The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Amin Momen is a man in perpetual motion- an architect of extraordinary experiences where high-octane adventure, refined gastronomy, and the thrill of the Alps converge. As the founder of Momentum Experiences (formerly Momentum Ski), he has transformed luxury travel into a seamless fusion of ski racing, gourmet indulgence, and exhilarating road trips through Europe’s most spectacular landscapes. His ventures range from the City Ski Championships, a high-profile annual gathering where London’s financial elite swap trading floors for slalom courses, to intimate, high-performance drives through the Alps alongside Formula 1 legend Damon Hill and supermodel Jodie Kidd. In collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal – owner of The Fat Duck, Momen has also curated an Alpine culinary showcase called the Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience, that brings together some of the finest chefs in the world, from Emily Le Roux, Marcus Wareing, Jean-Phillipe Blondet and Tom Kerridge, for a weekend of indulgence in Courmayeur.
Born in Italy and raised in Tehran before the revolution, Momen’s love affair with the mountains began early. As a child, he would gaze at the peaks of the Elburz range while his family drove along the Caspian coast, captivated by the slopes and the skiers who carved through them. When his sister took up skiing, he was determined to follow suit, striking a deal with his father- improve his school results, and he’d be rewarded with his first pair of skis. By eight, he
was spending his weekends on the mountains, a sandwich stuffed in his pocket, lost in the sheer exhilaration of the sport. That passion led him to the Alps, where he first worked as a ski guide before launching his own company “I was working for a tour operator when it was sold to Inghams,” he recalls. “I took a leap of faith, pulled over on the motorway in Milan, and called Companies House to register my own business.; But it was a late-night drink with journalist Alistair Scott that sealed the name. He suggested ‘Momentum’—it had my name in it and captured the essence of moving forward. That was my eureka moment.”
What began as a bespoke ski travel company soon became something far greater. In 1996, Momen founded the City Ski Championships, an event that has since become a cornerstone of London’s financial community. Originally held in Courmayeur before moving to Crans Montana, it combines world-class ski racing with an atmosphere of camaraderie and high-level networking. Sponsored by The Financial Times, the event has drawn Olympians, business titans, and celebrities, with British skiing legend Graham Bell and Formula One Champ Damon Hill among the regulars as well as comedians like Marcus Brigstocke.
Recognising the appetite for immersive experiences, Momen expanded into the world of gastronomy. In partnership with Blumenthal, he launched a weekend where Michelin-starred chefs take over the finest dining spots in Courmayeur, offering guests the ultimate après-ski experience -whether they hit the slopes or opt for snowshoeing and dog sledding instead. Momentum’s transformation didn’t stop there. With a deep love of motoring, Momen launched the Grand Tour experience -an annual exclusive driving journey through the Alps, often with F1 royalty in tow. Last year, to mark the 60th anniversary of Goldfinger, he retraced the legendary Swiss route from the film with Damon Hill, his son Josh, and supermodel-turned-racing-driver Jodie Kidd.
With Momentum now encompassing ski, gastronomy, and motoring, the company has shed its original moniker to become Momentum Experiences “When we started in 1996, our mission was to offer expert travel advice and unforgettable adventures,” says Momen. “Our clients have inspired us to expand beyond winter sports. This rebrand reflects our evolution and our ambition.”
Yet, for all the grand-scale productions, Momen remains committed to the personal touch. “From day one, I wanted to treat everyone like a friend. I’ve been lucky to ski the Alps for over 30 years, to build relationships with incredible people, and to create something that’s about more than just a holiday.” His ambition? To keep pushing boundaries, whether that’s heli-skiing in Alaska before an afternoon of fishing or crafting events that transcend the usual definitions of luxury. This is about more than five-star hotels and fine dining,” he says. “It’s about access to experiences that money alone can’t buy.”
