St. Moritz: White Turf Horse Race & Snowshoeing

Back in February we spent a weekend in St. Mortiz to attend a horse race, but this wasn't just any horse race.  It took place on a frozen lake in one of the ritziest towns in Switzerland, and the events weren't limited to your run-of-the-mill flat and trotting races.  The White Turf International Horse Race is the only race in the world to include an event called Skikjöring - where the jockeys are on skis (either on their feet or riding on a ski-chariot) and are pulled behind their unsaddled thoroughbreds at speeds up to 50km/h as they hold onto the reins for dear life.  Although it was cold and snowing, the champagne was a flowin' and our pockets were rapidly emptied by unlucky, albeit fun, bets.  For my first horse race it was pretty sweet.  Check it out...

Submarine bar 

How convenient.  A BMW dealership right on the lake.

Palm trees on a frozen Swiss lake.  

We asked for Prosecco, they replied "Oh no.  We only have Champagne."  Of course you do.

The track

The track

Mya and me in the stands.  She hated me.  It was so cold.

Race #1

Lucky number 8!  If I recall correctly, this is the guy I bet on, and it turned out to be the only wining bet for our entire group.  I based my scientifically informed decision on the flexibility of the jockey. "Nice splits, I'll go for that guy". 

Skikjöring

Skikjöring

The day before the races Kevin, Mya, and I went on a lil' snowshoe adventure...

You can see the race track on the lake.

Playing in the snow.

Mya looks terrified.  Tough trip for the puppy.