Romance with Tradition – the Schlitteda

Skeleton? Luge? Cresta tobogganing? Bobsledding? These sports have been practiced in St. Moritz for many decades, with some developments even originating in this tourism destination. In fact, St. Moritz is home to the world’s oldest natural bobsleigh track, the Olympia Bobrun, which opened in 1904. The Cresta Run is equally unique: it is the only track dedicated exclusively to Cresta tobogganing, a precursor to skeleton.

A much slower alternative, steeped in tradition, is the Schlitteda. Unlike racing down an icy track as quickly as possible while lying or sitting on a sledge, the Schlitteda centres on youth and love. This is well-illustrated, for instance, in a photograph by Scuol-based photographer Jon Feuerstein (1925-2010), preserved in the Staatsarchiv Graubünden.

However, what does a Schlitteda involve? Traditionally, the unmarried men and women of an Engadin village travel through the winter landscape in pairs – on beautifully decorated sledges drawn by horses. The event includes food, drink and dancing, with the aim of getting to know one another along the ride. The dress code for men is white tie and tails, while the women wear their traditional costumes. These customs are still followed today, although the rules have been adapted to modern times.