Ski Conditions

The Incredible Ice-Skating Waiters of Switzerland (PHOTOS)

Waiters at one of the most luxurious tourist destinations in the world didn’t just walk over to serve patrons, they glided.

In the 1920s and ‘30s the waiters at the Grand Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland brought over gin and tonics while on ice skates. German photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, who was then on staff for Life magazine, captured the Grand Hotel servers on film - balancing serving trays all while gliding on one foot.

St. Moritz is located in the Engadine valley in the Swiss Alps, which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The city, which is known for its ski resorts, was host to the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics. The 1928 Winter Olympic Games was the first true Winter Games because it was not held in conjunction with the Summer Olympic Games.

The area, which was and is still popular with the jet set, “was a popular playground for many famous people,” according to the St. Moritz Tourism board. Alfred Hitchcock, Brigitte Bardot, Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo were all regular guests.

See the iconic photos Eisenstaedt captured of the skating waiters.