Snow Polo: The Best Events in the World

In most sports, winter is the quiet season. In polo, it has given birth to one of the sport's most spectacular formats: **snow polo**. Played on frozen lakes, Alpine meadows, and purpose-built snow surfaces, winter polo events combine elite sport with some of the world's most extraordinary scenery — and an après-ski social culture that makes them genuinely unmissable.

The sport has its own rules: the ball is red or yellow for visibility, the field is smaller than grass polo, and the horses wear special hoof extensions to grip the snow. But the skill level at the best events is genuine — many of the world's top players appear on the white courses of St. Moritz or Kitzbühel.

St. Moritz — The Original and Greatest

**Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz** — held on the frozen surface of Lake St. Moritz in the Swiss Engadin valley — is the oldest and most prestigious snow polo event in the world. The tournament has been running since 1985.

**The setting**: The frozen lake at 1,800 metres altitude, surrounded by snow-covered Alps, is one of the world's great sporting vistas. On a clear January day, the light at altitude is extraordinary — a blue sky, white mountains, and Thoroughbred horses moving at speed across a surface of ice and packed snow.

**When**: Last weekend of January, annually.

**Who plays**: The St. Moritz event attracts genuine 10-[goal](/glossary/goal) players and world-class professionals. Recent editions have featured teams sponsored by luxury brands including Maserati, Badrutt's Palace, and Land Rover.

**Tickets**: Day passes: CHF 80–200. Premium hospitality (required for the best viewing positions) significantly more. Book through snowpoloworld.com.

**Practical tips**:

Kitzbühel — Austrian Alpine Drama

**Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel** (Austria) rivals St. Moritz as Europe's premier snow polo event. Set against the backdrop of the Hahnenkamm — home to ski racing's most famous downhill race — Kitzbühel brings a different Austrian character to the snow polo experience.

**When**: January, typically the third or fourth weekend.

**Atmosphere**: Kitzbühel's event is slightly more relaxed than St. Moritz and somewhat more accessible to general spectators. The town's après-ski culture — one of the Alps' most vibrant — integrates seamlessly with the polo event.

**Tickets**: EUR 50–120 day passes. Hospitality packages through the event organisers (kitzbuehelpolocup.com).

**Skiing combination**: Kitzbühel's ski area is one of Austria's best — a genuine combination of elite winter sport is possible across a 3-4 day visit.

Aspen — North American Snow Polo

**Snow Polo Aspen** (Colorado, USA) brings the format to North America at one of the continent's most glamorous ski resorts. The event typically takes place in late December or early January on a snow polo surface in the centre of Aspen.

**Setting**: Right in downtown Aspen, making it uniquely accessible — spectators can walk from their hotels directly to the match.

**Standard of play**: Slightly below St. Moritz in terms of professional calibre, but still competitive and visually spectacular.

**When**: Late December / early January — perfectly positioned for the Christmas–New Year ski holiday period.

**Tickets**: Free standing in many areas; VIP packages available.

Cortina d'Ampezzo — Italy's Snow Polo Event

**Cortina Snow Polo** in the Dolomites is Italy's answer to St. Moritz — played in one of Europe's most beautiful Alpine settings. Cortina is one of Italy's most prestigious ski resorts, and the polo event reflects the elegant Italian character of the place.

**When**: January, typically the second weekend.

**Atmosphere**: The Italian snow polo scene has a fashion element that is distinct from the Swiss and Austrian events — expect more style, more beautiful people, and more designer ski wear in the hospitality areas.

Planning Your Snow Polo Visit — Practical Guide

**Book early**: All the major snow polo events have limited hospitality capacity, and the premium hotels in St. Moritz, Kitzbühel, and Aspen sell out months in advance. Aim to book 6 months ahead for peak events.

**Dress for cold**: -10°C at altitude is genuinely cold, particularly standing still watching polo. Ski jackets, waterproof trousers, insulated boots, and hats are essential. Do not try to look elegant at the expense of warmth.

**Combine activities**: Every snow polo destination is also world-class skiing. Build your trip around both.

**Photography**: Snow polo is extraordinarily photogenic. The combination of coloured jerseys, white surface, and Alpine backdrop is visually spectacular. A clear January day at St. Moritz is one of the world's best photography opportunities.

Snow polo is polo's most spectacular format, in the world's most beautiful winter settings. Once attended, it is very difficult not to return.