St. Moritz Celebrating 40 Years Of Polo World Cup
Held each year on the last weekend in January,TheSnow Polo World Cup is an event unlike any other – truly unique, extraordinary and exhilarating. From its inception in 1985 to its 40th anniversary in 2025, it has become a world-class polo tournament and a must-see polo spectacle which generates around 24 million Swiss francs per year for the region. Whether you're a seasoned spectator or a polo novice, The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz is in everyone’s polo calendar and each year 25,000 spectators travel from across the globe to the frozen Lake of St. Moritz for an unmissable weekend of polo, which sees the world’s best polo players go head-to-head in three days of intense competition. But when Swiss hotelier Reto Gaudenzi played a polo match in Munich on a hot July day in 1983 and less two years later brought to life his dream of playing snow polo in St. Moritz – back then no one could have anticipated the event would become so iconic.
Reto Gaudenzi was born and bred in the Engadin with the spirit of the Swiss Alps running through his veins – and was part of the St. Moritz polo team which won a tournament in Munich in 1983. Reto stepped in front of the press and was only supposed to discuss the history of summer season polo in St. Moritz. However, the forces of fate were already in motion, as his friend (and then Director of Tourism in St. Moritz, Hans Peter Danuser, who had travelled with him), was looking for a new event with a British connection to celebrate the centenary of the Cresta Club. He suggested to Gaudenzi he should announce something that had never been done before: a polo tournament on snow on the frozen lake. No sooner said than done and the journalists had their sensational headlines and The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz was born.
The sensational success began with a snowstorm
Two years later, in January 1985, what many considered to be impossible became possible as polo players from Munich, Paris and Geneva arrived with their entourages to compete in two teams. However, the organisers faced an unexpected challenge as on the night before the first match on 26 January 1985, a storm broke out, the snow fell constantly and the perfectly prepared pitch was covered with almost a metre of fresh snow. With impressive efficiency, the entire team managed to clear an 80 x 40 metre pitch within two hours and so the first tournament took place as planned. Against the odds another sport was born in St. Moritz. What began as a bold experiment quickly became a highly anticipated fixture on the international polo calendar, attracting the cream of professional players over the years. From Alfonso Pieres, Pablo McDonough, David 'Pelon' Stirling and Alejandro 'Piki' Diaz-Alberdi, Oliver Hipwood, the Heguys and Nic Roldan to Juan-Martin Nero, Chris Hyde, Guillermo “Sapo” Caset and Nacho Figueras.
Uniqueness as a trademark
Since that memorable weekend in 1985, The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz has established itself as the world's only high-goal tournament on snow and has become an integral part of the global polo calendar. The birthplace of snow polo sees not only the best players in the world, but also the world’s press and most glamorous spectators in the world, converge on the ultra-chic resort, all of which make this tournament so special and have contributed it to its continuing success.
While remaining true to its roots, the tournament has reinvented itself time and again to meet the high expectations of both its players and spectators. The 40th anniversary provides an opportunity to look back on past successes as well as looking forward to the future of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz. “This 40th anniversary is an incredibly important milestone for all of us”, says founding father Reto Gaudenzi. “It is a very special opportunity to look back on the impressive development of the tournament and at the same time to celebrate the future of snow polo. We are very much looking forward to sharing this fantastic event with our partners, players and visitors.”
A symbol of commitment and cooperation
In addition to the top-class polo matches on the frozen lake, the expected 25,000 guests can look forward to an exciting spectacle on the field, a big get-together in the Polo Village and as always, glamorous social events. The fact that the tournament has been running successfully for four decades is not something that can be taken for granted. The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz is the result of an extraordinary commitment and close cooperation between local and regional partners, numerous patrons and supporters, as well as international sponsors. “Our tournament is not only a sporting highlight, but also a symbol of the passion and team spirit required to organise such a high-calibre event," says Reto Gaudenzi. "It is only thanks to the close cooperation of all those involved that we are able to celebrate the 40th anniversary today.
For further information, please visit: www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com
