Where Polo Becomes a Way of Life

Every January, the frozen lake of St. Moritz becomes the stage for one of the world’s most distinctive winter events. More than a polo tournament, the Snow Polo World Cup brings together elite sport, Alpine elegance and an international community that returns year after year.

Held just days after the World Economic Forum in Davos, the event attracts business leaders, entrepreneurs, collectors, polo enthusiasts and travellers from around the world. For many, St. Moritz is not simply another destination on the winter calendar—it is a tradition.

The 41st edition once again delivered exceptional competition. Over three days, more than 26,000 spectators watched nine high-goal matches played on the frozen lake. Sunday’s final saw Standing Rock defeat Flexjet, with Raul Laplacette receiving the Most Valuable Player award while Max Charlton claimed his sixth Snow Polo World Cup title.

Yet the sporting competition is only one part of the experience.

Throughout the weekend, the VIP village becomes a meeting place where conversations continue over champagne, luxury partners welcome their guests, and the relaxed atmosphere of St. Moritz takes centre stage. Elegant winter fashion, spectacular mountain scenery and the unique setting of the frozen lake create an atmosphere unlike any other event on the international polo calendar.

The following photographs, courtesy of Christian Sommer for the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz media team, capture the sporting highlights of the tournament and the intensity of competition on the frozen lake.

Beyond the Match

Every event has two stories.

The first is the one everyone sees: the matches, the trophies and the final results.

The second unfolds naturally throughout the day—in conversations between friends, the arrival of guests, moments shared in the VIP village and the countless details that give an event its personality.

This year was different for me because I returned with my assistant, Laura. Having covered the Snow Polo World Cup before, it was a pleasure to introduce her to the event and share everything I had learned during my first visit.

We started at the media centre before walking across the frozen lake together. I could show her the different photo positions reserved for accredited photographers, explain where the best viewpoints were and how the event was organised behind the scenes.

One of the most fascinating places is the VIP village. A large heated marquee welcomes guests throughout the day with fine food, champagne and live music. Although photographers can capture the atmosphere from outside, access is reserved for VIP guests, making it feel like a private world within the event itself.

Outside, elegant waiters crossed the frozen lake carrying trays of champagne between the hospitality areas while guests enjoyed the sunshine against the spectacular backdrop of the Engadin mountains. These small moments often say more about St. Moritz than the matches themselves.

It was also wonderful to meet again many of the people I had photographed the previous year. Some had just arrived from Davos, others were preparing for the evening celebrations, and seeing familiar faces made the weekend feel surprisingly personal despite its international scale.

As the sun disappeared behind the mountains, the atmosphere became even more relaxed. Friends gathered for a final glass of champagne, music filled the lake and a DJ accompanied the last moments of daylight. Some of the group photographs at the end of this gallery were taken during that golden hour, just before everyone continued to the private evening events in the village.

Because of new safety regulations introduced after the tragic incident at Crans-Montana, attendance at several evening venues was more limited than in previous years. Even so, the celebrations retained their unique atmosphere and provided the perfect ending to two unforgettable days in St. Moritz.

Looking back, this is what I remember most. Not only the polo, but the people, the conversations and the feeling of sharing a remarkable winter experience in one of the world’s most iconic alpine destinations.

Editorial photography
Dany Palomino / Palomino Magazine