I.C.E. St. Moritz 2025 – A Freezing Spectacle
ON THE TOP OF THE (AUTOMOTIVE) WORLD
Breathtaking landscape full of picturesque alpine mountains overarching the Engadin Valley and a small town within. It’s peaceful, yet there was a suspense hanging in the air, as if something extraordinary was about to happen. Maybe it’s the sight of countless jets piercing through the air in numbers unusual even for the peak of the season? Or maybe it’s the occasional sound of hundreds of cylinders roaring about the town, coming from the unique vintage machinery that’s gathered here for the weekend? One thing is for sure – St. Moritz, the oldest resort of its kind was about to experience something special.
The International Concours of Elegance, wittily shortened to the I.C.E., has its roots in a rather casual automotive event back in January 1985. Celebrating a centenary of another famous sports occasion of St. Moritz – the skeleton-toboggan Cresta Run – a group of gentlemen decided to treat their vintage Bentley tourers to a celebratory drive around the frozen lake. Witnessing it then made a huge impression on Marco Makaus, today’s founder, who decided to turn the picture he had seen into a spectacular car event. Years on in 2019, I.C.E. has been established and after a rocky road involving a pandemic, melting lake and immense blizzard it is back to imprint itself as one of the most spectacular festivals of its kind.
THE STELLAR CONCOURS LINE-UP
And oh boy, did I.C.E. St. Moritz deliver this year! Not only did one of the sunniest resorts in the world live up to its name bringing nothing but moderate frost and sunshine, but also the line-up of the concours cars was stellar. Dare I say, one of the best I have ever seen in a single concours! Over fifty most iconic vintage cars were grouped into five meticulously thought-through classes. So… where should we start?
Maybe from the class that made the biggest impression on me and my tastes – the Barchettas on the Lake. Open top classics included no fewer than five Ferraris at their best, with a 340 MM, 375 MM, 500 TR or a stunning 196S. Winning the class was also a Prancing Horse bodied by Scaglietti – the 500 TRC. But there was even more! Overall, the class was filled with more automotive icons such as Porsche 550 Spyder or a racing extraordinaire Talbot-Maserati 250S. Have you ever seen one?
Then there was the Open Wheels class bringing back the old formula-racing vibes from as early as 1928. Proudly representing the pre-war era were two Bugatti – Type 37A and a jaw-dropping 1934 Bugatti Type 59. A true pioneer of its times, the car featured drilled suspension elements or an innovative-yet-disliked radially spoked wheels with conical hubs. Its racing pilots were among the best, including Achille Varzi or Tazio Nuvolari. Innovation and history together brought home not only the Best in Class but also… the Best of Show with an amazing trophy designed by the starchitect Norman Foster!
Three remaining classes gathered Concept Cars and One-Offs, Icons on Wheels and Racing Legends. More than thirty cars total make it virtually impossible to even scratch the surface of what was impressive, so now it is time for personal favourites. Victorious came again the Alfa Romeo 1750 GS Aprile from Lopresto Collection, continuing its winning streak after The Aurora Concours. However, in my book hard to beat was the Abarth 1000 Record Pininfarina. Its futuristic look amongst the mountainous landscapes stunned not only many cars, visitors… but could as well overshade the many private jets!
But we all know those are the stories of the vehicles and people that surround them that truly matter. It was therefore hard to miss Mai Ikuzawa and her son posing in matching uniforms next to their 1965 Porsche 904. Or how could one not spot the iconic Arturo Merzario strolling around his good-old friend – the Abarth 2000 Sport Spider Quattro Fari? Having raced it in 1969 and 1970 Merzario seemed to have been equally as comfortable on the frozen lake of St. Mortiz, sliding the Italian beast like there was no tomorrow. Personally, I was also touched with the owner of the 1969 Autobianchi Runabout Bertone trying to recreate the brochure photograph of the car, with his co-driver dressed in glitter and racing helmet, just alike the model in the 60s. My shot is slightly different, but hey, we are not in a studio!
APRÈS-SKI ALL-DAY LONG
The uniqueness of the I.C.E. St. Moritz lies in its formula. Whilst without the slightest doubt its elegance is at least as elevated as the mountains around the Engadin, it is served with unique chill and après-ski vibe. Differences? No one skis, and the party starts right from the beginning. People were dancing in the Alpine Lounge and the music was playing in every corner of the concours’ village – sometimes from the speakers, sometimes by a live band!
Aside the sheer joy of partying, options to enjoy oneself on the frozen lake were many. Visitors could try playing curling with special I.C.E. branded stones, shop event gadgets or peek into sponsor’s tents, spanning from Pagani Automobili, through Loro Piana and Richard Mille all the way to Vista Jets. There was an ice-skating rink welcoming all amateurs but also serving as a unique scene for a Maserati GranCabrio premiere or professional figure ice skating show. If that sounds to you like a weekend packed with emotions… that’s because it was!
THEY SPIN US ROUND… THE FROZEN LAKE
Contrary to the how the event was structured in 2022 when I last visited, a lot has changed. From a rather private gathering for visitors counted in hundreds and having all the action packed it one day, it has now grown into a two-day spectacle welcoming around twenty thousand people! In such an instance splitting the activities was a necessity and since Friday was mostly a static, exclusive preview it was the Saturday circuit action that everyone looked forward to.
And those who came didn’t leave disappointed! Seeing such rare vintage machinery having the limits of their performance tested on a freshly groomed snow surface was a special experience. The driving element so much missing from all the other concourses filled all expectations. Amongst others, the audience closely packed around the rink could admire Hollywood actor Jason Momoa sliding his 1928 Bentley 4.5-litre through the snow or another star – this time from Le Mans – Tom Kristensen pushing pedal to the metal in an Audi Quattro Group S.
Two of my favourite vehicles of the event did well, too! Prepared by Edi Wyss Engineering the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB “Sefac” felt as well on the snow as it did at Spa back in the 60s. Whilst there were no racing trophies here it cliched a prestigious Spirit of St. Moritz prize. Coming home empty handed but with no less appreciation was the 1952 Pegaso Z-102. One of three ever built it was sporting its 1952 Monaco GP livery contrasting stylishly on the snow.
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
When all the snowflakes brushed up high by tungsten-studded tires fell down, it was time to leave. The fifth edition of the International Concours of Elegance St. Moritz was over, and it doubtlessly inscribed itself in the history books as the most successful thus far. Thousands of visitors storming the gates until late Saturday afternoon were as much a measure of this edition’s success as they were showing the public’s hunger to be out there on ice again after the cancelled show last year.
St. Moritz delivers a beautifully sunny scenery for over three hundred days a year and provides with countless options for luxury stays. As for a car event, one thing is for sure – if you are into classics, finding a more exotic (and exclusive) location to admire them at full speed will be difficult so… Make sure to pay a visit in 2026 and remember – the Engadin Airport is extremely busy over that particular weekend of the year, so plan your private jet trip in advance!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
