Growing up, my grandfather would tell me many stories about his ski holidays to the town of St Moritz where he and his friends would brave the cold and snow for hours before taking refuge in the hotels and warming up with mulled wine, cheese, and hot chocolates. People would plan ahead of time to come to this beautiful ski town and spend as long as three weeks here. The agenda was simple, wake up, ski, spa, repeat. Naturally, when I had the opportunity to take the scenic route (glacier express) up to St Moritz – I jumped at it.
About St Moritz
For those of you who haven’t visited yet, St Moritz is a luxurious and beautiful resort town in Switzerland, made popular by the Olympics and winter tourism. The elevation means you have crystal clear water and cool weather all year round except for the winter, of course when it really snows.
It attracts visitors all year round for its breathtaking landscapes, great wine, outdoor activities and the incredible Bernina Express (train connecting Switzerland to Italy).
Also, the idea that you have to be very wealthy to stay in St Moritz isn’t entirely true.
Lots of smaller hotels and lodges, as well as Bnbs, have opened up to facilitate guests that don’t want to burn a hole in their pockets.
Preparing for the trip
Anyway, I digress… This was my first trip to Switzerland and while, I wasn’t really prepared for the sudden drop in temperature, it was nothing a down jacket and a hot chocolate couldn’t cure. I had been warned about altitude sickness ahead of time and while I packed my medication, I didn’t need it at all. The Swiss swear by a tonic made with liquorice, basil and thyme and I ended up sipping it for the entirety of my trip.
The picturesque St Moritz train ride
The train ride to St Moritz, highly sought after by people all over the world for its picturesque views of the snow-clad peaks and valleys, did not disappoint. I was so taken aback by the countryside that I put my book and music aside and just looked out of the window for the rest of the journey.
The ride up to St Moritz was lush, dense and pristine and unlike anything I had ever experienced. The landscape featured rolling hills, low mountains, crystal clear lakes and small houses in the distance. Upon arrival into St Moritz, I was freezing but too excited to walk around town and see what this place had to offer. Popularised by movie stars, ski enthusiasts and the wealthy, St Moritz is quite expensive and the hotels and establishments charge top dollar for their services.
The stay
Nira Alpina, a beautiful ski resort is strategically located only a few kilometres away from the town of St Moritz. Guests can walk to the lake situated at the foot of Mount Corvatsch. The guests at Nira Alpina have access to almost 350 km of skiing slopes.
The staff is warm and hospitable and if you are worried about your children when you are out skiing, Nira Alpina has it all covered with babysitting services and a comprehensive children’s play area.
Guests typically spend all day on the slopes, come back for lunch and then end the day with a relaxing spa treatment (in-house, of course). The restaurants and bar are fully equipped to handle all kinds of meal plans and dietary requirements like dairy free, keto, sugar-free and even vegan. It might be worthwhile to let the hotel know before your arrival of any allergies, so they are better prepared. Families with children can opt for a picnic lunch in the outdoors or ask the hotel to organise a car for a night around town.
For long stay guests, this hotel is pet-friendly and the staff goes out of their way to make sure your dog or cat is well fed and looked after at a minimal cost. There’s something for everyone here at Nira Alpina. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a ski enthusiast, the town has a lot of walks and hikes to enjoy during the daytime. Or you could choose to just read a book or try some of the finest wines in the cellar. I spent 3 beautiful days at Nira Alpina a few months ago and I cannot wait to make it back, this time with warmer clothes.
Why St Moritz
St Moritz offers something for every kind of traveller. If you are active and sporty, you can choose from windsurfing, swimming in the lake, hiking, biking in the summer and of course, skiing in the winter. While honeymooners can take it easy with wine and cheese tastings, long scenic drives, picnics in the daytime and a visit to the natural springs for some R&R. I highly recommend that you visit this winter resort town soon.
Related reading:
6 spa destinations across the world perfect for a wellness retreat
The best alpine ski resorts in Europe
6 of the most beautiful mountain towns in Europe
The best things in Switzerland are free
Winter in Switzerland for solitude seekers
