Winter sports enthusiasts from the Gulf are being invited to take part in an exclusive alpine race organised by three prestigious luxury brands in France’s most famous ski destination. 

The annual Hublot slalom, which will be held on February 18, is one of highlights of Courchevel’s winter season and will be held in the heart of the renowned Trois Vallées.

The Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot Slalom is holding the event in partnership with the ski-in ski-out Cheval Blanc Courchevel resort and the ESF ski school at Courchevel 1850.

The competition, says Hublot, will showcase excellence in sport, elegance and emotion. 

Enthusiasts can register at the hotel or ESF Courchevel 1850 and participants will compete in tandem with an instructor from the ski school.

Following the slalom, the resort’s White Bar will host a cocktail party during which Hublot will show off one of its new creations, the Arturo Fuente ForbiddenX, a tribute to one of the world’s most sought-after cigar from Cuba’s Arturo Fuente.

This outstanding chronograph, which dial features real tobacco leaves, is delivered in a humidor cigar box made in genuine ebony wood and carbon, specially developed by the Swiss watchmaker, and evocative of a treasure trunk.

Cigar connoisseurs and watch collectors will be able to indulge in an exclusive cigar tasting accompanied by Hennessy cognac in the resort’s Mongolian cigar yurt, where the Hublot humidor will also be showcased.

Cheval Blanc Courchevel is a contemporary ski-in ski-out maison located in the prestigious jardin alpin of Courchevel 1850, with direct access to the world’s largest ski area, Les Trois Vallées. 

With just 36 elegant rooms and suites, the property is an intimate and inviting haven where impeccable, personalised service creates an easy going and friendly atmosphere. It is home to the Cheval Blanc Spa, with signature treatments by Guerlain, the two-Michelin-star restaurant Le 1947 by Yannick Alléno, and the White for all-day dining. 

The White Bar and a warm and cosy cigar lounge offer a laid-back setting for the end of the day, while younger guests can complete their outdoor experiences with Le Carrousel and Paddock. 

Cheval Blanc is a luxury brand of LVMH.

Hublot’s Arturo Fuente ForbiddenX is part of its Classic Fusin collection and was recently launched in Dubai, UAE.

It’s the second such watch to be launched in collaboration with the famed cigar manufacturer and follows the success of the King Power Arturo Fuente watch unveiled in 2012.

The watches feature real tobacco leaves in their dial, the same ones used in the prestigious ForbiddenX cigar. 

The watches are delivered in their own little treasure chest of a display case; a veritable wooden ‘humidor’ cigar box, specially developed by Hublot to regulate the humidity and ensure the cigars are stored in perfect condition.

Measuring 45 mm in diameter, the watches are designed in a shade of brown which works in perfect harmony with the colour of the tobacco leaves in the dials. 

With a brown ceramic bezel, they are available in a choice of four different versions: a titanium version, a black ceramic version, a King Gold version and a luxury version equipped with a tourbillon movement. The latter is available in an exclusive run of just 13 numbered pieces. 

The watches are priced at €28,300 for the King Gold version, €12,300 for the black ceramic and €11,400 for the titanium.