Momentum Ski Festival 2017: The English ‘Wall Street’ goes down today

The Momentum Ski Festival kicks of today in the Swiss Alps of Verbier, and it’s not your typical skiers racing down the slopes.

London’s financial elite head to the Swiss Alps for one of the biggest Alpine events of the year that kicks off today. Verbier's ski resort is recognized as one of the premier ski-resorts of the world, renowned for its steep and deep off-pistes (1,500 to 3,330m height). However, it’s not the typical crowd competing in Giant Slalom or Accenture Dual Parallel Slalom from the mountain tops.

The three day event (2nd-5th February) will witness competitors in all shapes and sizes when London’s equivalent of Wall Street head to the Alps. The business elite, journalists and former athletes will race in teams or singles at the Momentum Ski Festival, also known as the combined City Ski Championships and Financial Times Alpine Forum event.

The event is the brainchild of Amin Momen, a London tour operator specialised in skiing, and according to the event website, has evolved into a ski festival-networking weekend, where the focus is always on having a good time.

Financial Times, the event's media partner, will be hosting the FT Alpine Forum, where some of the biggest names in the financial and adventure industry will be panellists.

Former alpine ski racer Konrad Bartelski is not the only World Cup athlete who will take part in the event. Sprint and 100m hurdler Colin Jackson, former racing driver Damon Hill, and cycling and Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton will participate in the the City Ski Championship and the Financial Times Alpine Forum.

Jackson says, ”It's the right time of the year to do an event like this—fun in the sun and crisp snow under your feet.”

Follow the event on their Facebook Page.

Feature Image © Simon Owen / Red Photographic