A Beginner is someone who has never ridden the Cresta Run before. As a Beginner you will receive special treatment on your first day of riding: an introductory talk from the Secretary and instruction, before your first 3 rides, from the Club 'Gurus' - senior SMTC Members with vast experience of teaching new riders how to ride. You are only a Beginner on your first day ever of riding the Cresta Run. After that you are deemed to be a Supplementary List Rider (SL). You can sign up as an SL Rider for subsequent days after your Beginners' School in order to achieve your 5 rides. You may be eligible to enter for races (at the discretion of the Secretary) provided there is sufficient availability. Members will have priority over SL riders.
Non-members on the Supplementary List become temporary Members for one season as ‘SL Riders’ or ‘SLs’. After their first day of instruction, a Beginner is deemed to be an SL rider and as such may enter to ride in subsequent Practice days, as well as designated races (at the discretion of the Secretary).
If you arrive any later than these times, you will not be allowed to ride.
Riding in December: Beginners must arrive by 07:45 at the latest. The Run opens at 08:30.
Riding in January & February: Beginners must arrive by 07:15 at the latest.The Run opens at 08:00.
Beginners must be at the Clubhouse at least 45 minutes before the Run opens. Late arrivals will not be allowed to ride.
In the Lower Dressing Room, check that your name is on the Beginners Riding List and get your riding equipment of helmet, boots, knee and elbow pads and handguards. Complete a registration card. Club Assistants will be in the Dressing Room to help you through this process. Once you have all your kit, take your registration card to the Bar area upstairs, to have your details confirmed on the riding system. You will then have an introductory talk by the Secretary and meet your 'Guru' (Instructor) before riding.
You are only a Beginner on your first ever day on the Cresta Run. Subsequently, you are deemed to be an SL rider, and as such you need to arrive at the Clubhouse in time to add your name to the SL Practice list in the Dressing Room. You should then collect your riding kit, get ready, and wait for your name to be called to ride when the Run opens.
The Club tries very hard to ensure that Beginners get two, perhaps three, rides on their first day, and then at least one ride a day during practice riding thereafter. It is recommended that SLs allow at least 3 riding days to guarantee five rides. The SMTC is a private Club, and Members have priority.
Upon booking your Beginner School you shall be asked for the full upfront payment of CHF 700, which includes your first 5 rides, equipment and tuition.
For cancellations with more than 1 week’s notice prior to your booking you are entitled to a CHF 500 refund.
For cancellations with less than 1 week’s notice prior to your booking we are unable to offer a refund, but you may send someone else in your place.
Fairly tough clothing such as jeans or cords, thick socks and a warm jacket or thick jersey. If possible, SL riders should bring their own ski-gloves and goggles. The Club provides the rest of the riding equipment.
As a Beginner you can book for your first day of riding by choosing a Practice session from our online calendar and following the instructions there. Should your preferred session be full, please email mail@cresta-run.com and we will check availability and do our best to accommodate you. Beginners are required to review and agree to our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.
There are over forty highly competitive races, and riding takes place every morning of the week
Browse the calendarMembers are elected from applicants who have ridden on the Supplementary List
Ride the CrestaThe first Cresta Run was completed in January 1885 and took nearly nine weeks to build
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