Happy Birthday Iglu Ski

31st October 2023

Last modified on November 6th, 2023

The pioneering ski agent is 25-years old. All those years ago it recognised that the future of booking a ski holiday was using digital technology with real-time information to put the customer at the heart of the process. 400, 000 people have reaped the rewards.

Like many successful businesses it started with a simple idea.

One that came along at the right place at the right time, and above all was fuelled by passion.

Step forward the Iglu founder and current chairman, Richard Downs.

“Back in 90s I was so frustrated trying to book a ski holiday with my mates.

“We’d meet in the pub on a Sunday evening with a magazine from Lunn Polly or someone.

“Argue about who could afford what and where we wanted to go. No consensus appeared then we’d meet a week later and come to a compromise.

“By the time that happened the holiday had gone, or the price had gone up.

“We tried teletext – it was even worse.

“So, I had an idea – live pricing and availability to deliver ski holidays direct to people.”

He made his comments at a party and presentation in Wimbledon, Iglu’s base, to mark the milestone birthday.

Iglu Ski is 25 years old. Image © PlanetSKI

Iglu claims its agility, customer-focus and innovative technical approach have led to its success.

Iglu Ski teamed up with holiday providers and sold their product in a ‘seamless online search, booking and after-sales service, enhanced with expert sales agents who offer unbiased advice to assist each customer’.

Iglu simply gives people the information they need in real-time to book a holiday.

With expert advice available online and the rest a phone call away.

Here is their home page as the company launched in 1998:

Iglu Ski is 25 years old. Image © PlanetSKI

See here for the current Iglu Ski home page.

By 2005 Iglu Ski was the No 1 UK ski holiday provider.

It has survived the Dot.com crash, Brexit, Covid and claims a bright future despite the current economic climate.

Iglu remains the UK’s largest ski travel agency, offering over 200 ski resorts across 18 countries and three continents.

So, what about the present and the future for Iglu Ski?

It’s current MD is Simon McIntyre who joined in 2018.

Iglu Ski is 25 years old. Image © PlanetSKI

“Iglu is committed to growth in the next 25 years and beyond through responding to customer needs, providing millions more holidays to choose from, and making online transactions with Iglu even more seamless,” said Simon McIntyre.

“A focus on offering accessible and sustainable holidays will be key to success.

“For example, Iglu reports an increase in ‘Green Curiosity’ as customers explore ways of taking ski holidays whilst protecting the environment.”

It also supports the charity, Disability Snowsports UK.

Image c/o DSUK

See here for more details on Iglu Ski.

Milestone Dates

1998 Iglu.com founded by Richard Downs
2001 dot.com crash flooring 52% of online companies
2005 Hit first £1m profit target
2006 Iglu Cruise opens with 6 staff
2012 Reached £90m turnover
2013 Acquisition of Planet Cruise to become the UK’s largest cruise agent
2016 Iglu wins Best Call Centre and Best Cruise Agent in TTG’s Top 50 Agents
2017 Major expansion into Europe
2020 Iglu win Top Online Agency in the TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies awards for the second time
2022 Works hand-in-hand with suppliers and the wider industry to rebuild travel, safely
2023 25th anniversary, winning Online Agency of the Year for the fifth time in Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards

The 25th anniversary of Iglu is being celebrated in the traditional way.

With a birthday cake.

Iglu Ski is 25 years old. Image © PlanetSKI

TODAY’S HOT OFFERS

French Alps by Rail from St. Pancras International

It’s easy and environmentally friendly to jump on a train and enjoy a day’s comfortable and convenient train travel to the Alps.

Iglu Ski offers 7 nights from £719 per person self-catering, based on two sharing at the 4* Résidence L’Altaviva, Tignes, France, departing St. Pancras International (change at Lille and Lyons) and travelling to Bourg St. Maurice on January 13, 2024 and including transfers to resort. Train to Tignes

All Inclusive Ski and Spa from £957 was £1,091

There are plenty of woodland runs in Serre-Chevalier, where our French All Inclusive offer is based.

Suiting all levels of skiers, boarders and cross-country skiers, there are also snow parks to explore.

Here a buffet breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal with wine and all inclusive drinks from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and all inclusive spirits at lunchtime and in the evenings are included daily.

Iglu Ski offers 7 nights from £957 per person all inclusive based on two sharing at the 3* Sowell Hotel Le Parc and Spa, Serre Chevalier, France, departing Birmingham (-£151 Gatwick; -£79 Glasgow -£151 Manchester) on January 14, 2024 and including transfers. Serre Chevalier

Chalet Special – Exclusive to Iglu Ski – Guiding & Coaching Inclusive – January 2nd

With free guiding and coaching included in this Andorra ski holiday, skiers and boarders can make huge progress.

Iglu Ski offer 5 nights from £729 per person, based on two sharing at the 3* Chalet Motxo, El Tartar, Andorra on catered board with wine at supper, flying from London Gatwick on January 2, 2024 and including transfers. Andorra

Green Resort – Kaprun leads the way

Head to Kaprun to take care of the planet.

The entire resort – all cable cars, lifts and catering establishments – is supplied with 100 percent green electricity.

Iglu Ski offers 7 nights from £619 per person (was £823), based on two sharing at the 3* Pension Bergheil, Kaprun, Austria, on B&B, flying from East Midlands (Gatwick +£104; Glasgow +£72; Manchester +£72) on March 2, 2024 and including transfers. Kaprun

Half-Term Catered Chalet at High Altitude – February 17th

Catered deals can still be had for February half term at high altitude.

Try La Rosière, France, a traditional French alpine village which is perfect for families.

Kids will quickly gain confidence on the relatively quiet pistes while adventurous adults can take off for a day’s heli-skiing in Italy.

Iglu Ski has 7 nights’ catered board from £1,130 per person based on a family of four in two rooms staying at the 3* Chalet Papillon 1, La Rosière, France on catered board, flying from Manchester on February 17, 2024 and including transfers. Half-Term Chalet

Half-Board & Friendly Hotel at Christmas – December 23rd

Enjoy a convivial family Christmas in the pretty and welcoming St. Johann in Tirol.

Iglu Ski offer 7 nights at the 3* Hotel Fischer, St. Johann in Tirol, Austria, from £832 per person, was £1,185, based on two sharing, on half board, flying from London Gatwick (Birmingham -£18; Manchester -£17; Bristol -£9, East Midlands -£12) on December 23, 2023 and including transfers.

The same holiday is available on January 6, 2024 from Glasgow -£121. Austrian Christmas

January fun for a small group

Ski high for a brilliant January holiday with friends.

Iglu Ski suggests 7 nights from £449 per person based on four sharing a self-catering apartment, staying at the 2.5* Le Hameau du Borsat Apartments, Tignes Val Claret, France, flying from London Gatwick or London Heathrow (Glasgow +£389; Manchester +£100; Edinburgh +£49; Bristol +£100; Birmingham +£149) on January 6, 2024 and including transfers. Jan Fun

Short Break, Lift Pass Included from £962 was £1,015

Here’s a quick and easy ski trip to take just before Christmas.

We offer three nights chez Club Med, whose All Inclusive offering is second to none.

Club Med includes all meals with wine, beer and soft drinks, and a lift pass and ski classes.

Iglu Ski offers three nights from £962 per person all inclusive based on two sharing at the 3* Club Med Arcs Extreme, Les Arcs 2000, France departing London Heathrow on December 17, 2023 and including transfers. Arcs Extreme