ST. MORTIZ FAQ`S

Where is St. Moritz located?

St. Moritz is in the Upper Engadin in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is one of the most well-known vacation spots in Europe located next to Engadine`s lakescape at 6,089 ft. above sea level. It is stylish and famous for its ambiance, sometimes referred to as the `Beverly Hills of the Swiss Alps`. The bubbly `champagne atmosphere` is as legendary as the St. Moritz sun, which shines on an average 322 days of the year!

How do I get to St. Moritz?

You can get to St. Moritz by train, bus, car, or air.

If you arrive at the International Airport Zurich take the SBB train to Churand from there the Rhb train over the famous Albulapass to St. Moritz train station. Trains from Chur to St. Moritz run hourly. The last train from St. Moritz to Chur departs at 9:00pm. Visit www.sbb.ch for additional information.

Furthermore, St. Moritz is the starting point for the famous Glacier Express (www.glacierexpress.ch/en) and the Palm Express.

If you are driving into St. Moritz there is only one pass which is open in winter, the Julierpass. If you come from Davos or Klosters you can take the car-train from Klosters through the Fluelapass. From Italy you drive over Bernina or the Maloja.

There is a small airport in Samedan (www.engadin-airport.ch), which is around 3.5 miles/20 minutes away from St. Moritz. It provides flights to the international airports of Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Milan, and Munich.

St. Moritz is served by the Post Bus, departing from right next to the train station. Buses depart towards Chur and Lugano (and back). Reservations may be necessary. The last Post Bus from St. Moritz to Chur leaves at 11:00pm. Later there are not any bus or train connections from St. Moritz to Chur. On the way, you can admire a lot of Swiss villages and spectacular mountain views.

How do I get around St. Moritz?

From the rail station (St. Mortiz only has one), the town center can be reached in 5 minutes on foot (uphill), or by bus. The town center is small and can easily be explored on foot. The district St. Moritz-Bad is about 20 minutes walking from the rail station, and can be reached by bus too.

St. Moritz has a good public transport network. There is a frequent local bus covering the whole village from one end to the other - which is not big at all, the entire trip taking 15-20 minutes with several stops on the way. During late night hours there is a night bus and the Kempinski (in Bad) has a shuttle service as well. Biking in the warmer months is also very good around St.Moritz, however it is sometimes a bit steep.

What is St Moritz famous for?

Every winter it hosts the `White Turf` horse race on the frozen Lake St. Moritz attended by the international upper class. Popular pastimes include skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, and nearby there is also the world-famous Cresta Run toboggan course.

How do I get around by Mountain Bike in St. Moritz?

St. Mortiz is a true bikers` paradise in the highest peaks of the eastern Alps. There are 250 miles ofbike riding trails for all ability levels. Mountain bikers can use the cable car to reach the Piz Nair mountain station.

The Engadin is a mountain biking paradise for all ability levels. Mountain bikers can use the cable car to reach the Piz Nair mountain station at 10,026 ft above sea level. The views are breathtaking and the trails are as varied as the wonderful natural environment itself. Spectacular descents and magnificent single tracks also await mountain bikers around Corviglia and in the Bernina Valley.

Mountain biking is a range of flow trails and routes, including the Padella Panorama Tour, the Suvretta Loop and the Bernina Express Tour. Hotels specializing in mountain biking provide the perfect holiday on two wheels, and local mountain bike schools also offer organized tours.

One particularly convenient option is the free mountain railways offer, which gives mountain bikers staying two nights or more in numerous Engadin hotels free travel on the mountain railways, including free mountain bike transport.

In recent years, Corviglia, St. Moritz`s local mountain, has become real popular for mountain-bikers due to its three different flow trails. Their banked curves, bumps and jumps are sure to set the mountain bikers` pulses racing. And the best thing is that all three trails are family-friendly and suitable for children aged 12 and up.

What is the nightlife like in St. Mortiz?

St. Moritz has around 20 bars and clubs in winter. DJs, lounge bars and relaxed cafes attract post-slope partygoers to Plazza dal Mulin. Things slow down a lot once the snow melts.

What is the food like?

St Moritz has some of the top restaurants in the Alps, especially at the best hotels. The Swiss resort town is where Europe`s top chefs come to cook. If you`re on a budget, you might want to spend more time in St Moritz-Bad than St Moritz-Dorf.

The formerly Italian region offers specialties that reflect this proximity. Pizzoccheri is one such dish: A hearty combination of wheat noodles and potato chunks drenched in a fondue-like sauce, spiced with nutmeg and sage. It sounds heavy perhaps, but after a long day on the slopes or tending to farm during a long winter, it is just right. Many of the restaurants of the region offer traditional Swiss cuisine, but you will also find international foods of all kinds.

Where are the best areas for shopping?

Many of St. Moritz`s shops line either side of the steeply inclined via Maistra, and most of the absorbingly high priced upscale ones vie with one another for proximity to the town`s most fabulous hotels, one being Badrutt`s Palace. Via Serlas is one of the most exclusive shopping streets in the world. Glamour, luxury, and large retail chains door to door. Here you`ll find boutiques for Versace, Prada, Jil Sander, Bulgari, and Louis Vuitton, as well as enough upscale shops for watches and jewelry to outfit a prosperous royal court.

The region produces lots of folkloric crafts that could commemorate your stay in the Engadine. The town`s main outlet for all sorts of woodcarvings, including depictions of gnarled native Engadiners in Swiss costumes and some handcrafted furniture, is Ettlin, (www.ursettlin.ch).

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or SFr. While Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro, many prices are nonetheless indicated in euros so that visitors may compare prices. Most of the restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs accept euro, but expect to pay a premium rate.

The Swiss Franc (CHF or SFr) is divided into 100 centimes (known as Rappen in German speaking Switzerland). Bills come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 10000SFr and coins are divided into 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes and 1, 2 and 5SFr.

US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Swiss Francs upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airports, train stations and many bank locations.

What is the weather like in St. Mortiz? When is the best time to visit?

With an average of 322 sunny days a year, the weather is good most of the time. But St Moritz really has two seasons: summer and winter. Spring and autumn are quiet in St Moritz because most visitors prefer the summer (mid-June through mid-October) and winter (December through March).

Winter is its shining season, with clear, bright, cold days, lots and lots of snow, spectacular natural scenery everywhere, and everyone concentrating on skiing, skating and other winter sports.

Summer is also a great season to enjoy St. Moritz with plenty of outdoor sports to enjoy, such as hiking, biking, mountain climbing, sailing and more. This time of year also bring many concerts, more culture and events like the British Classic Car Meeting.

What are the popular events and activities during each season?

Winter (December - March)

-Christmas- New Years Eve is the busiest holiday in St. Moritz. Many of the hotels have big parties and also a large firework show.
-Skiing/Snowboarding St. Mortiz mountain, Corviglia aka `The Top of the World.` Plenty of restaurants and bars are available via trolly for non skiers/snowboarders. The buses and tram transportation are available all over town. Depending on which hotel you stay in, you may receive discounted rentals or day passes.
-The Snow Polo World Cup
-White Turf Races
-Claude Cartier Challenge Cup– toboggan races
-Cricket Matches
-Ice Skating at the St. Moritz Country club
-The Glacier Express with panoramic views
-Apres on the slopes- Fondue is so fun!
-Cross Country Skiing
-The Segantini Museum and other local galleries
-Bobsleighing
-Spa Days

Summer (Mid June - Mid October)

-Enjoying the lake via sail boat, paddle boards etc.
-Jazz Festival
-Hiking or biking
-Yoga retreats
-Relaxation at the spa
-Take the Muottas Muragl funicular railway to the mountain tops for panoramic views
-Golf at 1800M

I don`t speak German. Will many people speak English?

Graubünden (in German) is the only Swiss Canton where three of our four official languages are spoken (and varieties of dialects in all three languages). If you don`t speak French, German or Italian, you should be okay in the tourist areas where most employees working can speak the English language at a competent level. We suggest you get a good English-German guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Hospital: Klinik Gut St. Moritz, Via Arona 34, CH- 7500 St. Moritz; PH +41 81 8363434

Police Emergency Number - 117
Ambulance / Medical Emergency - 144
Fire Department - 118
Non Emergency - 022-327-41-11