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Private Access and Sport
The Cresta Run, polo, driving on ice, mountain guides, and the doors that open by arrangement.
Last checked October 2026.
Try "Saint-Tropez", "Positano", "truffle" or "Cyprus".
Home›The Alps›Private Access and Sport
The Cresta Run, polo, driving on ice, mountain guides, and the doors that open by arrangement.
Last checked October 2026.
The private club, founded in 1887, runs the Cresta Run, the 1,200-metre natural-ice run from St. Moritz down to Celerina, built in 1884–85 and ridden head-first in just over a minute. Members are elected and book their rides through the club, whose social life centres on the Sunny Bar at the Kulm Hotel; beginners and visitors ride through its beginners' school and supplementary list, and women now ride as well. The season runs from Christmas to late February. Visit website (opens the official site) ↗
Built in 1904, it is the oldest bobsleigh run still in use and the only natural-ice track in the world, rebuilt by hand each winter; the 1,722-metre run has hosted two Winter Olympics and 25 World Championships. Guest rides sit two guests between a pilot and a brakeman, for about 75 seconds at up to 130 km/h, from shortly after Christmas to early or mid-March (from age 16; advance booking advised). Visit website (opens the official site) ↗
The club, founded by local residents in 1959 on ground where polo was first played in 1899, holds two-hour lessons in July with the Argentine professional César Ruiz Guiñazú; all equipment except riding boots is supplied, and riding experience helps but is not required.
Lamborghini's ice-driving academy for owners and invited guests, held in January on the Livigno ice track, with instruction in the brand's current models. There is no public booking; places come through Lamborghini.
The official mountain-guiding and outdoor bureau for Zermatt, on the Bahnhofstrasse opposite the Mont Cervin Palace, arranging private guides for the Matterhorn and the surrounding peaks. Zermatt Tourism describes the Hörnli ridge ascent of the Matterhorn as suitable only for very fit, experienced climbers with a mountain guide, in summer.
Founded in 1850, the oldest mountain guides' society in Italy and the second-oldest in the world, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Its guides lead classic ascents, ski mountaineering, off-piste and heli-skiing and the Vallée Blanche descent, and the society runs the Rifugio Monzino and the Museo Alpino Duca degli Abruzzi.
That makes 6 entries in all.
The Mediterranean Season Letter
Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.
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