The Cresta Run: St. Moritz's Skeleton Toboggan Track
The Cresta Run is a natural ice channel in St. Moritz, Switzerland, used for the sport of skeleton tobogganing. Built annually since 1884, it is one of the oldest and most demanding racing venues in the world and is governed by the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club.
History and Construction
The Cresta Run was created in the winter of 1884–1885 by a group of British tourists staying in St. Moritz, led by Major W.H. Bulpett. Seeking winter entertainment in the Engadin valley, they constructed a rudimentary ice channel running from the hamlet of Cresta to the village of Celerina. The course proved immediately popular and was refined over subsequent seasons. The St. Moritz Tobogganing Club (SMTC) was founded in 1887 to govern and maintain the run, and it continues to do so today, making it one of the oldest sports governing bodies still managing its original venue.
The track is rebuilt from scratch each winter using natural snow and water. Workers begin construction in late December, shaping the channel by hand and spraying it with water that freezes overnight. The finished run stretches approximately 1,212 meters from top to bottom and descends about 157 meters in elevation, incorporating notorious banked corners with names such as Shuttlecock, Bulpett's Leap, and Stream Corner that are deeply embedded in tobogganing lore.
The Sport of Skeleton
Riders on the Cresta Run use a small, steerable sled called a skeleton toboggan, lying headfirst on their stomach and steering by shifting body weight and using rakes—metal spikes attached to the feet—to drag against the ice. This is distinct from modern Olympic skeleton, which uses different equipment and artificially refrigerated tracks. The Cresta Run requires considerable skill and nerve, as riders can reach speeds exceeding 130 kilometers per hour while navigating sharp bends with minimal protection.
Traditions and Access
The SMTC maintains several distinctive traditions. Women were historically excluded from riding the Cresta Run and remain prohibited from the full course under current club rules, a policy that has attracted ongoing controversy and calls for reform. Riders are organized into handicap classes based on experience and personal best times. The Curzon Cup and the Grand National are the two most prestigious events on the racing calendar, drawing international competitors each season.
The Cresta Run operates only during the natural winter season, typically from late December to late February or early March, depending on temperatures. Each spring, the ice is allowed to melt and the channel ceases to exist until rebuilt the following year. This ephemeral nature, combined with its hand-built construction and historic traditions, makes the Cresta Run a genuinely singular institution in world sport.