A thrilling opening to the alpine & cross-country skiing season awaits all tourists at the Engadin St. Moritz resort in winter 2013/1014 with star attractions, the world’s first yoga slope, the steepest piste in Graubünden, a musical theatre premiere in the spring snow sunshine, 3 anniversaries, & many more innovations. The winter season begins on 19 Oct 2013 – earlier than anywhere else in the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
The winter season gets underway in Engadin St. Moritz in just a few weeks’ time, making it the first destination in Graubünden to open for winter. The contrast between the glittering resort of St. Moritz and the inspiring Engadin region promises unforgettable winter enjoyment.
“Hotel Ski Pass included” now in its second winter
The Engadin St. Moritz region is offering guests its “Hotel Ski Pass Included” offer for the second winter in a row. Many guests believe that Switzerland is too expensive, so to counteract this preconception the region’s hoteliers have come up with the perfect antidote. Thanks to the hoteliers’ commitment, guests staying more than one night at any of the participating hotels qualify for the Ski Pass at a special rate of CHF 25.- per person per day for the duration of their stay. This offer is valid for the entire winter season from 19 October 2013 to 25 May 2014. Over 100 hotels in all categories have signed up to this special scheme which once again highlights the Engadin St Moritz holiday region as a pioneering innovator. http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en/skipass-inclusive/
Alpine and cross-country skiing event to kick off the season
From 29 Nov to 1 Dec 2013 the season gets underway in St Moritz with big celebrations on the Corviglia. While ski tests are carried out on the slopes during the day, in the evening the piste relocates to St. Moritz’s pedestrian zone, with celebrities, guests and locals all set to compete against one another in the parallel slalom. DJ Antoine, of international renown, will provide the music entertainment. Also from 29 November to 1 December 2013 the Nordic Opening, the season’s inaugural event for cross- country skiers, is being held in Pontresina. An opportunity to test the latest models of cross-country skis with experienced cross-country ski instructors against a uniquely stunning backdrop. http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en/pauschalenliste/ski-opening-2013/
Adrenaline rush and fun on the pistes
With an 86% gradient the downhill run on the Lagalb in Pontresina is the steepest in Graubünden. The Minor Piste, as it is called, is prepared daily from 21 December 2013, to the sheer delight of adrenaline junkies. For that extra adrenaline rush, the 7 m high half-pipe at the Murtèl am Corvatsch middle station is a European highlight; it opens in February 2014. By contrast, the emphasis on the Paradiso Piste (piste No. 1) on Corviglia is on skiing and snowboarding fun. It is also the location this winter of the world’s first ever yoga piste. Yoga on snow can be practised individually or under expert instruction. It is all about slowing down and experiencing downhill skiing at an altogether different pace. http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en/activities/sports/skiing-snowboarding/corviglia-skiing/yoga-on-snow/
It’s celebration time!
This winter season 2013/2014 the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its inaugural opening in Christmas 1913. At the time the Carlton Hotel became the fifth and most recent luxury hotel in St. Moritz. And to this day these five St. Moritz luxury hotels are still known all over the world as the Big Five, contributing to the renown of the fashionable resort.
The Corvatsch is also celebrating on 7 December 2013. For it was on 8 December 1963 that the development of the Corvatsch, all the way up to 3303 metres above sea level, was finally completed. Reason enough, then, to pop the corks 50 years later. The Corvatsch Railways is celebrating with music and an open day for locals and guests alike. The history of the Corvatsch Railways will be at the heart of the celebrations. This winter the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow is also celebrating an anniversary, its 30th. The world’s most prestigious winter polo tournament on snow is held from 30 January to 2 February 2014 on the frozen lake of St Moritz.
Sporting and cultural highlights on and by the lake
The stellar events held on and alongside the frozen lake of St. Moritz in January and February are an important part of the winter event schedule in St. Moritz. Whether it’s the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow, the spectacular Bob and Skeleton World Cup Race, the Gourmet Festival or the White Turf Horse Race, the events on offer in Engadin St. Moritz are as varied as they are numerous. For an overview of the top events go to http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/winter/en/news-events/topevents/.
Musical theatre in the spring snow sunshine
The plateau at Surlej in Silvaplana will be the stage for the musical theatre production of Kaiser im Schnee from 14 March to 5 April 2014. Director Giovanni Netzer has adapted the story of Charlemagne for dancers, actors and musicians in honour of the 1200th anniversary of the death of Charles the Great. This musical theatre experience nestled in majestic mountain scenery with a view of the Engadin lakes promises to be an utterly unique experience.
Snow Travel Mart Switzerland
From 12 to 15 March 2014 around 400 participants from 40 different countries will be taking part in the Snow Travel Mart Switzerland trade fair in St. Moritz. The Travel Mart is being held in the Alps, in St. Moritz, for the first time in the run-up to the 150th anniversary of winter tourism, which we will be celebrating in the winter of 2014/15.
150 years of winter tourism – winter 2014/2015
In winter 2014/15 Switzerland will be celebrating 150 years of winter tourism. And as the birthplace of winter tourism St Moritz is set to take centre stage. The local organising committee is already busy putting the anniversary programme together. The festivities will underscore the Engadin’s long-standing tourist tradition and build a framework for tourism in the future.
Switzerland’s largest winter sports region
The Mountains. The Horizons. The Light! Engadin St. Moritz is delightful as both landscape and legend. Thanks to the combination of glamour and nature this destination is a unique starting point. With four major peaks and 350 kilometres of pistes with guaranteed snow, 150 kilometres of hiking trails and 200 kilometres of cross-country trails, Engadin St Moritz is recognised as one of the biggest and most beautiful areas for winter sport in Switzerland. The wide array of sports and leisure activities on offer, the specialities of its regional cuisine, the wealth of cultural activities, and the multitude of events inspire and enthral its guests. The region owes much of its appeal to St. Moritz, the world’s most scintillating alpine destination, on the one hand and the Engadin, the inspirational valley high up in the Alps, on the other. But the star attraction in Engadin St. Moritz is and remains nature itself. Benefiting from all the space it. Bernina Express the scenic train owned by Rhaetian Railway operates 2 lines towards Engadin St. Moritz – The Albula line connecting Chur to St. Moritz and the Bernina Line connecting St Moritz to Tirano.