Murder, mayhem, and a mountains-a delicious trifecta of alpine drama. Take one turbulent society couple, add a few Swiss bank accounts, an Engadine villa, and a calamitous divorce-and what do you get? A one­word passe-partout to the St. Moritz of the rich, the famous and-in the much-publicized case of Gucci-the damned. It was murder most foul when matriarch Patrizia Gucci was convicted of ordering her husband’s assassination-and the cautionary tale makes juicy fodder for the big screen. The House of Gucci is billed as the season’s must-see film, a lavish reveal of the lives of la Famiglia responsible for the world’s most recognizable leather-lined empire. Draped in cashmere and fur and fabulous retro ski wear, Lady Gaga delivers a fine portrayal of their extravagance at altitude.
For the resort so renowned its name is a trademark, here’s our St. Moritz sampler of the finest lunching, shopping, and skiing to be had. From horse racing on ice to elephants in the ballrooms, we want to dig out our mocassini, our clutch bags, and our mystery-making sunglasses. The curtain’s about to rise …

The House of Gucci is billed as the season’s the must-see film, a lavish reveal of the lives of la Famiglia responsible for the world’s most recognizable leather-lined empire.”

THE ULTIMATE ST. MORITZ SAMPLER Arrive smoothly, stylishly, and at altitude at Samedan Airport. In Europe, only Courchevel’s landing strip is higher and this one is exclusive to private flights. Lovely long-range jets such as Gulfstreams, Globals, and Dassault Falcons regularly land directly from North America, the Middle East, and Europe.
Check-in is an event at St. Moritz’s many five-star palaces. A darling of the jet-set, Badrutt’s will fetch you in a Rolls Royce and ferry you grandly towards its green-tipped towers, waymarker on the glittering Via Serlas. The hotel’s remodeled King’s Club serves cocktails to an elegant crowd that stays late to dance, and plush Mario’s Bar is a pocket-size, atmospheric den to meet first. St. Moritz days are full of sporting pursuits-and skiing is but one. Among its classics, is a bone-busting descent down the only natural ice luge track in the Alps. The Cresta Club is since 1887 very members-only, very British, and until just last year, very men-only. But in the absence of holding one’s own membership, being a guest of the Kulm Hotel comes with extra privileges. “The Cresta is a gentlemen’s club. Some take it very competitively, others very easy,” explains Cresta ex-president Rolf Sachs. “Basically, it is an agglomeration of wonderful friends – a vast array of people, from the local butcher to dukes and royals from many nationalities.” Repair to Sonny’s Bar at the Kulm for afters.

For the ultimate “House of Gucci” moment, Badrutt’s guests may book a private shopping experience in the Palace’s Gucci store, one of The hotel’s 32 curated shops located on the shortest, most luxurious retail street in the world.”
More readily available to anyone with the nerves, an adrenaline rush is guaranteed on the Olympic bobsleigh track from St. Moritz down to Celerina. The four-man racing bob comes with a pilot, 4G forces, speeds up to 80 miles per hour, and a glass of fizz to get in the spirit.

The skiing here is famously sunny and crowd free. A day out on sunny Engadine slopes means appetites run high. On­mountain lunch for the global ski elite isn’t the same without being seen at the Corviglia Club. (Or not-privacy is guarded fiercely here.) High above St. Moritz, this rose-hued piste-side chalet has been warming, feeding and amusing its 150-odd members since its founding by the Duke of Alba in 1930.
Doing is one thing, of course. Watching is an art unto itself at the annual Snow Polo World Cup. The world’s only high-goal tournament on snow attracts the beautiful and befurred to the frozen lake for spirited chukkas and champagne. Later, White Surf gathers more than 30,000 spectators and the finest thoroughbreds from around Europe for an exclusive horse race on the frozen expanse of Lake St. Moritz. Another of the town’s most glamorous gatherings is ICE, International Concours of Elegance, a dazzling fashion show of rare and iconic cars.
Of course, it just wouldn’t be St. Moritz without a bit of bauble shopping on the Via Serlas. Enjoy a poke around the likes of Graff, Bulgari, Cartier, Dior and Bien Sur, Gucci itself. To keep one’s strength up, there’s tea and cakes at Hanselmann’s, a classic since 1894, or a chocolate break at Liderach, where a dizzying display of sumptuous morsels awaits. For a true “House of Gucci” moment, Badrutt’s guests may book a private shopping experience in the Palace’s Gucci store, one of the hotel’s 32 curated shops located on the shortest, most luxurious retail street in the world. And if that’s too much trouble, a personal shopper will deliver the season’s latest and loveliest straight to your suite in the truest of Gucci style.