Snow Polo Soirée: How to Host an Elegant Après-Match Gathering
An Equestrian Epicurean Exclusive
Step into the world of snow polo, where the thrill of the match meets the glamour of après festivities. Inspired by the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup & the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, this guide will help you recreate the luxurious ambiance of a snow polo match gathering in your own home.
Enjoy a 30-day free trial of the Equestrian Epicurean as our gift to you this holiday season!
Welcome!
From cozy cocktails to equestrian-inspired decor, it’s time to toast the winter season in style.
1. Setting the Scene: Snow Polo Chic
The Vibe: Upscale lodge meets equestrian charm.
Decor Ideas
Tablescape:
Use antlers, pheasant feathers, and soft glowing candles.
Add equestrian touches like miniature horse figurines, polo mallets, or leather accents.
Cozy Elements:
Faux fur throws and velvet cushions.
Warm lighting with lanterns or string lights
Entrance: Greet guests with champagne, and let the festivities begin.
Let’s Play Snow Polo Pong!
Rules & Gameplay
1. Standard Play
Play as regular beer pong, but with the champagne coupes and a snowy theme
Aim to bounce the orange (like the one used in snow polo) ping pong ball into the cups row
The team drinks from their Snow Polo Spritz (recipe below) when a cup is sunk, and the water cup is removed.
2. Frozen Cup Rule
If the ball lands in a frozen cup, it counts for 2 (freeze 4 cups ahead of time and replace them with new ones when your ready to play round 1)
3. Snowflake Re-rack
Each team gets one re-rack (excluding the goal shot). Once you get down to 7 cups, you can rerack into a snowflake (aka the honeycomb)
4. The Mallet Goal Shot
Once a team has only two cups left, they can activate the Mallet Goal Shot
Rearrange the last two cups into a goal shape with space between them
Instead of throwing, the team must use a mini polo mallet to hit the ball through the goal to win the game instantly
Each team can only attempt this once
Mini mallet https://www.amazon.com/12-Wooden-Polo-Mallet-Set/dp/B0CLWPKBCW
5. The Prize
The winning team of each round is the team to beat. Once every team has been defeated, the ultimate winning team gets the prize
Each player on the winning team gets a customized mini bottle of champagne
Tie to the champagne bottles https://thetotalequestrian.com/products/tan-plaid-polo-mallet-gold-plated
For Your Equestrian Epicureans
The Snow Polo Spritz
Champagne • Pear • Amaro Nonino • Winter Elegance
A crisp, luxurious spritz inspired by the sophistication of snow polo: sparkling, wintery, and effortlessly chic.
Ingredients (per cocktail):
3 oz Champagne (brut/dry for crispness)
1 oz White Pear Juice (cloudy works too, but clear looks sleeker)
1 oz Amaro Nonino
1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz Sparkling Water (optional for a lighter, more spritz-y version)
Ice (clear cubes or a single large cube preferred)
Garnish Options:
Thin pear slice (minimalist and elegant)
Thyme sprig (evokes snowy alpine branches)
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass with clear ice or one large ice cube.
Add pear juice, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice.
Stir gently to combine.
Top slowly with Champagne to preserve the bubbles.
Add a splash of sparkling water if you want a lighter spritz profile.
Garnish with a pear slice and/or thyme sprig.
Optional “Snow Upgrade” for Presentation
Lightly mist the pear slice or thyme sprig with lemon juice and dip just the edge in superfine sugar to create a frosted snow effect.
Serve in a chilled clear glass to mimic icy clarity.
Hot Toddy Bar
Set-Up
Heat Sources: Use insulated carafes, tea dispensers, or slow cookers to keep the tea bases hot.
Station Decor: Stick to a snow polo theme with silver-and-white accents, frosted greenery, and wooden trays for an upscale, wintry vibe.
Base Teas
Spiced Chai (bold and warming)
Earl Grey (classic and refined)
Rooibos Vanilla (caffeine-free, cozy)
Ginger-Lemon Herbal Tea (bright and zesty)
Smoky Lapsang Souchong (for adventurous guests)
Spirits
Whiskey (Bourbon, rye, or scotch)
Dark Rum
Brandy or Cognac
Sweeteners
Honey
Maple Syrup
Date Syrup
Agave Syrup
Citrus Options
Lemon Slices
Orange Slices
Dried Citrus Wheels
Spices and Garnishes
Cinnamon Sticks
Star Anise
Whole Cloves
Fresh Ginger Slices
Nutmeg (with a microplane for fresh grating)
Dehydrated Apple Slices
Instructions for Guests
Choose Your Tea Base: Guests pour their preferred tea into a heatproof glass or mug.
Add Spirit: A bartender or guest adds their chosen spirit
Sweeten It: Guests stir in their favorite sweetener
Garnish: Top with a cinnamon stick, citrus slice, or star anise for flavor and presentation
Display Notes
Display mugs so guests can serve themselves.
Label the tea dispensers, carafes, and garnishes for clarity.
Use tiered trays or wooden boards for garnishes and sweeteners.
Provide mixing tools like spoons and honey dippers.
Add elegant touches such as snowflakes, faux snow, frosted pinecones & greenery, small wooden sleds, or polo mallets to create a snow polo-inspired aesthetic.
Fondue Bar
Offer three types of fondue
Savory Cheese Fondue
Broth for Cooking Meats (Savory Hot Pot Style)
Decadent Chocolate Fondue
Each station is styled with white and silver serving ware, ski-lodge-inspired touches (wooden boards, mini sleds for serving trays), and snowy elements such as frosted greenery or faux snow.
Set-Up & Equipment
Fondue Pots: Use electric or flame-fueled pots to maintain consistent heat.
Small Plates: White porcelain or clear glass for an elegant touch.
Skewers/Forks: Provide reusable stainless steel fondue forks or biodegradable wooden skewers (polo mallet skewers if possible).
Theming: Add white faux fur or cozy fabric table runners for a wintery ski chalet vibe. Include small signs to label each fondue type.
Serving Platters: Arrange dipping items on wooden charcuterie boards or mirrored trays for a refined look.
Cheese Fondue Station
Ingredients
Fondue Cheese Mix
50% Gruyère
50% Emmental
1 cup dry white wine per pot (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc)
Garlic, nutmeg, and a splash of Kirsch (cherry brandy)
Dipping Items
Breads: Sourdough cubes, baguette slices, pretzel bites
Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cherry tomatoes
Proteins: Cubed ham, cocktail sausages
Extras: Apples, pears, roasted potatoes
Display Notes
Arrange breads and vegetables in neat rows on wooden boards
Serve in front of a small mountain-themed backdrop or a miniature wooden ski slope for fun
Meat Fondue Station
Ingredients
Broth Base Options
Beef stock with garlic, rosemary, and thyme
Chicken stock with ginger and lemongrass
Vegetarian broth with miso and scallions
Meats (pre-portioned for easy skewering)
Red: Beef tenderloin or venison
Poultry: Ostrich or chicken breast
Seafood: Shrimp or scallops
Vegan: Tofu or mushrooms
Sauces for Dipping
Horseradish cream sauce
Chimichurri
Teriyaki glaze
Dijon mustard sauce
Garlic aioli
Display Notes
Serve meats in labeled bowls over ice to keep fresh
Include small burners with broth-filled fondue pots in front of a rustic wooden display
Chocolate Fondue Station
Ingredients
Chocolate Base
Dark chocolate with heavy cream (classic and rich).
Milk chocolate with hazelnut liqueur for a sweeter option
White chocolate with vanilla or a splash of amaretto
Dipping Items
Fruits: Strawberries, pineapple, banana slices, raspberries
Baked Goods: Marshmallows, brownies, pound cake cubes, biscotti.
Savory-Sweet Options: Pretzels, potato chips
Other Treats: Coconut macaroons, Oreos, graham crackers
Display Notes
Place fruit on tiered stands for height variation
Use metallic or frosted bowls for marshmallows and baked goods
Crank up The Tunes With “The Greatest Winter Jazz Tunes” On Spotify!
…or hire a live band if your budget allows!
Be Creative & Have Fun!
If you’re in our neighborhood, you can attend the 35th Annual Ligonier Ice Fest! Over 50 ice sculptures! Grab a warm drink and admire the ice masterpieces around “The Diamond”.
-Rebecca & Janet Winters