia, Corvatsch, Furtschellas, Diavolezza and Lagalb. High-altitude skiing on the glacier ensures reliable snow cover all season long. The Engadin-St. Moritz ski area is mostly suited to intermediate skiers, but also offers possibilities for freestyling at Corviglia, as well as possibilities for freeriding on off-piste terrain with a guide. Families with children will enjoy exploring the funslope at Corviglia. In the Engadin-St. Moritz ski area you'll also find snowtubing and tobogganing. St. Moritz offers discounts for families with young children.

Glitzy après-ski in St. Moritz

Plenty of gourmet restaurants dot the ski area in St. Moritz, with sunny mountain terraces where you can enjoy regional delicacies before venturing back onto the slopes. Don't miss a visit to Roo Bar, an outdoor terrace where you can fill up on Hauser mulled wine at the end of the ski day. After dark, St. Moritz is home to an exclusive and stylish après-ski scene. If you're not of the right calibre to get into the members-only Dracula Club, you can still head to one of the many, many bars and nightclubs in town and keep an eye out for famous faces.

Birthplace of winter sports

As the birthplace of winter sports, St. Moritz has plenty to offer aside from skiing. St. Moritz was originally a wellness retreat prized for its healing mineral springs, with remnants of "spring tapping" dating back to the year 1466 BCE having been found here. Today, the luxurious wellness offer includes a variety of spa treatments as well as outdoor pools with mountain views and a children's area with waterslides. For a nod to the long history of winter sports in St. Moritz, book a ride on the Olympic bobsleigh track, which dates back to 1904 and is the oldest natural ice track in the world. A variety of outdoor ice skating possibilities await, including the Madulain skateline, which takes you gliding along the river bank as you admire the Swiss alpine scenery. In addition, there are 230 kilometres of impeccably groomed cross-country skiing trails to explore, including some floodlit trails for night skiing, and the 42km-long Engadin Ski Marathon route. If you're not quite up to cross-country skiing on a marathon route, take a peaceful walk through snowy forests and past frozen lakes, or experience the winter wonderland from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.

Apres-ski & entertainment St. Moritz
Restaurants 119	Theatre -
Bars & cafes 48	Casino
Nightclubs & discos 5	Concert hall
Cinema -

Ski school and ski lessons St. Moritz
No. of ski schools 7	Private ski lessons CHF 85
No. of ski instructors 138	Ski lessons6 Days, 24 Hours, CHF 255
Area for beginners	Snowboarding lessons5 Days, 24 Hours, CHF 255
Ski lessons in	Cross-country skiing3 Days, 9 Hours, CHF 95

Facilities St. Moritz
No. of hotels 38	Supermarkets 3
Total no. of hotel beds 5249	Banks
Total no. of beds -

St. Moritz for families and children
Childcare	Magic carpet
Playground	Ski lift for children
Merry-go-round

Leisure & sports activities St. Moritz
Public sauna	Footpaths 150 km
Fitness centre	Torchlight descent -
Public solarium	Indoor ice rink
Massage	Outdoor ice rink
Spa & wellness	Curling
Indoor swimming pool	Snow rafting -
Hot air ballooning -	Dog sledding -
Paragliding	Snowmobile tours -
Indoor tennis court	Toboggan run
Squash court

Ski blog about St. Moritz

Ski with the royals: Favourite ski resorts of the British royal family

5 October 2019 by Danielle in 'Destinations''

Looking to catch a glimpse of Kate or Meghan Markle on the slopes? These are the exclusive and luxurious preferred ski resorts of the British royal family. Be sure to bring a full wallet if you're planning your ski holidays here this year!... More ›
(Photo: © Verbier (St. Bernard))

Top 10 early-season ski areas for skiing in autumn

1 September 2019 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

The highest-altitude ski areas are starting to open for ski season soon! Below is a list of ski areas that are projected to open in September and October. Please note the dates have been provided by the ski areas but are subject to change depending on snow cover.... More ›

Skiing in recent European history: The rise of skiing in the Alps

31 July 2017 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

It’s sport like no other, a sport that fills you with a rush of adrenaline as you sail down the side of a mountain in a whirl of white powder. Skiing has come a long way since its origins as a convenient mode of transport, and the Alps has almost always been at the forefront. Responsible for popularizing the sport and then making it accessible to the middle class, the Alps have overseen the rise of skiing from a rich person’s holiday novelty to one of Europe’s favourite pastimes. Today, horde... More ›