Skipedia

The sad demise of the catered chalet ski holiday

by iain on Sep 25, 2023 • 8 Comments

Looking through a recent survey from Le Ski, I was struck by one stat in particular. While it was encouraging to read that the number of UK skiers and snowboarders is predicted to grow by 14% in winter 2023/24, the fact that only 13% stay in catered chalets highlighted how...

Ideas

Will ChatGPT make ‘ski experts’ redundant?

by iain on May 11, 2023 • No Comments

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is changing fast. A few years ago, it was just the name of one of Steven Spielberg’s less good movies, but in 2023 AI has moved from the world of ‘futurologists’ into the mainstream. The chances are that even if you haven’t tried ChatGPT (or Google’s ‘Bard’),...

Iain / Ideas / Tour Operators

‘Parrots in the Snow: the rise and fall of Bladon Lines’ – article in ‘Ski+Board’ magazine

by iain on Mar 8, 2023 • 3 Comments

Iain’s article ‘Parrots in the Snow: the rise and fall of Bladon Lines‘ has now been published in ‘Ski+Board’ magazine. It’s also now available as a special episode of The Ski Podcast My first experience of working in the ski industry came 35 years ago when I went to Chatel...

Iain / Resorts

Ski Touring in Morocco: A Photo Essay

by iain on Feb 8, 2019 • No Comments

Iain from Skipedia recently went ski touring in Morocco. Flying into Marrakech, and then travelling to Imlil (1740m), Iain then spent three nights at the Refuge des Mouflons (3207m), ski touring to different 4000m peaks. Ski hire was from Braemar Mountain Sports, guiding and logistics were organised by Toubkal Guide. You...

Resorts / Tour Operators

‘I’m a modern-day Batman’ says anti-ESF campaigner

by iain on Nov 2, 2014 • No Comments

These are difficult days for the ESF in the UK. The current legal cases against Simon Butler and Le Ski have stirred up plenty of negative sentiment within the British market against the ESF. Both cases – which deal with different aspects of the law – are currently at different...

Tour Operators

Why do chalet girls bake a cake every day?

by iain on Aug 13, 2011 • 2 Comments

Okay, not strictly anything to do with marketing, but just for fun… So why do chalet girls bake a cake every day? As far as I know chalets have always left out a cake for their guests to tuck into for ‘afternoon tea’. After a long day on the slopes,...

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Social Media

Wiggle swap bike for car in massive Twitter win

by iain on Nov 28, 2012 • No Comments

When Jonny Heneghan tweeted that he was prepared to swap his car for a new bike, he did not expect any response from Wiggle – the online sports retailer. But the Portsmouth-based company called his bluff by replying ‘Sounds like a fair trade’ and this weekend Heneghan picked up his new Mekk bike as well...

Advertising / Resorts

Ischgl target UK market with new TV advert

by iain on Nov 23, 2012 • 1 Comment

Although not unknown in the UK market, it is rare to see ski advertising on British TV. Crystal Ski advertised on TV last year This time last year, buoyed by Travel Alberta’s marketing dollars, Crystal Ski ran their first ever TV advert. The ad screened nationally during the winter on Channel 4, Film 4, E4...

Ideas

The best ecommerce confirmation email ever?

by iain on Nov 21, 2012 • No Comments

Not snowsports, but great customer service deserves a recognition whenever it’s seen. So just check out this superb confirmation email from Firebox – possibly the best ecommerce confirmation email ever? By Iain Martin

Tour Operators

How an ESF Flash Mob in London turned from PR gold to #socialmediafail

by iain on Nov 21, 2012 • 5 Comments

Over recent weeks Frances Montagnes has been heavily trailing a Flash Mob event, due to take place in two locations in London on 22 November. The event, which has its own dedicated website, was due to see 250 ESF ski instructors flown in specially from Grenoble to perform a ‘specially choreographed tribute’ that they had...

Advertising

Direct Ski start class war with new ski advertising campaign

by iain on Nov 14, 2012 • 3 Comments

It’s hard not to like the marketing team at Direct Ski. This time last year they were challenging Crystal to a punch up, this year it’s class war. Although we’d question if Spencer is actually a posh name, the point is one the snowsports industry should encourage, if perhaps not in such crude terms. Skiing...

Resorts / Social Media

‘Life is good’ in St Anton with viral video hit

by iain on Nov 9, 2012 • 1 Comment

We defy you not to smile when you watch this video from St Anton am Arlberg. In 2 minutes and 22 seconds they manage to capture everything that makes a ski holiday. As the backing song goes, ‘Life is good, life is great’ and this video hits the mark perfectly. There’s a reason why it’s...

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