Last October Ski Independence ran a competition in conjunction with fashion and lifestyle brand, White Stuff, for a chance to win a winter break to the luxurious Nira Alpina Hotel in St Moritz. Mark Doherty was the lucky winner and he has very kindly put a few words together about his trip in February.

3 Nights in St Moritz

"Last autumn I entered a competition to win a short skiing break and was lucky enough to win a 3 nights in St Moritz at the Nira Alpina Hotel. All the planning was done by Ski Independence and we flew on Saturday 22nd of Feb from Manchester to Zurich, a just-long-enough 1.45 min flight! From landing in Zurich it was Swiss Rail to St Moritz, 2 changes, a short taxi ride and 4 hours later we were at the hotel for about 2100hrs. A quick shower & change and it was wine & dine time in the hotel's Stalla Veglia Trattoria.

[caption id="attachment_7021" align="aligncenter" width="553"]3 Nights in St Moritz White Turf horse racing in St Moritz[/caption] The following day, after a huge breakfast at the hotel, we went to the St Moritz "White Turf" horse racing. The frozen lake is effectively turned into a horse racing track for 3 weeks every February and the event has been running since 1907. From "normal" horse races to people being pulled along by horses whilst on skis, it really was a great, unusual day out. The 2nd day in the morning we took the cable car to the top of the mountain, fantastic views! In the afternoon we walked the snowy path to St Moritz for lunch & a look around, about an 1 1/2hr walk each way, which in beautiful sunshine was very pleasant. After walking back it was spa time - part of my prize package included a massage - which just about prepared us for our evening meal in the "Stars" restaurant on the top floor. We had the 9 course sharing menu, which was absolutely superb. [caption id="attachment_7023" align="aligncenter" width="498"]3 Nights in St Moritz View from the top of the cable car[/caption] As we had not skied for 10 years and only had 2 full days, we decided against skiing, I am also competing in the Abu Dhabi triathlon in March & felt it better to reduce the risk of injury by not skiing! However, the hotel is perfectly placed for skiers: the lifts are reached by a private walkway from the hotel and there is a nursery slope right outside the hotel; the ski hire shop is also very close by. [caption id="attachment_7022" align="aligncenter" width="553"]3 Nights in St Moritz Beautiful view from our room at the Nira Alpina[/caption] The final morning was breakfast followed by by transportation back to St Moritz railway station for the train back to Zurich. As the journey to St Moritz was in darkness we missed the stunning scenery from the train, going back in daylight was fantastic, the views of the Alps were incredible. [caption id="attachment_7024" align="aligncenter" width="553"]3 Nights in St Moritz I'm an ex submariner so I liked this unusual bar! caption] We had a great 3 days in a fantastic hotel with very friendly & helpful staff, the weather couldn't have been any better and hopefully we can return one day for longer and try out the skiing." Find out more about the Nira Alpina Hotel and St Moritz on our destination pages or call our expert team for a tailor-made ski holiday quotation on 0131 243 8097.

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