St Moritz

Winter tourism in the Alps has a documented starting point here. In September 1864 the hotelier Johannes Badrutt bet a group of departing British summer guests that they would enjoy the Engadin winter, offering to cover their costs if they did not; they came at Christmas, stayed until spring, and the practice spread. St Moritz went on to host two Winter Olympics and to build the Cresta Run, a natural ice skeleton track rebuilt by hand each season, and the Olympia Bob Run, the only natural-ice bobsleigh track still in competitive use. Beyond that the town trades on the lake, the light and a certain conspicuous wealth. The mineral springs that first drew visitors have been used for three thousand years.

What you actually see

• The 1864 bet - the wager that started Alpine winter tourism.
• The Cresta Run - a natural ice skeleton track rebuilt every season.
• The only natural-ice bob run - the Olympia track still used in competition.
• Springs used for three millennia - the mineral water that came first.

When to go

December to March, or June to September. Two days.

Honest expectations

It is among the most expensive places in Switzerland. The town itself is modern and built-up - the beauty is the surrounding valley rather than the streets. Between seasons much closes. The Cresta Run has its own membership rules and is not a public attraction.

Nearby

Lake Sils and Silvaplana are up the valley; Corvatsch and Diavolezza are above.