Craving some snow and winter activities? Glamorous St. Moritz, embedded in the inspiring Engadin valley, offers its visitors a colorful and varied range of events. The breathtaking scenery alone is enough to attend and witness all the upcoming unique events. The Engadin region also happens to have the first Arabic ski teacher in Switzerland, ensuring all Arab guests are trained with the best. St. Moritz Gourmet Festival (Till Jan. 31) Till Jan. 31 the Engadin once again will be transformed into a paradise for gourmet fans. Together with the top chefs from St. Moritz's leading hotels, ten star-crowned European guest master chefs will delight you with their sensational cooking artistry. The glamorous Opening at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains will be the starting point, followed by Gourmet Safaris and Gourmet Diners, the legendary Kitchen Party and further special events. In a new culmination event, the spectacular Grand Finale, featuring all the master chefs and taking place in the VIP tent on the frozen lake of St. Moritz, will crown the festival week! St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow (Jan. 30 — Feb. 2) The St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow is not only the world's most prestigious winter polo tournament, but traditionally the social highlight in St. Moritz. The unusual conditions on snow, the unaccustomed location at 1,800 meters above sea level and the cosmopolitan character of St. Moritz make the tournament truly unique — as attested by approximately 15,000 spectators from every corner of the world who make the journey to Lake St. Moritz at the end of January each year. Come to the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow and experience a world of sport that combines strength, elegance, speed, pride and the traditional British love of fair play. Experience polo at its best! Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup (Feb. 1-2) Due to the excellent weather conditions, the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Men Downhill Race and Giant Slalom will take place in St. Moritz instead of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) this coming weekend. The Men's Ski World Cup is always very popular, bringing speed and an adrenaline pumping start. With two great winter events taking place in one weekend, St. Moritz is definitely the hotspot! Aston Martin On Ice 2014 (Feb. 3-8) Based in the exclusive resort of St. Moritz, Aston Martin on Ice offers you the opportunity to experience its full model range as you have never experienced it before. Winter tires combined with sophisticated electronic safety systems offer an extraordinary snow and ice driving experience. The special program, guided by professional instructors enables visitors to develop their personal skills for an amazing ON ICE drive. Feel like James Bond in an atmosphere of breathtaking excitement. St. Moritz On Ice Dates 2014 Sun/Mon 02/03 February; Mon/Tue 03/04 Feb; Tue/Wed 04/05 February; Wed/Thu 05/06 February “German Day” (will be held in German language); Thu/Fri 06/07 February; Fri/Sat 07/08 February; Sat/Sun 08/09 February and Sun/Mon 09/10 February “German Day” (will be held in German language). White Turf St. Moritz (Feb. 9/16/23) White Turf, a unique, exclusive, top-class event with exciting horse-racing, gourmet catering, lively music and inspiring art exhibitions, all taking place in winter sunshine on the frozen lake among the stunningly beautiful, snow-capped mountains of St. Moritz. This spectacular, major event is not just for the rich and beautiful but an annual event where race-horse owners, trainers and jockeys from all over the world meet up as well as being an unmissable fixture on the calendar for local people. If you have a passion for racing, or just want to spend an unforgettable day out at a unique event in spectacular winter surroundings, make sure you visit St Moritz in February. 46th Engadin Ski Marathon 2014 (March. 9) The Engadin Ski Marathon has been held on the second Sunday in March every year since 1969. Indeed, this event is as popular as ever before. That is hardly surprising, for both the 42 km long stretch from Maloja to S-chanf and the half-marathon route from Maloja to Pontresina pass through some of the most spectacular, snow-laden landscape in the Upper Engadin. About St. Moritz In 1864, hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a bold wager with some of his English summer guests: he promised them that if they came back in the winter, they would still be able to enjoy the mild Engadin sunshine on his terrace in their shirtsleeves. If not, he would pay their travel costs. The guests came back at Christmas – and returned home at Easter, tanned, relaxed and happy. And so, 150 years ago, winter tourism was born in St Moritz. However, the village had been welcoming guests long before that. The rich and beautiful from all over Europe flocked to St Moritz in the summer to visit the iron-rich mineral springs, which were discovered in St Moritz over 3,000 years ago. The scintillating Alpine resort has written history in other ways, too. Switzerland's first electric light shone here, Europe's first Palace Hotel was built here, and new sports have been created here that have gone on to achieve worldwide popularity – the most recent being kite-sailing on the nearby Lake Silvaplana. Today this Alpine village is renowned throughout the world as the ultimate holiday resort. — SG
