As the fifth season of the acclaimed drama Downton Abbey captivates audiences worldwide, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland, is recreating a piece of that period charm with its Downton Palace on Ice event. On Feb. 7 at 4 p.m., members of the German Victorian costume club Victorias Enkel (Victoria’s Grandchildren), dressed in elegant winter fashions inspired by the late 19th century, will take to the hotel’s historic ice rink to compete in a curling tournament. For readers unfamiliar with the game, curling involves sliding polished granite stones across the ice toward a target to score points.
The hotel’s ice rink traces its origins to Johannes Badrutt, who helped put St. Moritz on the map as a premier winter destination. According to local history, Badrutt’s enthusiasm for winter sports and hospitality innovations led to the creation of one of Europe’s earliest curling rinks after a famous wager with guests from England more than a century ago. That spirit of tradition and hospitality is reflected in the event, which will offer hot mulled wine and pastries during the tournament to warm and delight spectators.
Beyond the tournament atmosphere, the event also provides opportunities for visitors to learn the sport. A Curling Master will be on hand to lead instruction tailored to both beginners and experienced players, offering practical tips on technique, strategy and the etiquette that makes curling a famously convivial sport. Whether you’re trying curling for the first time or refining your delivery and sweeping, the lessons are designed to make the experience accessible and enjoyable.
Downton Palace on Ice combines historical ambiance with active participation: costumed club members bring period detail and pageantry, while the curling tournament and lessons invite guests to engage directly with a sport that helped shape winter leisure culture in alpine resorts. The setting of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel—its long association with winter tourism and elegant social events—creates a fitting backdrop for an afternoon that celebrates both the aesthetics of the Victorian era and the camaraderie of curling.
Attendees can expect an event that balances spectacle and authenticity. The period costumes and traditional treats evoke the social rituals of a bygone era, while modern instruction ensures the sport itself remains accessible to contemporary guests. Whether you come for the costumes, the curling, or simply to soak in the hotel’s storied atmosphere, the event offers a memorable slice of alpine tradition on ice.
For visitors planning to attend, dressing warmly and arriving early will enhance the experience, as the event blends outdoor winter sport with indoor hospitality. The combination of scenic St. Moritz, historic Badrutt’s Palace and a lively curling tournament creates a distinctive winter outing for fans of heritage, sport and refined hotel culture.