St. Moritz is a luxury alpine resort town located in the Engadin valley of the Swiss canton of Graubünden, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,822 meters. The town has been a winter tourism destination since 1864, when hotelier Johannes Badrutt famously wagered with a group of English summer guests that winter in the Engadin was just as pleasant, inviting them to return in December at his expense. The guests stayed until spring, and modern winter tourism was effectively born. St. Moritz has twice hosted the Winter Olympic Games, in 1928 and 1948, and remains the birthplace of Alpine winter sports including bobsled, skeleton, and the Cresta Run.
The resort town is home to some of the most storied hotels in the world, including Badrutt's Palace Hotel, the Kulm Hotel, and Suvretta House. These grand establishments have hosted generations of European aristocracy, industrialists, and cultural figures. St. Moritz offers skiing across two primary areas, Corviglia and Corvatsch-Furtschellas, providing approximately 350 kilometers of prepared runs. The town is also known for its unique winter events, including polo on the frozen lake, White Turf horse racing, and the Snow Polo World Cup.
St. Moritz enjoys an average of 322 days of sunshine per year, a remarkable figure for an alpine location, and the dry Engadin climate has historically attracted visitors seeking health benefits. The town center features upscale shopping, fine dining, and a vibrant après-ski scene. Accommodation ranges from five-star hotels charging $800 or more per night in peak season to luxury chalets and serviced apartments. St. Moritz's reputation as the original winter playground of the European elite remains firmly intact, with the town continuing to attract a cosmopolitan, wealthy clientele drawn by its combination of sporting heritage, natural beauty, and social prestige.