How To and How Not To Ski St. Moritz on a Budget

This is an “extra” to my previous post.  During my trip to St. Moritz, I learned that it is possible to do a cheap-ish trip to St. Moritz. However, as in my case, a vacation there can be exceptionally expensive if you want it to be, plan poorly or have string of bad luck.  I hope to pass on some of my lessons learned to you.

The BMW X-5 great on mountain roads, when the diesel isn't frozen!

How not to do St. Moritz on a budget:

1.    If your situation changes, do not stubbornly try to keep the original itinerary as much as possible.  Step back re-evaluate and change the plan or else you could be doing something ridiculous, like driving from France to the far end of Switzerland in a ridiculously large SUV just to fulfil some self imposed Olympic resort check-list.

2.    Don’t check the car rental confirmation the day before the vacation after calling to get a smaller car and realizing you have a standard transmission people mover booked for 7 people instead of a compact automatic for 2-3.  (I must drive an automatic as I am an incompetent North American).

3.    Despite how busy you are at work the day before, don’t think “I can sort it out when I get there.”  You could end up in a huge, gas hungry luxury BMW X-5 for 1-2 people.  (Add 350 Euros to original 300 Euro budget).

4.    Driving on Italian Autostrade is great, but expensive.  The 50 Euro toll tunnel between Italy and France is just expensive and not so great. (add 120 Euros).

5.    Your hotel may advertise it has parking, but is it free parking? (add 60 Euros).

6.    Of course: Italian Diesel bought in the mountains is not the same as Swiss Mountain Diesel! Italian Diesel bought in the mountains will freeze in St. Moritz’s -25C overnight temperatures Swiss Diesel with additives will not. Only stupid people don’t know this. (Add 250 Euros to get car warmed up + 8hours waiting for the tow).  Side note: The garage at St. Moritz has a brisk business towing and warming up high-end diesel cars for 200-250 Euros a go. I certainly wasn’t the only person who made this mistake. 

7.    Try to think of a lunch plan at St. Moritz or else you are paying 20 Euros for a burger and drink- without fries.

8.    Don’t take your private jet to St. Moritz, landing and parking fees are just outrageous, particularly for private 737s.

9.    Don’t even bother buying ski gear, clothes or chocolate. Most places don’t have the price advertised; if you need to ask, you’re not interested.

10.You better have 100 Euros itching in your pocket if you want a proper restaurant meal.

St. Moritz 1500m below.

How to do St. Moritz on  Budget: Yes it is possible!

1.    Stay at the Youth Hostel, you can get a twin room and is as good as most hotels. It is pretty much your only budget option in town.  It includes a basic supper and breakfast, and shields you from some of the outrageous restaurant prices.  It is pretty modern and I couldn’t complain. It is about 50 EUR a night, half board. It is best to book to book through their website rather than a third party.  The # 9 shuttle bus goes from the Train Station to the Hostel… which brings me to points 2&3.

2.    Do not bring rental car.  There is a great shuttle bus network to the ski areas.  You do not have to pay for parking and the ski areas are fairly compact so it is not too long from St. Moritz Dorf or Bad.  

3.    Take the train! You can get to St. Moritz on the stunningly scenic and world famous Albula Railway. It is a tourist attraction in itself. I believe it is roughly 30 Euros per person per direction from Zurich Airport to St. Moritz on the SBB website.

4.    I got a discounted lift ticket with the accommodation.  I got a 4 day lift ticket for the price of 3 for 140 Euros. Not bad eh? compared to Whistler’s $93 a day tickets.

5.    Get your lunch and Swiss chocolate at the Co-op. 

6.    If you are going to bring a diesel car/ SUV; for the love of God get Swiss Mountain Gas!    

7.    Prepare to drink Gluwhein: some places were selling it for 3 Francs!

8.    Go to the Polo if it’s on, it’s free.  Watch Bobsled, it’s cheap too.  

9.  Continental European plugs and Swiss plugs are similar, but frustratingly, slightly different.  Some plugs seem to work and others do not.  So if you want to have batteries in your cameras to take photos of your vacation and show off to your friends on facebook, or just capture the memories: get an adapter.  

Breakfast view from the hostel.

St. Moritz to Churs on the train.