Courmayeur Mont Blanc opens for the highly anticipated 2023/2024 ski season on 8th December 2023. Courmayeur, situated in the heart of the Italian Alps, offers more than just a season of exhilarating slope. The traditional ski resort provides an extensive calendar of enticing culinary and family events amidst the stunning snow-capped peaks, complementing its well-loved skiing experience. In a continued collaboration with Momentum Ski, the highly anticipated Gourmet Ski returns to the resort, a high-end culinary weekend welcoming back two internationally acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs, Jean-Philippe Blondet and Claude Bosi, promising an extraordinary culinary experience. This season, Courmayeur Mont Blanc will also be hosting two Family Ski Week’s for the first time, expanding its schedule to include Christmas festivities, in addition to the usual Easter activities.
During the UK’s colder months, Courmayeur becomes a captivating destination with pristine slopes, scenic views, and various activities. Ideal for mountain enthusiasts, it offers heliskiing, off-piste and cross-country skiing, ice skating, fat biking, hiking, dogsledding, snowshoeing, and climbing. Non-skiers can enjoy the Skyway Monte Bianco cableway, wine tasting, and snowshoeing on Mont Blanc glacier. Accessible from Geneva, Turin, and Milan airports, Courmayeur boasts 43km of slopes, reaching an elevation of nearly 2,800m, making it a great choice for a quick weekend getaway. Ski packages are available through leading tour operators like Momentum Ski, Ski Solutions and Inspiring Travel Company. Additionally, a regular Eurostar service connects London to Chamonix Mont Blanc, offering a stress-free alternative to flying, with an average travel time of 20 hours.
Courmayeur’s Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience Returns
Created by Momentum Ski and Heston Blumenthal OBE, Courmayeur’s Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience has a renowned and well-deserved reputation for attracting outstanding chefs to Courmayeur’s gourmet haven. Taking place from 22nd and 23rd March 2024, Gourmet Ski presents two distinct experiences, led by two of London’s top Michelin-starred chefs with international acclaim. This season’s edition welcomes back Jean-Philippe Blondet, the three-star Michelin Executive Chef of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, for the second consecutive year. Joining him is Claude Bosi, the two-star Michelin Executive Chef of Bibendum. This year’s Gourmet Ski experience introduces a novel addition: an après-ski barbecue, accommodating up to 150 guests – an event bigger and better than ever before. The two-day programme is as follows:
Family Ski Week
Following the resounding success of the Family Ski Week during Easter this year, it returns for a Christmas adventure from the 17th to the 23rd of December 2023. Hosted by Momentum Ski and partnered with Archy Events and the Monte Bianco Ski School, this special week includes the kids holiday club and group ski lessons. Family Ski Week will also be an annual Easter tradition, taking place from the 25th of March to the 1st of April 2024. Recognising the potential stress of skiing holidays for families, particularly those with young, inexperienced members, Archie and his team at the club aim to streamline the experience. The team transports children from their hotels to the ski school, providing ski rentals, lunch, and a full schedule of afternoon and evening activities. This ensures that parents have ample time to enjoy Courmayeur’s exceptional restaurants and facilities, both on and off the slopes.
Additional Culinary Offerings
In downtown Courmayeur, a new addition to the culinary scene is ARTST, a vibrant coffee shop run by a group of local youth, dedicated to excellent food and locally sourced products. ARTST transcends being a mere bakery or coffee shop; it is a place where guests can relax and engage with others in the name of art. A venue where you can stop for a quick coffee, enjoy a snack or a healthy meal, and simply savor the surroundings. ARTST will also host exhibitions and live music. The soft launch is scheduled for the 8th of December, with the official opening set for the 15th of December. Owner, Jean Pierre and Pastry Chef Valeria Liberti, are set to blend high pastry and art, drawing inspiration from the peaks of the Aosta Valley that envelop their shop, aiming to captivate both the eyes and the taste buds of their customers.
Accommodation Offerings
Accommodation ranges from 3 to 5*, and there is something suited to all tastes and styles. For true alpine luxury, Le Massif is a modern mountain hideaway whilst Auberge de la Maison provides a traditional lodge experience. Renovated last year, Gran Baita Hotel & Wellness Resort affords one of the best locations in town and offers a boutique feel.