48 Hours in St Moritz
St Moritz is the original ski resort, created 150 years ago and still going strong. Other resorts have imitated its style and amenities, but none have managed to recreate its spirit. After all, it’s hard to recreate such a stunning natural lakeside setting. The lake is the backdrop and centrepiece to skating, curling, polo, horse racing, show jumping, golf, and even cricket. Having hosted the Winter Olympics twice (in 1928 and 1948), it found a niche in the winter sports scene, attracting a well-heeled international demographic at a time when foreign travel was becoming fashionable. The beautiful resort has been popular with discerning skiers ever since. If you have limited time but still want to visit St Moritz, we recommend a luxury helicopter transfer – perfect for 48 hours in the resort.
Friday Afternoon – Settle in | It is immediately apparent why St Moritz attracts a discerning clientele. As you arrive by helicopter you will see the beautiful chalet architecture idyllically located by the frozen lake.
The town hosts many of the Alps’ finest hotels, including the Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Suvretta House and Kulm Hotel – all of which offer excellent spas. Suvretta house, in particular, stands out on the St Moritz alpine landscape since it looks like a fairytale castle, but a castle with a ski lift! It is the only hotel in the area with its own private ski lift taking you up to Corviglia, the ski area directly above the village. Not only does it have direct access to the slopes but it also boasts its own ski school.
Saturday – Ski then Shop! | While St Moritz offers an array of alluring attractions, visitors should immediately head to the pistes before motivation wanes. The ski area is excellent, especially for intermediates. It has 350km of groomed pistes and 58 lifts with a top height of 3,305m. The main nursery slopes are at Corviglia, the closest area to the town center, but advanced skiers can head to Diavolezza and Lagalb.
If you tire of skiing early or would rather spend the day in town, you’ll be dazzled by the array of designer boutiques. Serious shoppers head for Via Serlas, which is the heart of the shopping area and Europe’s highest shopping avenue. St Moritz combines traditional sports outlets, souvenir and gift shops with exclusive boutiques and delicatessens.
Saturday Night – Dine on the Finest Cuisine | All that skiing and shopping have no doubt given you a huge appetite. Fortunately, St Moritz is home to exclusive restaurants such as the two-Michelin-starred Ecco On Snow run by the talented chef Rolf Fliegauf. The Michelin guide praised the well-crafted cuisine and “the friendly, attentive but pleasantly unobtrusive all-female waiting staff.” Located in Giardino Mountain, a luxury design hotel a short drive from St. Moritz in the hills above Lake Maggiore, this is a three, four or even five-course meal that deserves a detour.
Sunday | St Moritz is home to numerous unique activities and events such as the Cartier polo tournament, but the famous Cresta Run is something any male over 18 years of age can try provided they are brave enough and have some lessons first. This skeleton tobogganing was started in 1884 and adapted over the years, so now participants can reach speeds of up to 100km per hour careening down the mountain. If you want an activity that’s a little less terrifying, you can opt for skating or an atmospheric ride into the snowy foothills in a fur-lined horse-drawn carriage.
A luxury helicopter transfer to St Moritz from Courchevel takes 90 minutes compared to 8 hours by car and is a comfortable and scenic alternative. On a short skiing weekend, it’s bound to be one of the highlights of your trip to the most glamorous resort in Switzerland.
