Before leaving the luxurious mountain haven I have been calling home there is one final iconic alpine delight that must be experienced, a cheese fondue. What could be better than a classic Swiss fondue, bubbling, gooey and delicious? A classic Swiss fondue served not in a cosy chalet, but inside a private repurposed ski gondola positioned right outside the hotel, with views over the lake during the day and surrounded by hundreds of tiny sparkling lights in the evening. The concept is as delightful as it sounds. These gondolas seat two to four people, and are available for lunch or dinner throughout the winter season. Each one is snug and heated, so you’re toasty even when it’s chilly outside. The menu leans into beloved Swiss classics with an elevated twist. The star of the show is the moitié-moitié fondue, a rich blend of Gruyère and Vacherin cheeses served with bread, potatoes, cornichons, and pickled onions, plus an option to upgrade to a truffle fondue for a luxe, earthy flair, which we of course did. There were also sharable starters like a Swiss Nüsslisalat and dried meat platters, and a ‘light’ double-cream meringue dessert with berries to finish. A deliciously unique experience all round.
The following morning, after one final breakfast and as the train pulled out of the station into the snowy countryside, I reflected on the many adventures of the past couple of days. Although this was the first time I had ever visited a ski town without actually skiing, my schedule was jam packed everyday with new and exciting experiences I would never even have considered and will never forget. But the best part? There’s zero pressure. No early alarms, no aching legs, no freezing your butt off in the queue for the chairlift. St. Moritz without skiing is about indulgence, beauty, and moving at your own pace. It’s proof that winter travel can be fun, stylish, and deeply satisfying, even when your skis stay firmly at home.
Carlton Hotel St. Moritz is available from CHF 1’710 per room per night based on two adults sharing a deluxe room on a B&B basis. This includes a 100 CHF food and beverage voucher per adult per day, butler service, minibar, service, VAT and complimentary access to the hotel’s spa carlton-stmoritz.ch