St. Moritz, Switzerland

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Description of St. Moritz:

St. Moritz, one of the most famous resorts in the world, is chic, elegant, grand, with a very cosmopolitan ambience. A beautiful setting around the lake, in the Engadine Valley, near Italy, and on the southern side of the Alps. Ritzy St. Moritz is the hot spot of the beautiful people from all over the world. The sparkling, dry "champagne climate of St. Moritz" is legendary. The sun shines here an average of 322 days per year - a Swiss record.

While Pontresina is a charming village in a sheltered valley about 5 miles from St. Moritz, together they share a ski area of over 200 miles of runs and more than 50 lifts, all well linked by an efficient sports bus service. There are 6 main areas with a wide choice of runs for all grades although best suited for intermediates and above. From St. Moritz, the easiest to tackle is the Corviglia/Piz Nair area which is reached by funicular. The runs fan out in all directions on wide open sunny slopes above the tree line with mainly easy to intermediate level terrain. The cable car up to the Piz Nair provides access to the off trail runs in the Suvretta Valley and to long beautiful runs to Morguns and on down to the valley at Celerina. Near Pontresina, some of the best skiing in the area will be found on the Diavolezza and Piz Lagalb slopes. In the middle of marvelous glacier scenery, the Diavolezza cable car serves several surface lifts and some great long runs. Intermediate skiers will find some of the most satisfying runs of St. Moritz on the interconnected runs of Corvatsch and Furtschellas. One of the most popular is from Giand Alva, at Corvatsch, through the woods of St. Moritz via the Hannensee mountain hut. Advanced skiers will like the long, steep runs and glacier skiing with the 10 km glacier run from Diavolezza to Morteratsch. Cross country skiers will find approximately 100 miles of the best prepared trails in Europe.

Life away from the slopes is on a grand scale. Even winter gold and horse racing takes place on the frozen lake and ice skaters will like the two free rinks. A large public pool, tennis courts, and a squash center help round out the other sports facilities. The shops in St. Moritz are both plentiful and chic with fabulous fashions for all. As for night life, discos, bars, cafes, nightclubs, and restaurants are available for every taste and pocketbook. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the night life that is an important consideration when choosing the resort for your winter vacation.

St.Moritz is the oldest winter sports center in the world. You need to go there at least one week during your lifetime, why not this year?