Ski Guide to St. Moritz

Perhaps one of the most well-known ski destinations in the world, there’s a reason why St. Moritz has become synonymous with Alpine ski style and a must do destination with ski aficionados. Its picture-perfect runs, superbly maintained, sparkle like glitter and the deep blue skies frame archetypal mountain panoramas. Add to the mix Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique shopping, not to mention designer-clad people watching, and you’ve got yourself a fab ski destination.

It’s here in St. Moritz that the chic ski tribes of the world converge. Credited with being the birthplace of Alpine sports over 150 years ago, the resort has seen voguish guests such as Coco Chanel, Jacques Cartier and Philippe de Rothschild grace its slopes. Located in eastern Switzerland’s Engadin Valley within the Graubünden canton, the quality of skiing is extremely high – hence why the Winter Olympics have been hosted here twice. But it is its adaptability to other sports that attracts international guests; the frozen lake plays host to polo, cricket and even horse racing. Architecture connoisseurs will love the contrast between the traditional Engadin houses with their thick walls and elegant gables juxtaposing with modern structures like the striking Chesa Futura, designed by Lord Norman Foster.

St. Moritz is also home to the iconic Cresta Run, a daredevil bobsleigh route carved out of ice, first created in 1885. Anyone with a steely mettle can have a go; over the years the thrilling run has seen much traction and it’s also exhilarating to watch the professionals during cup races gaining speeds of up to 140 kilometres an hour. Despite all these dizzying distractions, many come to St. Moritz simply for the skiing, over and around the white powder on Corviglia, Diavolezza and Corvatsch with over 87 pistes to choose from which all conform to World Cup quality standards, so you’ll really feel the difference here.

Once the sun slips behind the mountains, have a spiced mulled wine in a hip bar and ponder your choices for dinner - take your pick of Michelin-starred restaurants. Perhaps you’ll indulge in a little designer shopping: Cartier, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Patek Philippe and Valentino all have outposts here in the highest outdoor shopping street in the world. Try not to be lured by St. Moritz’s jet-set party scene at the Dracula Club – you might not make the cable car in the morning.

Where to stay?

Unapologetically vivid, this preferred pad of intellect and creativity is awash in Art Nouveau flamboyance tamed with clever 1950s-inspired design interventions. A stylishly cool home of the arts, brushed with boldness in the creative enclave of Engadin, Switzerland where the mountains are tantalisingly in reach yet set apart from the bling outpost of nearby St Moritz. Mountain cool, for those in the know.