Where Ice Meets Icons: The Opening Day of The I.C.E. St. Moritz
- Luxe magazine Switzerland
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Where Ice Meets Icons: The Opening Day of The I.C.E. St. Moritz
St. Moritz, 30 January 2026
At first light, Lake St. Moritz becomes something more than a frozen expanse. For one extraordinary day, it transforms into a stage where history, design and mechanical artistry glide across the ice.
The opening day of The I.C.E. St. Moritz, the International Concours d’Elegance, once again confirmed its singular position as the winter season’s most exclusive automotive gathering. Against the pristine Alpine backdrop, fifty exceptional automobiles among the rarest classic and sports cars in the world made their debut on the frozen lake, captivating an international audience of collectors, connoisseurs and industry leaders.
As the morning unfolded, the parc fermé emerged as the heart of the event. Reimagined as an open-air gallery, it offered a moment of quiet contemplation: legendary silhouettes resting on ice, framed by snow-covered peaks. Journalists, enthusiasts and experts from every continent gathered here, united by a shared reverence for timeless design and automotive heritage.
The extraordinary caliber of the cars on display true icons of global automotive history set an exacting challenge for the jury. Tasked with selecting the finest among the exceptional, the judges deliberated carefully before revealing the Best in Class winners across five categories:
Legendary Liveries: Lancia Stratos (1976)
Open Wheels: Maserati 4CLT (1949)
Birth of the Hypercar: Jaguar XJ220 (1993)
Barchettas on the Lake: Ferrari 750 Monza (1955)
Icons on Wheels: Talbot-Lago T150C SS “Teardrop” (1937)
Introduced for the first time this year, the Best Sound Award, presented by Bang & Olufsen, paid tribute to one of the most emotional dimensions of automotive excellence. As engines were ignited during the jury’s evaluation, a singular voice resonated across the ice. The award was presented to the Pontiac Vivant (1965).
Tomorrow, anticipation rises as collectors will take to the ice for the highly awaited free laps, driving their masterpieces across the snow-covered track in a spectacle of motion and mastery. The day will culminate with the announcement of the prestigious Best in Show, accompanied by the bespoke trophy designed exclusively for The I.C.E. by Lord Norman Foster. The Spirit of St. Moritz Award, signed by Rolf Sachs, and Hero Below Zero, chosen by the public, will also be revealed bringing the opening chapter of this extraordinary Alpine celebration to a refined crescendo.
