Saint-Moritz
The name St. Moritz conjures up images of plush lounges of grand hotels, their boundless luxury, their affluent clientèle – English, Italians, Germans, Americans, Russians, and Swiss – who, rather than spending all their time on the snowfields, prefer the boutiques selling watches, jewellery, clothing, private jet rentals, and trendy restaurants.
An ideal location and innovation
In St. Moritz, money seems to be of little consequence. While this image holds some truth, it warrants a few nuances. As in many other resorts, the presence of a mineral spring (rich in iron) generated initial interest; however, the convergence of other factors hastened the fame of this Engadin locality: an idyllic setting, inventive hospitality, and an efficient transport network.
The term “idyllic setting” refers to an ideal exposure to sun and snow (1,800 metres), the presence of lakes that extend to the far reaches of the Upper Engadin, and easy access thanks to the valley’s wide topography. The views are breathtaking without being overwhelming.
Inventive hospitality refers to the development of accommodation that not only caters to discerning guests but also anticipates their needs. The first hotel, opened by local developer Johannes Badrupp in 1858, was completed in 1879 with the installation of electric lighting, a pioneering innovation in Switzerland. Other grand hotels followed, contributing to the area’s select image. The resort found a new clientèle with winter sports. Particularly innovative Brits, who showed that a winter season was feasible. Local hoteliers were quick to agree. From the 1880s onwards, curling, skeleton racing, bobsleigh, ice skating, and even horse racing were introduced, before skiing led to St. Moritz becoming established as a cutting-edge resort. A cosmopolitan elite – economic, political, social, and cultural – flocked there, because they knew that they would find the most fashionable and exhilarating pastimes in both summer and winter. They did not hesitate to spend lavishly. A regular visitor, the Greek shipping magnate Stávros Niárchos participated in the construction of funiculars and cable cars.
A connected destination
If St. Moritz became a must on the global tourist map, it was because it could count on an efficient transport network. Despite its relatively remote location, the Rhaetian Railway connected the town to its routes in 1904 and in 1910, the Bernina Railway opened it to Italy. Various cable cars and chair lifts provided access to the surrounding peaks. The nearby airport in Samedan also facilitated the arrival of an affluent clientèle. The rapid development of St. Moritz – the population of which grew from 228 residents in 1850 to 1,603 in 1900, 3,197 in 1910, and 5,000 by 2020 – enjoyed international success with the hosting of the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948 (Illustration 1). This growth was also mirrored during the 30-year post-war period with the development of the hospitality sector. Secondary homes, in the form of individual houses and apartments, have gradually transformed the landscape of St. Moritz, which today has the feel of a small town in the mountains.

Illustration 1: Posters of the 1928 and 1948 Olympic Games
Bibliography
- Lütscher Michael, 2015, Schnee, Ski und Stars, Zurich, NZZ Libro, 272p.
- Rageth Jürg, Margadant Silvio, 2011, Saint-Moritz, dans Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (DHS), version du 21.01.2011, traduit de l’allemand. Online
- Cala Sébastien, Quin Grégory, 2024, Des Jeux olympiques en temps de crises. Pour une histoire économique et touristique de l’essor du ski alpin autour de Saint-Moritz (années 1930 – années 1970). Histoire, économie & société 2024/1-2 (43e année), pp. 86-107. Online.