It is difficult to imagine the mountain resort of St Moritz in Switzerland being the centre of the car world for a weekend, but this is exactly what happens during ‘The ICE’. After just its sixth edition, it is fair to say that this winter gathering is already one of the most anticipated and highly acclaimed automotive events in the world. Here are Magneto magazine’s memories of the ICE St Moritz 2026.
The almost perfect ice surface of the frozen Lake St Moritz is the playground for 50 classic cars. These are not only judged on elegance, rarity and history, but are also evaluated for the sound of their engines during the hot laps. There can be no doubt that the unique opportunity of seeing amazing classics lapping the ice ring is the main attraction. As is custom now, the line-up of contenders at the ICE St Moritz 2026 was extremely broad in both age and classification. Oldest on the ‘show field’ was the 1924 Bugatti Type 13, while a 1999 Porsche GT1 and a Pagani Zonda C12 were joint youngest.
The Best of Show award for ICE St Moritz 2026 went to the Icons on Wheels category winner, the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS ‘Teardrop’ body by Figoni & Falaschi (chassis number 90105). Other class winners were a 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 (Birth of the Hypercar), 1976 Lancia Stratos ‘Alitalia’ (Legendary Liveries), 1949 Maserati 4CLT (Open Wheels) and 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza, which topped the Barchettas on the Lake class.
It’s hard to pick favourites at the ICE St Moritz 2026 among a collection this strong, but the 1956 Maserati 300 S looked incredible, and was only enhanced by the frozen snow decorating its rear air exits. Other much-admired machines included the one-off 1965 Pontiac Vivant (story header), the 1970 Porsche 917 ‘Hippie Car’ and two 1996 McLaren F1s: one road car and the ‘Lark’-liveried GTR, which the public voted as its Hero Below Zero.
As far as unforgettable moments go at the ICE St Moritz 2026, watching Tom Kristensen in a 1986 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2, Erik Comas in his 1998 Nissan R390 GT1 and a 1986 Lancia Delta S4 drifting together leaving a huge cloud of fresh snow in their wake, will live forever in our memory. Not only for the spectacular view, but for the magnificent soundtrack accompanying the spectacle, too.
Another great performance was given by Christian Geistdörfer in the notoriously difficult-to-drive 1967 Porsche 910. Arturo Merzario, too, excelled in his 1979 Alfa Romeo 179 B Formula 1 machine – surely the car most out of its element in this environment. Piloting it on this surface quickly showed the difference between professional and amateur drivers. After all, an F1 car takes great skill to control even on grippy Tarmac.
“I was too low and the wheels were hardly touching the snow for seconds at a time,” said Arturo after his session. Despite this, and the fact his tyres had almost instantly shed their snow socks, he was able to rein in the rampant thoroughbred. Other, less skilled drivers, even in cars considered far easier to drive, entertained with numerous – although always uneventful – spins.
In true St Moritz style, while all of the above was happening on the dedicated ice track, impeccably dressed staff on skates skilfully distributed Champagne to guests in a welcomed attempt to offset the sub-15°C temperatures. Automotive concours don’t come any cooler than this one.
Full results from the ICE St Moritz 2026 are below – more details on the event can be found here.
Special Awards
Best in Show: 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS ‘Teardrop’
Spirit of St Moritz: 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 S
Hero Below Zero: 1996 McLaren F1 GTR
Best Sound: 1965 Pontiac Vivant
Best in Class
Legendary Liveries: 1976 Lancia Stratos
Open Wheels: 1949 Maserati 4CLT
Birth of the Hypercar: 1993 Jaguar XJ220
Barchettas on the Lake: 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza
Icons on Wheels: 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS ‘Teardrop’
