Ice horse racing in St. Moritz: dates, tickets and how to get there
Ice racing on a frozen lake takes place in only one place in the world. White Turf in St. Moritz has been held for over a century, and there are no other horse races on snow anywhere else. Every February the event draws tens of thousands of guests. If you're going for the first time, you'll need the race program, the rules for the horses, and practical details on getting there and where to stay.
Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
History of the event
💡 In short:
- The event takes place on three Sundays in February. In 2027 those are February 7, 14, and 21 (according to the organizers, White Turf calendar).
- A standing ticket costs 29 francs, children under 16 enter free (as of 09/2026, White Turf website).
- The grounds open at 10:30, and races run until 16:30 (as of 09/2026, White Turf website).
- Prices and race schedule: 09/2026, verified on the organizer's website).
The first races on the ice of Lake St. Moritz took place in 1907 (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Since then White Turf has been held every February, and in 2027 the 120th season kicks off. No other horse festival on a frozen lake is held anywhere in the world.
The program spans three consecutive Sundays: February 7, 14, and 21, 2027 (according to the White Turf website). The arena sits right on the lake ice, surrounded by the snow-covered peaks of the Upper Engadine. Nearby there are food tents, a stage with live music, and exhibition stands.
Over the season the event draws more than 35,000 guests (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Some spectators come from other countries, others walk over from neighboring villages. The weather in the mountains is changeable, so the organizers check the ice conditions daily.
© CorinneJL · CC BY-SAPhoto: CorinneJL, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsRace program
The races are divided into three disciplines: flat racing, trotting, and skijoring. The distances differ. Flat races run 1,300 to 2,000 meters, trotting races 1,700 meters, and skijoring 2,700 meters (as of 09/2026, White Turf website).
Skijoring is called the main discipline of the festival. The rider stands on skis and holds the reins of an unsaddled horse. The pair covers a long straight at nearly top speed. The winner receives the title of King or Queen of the Engadine.
Prize money in each race ranges from 12,000 to 25,000 francs. The main race, the Grand Prix of St. Moritz, carries a purse of 100,000 francs (as of 09/2026, White Turf website).
The grounds open at 10:30, and the first race starts at 11:30 (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Arrive at opening time: by midday the main grandstands get the most crowded. Between races you'll have time to check out the stands and try the local food.
- Who it's for: anyone who wants to take in sports, music, and mountain views in a single day.
Technical details and rules
Ice safety comes before spectacle for the organizers. Ice thickness is measured daily, and races are only allowed when the surface is reliably solid (according to the White Turf organizers). One warm winter nearly turned the races into a swim meet, but the tradition survived.
Only thoroughbred horses are allowed to start. Before races they are shod with studs and anti-snow pads to keep their hooves from slipping. Tying horses' tongues is prohibited by the rules.
Owners submit veterinary documents and vaccination records for their horses in advance. Without the full set of paperwork, a horse will not be allowed to start.
Family days
The day before each Sunday race, White Turf hosts family days. In 2027 they will take place on February 6, 13, and 20 (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Watching the kids' races is free.
Young riders on ponies take to the start. They can enter flat races, trotting races, and the same skijoring event. The action unfolds against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, and spectators don't need to buy a ticket. For the youngest guests there's a horse-drawn ski taxi ride.
To take part, a family registers in the organizers' area and brings its own gear: skis, boots, suit, helmet, and goggles. Parents usually arrive in the morning and stay for the whole day.
AIIllustrative image: AI-generatedTickets and race times
Tickets are sold separately for each race day. A standing spot with a program and betting coupon costs 29 francs, while grandstand seats cost more (as of 09/2026, White Turf tickets).
Zone | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
Standing areas | 29 francs | program and betting coupon |
Standing zone inside the oval | 55 francs | only 100 spots |
Grandstand B | 55 francs | unnumbered |
Grandstand A2 | 88 francs | numbered seats |
Grandstand A1 | 99 francs | numbered seats, best view |
All prices and conditions are based on the White Turf website (09/2026). Children under 16 get in free.
Buy tickets in advance: on race days lines at the entrance grow, and seats in the A grandstands are limited. The organizers handle advance sales through the Ticketcorner service and keep a link on the official website.
If you want more than just sports, check out excursions in the Engadin on GetYourGuide.
- The catch: there are only 100 standing spots inside the oval, and they sell out first.
Tours and tickets in St. Moritz
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
See offers on GetYourGuideThe widget loads once you give your consent.
How to get to St. Moritz
The easiest way to reach the resort is by train. From Zurich you travel via Chur, and the route runs along a scenic mountain line. The station is almost in the center, and you can walk from there to the lake.
The line through the Albula and Bernina passes is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The journey itself becomes a sightseeing trip, so grab a window seat. In winter, weekends are popular, so it's best to buy tickets in advance.
By car, the Julier and Maloja passes lead to the lake. During snowfall they may have restrictions, so check the forecast and keep winter tires on.
If you're flying into Zurich or Milan, it's convenient to book train tickets to St. Moritz in advance.
Where to stay in the Engadin
St. Moritz itself is considered one of the most expensive resorts in the Alps. If your budget is tight, look at the neighboring villages: Celerina, Silvaplana, Samedan, and Pontresina are all close to the lake. From there you can reach the arena by bus or car in a few minutes.
Accommodation during race days gets booked up quickly, especially over the long February weekends. Reserve a room several months ahead if you want to choose the area and price. Hotels by the lake are usually more expensive, while options away from the center are cheaper.
You can compare St. Moritz hotels on Trip.com in advance and pick an option based on location.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When are the next races in St. Moritz?
White Turf 2027 is scheduled for three Sundays: February 7, 14, and 21 (according to the White Turf website). Family days take place the day before, on February 6, 13, and 20. The exact race schedule is published on the official website closer to the season.
How much does a ticket to the races cost?
The cheapest standing spot costs 29 francs and includes a program with a betting coupon (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Grandstand seats cost from 55 to 99 francs. Children under 16 get in free.
What is skijoring?
In this race, the rider stands on skis and holds the reins of an unsaddled horse. The pair covers 2,700 meters across the frozen lake at top speed (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Skijoring is considered the main discipline, and the winner receives the title of King or Queen of the Engadin.
Can I come with children?
Yes, family days are designed specifically for them. In 2027 they will take place on February 6, 13, and 20 (as of 09/2026, White Turf website). Watching the children's pony races is free, and to participate you just need your own gear and registration in the organizers' area.
How do I get to St. Moritz?
The resort is on a railway line served by trains from Zurich via Chur. The route runs along a mountain line listed by UNESCO. By car, the Julier and Maloja passes lead to the lake, and in winter they may have restrictions.
In short: what's worth booking
The event lasts only three days, so it's best to plan the trip in advance.
- If it's your first time: get a standing ticket and arrive for the opening.
- If you want comfort: choose grandstand A1 with a numbered seat.
- If you're going with kids: come on the family day in February.
- If you need accommodation: book a hotel in St. Moritz or nearby villages months ahead.
See hotels in St. Moritz on Trip.com and compare options by price and location.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.