ST. MORITZ, October 2014 – In September 1864 Johannes Badrutt promised the English summer guests visiting the Engadin Alps that they would experience glorious sunny weather if they came back in winter. If they were disappointed, he would reimburse their travel costs from London. Should St. Moritz be to their liking, he would invite them to stay as his guests as long as they wished. Thanks to this extraordinary bet, the winter season 2014/15 marks the 150th anniversary of winter tourism in the Alps. To start the celebrations, Badrutt's Palace Hotel is offering its guests a ski pass for the whole St. Moritz region for stays of two or more consecutive nights and, for thrill-seekers, the Winter Adrenalin package.

In 1863, Thomas Cook was the first to introduce English adventurers to Switzerland. Many more English travelers followed suit, venturing further into the Swiss Alps until they finally discovered the beauty of St. Moritz. The clean air in the Engadin Alps became a summer destination for English city folk with  respiratory illnesses. One evening in September 1864 the English summer guests expressed their concerns to Johannes Badrutt about returning to dreary London. The sharp businessman came up with a bet which would entice the English to venture back again over the passes into St. Moritz in the winter. Badrutt won the bet and the first winter season was born – almost 150 years ago.

Today the team at Badrutt's Palace Hotel doesn't need to make bets to entice guests to St. Moritz. In celebration of  the 150th anniversary, Badrutt's Palace Hotel has created an ultimate Winter Adrenalin package for winter sports aficionados looking for something different. Not only does this package include a ski pass for the whole region and transfers to and from the ski lift for the duration of stay, but also a guided heli-skiing trip in the deep virgin powder of the Engadin Alps, a thrilling toboggan ride down the Muottas Muragl 4.2 km course (including toboggan rental) as well as an adrenalin-filled bobsleigh run with a professional bobsleigh driver, for the ultimate highlight. The package is available from US $3,013 (CHF 2,760) in a Superior Single Room and from US $4,355 (CHF 3,990) in a Superior Double Room and includes three nights' stay plus three evening meals in either the elegant Le Restaurant or cozy Chesa Veglia (excluding drinks).

For additional information and reservations please contact +41 (0)81 837 1000 or reservations@badruttspalace.com.