Ahead of The 41st St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup 2026, Belle Rice examines how private aviation elevates the overarching experience…
Those in the know will be well aware that the only way to truly ‘arrive’ into St Moritz in style is by landing at Samedan airport in the nearby Engadin valley. The highest altitude paved airport in Europe, the experience of gently gliding through the snow-capped mountain tops as you come into land can inspire an awestruck silence as your flight descends, and the magic of the experience is brought into sharp technicolour focus. Private aviation does more than shorten travel time; it preserves momentum, eliminates fluster and delivers guests directly into the heart of St Moritz.
Samedan is strictly for private aviation, so there’s no chance of a British Airways or American Airlines flight touching down on the arrow-straight tarmac beside you. In fact those arriving on commercial flights will need to go to Milan or Zurich, which are both three hours away. Your best bet is to go private, and if you don’t own your own set of wings at the moment, the next best thing (or the superior alternative, depending on your outlook), as I discover is a flight with Flexjet.
For winter travellers whose itineraries revolve around long weekends, sporting fixtures and tightly orchestrated social calendars, this efficiency is central. Private aviation allows guests to arrive later, leave earlier and still fully participate, whether that means stepping straight from aircraft to lunch, or returning home the same evening after a marquee event.
Our own arrival into Samedan comes aboard a Praetor 600, following a direct transfer from car to cabin at a private terminal in Farnborough (which son will be updated to Europe's first dedicated private terminal). Sitting in Flexjet’s own private terminal has been an seamless transition, thanks to their car to cabin experience. It’s a quick one too as with no major security checks to go through, waiting time is minimalised. Before you know it, you’re sky high and enjoying a glass of Ruinart and a selection of canapes, before a full meal service (fresh sushi in this case, but a wide-ranging menu and bespoke offerings are available) is proffered by the perfectly turned out and impeccably polite crew.
Offering fractional ownership and leasing programmes, plus the Jet Card experience with its debit-style model for new clients wanting to try out the service, the aviation brand has a range of aircraft including the Gulfstream G650 with its ultra-long range capabilities, the G700, and the super mid-size Praetor 600 for short to medium-haul journeys.
The nine seater Praetor – including a comfortable sofa option plus two screens – feels compact without compromising on space; there’s plenty of room for hand luggage and the cabin is kitted out with clever storage solutions that optimise the seats and side panelling – think pop-out compartments for tablets and phones plus easy access sockets to keep your tech charged to 100%. The Wifi offering is robust enough to keep you connected too, so you can keep in close contact with colleagues, friends and family.
On landing, you’re in your car within minutes of disembarking and off into town, where the smartest of shopping experiences, hotels, and dining options are available. One of the many perks of flying with Flexjet is the company’s exceptional member services, and on this occasion, the events programme that includes VIP hosted trips to the St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup on the famous lake.
Each January, the smart set descends from the mountaintops on to the expansive ice, where the only high-goal tournament on the snow takes place and teams including Flexjet’s own take on the challenge entering its 41st year in 2026. With the sun blazing and champagne (and hot chocolate) on tap, it’s a weekend of serious sporting fun where everyone finds a side to root for, and the sociable lunches and dinners are carefully curated to suit the clients’ tastes. It’s just one of a range of experiences that the aviation company offers its clients (others include Napa Valley tours and F1 weekends), ensuring travelling on a Flexjet service is always a first-class option. The St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup takes place between 23 – 25 January 2026. flexjet.com