Luxe Beat Magazine JANUARY 2015 | Page 16

T here are few places that are as extraordinarily beautiful under a thick, white veil of winter as Switzerland. Synonymous with mountains and cold-weather sports, Switzerland is a magnet for those seeking refinement and tradition, in addition to a rugged and majestic landscape. Epitomizing these attributes is the historical Swiss resort of St. Moritz, which is part of the prestigious Best of the Alps consortium. In the eastern portion of Switzerland known as Engadin, lies one of the most glamorous destinations, not only in the mountains, but the world. Dating to 1864, St. Moritz is also the world’s oldest winter resort. Already a popular summer draw, it was the promise of mild and sunny winters by hotelier, Johannes Badrutt, to four English guests that solidified St. Moritz as a winter holiday destination. True to Badrutt’s word, the English ocked to St. orit for its winter sunshine and dry, crystal-clear air. Today, the resort is most frequented by well heeled Swiss, Germans, Russians, Italians and British. St. orit solidified its international reputation as a world-class winter sport destination early in its history, which led to being awarded the 1928 and 1948 Olympic Winter Games. Home to the oldest bobsleigh run in the world, the Olympia Bob Run has been the location for twenty World Championships. And it was in St. Moritz that skeleton racing was invented on the legendary Cresta Run. Since 1907, the White Turf International Horse Races have taken place on the frozen Lake St. Moritz. With harness and at races, White Turf also features skijoring, where 16