Nestled in the Upper Engadine region of Switzerland – the Olympia Bob Run in St. Moritz-Celerina – is much more than a bobsleigh and skeleton track: it is a living monument to more than a century of sporting history. Since its inauguration in 1904, this track, built entirely of ice and natural snow, has been the scene of countless competitions, including two editions of the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948. Olympics.com recalled the world’s oldest bobsleigh track in a report shortly before the 2025 IBSF World Cup St. Moritz (January 21-26).
Every season, in November, a team of South Tyrolean workers arrives to build this marvel by hand. They use around 15,000 cubic meters of snow and 10,000 cubic meters of water, transforming the slope into what many call “the world’s largest ice sculpture.” This artisanal process not only shapes the slope, but also ensures its uniqueness, an aspect that sets it apart from all other slopes on the world circuit.
Athletes such as Laura Nolte, Olympic champion in Beijing 2022, praise the unique characteristics of the rink at Olympics: “It’s very smooth, very quiet. It’s just fun. I love this historic track: its environment, the weather…. It’s awesome.” These words sum up the sentiment shared by numerous competitors who return year after year.
THE BIRTH OF BOBSLEIGHING IN ST. MORITZ
At the end of the 19th century, the village of St. Moritz was already a reference point for winter sports, starting with the construction of the Cresta Run, a track intended for skeleton. But it was here that bobsleigh took shape, giving birth to a new discipline that would soon need its own space. Thus was born the Olympia Bob Run, a venue that has hosted more than 23 world championships and numerous editions of the World Cup.
The track not only stands as the last of its kind naturally built, but is also praised for its connection to tradition. Matt Weston, 2023 skeleton world champion, expressed, “It’s a very special track for me. I won my first world title here, and I always come back with fond memories.”
A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE FOR ATHLETES AND FANS
The track’s charm goes beyond its design. Frank Del Duca, a rider for the U.S. bobsleigh team, described the experience to Olympics as magical: “Knowing that this track is built by hand and that they use traditional brooms to sweep it really adds to the magic of St. Moritz.” For many, sliding down this track is to feel the living history of bobsleigh and skeleton.
With the arrival of the IBSF World Cup 2025 at the end of January (January 21-25), the focus is back on this iconic track. While fast times and exciting racing are guaranteed, what truly endures is the legacy and magic that the Olympia Bob Run brings to the sport.
