Tributes To Claire Pennell of Snowsport England
2nd June 2025
Last modified on August 26th, 2025
Claire Pennell passed away last Friday. She was part of the Snowsport England senior leadership team and responsible for operations.
Claire was the longest serving member of Snowsport England and well-known throughout the UK ski industry.
She joined Snowsport England in 2015.
She provided leadership for the organisation’s financial, HR and IT functions.
She was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business running smoothly and responsible for ensuring that effective methods were in place so that the company ran to its maximum productivity.
Snowsport England has posted this tribute on its web site:
“It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news that our colleague, friend and mentor Claire Pennell passed away unexpectedly in hospital last Friday after a short illness.
“Claire was a part of the Snowsport England senior leadership team and responsible for our operations.
“As the longest serving member of the team, she was well known throughout the snowsports community.
“Alongside her operational role, Claire was there for us all.
“Despite many attempts by members, Claire wasn’t a skier or snowboarder, but she was at the very heart of the Snowsport England family.
“She fielded calls from tutors with difficult candidates and candidates with difficult tutors.
“She charmed ski centres and officials, finding a solution where needed and bringing people together.
“She loved snowsports gossip and knew all of our foibles.
“Claire knew who needed gentle encouragement to get things done and occasionally when to wield a very large stick.
“Claire was the Encyclopedia Britannica of Snowsport England.
“Her love of people combined with her length of service meant that she not only knew the answers to our questions (or knew someone who did) but she also knew how to say ‘No’ so it felt like ‘Yes’.
“For many of us, Claire was an irreplaceable combination of friend, fixer and occasionally confessor.
“When it comes to Snowsports England, perhaps the best epitaph anyone can have is that simply everyone liked Claire.
“Claire leaves behind her sons Jamie and Josh, her mother Ann, brother Derren, friends and family.
“She will be incredibly missed by all of us.
“Her family are currently working through the funeral arrangements and any opportunities for members to show their respects and to support her family will be shared in due course.
“On behalf of the entire Snowsport England team, past and present, we ask you to keep Claire and her family in your thoughts and prayers as we offer our condolences.”
GB Snowsport has reacted to the news.
“Everyone at GB Snowsport is deeply saddened to hear the news of Claire Pennell’s passing.
“Claire was a much-loved and widely-admired member of the British snowsport community, and her contribution to the sport will be greatly missed.
“All of our thoughts are with Claire’s family and friends at this time.”
There has also been reaction from the British Association of Ski & Snowboard Instructors, BASI.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Claire,” said BASI in a statement.
“On behalf of everyone at BASI, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all at Snowsport England.
“Claire was a well-known and highly respected member of the snowsports community.
“Her presence and professionalism left a lasting impression on many.
“Our thoughts are with all those who knew and worked with her during this difficult time.”
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