Swiss Alps
Luxury Chaletsin St. Moritz
The birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, where horses race on a frozen lake beneath a dazzling Engadine sun.
St. Moritz has defined Alpine glamour since the first winter guests arrived in 1864. Set above a lake in the high Engadine valley, it pairs superb skiing on Corviglia and Corvatsch with legendary events on the frozen lake, refined mountain dining and, in summer, hiking, golf and sailing in crystalline air.
St. Moritz sits at 1,822 metres in the Upper Engadine, a broad, sun-filled valley of lakes, larch forests and peaks rising beyond 3,000 metres. It was here, in the winter of 1864, that a local hotelier invited his English summer guests to return for the cold season, and Alpine winter tourism was born. More than a century and a half later, the resort has hosted two Winter Olympic Games and remains a byword for elegance, sport and tradition.
Winter is the great season. The ski areas of Corviglia, Corvatsch and Diavolezza offer wide, sunny slopes and spectacular glacier views, while the frozen lake becomes a stage for snow polo and the White Turf horse races. The bold take on the Cresta Run, the legendary skeleton track, or ride as passengers on the Olympia Bob Run, the world’s oldest bobsleigh run, built anew from natural ice every winter. In between, there is skating, cross-country skiing across the frozen lakes and long lunches on sunlit mountain terraces.
The village itself has two faces. St. Moritz Dorf, on the hillside, gathers the grand hotels and the boutiques of Via Serlas, with views across the lake to the mountains; St. Moritz Bad, by the water, is calmer and closer to the cross-country trails. Around them, villages such as Celerina, Pontresina and Champfèr preserve the architecture of the Engadine, with sgraffito facades and deep-set windows.
Summer reveals another St. Moritz entirely: alpine meadows full of flowers, hiking and mountain-biking trails, sailing and kitesurfing on the valley’s lakes, golf in Samedan, and scenic railway journeys through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Alps.
Our properties
- Chalet Leo: An Engadine chalet with a private-entrance apartment, within walking distance of the Maloja slopes
Areas
- St. Moritz Dorf: The hillside village centre, with grand hotels, the boutiques of Via Serlas, the Corviglia funicular and sweeping views across the lake.
- St. Moritz Bad: The lakeside quarter at the foot of the slopes, quieter and more residential, close to the cross-country trails, the Signal cable car and the public spa.
- Suvretta & Champfèr: A secluded residential enclave on the western slopes, home to some of the most exclusive chalets in the valley, with access to the Suvretta side of Corviglia.
- Celerina: A charming Engadine village just below St. Moritz, with traditional sgraffito houses, the finish of the bob run and a gondola up to Marguns and Corviglia.
Getting there
The nearest major international airport is Zurich (ZRH), around 200 kilometres away: a scenic chauffeured drive of about three hours, or under an hour by helicopter. Milan Malpensa and Linate are also about three hours by road, via Chiavenna and the Maloja Pass. For private aviation, Engadin Airport in Samedan, just five kilometres from St. Moritz and the highest airport in Europe at 1,707 metres, receives private jets and helicopters; because of its alpine approach, crews require specific qualifications, and your operator will advise accordingly.
By rail, the journey is part of the pleasure. From Zurich, trains reach St. Moritz in around three and a half hours with a change in Chur, climbing the UNESCO-listed Albula line through spiral tunnels and over viaducts. The Glacier Express links St. Moritz with Zermatt, and the Bernina Express crosses the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy. MA VILLA arranges meet-and-greet service at the airport, heliport or station, and a dedicated driver throughout your stay.
Good to know
The winter season usually runs from late November to early April, and summer from mid-June to late October; between seasons, many hotels, restaurants and lifts close. The busiest periods are the Christmas and New Year fortnight and February, when the White Turf races and the main winter events take place on the lake, so book well ahead. At 1,822 metres the sun is strong and the air dry: high-factor sun cream and plenty of water are essential. Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, although cards are accepted almost everywhere. Après-ski here is more refined than rowdy, and evenings are often elegant, with jackets expected in the grander dining rooms. Lift passes cover the main Engadine ski areas, which are connected by a regular ski bus.
Frequently asked questions
What are the options for arriving in St. Moritz?
Most guests fly into Zurich or Milan and continue by private car in around three hours, or by helicopter in under an hour. Private jets can land at Engadin Airport in Samedan, a few minutes from the resort. We arrange every leg, with meet-and-greet service.
What can the concierge arrange during our stay?
Private ski instructors and mountain guides, lift passes, ski equipment fitted at your chalet, restaurant reservations, private chefs, event hospitality on the lake and helicopter excursions.
How early should we book Christmas, New Year or February?
These are the most sought-after weeks of the year, and the finest chalets are often reserved a year in advance. We recommend booking as early as possible; our concierge can then secure tables, instructors and event hospitality.
How is privacy assured?
St. Moritz has long welcomed discreet guests. Our chalets are selected for their privacy, and we can arrange private arrivals via Samedan, vetted staff and drivers, and security services on request.
What is St. Moritz like outside the winter season?
Summer, from mid-June to October, is glorious, with hiking, golf, sailing and cultural events. In late spring and late autumn many hotels and restaurants close, and the valley is very quiet.
Can beginners try the Cresta Run or the bob run?
Yes. The St. Moritz Tobogganing Club offers beginner rides on the Cresta Run, and the Olympia Bob Run takes passengers behind an experienced pilot. Places are limited and depend on ice conditions, so we recommend booking early.