23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Birthplace of winter sport
St. Moritz was the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (1864) and sport (1884), the venue for two Winter Olympic Games (1928 and 1948) as well as for numerous skiing and bob World Championships. by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
The bet...
At the beginning of September 1864, St. Moritz hotel pioneer, Johannes Badrutt, made the following wager with four British summer guests: they should return in winter and if things were not to their liking, he would bear the cost of the journey from London and back. If they found St. Moritz attractive in winter, he would invite them to stay as his guests for as long as they wished.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
...and the Britons
The Britons were delighted with the wager, either way they would win. They accepted, arrived for Christmas and stayed until Easter! They were the first winter tourists in the Alps and discovered a whole new world – the white winter holiday.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Pioneering spirit
While St. Moritz became a favourite excursion destination for celebrated and cultivated guests, it also developed a remarkable pioneering spirit. The progressive mountain village was at the forefront of establishing facilities and sporting events that today are considered a matter of course.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Bobsledding
1890/91: The original form of bobsledding is born in St. Moritz, and develops into a popular sport. The farmer Christian Mathis produces the first bobsled. First bob races, on the road from St.Moritz to Celerina.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Sledging
As soon as temperatures fall and the first snow has settled, the pass roads and hiking trails become inviting sledging runs.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz Celerina
The St. Moritz Celerina Olympic bob run was opened in 1904. The ice channel in the Upper Engadin is thus the world’s oldest bob run and also the world’s last remaining natural ice run.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz-Celerina
During its long history, the bob run has also been discovered as a venue for other forms of sport. Every year, athletes test their skills down the bob run on skeletons and luges. Not forgetting the annual horn-sledge races and bob-run skating, which can be considered exclusive events.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
First ski school
1929: The first ski school in Switzerland is established in St. Moritz.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
First skiers
1859: The appearance of the first skiers makes the Engadine inhabitants simply shake their heads.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Ice Sports
It was probably one of the first Scottish winter guests who sent four pairs of curling stones to tourism pioneer Johannes Badrutt in St. Moritz. The innovative hotelier was searching for alternative winter activities for his guests and immediately had sufficient “hot-water bottles” made so that in 1880 the game could be taken up. Curling had arrived in the Alps!by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Cresta Run
1884/85: St. Moritz builds the Cresta Run (Tobogganing Run) for the first time from St. Moritz to Celerina. It is actually the hour of birth of organised Winter sport in the Alps.
by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
First ice skating competition
1872: On the suggestion of ice skaters form Vienna, the first ice skating competition is held in St. Moritz.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Figure skating
Figure skating in St. Moritz is a century-old tradition. Ice-skating instructors with famous names give lessons on almost 20 rinks. Ice-skating events have also frequently been held, with the quality of costumes and presentation as high as the technical skill and acrobatics of participants.by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
23.09.2009Birthplace of Alpine winter sport
Tennis in winter...
In earlier times, tennis was even played in winter in St. Moritz. And outdoors! A tennis court was shovelled free of snow and prepared for play: the players faced each other between high banks of snow. No doubt the game had its own particular charm but outdoor winter tennis has not yet caught on!
by Dokumentationsbibliothek St. Moritz
