Ancient Japan: traditions that live on
Ryokan, the tea ceremony, Sakai knives, sushi, sumo, and the training of maiko and geiko reflect a culture in which preservation means repeating, adapting, and re-teaching.
St. Moritz: a portrait of elegance at the Snow Polo World Cup
Each winter, the Snow Polo World Cup turns the frozen lake of St. Moritz into a meeting place for sports, mountain life, and the town’s long tradition of hospitality.
From 22 to 24 January 2027, Lake St. Moritz will become a snow polo arena. Against the white of the frozen lake, the teams’ colors stand out beneath the surrounding peaks. The horses’ strength and agility, and the players’ control at speed, are as much a part of the spectacle as the setting.
A polo team fields four players. Teams can include both men and women, and the owner often plays too.
Six international teams, each with four players, will compete on the frozen lake in 2027.
First held in 1985, the tournament brings leading international polo players to the frozen lake each winter. The mountains form a striking backdrop, but it is the partnership between horse and rider that gives the game its character.
Horses are rotated between chukkas, the periods of play in a polo match.
The Snow Polo World Cup brings international teams and players to the frozen lake of St. Moritz.
The tournament is one way to discover St. Moritz and its tradition of hospitality. Badrutt’s Palace is one of the town’s historic grand hotels. The more contemporary Nira Alpina, a four-star superior hotel, stands in Surlej, in the municipality of Silvaplana, with a direct connection to the Corvatsch cable car.
At the Carlton Hotel, Da Vittorio St. Moritz serves Italian cuisine and holds two Michelin stars. The hotel is also home to the Grand Restaurant. Da Vittorio is due to reopen on 12 December 2026, serving dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, 19:00–22:00. The Grand Restaurant reopens on 11 December.
The announced winter seasons run from 3 December 2026 to 30 March 2027 at Badrutt’s Palace, from 4 December 2026 to 4 April 2027 at Nira Alpina, and from 11 December 2026 to 21 March 2027 at the Carlton. Advance booking is advisable for the polo weekend.
- Engadin Airport in nearby Samedan accommodates private jets. —
- Some of the town’s grand hotels overlook the lake where the polo tournament takes place. —
- Hotels can arrange transfers from the airport. —
- The Dama Bianca pizza at Pizzeria Heuboden, in Chesa Veglia, is known for its black truffle. Winter opening dates and reservations should be checked with the restaurant.
Vito Schnabel, Juliette Binoche and the Bernina Express: beyond the polo field
Art offers another perspective on St. Moritz. Vito Schnabel Gallery presents contemporary work at Via Maistra 37; visits are currently by appointment only. For those interested in fashion, Via Serlas brings together boutiques from some of the world’s best-known luxury houses.
Beyond the town, Corviglia, Diavolezza, and Corvatsch offer skiing and snowboarding amid the mountain scenery. The Bernina Express provides a different way to explore the Alps, traveling from St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy. Its route is as notable for its railroad engineering as for the views. Seat reservations are required in the panoramic cars. Before a day on the slopes, it is worth checking the official lift schedules and slope conditions.
A few kilometers away lies Sils Maria, the setting for a film starring Juliette Binoche. The valley is also associated with the Maloja Snake, a cloud formation that winds through the landscape when conditions are right. The views from Nira Alpina offer another reason to linger in this part of the Engadin.
The terrace at Paradiso, a place to pause for lunch or a drink between runs.
The valley where the Maloja Snake cloud formation can be seen. Photograph: Marc Siegrist.
Cabins in the countryside around St. Moritz.
The Bernina Express links St. Moritz with Tirano in Italy. Seat reservations are required in the panoramic cars.
Polo may be the reason to come; art, food and the mountains invite a longer stay.
A visit to St. Moritz can move from an art gallery to the Olympia Bob Run, the world’s only natural-ice bobsled track. Guest rides offer a chance to experience its speed with a trained crew. A quiet afternoon at a spa, a meal, or time in the mountains brings a different rhythm to the day.
The Olympia Bob Run season is scheduled to begin on 22 December 2026. The track will host the Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup from 22 to 24 January 2027, the same weekend as the polo. Anyone planning a guest ride should check the schedule and availability in advance.
On the Corviglia slopes, Paradiso is scheduled to open from 4 December 2026 to 28 March 2027. The Music Deck combines food and music in a mountain setting; access to the Mountain Club requires membership or a day pass.
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
Since opening in the 19th century, Badrutt’s Palace has held a prominent place in the history of winter tourism. Its long tradition of hospitality has drawn visitors from around the world, including Alfred Hitchcock.
The filmmaker returned regularly, drawn by the hotel and its setting. He enjoyed strolling through Le Grand Hall, the marble lobby known as “the catwalk of St. Moritz.” Gregory Peck, Marlene Dietrich, and Audrey Hepburn were among the other Hollywood figures associated with the hotel.
Hitchcock also appreciated its cooking and extensive wine cellar. His sociable nature drew him to the hotel’s parties, including the New Year’s Eve gala. He attended Marlene Dietrich’s 60th birthday celebrations at Badrutt’s Palace on 27 December 1961, an occasion remembered as part of the hotel’s social history.
Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville on their honeymoon.
Snow Polo 2027: a weekend on the frozen lake
The 42nd Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz takes place from 22 to 24 January 2027. Six international teams will compete over three days, with the final scheduled for Sunday 24 January at 14:30 local time.
Practice matches on Thursday 21 January, from 12:00 to 15:00, are free to watch. From Friday to Sunday, visitors aged 16 and over need a ticket for the public area; admission is free for children under 16. Chukker Club grandstand tickets and VIP tickets are also available.
The official program and ticket information provide the details needed to plan a visit.
Practical information checked on 3 November 2026. Check the organizers’ and venues’ latest schedules and conditions before traveling.
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