AS the temperatures plummet and snow is most definitely on the horizon, many of us choose the month of January to embrace the cold weather and venture to the highest mountains we can find in search of the perfect ‘pow’ for skiing and snowboarding.
But while skiing can be seen as an expensive hobby, excluding those without the financial means to take part, two budding Glasgow/London-based entrepreneurs have recognised these challenges and launched a new business to cut costs for customers.
Craig Everett and Angus Hardy, both 23, and both founders of Whiteout Ski, a next generation snow sports holiday provider aimed at making the process of booking a ski holiday as efficient and cheap as possible.
After asking themselves, “when have you ever heard anyone say that booking their ski holiday was easy?”, the pair decided to try their hand at running an affordable concierge service, tailored specifically to each customer.
Sure enough, they successfully organised a ski trip for a group of friends from university and Craig, a Glasgow graduate in Politics and Philosophy, says he discovered: “The ski market is stuck in the stone age and is extremely difficult to navigate.”
Economics graduate, Angus, adds: “Most major budget ski holiday providers make their money by charging large margins, but we were able to provide flights, chalet catered accommodation, transfers, hot tub, a pool and wine with dinner – all for just 10% more than that of the university ski trip.”
The company’s real difference lies in its booking process, which they operate via their social media channels.
According to Craig, they use Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp to ask their clients for four simple pieces of information – the number of people, the date, the desired location and the board level of accommodation – before speaking to their network and coming back with three packages they think will suit the clients’ needs.
He adds: “It really is as simple as someone messaging us with the statement, ‘group of eight, Val d’Isere, 10 February, catered accommodation with a hot tub.’”
After starting out in 2017, Whiteout Ski has now organised holidays for around 250 people, with a number of personal and corporate trips in the pipeline.
Their plans for the future include a brand promotion ski trip with event company, Itchy Feet, in March this year, and a venture they call 100HourHolidays, for which they have secured Intellectual Property, and which will specialise in long weekend get aways filled with physical activity.
The brand will offer surfing in Morocco, biking in Mallorca as well as climbing in the lake district, and Angus adds: “The beauty of it is that you’ll be able to leave your desk on a Thursday evening and return in time for a Monday morning start having just made memories that will last a life time.”
The pair are still taking bookings for winter holidays just now and will be shifting their focus to 100HourHolidays as the summer months approach.
Find out more at www.whiteoutski.com.
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