Alpine season opening
Mid-December· Courchevel · Gstaad · St. Moritz
Why the circuit stops here
The chalets open and the circuit goes uphill: Courchevel 1850’s palace hotels, Gstaad’s discreet old money, St. Moritz glitter: Christmas at altitude before the St. Barts exodus.
The money signal
Courchevel’s altiport is one of the few places ski lessons begin with a private-jet slot.
Book around the stop
with GetYourGuideCourchevel, Gstaad and St. Moritz open the same weeks. From St. Moritz, the Bernina line is the day off the slopes.
- Bernina Express: tickets and toursThe UNESCO railway over the Bernina Pass, from St. Moritz down to Tirano.See options
- St. Moritz: things to bookDay tours and transfers around the Engadin.See options
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Journal
Latest dispatches and guides from this stop.
Alpine season opening: the arrival map, 31 October
The December alpine circuit shifts to Courchevel, Gstaad and St. Moritz. A scheduled briefing on the altitude transition before the St. Barts exodus.
Read article DispatchAlpine season opening: when the circuit moves, 16 October
Read article DispatchAlpine season opening: the circuit shifts uphill, 25 September
Read articleWho's there
European and Gulf wealth wintering; the school-holiday plutocracy.
How they arrive
- Private aviation is the default: expect FBO slots and hotel helipads to be the real constraint, not tickets.
- Short-hop helicopter transfers beat the road traffic. This stop is built around its helipads.
On the calendar
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: season finale
Early December
Next stopAspen winter peak
Dec 20-Jan 3
Also in December: Art Basel Miami Beach · Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: season finale · Aspen winter peak · St. Barts New Year's