Lake St. Moritz
St. Moritzersee
A glamorous mirror in the heart of the Alps.
Lake St. Moritz reflects the elegance of its namesake resort. In summer, sailboats glide across its surface; in winter, it hosts polo matches and horse races on ice. A walk around the lake is a favorite pastime – the surrounding mountains and forests create cinematic views. It’s where nature and luxury meet in perfect harmony.
How to Get There
On foot from St. Moritz center ~10-15 min.
From Davos by taxi ~51 min.
From ZRH airport (Zurich) by taxi/transfer ~215 min.
Description
What is this place
Lake St. Moritz (Romansh: Lej da San Murezzan) is a compact high-alpine lake in the Upper Engadin at the resort of St. Moritz, Grisons. The River Inn flows through it, linking the Dorf and Bad quarters.
Key features
- Surface elevation 1,768 m, area 0.78 km², max depth 44 m – a typical glacial lake of the Upper Engadin.
- Romansh name Lej da San Murezzan reflects the valley’s local language and culture.
- Winter on-ice events: White Turf horse races since 1907 (including early skijoring); Snow Polo World Cup since 1985, the only high-goal tournament on snow.
- Lakeside circuit ~4.3 km – mostly level, ~1 h loop, partly paved.
- Ice commonly reaches ~30–40 cm by January – events run only after safety clearance.
What to see
- Views to Piz Nair and the Corviglia slopes from the St. Moritz-Bad promenade.
- Historic grand-hotel skyline along the north shore.
- In winter: on-ice arenas for White Turf and snow polo; in summer: piers and running paths.
History
As St. Moritz emerged as a winter resort in the late 19th–early 20th centuries, the lake became a natural stage for seasonal events. White Turf has taken place on the frozen surface since 1907, with early skijoring races in 1906–1907.
From 1985 the Snow Polo World Cup has been held here – the world’s first and only high-goal tournament on snow. By the late 20th century, the full shoreline loop became a popular year-round walk, with formal ice-thickness checks anchoring the winter calendar.
Practical information
Location: St. Moritz, Upper Engadin, canton Grisons.
Getting there: 5–10 minutes’ walk from St. Moritz railway station to the lakefront; local buses stop at St. Moritz-Bad and Dorf.
Access: The loop is mostly level, partly paved; in winter sections are groomed for ski and foot traffic.
Visiting hours: Year-round; on-ice events only with sufficient thickness and official approval.
Visit duration: ~1 h for the loop; up to 1.5 h with photo stops and piers.
Best time: Morning for calm paths and even light; in winter during White Turf and Snow Polo if the ice is open.
Notes: Do not enter the ice outside officially permitted areas. Mountain weather changes fast – bring warm layers and grippy shoes.
