( CNN ) -- Para-gliders soar above the snowy peaks and broad pistes where hundreds of youngsters are taking their first lessons at Europe 's biggest ski school . Nestled within the Engadine Valley beneath the Swiss Alps , St Moritz has earned a reputation as one of the world 's greatest winter playgrounds . The resort will host the World Alpine Skiing Championships for the fifth time in 2017 and is bidding to stage the Winter Olympics for a record third time in 2022 . At the foot of the mountains the world Bobsleigh Championship is taking place , giving motorists a momentary glimpse of the action as the bob hurtles above the ice wall . Amateur daredevils on the nearby Cresta Run can almost match the bobsleigh speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour . The private club was established by British visitors as a winter tourist destination towards the end of the 19th Century . On the valley floor stands the frozen lake of St Moritz -- home to an unlikely event of similar vintage -- `` White Turf '' -- horse racing on snow and ice . `` White Turf is an exceptional event , '' said the event 's president , Silvio Staub . `` It 's a meeting dating back from 1907 , so it 's the 106th anniversary this year . It 's run on three Sundays in February and usually we have about 30,000 people attending . '' Watching paint dry is a mere instance compared to watching ice form , but each year the organizers have to wait patiently for a solid layer of at least 30 centimeters before declaring the event safe . Then an army of helpers is needed to prepare the temporary land mass . A race track is marked out , while piste-bashers compact snow on top of the ice , affording the horses a modicum of grip . Mobile starting gates are rolled in along with grandstands and a row of tents containing jockey changing and weighing rooms and the all-important corporate lounges . The race card at each meeting features flat racing , winter-style trotting and the local speciality , skijoring -- an awkward combination of horse , human and skis which is a clear crowd favorite . Horses for White Turf are brought to St Moritz from all over the world , including Hungary , Italy , France , Germany and the UK . Before they set hoof onto the snow they have to undergo a change of shoes , a feat made possible by farrier Christian Lampert , who replaces regular shoes with a set containing winter grips and a unique layer of silicone to prevent snow sticking to hooves . `` This has been invented and patented here in St Moritz . Without this , a pack of snow would form underneath and the horse would slip . It keeps the snow away , '' he said . Instead of adhering to hooves , the trampled snow forms a perilous kickback cloud fired into the path of the jockeys , who also need protection . `` It 's like snowballs being thrown at you by a half tonne man , so it can be quite sore at times , '' said jockey Robert Havlin . To counter this , he sports a mask used by motocross riders in muddy conditions . En masse it produces the effect of a cavalry of Star Wars Clone Troopers riding into battle . Another addition to the jockey wardrobe at White Turf is an oversized pair of fleecy slippers which would look less out of place on a circus clown -- vital footwear to cover riding boots while hanging around on a frozen lake before the race . Even at this high altitude , the horses are physically able to handle the strain . `` The altitude for the heart and lungs is not a problem for the horses , '' said vet Annina Widmer . `` It 's not dangerous to them . Maybe skijoring is dangerous because the horses are not really under control , but otherwise there is no risk . '' Franco Moro is a six-time skijoring champion -- and winner of sixteen races . As leader of the St Moritz ski school he can often be found handing out prizes to young skiers . But when White Turf comes to town , he 's aiming for a prize of his own - `` King of Engadine '' -- for the skijoring competitor who scores the most points over the three weekends . Skijoring requires expert skiing skills as the jockey is pulled behind a rider-less horse . `` We have not got that much control '' said Moro . `` Around 20 % is the driver 's responsibility and 80 % is the horse . '' One of the hazards is the first bend , where all horses are aiming for the inside track and the curve sends skiers wide . Jockeys often find themselves in the terrifying position of skiing alongside the sprinting horse of the team behind him . Franco uses his elbows to nudge horses aside -- if a hoof steps on a ski it 's enough to end their chances of winning . In the first race Franco finishes well down the field . But with two more weekends to go , he still has a chance to regain the title he lost last year . His pedigree in this unusual event is unmatched and only the brave would bet against the former `` King of Engadine '' regaining his crown .
Horses race on ice at the winter the Winter Olympics . first anniversary , held on the frozen lake of Switzerland , St Moritz . Includes skijoring , in which jockeys ski behind rider-less horses . Snow forms a perilous kickback cloud fired into the path of jockeys .