Bringing together the world’s finest classic cars once again for a memorable display of dynamic athleticism amidst the snowy peaks of this iconic Swiss Alpine resort town, the 2025 International Concours of Elegance (ICE) St. Moritz was truly an event for the ages. The location itself has long been known as a key destination for the international jet-set, and consistently enjoys a symbiotic bond with the seasonal allure of its frozen lake. For the occasion itself, its elements of sporting fun, nature, luxury, excitement and exclusivity first took root in the iconic Cresta Run skeleton race more than 100 years ago.
In January 1985, several of the Run’s British former competitors led by Scotsman Keith Schellenberg celebrated its centenary by driving their vintage Bentley tourers on that frozen lake for the first time. And for the well regarded automotive brand manager Marco Makaus, being a participating witness of that January scene proved to be a revelatory experience. From the cars’ colourful liveries contrasting beautifully with the expansive white backdrop, to their dynamism at speed juxtaposed with the glacial forms’ winter stillness, it all sparked in his imagination a desire to take this magical experience and grow it at larger scale for other enthusiasts to enjoy.
Decades of planning, proposing and envisioning then followed, with enthusiastic initial support coming from the St. Moritz municipality and Badrutt’s Palace. Other partners and sponsors soon followed, and with that, things were clearly ripe for the ICE St. Moritz to run its first preview event in winter 2019 with many of the characteristics that would define future editions. Another interim period followed due to Covid, then the first official full scale ICE took place in February 2022 to much acclaim from the international media and much satisfied participants, proving that genuine passion can warm even the coldest of ice. Bringing together more than 50 fine automobiles competing in five concours classes and racing with motorsport verve around the apres-ski surroundings, it saw everything from a $10+ million 1957 Jaguar XKSS to a trumpeting red 1988 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary complete with a roof-strapped wooden toboggan powering and sliding perfectly across the frozen track while kicking up rooster tails of snow.
And that’s what truly sets the ICE apart: it’s not just a static concours, instead the cars are given free reign to cut loose and demonstrate all of their power, prowess and finesse exactly as their makers intended. Speaking to Forbes, Marco remarked, “I have enjoyed for years the extraordinary atmosphere of the Horse Racing events held on the frozen lake of St.Moritz and their unique style where luxury is never detached from the sporting side of things. When you walk – or drive! – from terra firma to the lake surface, you always have a little shiver: after all, you are walking on water, an activity whose precedents set very high expectations.”
“We could feel the buzz exploding during the very first day of the 2019 test event. This was due to the live coverage via social media. Luckily, I had a team of younger staff, and they did a fantastic job. Their know-how and creativity were very helpful also in the Covid years when we could not stage the event, but we still kept our followers’ attention with great and uncommon photography.”
Unfortunately an unexpectedly heavy snowstorm meant that large portions of the 2024 event had to be called off, thus anticipation was even higher for this year’s edition which still had the dedicated support of partners including VistaJet and Richard Mille. This year’s concours was focused on five distinct classes: Barchettas On The Lake celebrated open 2-seater racing cars, while Open Wheels honoured single-seater racers of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Cars that best embodied a certain era’s aesthetic style were the subject of Icons On Wheels, while Concept Cars and One-Offs was dedicated to unique, one-of-a-kind cars that have thrilled the motor show circuit. Finally a category that returned to much fanfare this year was Racing Legends, intended for cars that have thrilled on the world’s circuits.
Come Friday the 21st of February, these five categories’ winning cars were selected by an international jury including renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance judge Richard Adatto and Pixar creative director Jay Ward, recognising their elegant beauty and significant places in history. Best in Show & Open Wheels went to the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 powered by a 3.3 liter supercharged straight-8 and entered by Marc Newson of industrial design fame. It was a close run indeed between the French racing car and a curvaceously stunning 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Scaglietti designed by Pinin Farina. Classiche certified by Ferrari, its well documented history including a Monte Pellegrino Hillclimb win and five Targa Florio race entries make it a desirable collector’s car indeed, and undoubtedly helped it win the Barchettas on the Lake class.
Maranello’s haul of silverware in Engadina continued with 275 GTB/4 s/n 09021 getting the prize for Icons On Wheels, while the coveted Spirit of St. Moritz trophy, designed by internationally renowned artist Rolf Sachs who also has a deep personal connection with St Moritz’s cultural identity, was won by the stunning 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti ‘SEFAC’ s/n 2445 GT. Here sporting a roof rack and Davos sleigh, it was originally delivered to Garage Francorchamps and debuted at the Spa 500 km before winning several Belgian hillclimb races.
An impressively lightweight 545 kg Porsche 908-03 added to its type’s streak of victories including the Targa Florio and Nurburgring 1000 km by securing the Racing Legends award, while a supercharged 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Sprint Spider Aprile bodied by Zagato got the prize for Concept Cars and One-Offs with its sleekly streamlined, torpedo-like form.
Excited anticipation was high as dawn broke on Saturday the 22nd of February 22, for it was then that the cars would be taking to the frozen lake track for their dynamic fast runs. As always, the ICE’s main centrepiece proved to be a spectacle unlike other, as these iconic cars demonstrated a symphony of power and poised control with their intertwined rhythms of precise handling and controlled powerslides. With this being a real feast for the senses, spectators were dazzled by the occasional spray of shimmering ice as hard driving tyres danced gracefully over the frozen surfaces and the sounds of soulfully revving engines carried across the crisp mountain air.
Through it all, a welcomingly warm energy was generated by the participants’ genuine camaraderie, with some having flown in from across the world just to be there. This exhilarating yet intimate atmosphere was infused with a shared spirit of admiration for such fine, excellent machines, even as the drivers discussed driving techniques and reveled in their common thrill of piloting incredible cars in an utterly special setting.
As the sun began to set again on this idyllic scene among the mountains, the time had come to present the class winning cars’ awards. The 1934 Bugatti Type 59’s Best of Show prize was bestowed upon it by none other than Lord Norman Foster himself, who had also designed the trophy especially for The ICE, alongside Richard Mille Middle East and Turkey managing director Tilly Harrison. Finally, the attendees’ choice Hero Below Zero accolade was suitably bestowed upon the 1972 European spec Lamborghini Miura P400 SV chassis #5020. This proved beyond a doubt that the world’s first mid-engined supercar will always have an enduring appeal thanks to its perfect combination of superb engineering with swoopy, stunning aesthetics penned by the late, great Marcello Gandini.
Of course The ICE wasn’t just about the cars, with the event’s unique cultural identity reinforced by St Moritz’s sophisticated restaurants and world class bars becoming social focal points for passionate collectors to make new friends. Earlier in the week, a series of Talks hosted by the esteemed vintage motoring publication Classic Driver brought key experts together to discuss the automotive heritage and innovation of years gone by. Even Loro Piana made their presence known by launching an exclusive automotive themed Capsule Collection, featuring elegantly technical pieces like the Plongé leather driving gloves. Their boutique was also transformed to reflect The ICE’s distinctive visual identity, with miniature vintage cars ‘frozen’ in resin ice cubes set amongst suitably snowy scaled dioramas.
As the frozen lake now melts with the warming season and makes way for waterborne adventures once more, one thing remains frozenly certain – The ICE will remain indelibly in people’s hearts and minds, until the next winter dawns and makes it possible once again for these spirited machines to unleash their horsepower on ice beneath the expansive alpine skies. Marco’s brainchild will remain dedicated to celebrating the heritage of motoring in a way unmatched by any other, while keeping one eye towards the future and seamlessly blending innovatively curated exhibits with the dynamic motion of speed.
