How to look the part on the piste

Milan may be Italy’s richest city, but no-one this weekend was talking about the markets or “Il New Deal di Obama”. The only topic during the Engadine treasure hunt is who is going ‘up” this weekend. “Up” means St Moritz, where from December until April, Milanese society is to be found every weekend munching apfelstrudel at Hanselman’s, hosting kitschy raclette parties in their houses at Zuoz or Celerina and possibly taking a run down the Trais Fluors or the Corvatsch.

Romans claim the more serious pedigrees, but what the Milanese miss on breeding they make up for in snottiness. Getting it wrong in St Moritz is horribly easy. I’m no champion skier, but for my first outing with my (ultra Milanese) husband I thought at least I looked the part. Black salopettes, matching waisted jacket with mink trim and even a jaunty co-ordinating fur toggle for my Grace Kelly ponytail. “