Visit St. Moritz, Switzerland

With its palatial grand hotels, high-end European boutiques and glitzy reputation, St. Moritz remains one of the most exclusive resorts on the continent. It first became a winter destination in the 1860s, and has since hosted the Winter Olympics twice.

Skiing is the most obvious draw, but there’s much more to enjoy in this ritzy Alpine village. If you’re feeling active, try bobsledding, ice skating, or hiking the mountain trails. In the summer, St. Moritz is a premiere sailing destination, and golf, cycling, and running are also popular.

To unwind in the colder months, visit the spas with a steam or massage, or find a lounge with a fireplace and sip glühwein while the powder-light snow falls outside. In the warmer season, take a swim in peaceful Lake Staz, go ‘forest bathing’ in the high mountain pines, or just soak in the sun, which shines more than 300 days a year.

The glamorous Alpine resort town that has trademarked the nickname ‘Top of the World’, St. Moritz sits high in the Eastern Alps on the banks of an eponymous lake that freezes over in the colder months. Renowned as a winter sports destination, its summer is equally appealing, and its high-elevation location and secluded valley means it gets over 300 days of sunshine a year.

By the 19th century, St. Moritz had been a summer destination for many years due to its springs, which drew royals and nobles to take ‘mineral cures’. An enterprising hotelier named Caspar Badrutt challenged some British tourists to stay on through the winter, and promised to give them lodging for free if they found their stay unpleasant or boring. Soon enough, wintering in St. Moritz became all the rage. As a result, a number of winter sports were brought to the Engadin Valley — skiing, of course, but also bobsledding, luge and curling.

The first and only remaining natural bobsled run was built there, and is now fondly known as ‘the world’s largest ice sculpture.’ Adventurous visitors can still ride the track, sandwiched between two professional pilots. The Cresta Run, a track dedicated entirely to the sport of skeleton, has been another death-defying attraction in St. Moritz since its opening in 1884.

St. Moritz is also a popular summer sporting destination, and you can enjoy sailing and cycling amid its natural spectacle. At 1,800 m (5,910 ft) above sea level, it’s a great place for runners and cyclists to train at altitude.

For visitors, viewing all of this athletic prowess can be as great a draw as participating — not to mention the singular sight of the Snow Polo World Cup, where the players ride their horses on the frozen lake.

St. Moritz also boasts some of Europe’s finest boutiques and world-class hotels, including the original Badrutt’s Palace that started it all. You might also choose to rejuvenate in the mineral spring water bathhouses, wander the fragrant forests or live the extravagant nightlife at the Dracula Club, the private jazz club founded by playboy Gunter Sachs in the 1970s. Or, you could enjoy the five-star restaurants, take high tea at the Palace, and watch the sunset over Muottas Muragl.

Best time to visit St. Moritz

To experience the Alpine flowers and balmy weather, July to October is the best time to visit. From mid-October to mid-December and during the month of May, the seasons are changing and some hotels and restaurants close for a rest on either side of the busy snowy season, which runs from late December through April.