Winter in St. Moritz is a run of big weekends rather than one long season. Polo, classic cars and horse racing take turns on the frozen lake, World Cup skiers race on Corviglia, and bobsleighs and Cresta riders hurtle down the ice runs towards Celerina. If you are coming for one of these events, the dates set everything else: hotel, flight and, above all, the car. This guide lists the confirmed dates for the 2026/27 season, explains how to reach each venue and where to park, and gives a week-by-week booking calendar.
- Snow Polo World Cup: 22–24 January 2027, on the frozen lake (42nd edition)
- IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup: 22–24 January 2027, Olympia Bob Run St. Moritz–Celerina, the same weekend as the polo
- The I.C.E. St. Moritz: 29–30 January 2027, classic cars on the frozen lake
- White Turf: Sundays 7, 14 and 21 February 2027, horse racing on the lake for the 120th time
- Engadin Skimarathon: Sunday 14 March 2027, Maloja to S-chanf
- Busiest weeks: Christmas to New Year, the last two weekends of January and the three White Turf Sundays
- The car: an all-wheel-drive SUV on winter tyres, handed over at Engadin Airport in Samedan, at your hotel or at your chalet
Information checked in October 2026. Dates are those published by the organisers at the time of writing; programmes can change, so always confirm on the official websites linked below.
This article is about the events. For the routes in from Milan and Zurich, the passes, the Swiss border and the vignette, read our guide to driving to St. Moritz from Milan or Zurich.
The 2026/27 season at a glance
| Dates | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 Dec 2026 | Audi FIS Ski World Cup (women: two Super-G, one giant slalom) | Corviglia |
| Just before Christmas | Cresta Run opens (around ten weeks) | St. Moritz towards Celerina |
| 22 Dec 2026 | Olympia Bob Run season opening | St. Moritz–Celerina |
| 22–24 Jan 2027 | Snow Polo World Cup and IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup | Frozen lake / Bob Run |
| 29–30 Jan 2027 | The I.C.E. St. Moritz | Frozen lake |
| 7, 14, 21 Feb 2027 | White Turf | Frozen lake |
| 6–14 Mar 2027 | Engadin Marathon Week (Skimarathon on 14 March) | Maloja to S-chanf |
The events, one by one
Ski World Cup on Corviglia: 18–20 December 2026
The season opens with the women's Audi FIS Ski World Cup. The St. Moritz tourism office lists a Super-G on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December and a giant slalom on Sunday 20 December 2026, on Corviglia (stmoritz.com). Spectators go up by the mountain railway from St. Moritz Dorf, so the car stays in the village: the Serletta car park is about a quarter of an hour on foot from the valley station.
Christmas and New Year
From around 24 December to the first weekend of January St. Moritz is at its fullest: hotels, chalets, restaurant tables and cars are all booked well ahead. Most of the grand hotels reopen for the winter in the first half of December, so check your hotel's season dates before you fix the rental. Book the car in October or November, with room for skis and luggage.
Cresta Run season
The Cresta Run, the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club's head-first ice run, is rebuilt from snow every winter. According to the club, it usually opens just before Christmas and runs for about ten weeks, until the end of February or early March. The run descends from St. Moritz towards Celerina; with limited parking near the track, being dropped off is easier than driving yourself.
Bobsleigh: Olympia Bob Run St. Moritz–Celerina
The Olympia Bob Run opens its season on 22 December 2026, and guest bobsleigh rides are already bookable. The highlight is the IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup on 22–24 January 2027: monobob, skeleton, two-man and four-man bob over three days. Note that this is the same weekend as the Snow Polo World Cup, which makes it one of the busiest of the winter. The run links St. Moritz and Celerina, a few minutes apart by car, but parking along the track is scarce on race days.
Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz: 22–24 January 2027
The 42nd Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz takes place on 22–24 January 2027 on the frozen lake, a short walk from the village centre. The Thursday practice games are free; general admission from Friday to Sunday is ticketed for visitors aged 16 and over.
- Getting there by car: the organisers recommend the Julier, the Maloja or the Vereina car train, with winter equipment.
- Parking: the most convenient is the Serletta car park next to the railway station, from where a pedestrian bridge leads onto the lake. The alternative is Quadrellas in the village centre: take the escalator next to Badrutt's Palace down to the lake promenade, then walk 10–15 minutes.
- The car: you won't drive onto the lake, so what matters is getting up and down the village's steep, icy streets. An SUV such as the Mercedes-AMG G 63 in St. Moritz is the classic choice.
The I.C.E. St. Moritz: 29–30 January 2027
The International Concours of Elegance, The I.C.E., has been held on the frozen lake since 2022. Classic cars are judged for elegance and also driven on the ice. The St. Moritz tourism office lists the 2027 edition on 29 and 30 January (stmoritz.com). Parking works as for the polo: Serletta or Quadrellas, then on foot to the lake.
White Turf: 7, 14 and 21 February 2027
White Turf races for the 120th time on three Sundays: 7, 14 and 21 February 2027. Gates open at 10.30 and the day ends around 16.30. Each Sunday includes skikjöring, with riders on skis towed by galloping horses, and the Grand Prix of St. Moritz is run on 21 February. Family Days are held on the Saturdays before.
- Getting there by car: the organisers note that after snowfall the passes may only be crossed with snow chains or in 4×4 vehicles. All-wheel drive is not a luxury here.
- Parking: the Serletta car park is directly opposite the main entrance to the lake. When it is full, the police direct traffic to other car parks, and a shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes from the Isola car park to the Reithalle.
Engadin Skimarathon: 14 March 2027
The 57th Engadin Skimarathon starts in Maloja on Sunday 14 March 2027 and finishes 42 km later in S-chanf, crossing the frozen lakes of the Upper Engadine. It closes a Marathon Week that also includes the women's race (7 March), the night race (11 March) and the half marathon (14 March). Thousands of skiers and their families fill the valley, so expect busy roads on race weekend and follow local signs.
St. Moritz Gourmet Festival: now a summer event
Many still think of the Gourmet Festival as a January fixture, but it has moved to summer. According to the organisers, the next edition runs from 24 to 29 August 2027.
"Maserati St. Moritz 2026": what it refers to
If you have searched for Maserati and St. Moritz, you were most likely looking for Maserati's appearance at The I.C.E. St. Moritz 2026, held on the frozen lake at the end of January 2026. Maserati used the event to celebrate the centenary of the Trident and unveiled a one-off from its Fuoriserie programme, the MCPURA Cielo FROZEN MAGMA, according to Maserati. It is a unique car, not a series model, and at the time of writing we have found no public Maserati winter driving programme announced in St. Moritz for 2026/27.
If you want to drive a Maserati in the Engadine, the Maserati Grecale GT in St. Moritz is an all-wheel-drive SUV that suits the village's narrow streets and its car parks. The GranCabrio Trofeo and the electric GranTurismo Folgore, both all-wheel drive, are in the fleet too.
Parking on event days: the reality
St. Moritz is not car-free, but the events are. The lake is reached on foot, and the village centre has narrow, steep streets and limited parking. In practice:
- Serletta (by the station) and Quadrellas (in the centre) are the two public car parks for the lake. On the big weekends they can fill up quickly.
- Check the height limit at the entrance of covered car parks: some are below 2 metres, which matters for a G-Class, a Defender or a roof box.
- Many hotels have their own garage or valet parking: ask when you book the room.
- On event days the simplest option is to leave the car at the hotel and walk, or to book a private chauffeur through licensed professionals for the evening dinners.
Which car for a winter of events
In January and February, all-wheel drive and ground clearance come first. Every IsyLuxe car runs on winter tyres in the cold season.
- For the arrival and the passes: Range Rover, Mercedes-AMG G 63 or Lamborghini Urus in St. Moritz.
- To make an entrance: Ferrari Purosangue or Aston Martin DBX 707.
- For families and ski bags: Land Rover Defender 130 with 8 seats, BMW X7, or a van from our van range in St. Moritz.
- Compact and easy to park: Maserati Grecale GT or Porsche Cayenne.
The full list is on our page of SUV rental in St. Moritz. You book the exact model, never "or similar", with insurance and 24/7 assistance included.
Booking calendar: when to book
| Week | Demand | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Early December | Low to medium | Hotels reopen; easy availability and a calm first week of skiing. |
| 18–20 December | Medium to high | Ski World Cup weekend: book by early November. |
| 24 December – first weekend of January | Very high | The peak of the season: book in October. Large SUVs and 7-seaters go first. |
| Mid-January | Medium | The quietest window of the high season, ideal for a few days on the slopes. |
| 22–24 January | Very high | Snow Polo and Bob World Cup on the same weekend: book as early as possible. |
| 29–30 January | Very high | The I.C.E.: many guests stay from the polo through to the concours; book both weekends together. |
| 7, 14 and 21 February | Very high | White Turf Sundays, combined with February school holidays across Europe: book by December. |
| Late February – early March | High | End of the Cresta season and long sunny days; good availability with a few weeks' notice. |
| 6–14 March | High | Marathon Week: plan around the race on Sunday 14 March. |
Arriving by private jet: Engadin Airport, Samedan (SMV)
Engadin Airport in Samedan sits at 1,707 m, making it Europe's highest-altitude airport, and it is about ten minutes by car from St. Moritz. It handles private jets, air taxis and helicopter transfers, provides its own ground handling and offers customs services during operating hours. On the big event weekends traffic is heavy, so your operator will advise on timings.
Handover at Samedan is the easiest start to a trip: the car is waiting when you land, with winter tyres fitted, and you drive straight to the hotel. Immediate delivery is possible on many dates, but on event weekends it pays to book ahead. If weather diverts your flight, tell us and we will rearrange the handover. For everything else around the stay, from restaurant tables to event access and helicopters, see our VIP services in St. Moritz, and for the fleet, our page on luxury car hire in St. Moritz.
Frequently asked questions
When is White Turf 2027?
On Sundays 7, 14 and 21 February 2027, on the frozen lake of St. Moritz. The Grand Prix of St. Moritz is on 21 February. Family Days are on the Saturdays before each race day.
When is the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2027?
From 22 to 24 January 2027, the 42nd edition. The same weekend, the IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup is held at the Olympia Bob Run St. Moritz–Celerina, so book the car and hotel early.
Where do I park for events on the lake?
At the Serletta car park, next to the station and opposite the main entrance to the lake, or at Quadrellas in the village centre. For White Turf there is also a shuttle bus from the Isola car park. You cannot drive onto the lake.
Do I need a 4×4 in St. Moritz in winter?
It is strongly recommended. Steep streets, icy hotel driveways and, after snowfall, pass roads open only to chains or 4×4 vehicles all favour an all-wheel-drive SUV on winter tyres.
Can I collect the car at Samedan airport?
Yes. Handover can be arranged at Engadin Airport when you land, or at your hotel or chalet. Tell us your plans when you book and the return is arranged the same way.
Related guides: Driving to St. Moritz from Milan or Zurich · Driving to the Alps in winter with a rental car.
