Switzerland's original winter wonderland and the cradle of Alpine tourism, St Moritz has been luring royals, celebrities and moneyed wannabes since 1864. With its shimmering aquamarine lake, emerald forests and aloof mountains, the town looks a million dollars. St. Moritz is a high Alpine resort in the Engadine in Switzerland, at an elevation of about 1,800 meters (5,910 ft) above sea level. St. Moritz lies on the southern slopes of the Albula Alps below the Piz Nair (3,056 m or 10,026 ft) overlooking the flat and wide glaciated valley of the Upper Engadine and eponymous lake: Lej da San Murezzan (Romansh for Lake of St. Moritz). St. Moritz is one of the most famous holiday destinations in the world, was twice host city for the Winter Olympics, and belongs to a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its name is a trademark and synonymous worldwide with style, elegance and class.

Yet despite the string of big-name designer boutiques on Via Serlas and celebs bashing the pistes, this resort isn't all show. The real riches lie outdoors in the mountains with superb carving on Corviglia, hairy black runs on Diavolezza and miles of hiking trails when the snow melts. St Moritz has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and most are surprised to hear that the town first gained fame due to its mineral springs, which were discovered 3000 years ago and established the town as a summer spa resort.

Skiing in St Moritz is superb with one ski pass covering a huge area of lifts and slopes around St Moritz village and the Engadine and Bernina valleys. Either stick close to town using the Corviglia Funicular to access the ski areas above St Moritz-Dorf or head further afield for a mind-boggling array of places to play on the snow. There’s also an abundance of cross-country ski trails in the valleys. In summer, get out and stride one of the region's excellent hiking trails, such as the Corvatsch Wasserweg (water trail) linking six mountain lakes. Soaring above St Moritz, Piz Nair (3057m) commands views of the jewel-coloured lakes that necklace the valley below. For head-spinning views of the Pers glacier and the Bernina Alps, tackle the vertiginous, 2½-hour Piz Trovat via ferrata at Diavolezza; equipment rental is available at the base station. The tourist office has a map providing more suggestions (in English) for walking in Oberengadin. St Moritz has some of the top restaurants in the Alps, especially at the best hotels. Around 20 bars and clubs pulsate in winter. DJs, slinky lounge bars and relaxed cafes attract post-slope partygoers to Plazza dal Mulin. Things slow down a lot once the snow melts.