If you want to experience the thrill of racing downhill on a bobsled, then St. Moritz, Switzerland is the place to do it.
St Moritz is not only a popular place for tourists in winter, it is also where bobsledding was invented.
There is actually only one bobsled run in Switzerland and it is located in St. Moritz–Celerina.
This track has been used in two Winter Olympics and is open to the public each winter for adrenaline-pumping rides!
You can pay for a bobsled run with a driver and brakeman, with each run costing 269 CHF. Not only is it a great idea for non-skiers looking for something to do, but it is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Table of Contents
General Information
| Location | Via Maistra 54, 7500 St Moritz (Google Maps) |
| Opening Times | Late December – Mid-March: 11.30 am start time Current Dates: 29 December 2023 – 10 March 2024 |
| Slots available | 35 each day |
| Ticket Price | CHF 269 per ride |
| Discounts | Packages of rides available at a cheaper rate |
| Website | olympia-bobrun.ch |
Bob Sled Run In St. Moritz–Celerina
Every year, after enough snow has fallen, the local team creates the St. Moritz–Celerina bobsled track from scratch. Unlike most other tracks in the world, St. Moritz–Celerina track is made from 100% natural snow.
The track is created around mid-November of every year, once enough snow has fallen. Because it is rebuilt each time, the final bob run is always a little different. However, with the help of a so-called Traxcavator, the track is still very similar each year.
Not only is this track 100% natural but it is also constructed without the use of any chemicals. And in today’s age of sustainability, that is great news.
Maintenance is carried out each day over four hours after the bobsled runs have finished. And when the season ends in March, the track is dismantled once again.
So, are you keen to throw yourself down the bobsled track in St. Moritz? Here are all the details…
Booking Your Bobsled Run
Bobsled runs can be booked in St.Moritz from late December until early March each season.
You can see available slots here.
One run is CHF269, which might seem expensive, but you get to ride the only bobsled track in Switzerland, wedged between the driver and brakeman. On top of that, I contacted St. Moritz and asked what is included, here is what they said:
- The helmet rental
- The shuttle from the finish to the start
- A souvenir of the track
- A glass of Charme Spumante “Brut”
- A personal «Bobbaptism» certificate
So, it is a great deal.
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
You need to be at least 16 years of age, and anyone under 18 needs written consent from a parent.
Bobsled Track Walking Tours
If bobsledding is a bit too crazy for you, there are also bobsled track walking tours available.
You get to walk the whole track with a knowledgeable local and learn about its construction, history, and bobsledding in general.
The tour costs CHF 200 for up to 10 people, so can make a great group event if you are in the area.
St. Moritz Bob Run Facts
The St Moritz bobsled run is a blast, but not for the faint of heart. Here are a few stats to help you get a feel for how fast and crazy it is:
- Length: 1,722 meters
- Elevation difference: 130 meters
- Number of Curves: 19
- Speed: 135 km/h
- Centrifugal force: 4.5 G
- Guest Run Time: 75 seconds
- Olympics: 2
- World Championships: 24
St. Moritz Bobsled Run Map
Here is a map of the St. Moritz bobsled track that is constructed each winter.
History of The St Moritz Bob Run & Bobsledding
St Moritz was a playground for the rich in the Victorian Era. British tourists came to St Moritz in the winter and stayed at the Palace Hotel owned by Caspar Badrutt.
It was during this time, in the late 19th century, that local delivery sleds were turned into bobsleighs (or bobsleds) and people started hurtling themselves downhill on ice. By 1884, an ice skeleton run (the so-called Cresta Run) was being created each year by locals and used for competitions. And at 1.2125 km long, it was certainly only for adrenaline lovers.
Things developed quickly and the first bobsleigh club was founded in 1897 in St. Moritz. This helped accelerate the spread of bobsledding around Europe and the world, with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT) being founded in 1923 and the first Olympics featuring bobsledding in 1924.
St. Moritz was then in the limelight in 1928 during the second Winter Olympics in 1928 with both bobsledding in skeleton runs that now had a long history.
