One little New Year piggy …

31st December 2009, by Chris Gill

Trotting to the finish line

How do you celebrate the new year? In Klosters they go racing – but not with horses or dogs, or even a ski race; they race pigs.

The Klosters Hotsch Race takes place every New Year’s Day, when ten piglets compete in a race around the Bahnhofsplatz. They are thought to be good luck mascots for the year ahead.

Around 2000 spectators are expected to cheer on the little piggies, toast the new year and enjoy the party atmosphere in Klosters. There will be also be a new year’s speech by the President of the Local Council, followed by live music from Supreme, food and drink.

And the lucky pigs? Well, they enter the race fully prepared of course – ‘trained’ on a local farm and hoping to be crowned ‘2010 Good Luck Pig’.

If you come across other unusual new year traditions taking place in ski resorts – or are joining in the fun – we’d love to hear about them …

HAPPY NEW YEAR from all at Where to Ski & Snowboard

• klosters
• new year
• hotsch
• pigs

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