When European royalty and old-money families talk about skiing, they do not go to Aspen (the choice of America's nouveau riche) or Courchevel (the choice of Russian oligarchs). They go to two places: St. Moritz — the "winter capital of the world" in Graubünden — and Gstaad — the "royal back garden" of the Bernese Oberland. These two Alpine towns are among the very few places on earth with extremely low population density, extremely high private jet density, and a Michelin-restaurant density that surpasses Paris. Here is why they are the two standard answers to the old-money winter.
Why St. Moritz and Gstaad?
What the two towns share:
| Dimension | St. Moritz | Gstaad |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 1,822 m | 1,050 m |
| Ski season | December - April | December - April |
| Total pistes | 350 km | 200 km |
| Michelin restaurants | 5 (incl. one 3-star) | 3 (incl. one 2-star) |
| Royal / celebrity regulars | British and Monegasque royalty | Belgian royalty, the Rolling Stones |
| Private jet airport | Samedan (SMV) | Saanen (GSA) |
How they differ:
- St. Moritz: more "international." Every February it hosts White Turf — horse racing on a frozen lake — drawing global wealth. Hotels are larger (Badrutt's Palace has 156 rooms), and nightlife is richer.
- Gstaad: more private. No mega-hotels (the landmark Gstaad Palace has just 86 rooms); it feels like old money's private drawing room. An ATP tennis event arrives each December, but the overall tone stays low-key.
iFlyPlus member data: among members choosing St. Moritz, 70% travel for "social" holidays (White Turf, parties); among those choosing Gstaad, 85% travel for "secluded" holidays (skiing, spa, family time).
St. Moritz: The Luxurious Side of the "World Winter Capital"
Where to Stay
Badrutt's Palace
- History: opened 1896, the landmark of St. Moritz, 156 rooms
- Character: neoclassical architecture, a domed lobby, crystal chandeliers, a century-old Engadine fireplace
- Recommended: the Grand Suite (120 sqm, facing Lake St. Moritz)
- Reference rate: CHF 3,800-6,500/night (ski season)
- History: opened 1856, among the town's oldest hotels and originator of the "St. Moritz winter holiday" concept
- Character: hilltop position facing the lake and a full mountain panorama
- Recommended: the Lake View Suite (85 sqm, private balcony)
- Reference rate: CHF 2,800-4,500/night
Private chalets
- More than 200 private chalets around St. Moritz are available for rent; iFlyPlus can arrange 4-10 bedroom properties with butler, chef and ski instructor
Signature Experiences
White Turf horse racing (February)
- Described as the only horse race held on a frozen lake, drawing royalty and global wealth
- iFlyPlus members can reserve the "Owners Club" enclosure, with champagne breakfast and private viewing positions
- Price: CHF 5,000/person (single day)
Heli-skiing
- A 30-minute helicopter flight from St. Moritz reaches untracked terrain, guided off-piste
- Aircraft: Airbus AS350 (carries 4 guests + guide)
- Price: CHF 4,500/person (full day, guide and equipment included)
Private shopping
- Via Serlas in St. Moritz is described as one of the highest-rent shopping streets in the world (rents above the Champs-Élysées)
- Maisons: Chanel, Hermès, Patek Philippe, Graff
- iFlyPlus can arrange after-hours private shopping; 48 hours' notice required
Gstaad: The Private Side of the "Royal Back Garden"
Where to Stay
- History: opened 1913, the town landmark, 86 rooms
- Character: traditional Swiss chalet style — fireplaces, antler details, Engadine timber ceilings
- Recommended: the Royal Suite (150 sqm, private sauna and terrace)
- Reference rate: CHF 4,200-7,500/night (ski season)
- History: opened 2012, Gstaad's most contemporary ultra-luxury hotel, 56 rooms
- Character: Asian elements fused with Swiss tradition, hilltop position facing the Alpine panorama
- Recommended: the Signature Suite (110 sqm, private onsen-style bath)
- Reference rate: CHF 3,500-5,800/night
Signature Experiences
ATP tennis (December)
- The Gstaad Open is an ATP 250 event, but the audience skews royal and old-money
- iFlyPlus members can reserve a "Centre Court Box" with private lounge and champagne service
- Price: CHF 2,000/person (single day)
Private thermal spa
- Several private spa chalets around Gstaad can be reserved exclusively for 3-6 hours
- Recommended: "Alpenspass" (sauna, steam bath, hot and cold pools, relaxation area)
- Price: CHF 1,500/3 hours (up to 8 guests)
Helicopter glacier tour
- A 45-minute helicopter flight from Gstaad reaches the Aletsch Glacier (among the longest in the Alps at 23 km)
- Land on the glacier for a one-hour guided walk
- Price: CHF 3,800/person (guide included)
From Private Jet to Piste: Seamless Arrival
Recommended routings:
| Origin | Destination | Aircraft | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing/Shanghai | St. Moritz Samedan (SMV) | G700 | 11-12 hours |
| Beijing/Shanghai | Gstaad Saanen (GSA) | G700 | 11-12 hours |
| Hong Kong | St. Moritz Samedan | G650 | 12-13 hours |
| Hong Kong | Gstaad Saanen | G650 | 12-13 hours |
| Dubai | St. Moritz Samedan | G650 | 7-8 hours |
| Dubai | Gstaad Saanen | G650 | 7-8 hours |
Airport advantages:
- Samedan (SMV): at 1,707 m, among the highest airports in Europe; 1,800 m runway accepting large-cabin jets such as the G700. Eight minutes by car to the center of St. Moritz.
- Saanen (GSA): at 1,000 m, 1,200 m runway, suited to midsize jets (G550, Falcon 7X). Twelve minutes to the center of Gstaad.
Versus commercial: the nearest major airport is Zurich (ZRH) — 3.5 hours by road to St. Moritz, 2.5 hours to Gstaad. A private jet lands beside the slopes, saving 5-7 hours of ground transfer.
A Real Bill: Seven Days, Six Nights Across Both Towns
Member profile: a Shanghai couple with two children (ages 10 and 12), on a winter ski holiday.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Private jet round trip (G700, Shanghai-St. Moritz) | ¥1,880,000 |
| Badrutt's Palace Grand Suite (3 nights) | CHF 19,500 (≈ ¥152,100) |
| Gstaad Palace Royal Suite (3 nights) | CHF 25,200 (≈ ¥196,560) |
| Helicopter link (St. Moritz → Gstaad) | CHF 8,500 (≈ ¥66,300) |
| Heli-skiing (2 days) | CHF 18,000 (≈ ¥140,400) |
| Private ski instructors (6 days) | CHF 12,000 (≈ ¥93,600) |
| White Turf enclosure (1 day) | CHF 20,000 (≈ ¥156,000) |
| Other activities + dining | CHF 15,000 (≈ ¥117,000) |
| Total | ≈ ¥2,804,960 |
Versus the commercial alternative: round-trip first class runs about ¥160,000/person (¥640,000 for four) — roughly ¥1,240,000 less — but adds 10+ hours of total travel time (Zurich airport procedures plus 3-4 hours of ground transfer), and the St. Moritz → Gstaad helicopter link is impossible to replicate.
Best Seasons and Booking Lead Times
| Season | Months | Best Experiences | Book Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early winter | December | First snow, Christmas atmosphere, ATP tennis | 4 months |
| High winter | January-February | Prime snow, White Turf | 6 months |
| Spring | March-April | Spring snow, fewer crowds, softer rates | 3 months |
Booking essentials:
- Hotels: suites at Badrutt's Palace and Gstaad Palace are close to full from December through February — reserve 6-9 months ahead
- Private jets: ski season is peak; parking slots at Samedan and Saanen are limited — lock routing 3 months ahead
- Experiences: White Turf enclosures, heli-skiing and private shopping require 30 days' notice
iFlyPlus Switzerland Services
- Ski equipment handling: the iFlyPlus concierge team manages ski-equipment shipping and customs clearance — members never carry their own gear
- Altitude preparation: Samedan sits at 1,707 m; some members may feel mild altitude effects. iFlyPlus prepares oxygen and common medications in advance
- Private ski instructors: iFlyPlus partners with the leading ski schools of St. Moritz and Gstaad; English- and Chinese-speaking instructors available
Disclaimer: prices, costs and savings in this article are reference figures based on historical data and typical scenarios. Actual pricing depends on travel dates, aircraft selection, services and seasonality, and is confirmed in the final quotation from your iFlyPlus advisor. Hotel awards, rankings and superlatives cited are drawn from public sources or industry reporting; refer to each institution's official releases. Journey times and distances are reference values and may vary with weather, airspace and routing.
iFlyPlus — where your lifestyle takes flight.