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Ignited by a generous £3,000 donation to Snow Camp in July 2022, Inghams and Esprit are working closely with the Snow Camp team to create tangible vocational opportunities within the group, whilst inspiring future generations to consider careers in the snowsports industry.
During the 22/23 winter season, young people from London, the Midlands, the North-West and Scotland travelled to Val D’isère in France as part of their year-long apprenticeship with Snow Camp. Joined by British Snowboard Olympian and Snow Camp Ambassador Jamie Nicholls, the Snow Camp young people experienced life in a ski resort and what it takes to work a season in the mountains.
Left to right Top – Helen Taylor (Inghams and Esprit), Bilal Ali (apprentice), Max Conway (apprentice), Daniella Hyman (apprentice), Calum Shovlin (apprentice), Omar Ibrahim (apprentice), Alex Hodgkiss (apprentice), Pete Henson (Inghams & Esprit). Left to right bottom – Jamie Nicholls (Olympic Snowboarder), Josh Clayton Turley (apprentice), Lamar Marie (apprentice), Toni Bullock (apprentice), and Damien Cashinella (Inghams & Esprit).
Looking to broaden horizons and open doors for these young people, Inghams and Esprit provided the apprentices with a taste of ski season living, exposure to mountain based career pathways, plus ski and snowboard lessons to enjoy the slopes. The first group of apprentices are now armed with new life skills and mountain experiences that have inspired them to seek further snow sport industry opportunities—and Inghams and Esprit are already planning to host another group of young apprentices in the Alps next winter.
The tour operators have also confirmed a 12 month internship in the Inghams and Esprit UK head office to give two of the 2023/24 Snow Camp apprentices first-hand experience of working in the industry and a career progression they had never imagined. The initiative launches in September 2023.
Apprentice, Max Conway said;
“I joined Snow Camp in 2019 after I had struggled to apply myself at school. For this reason, I had been suffering mentally.
Snow Camp takes disadvantaged inner-city kids and transforms their lives through snowsports, but for me the most important part is how so many young people who have been through some really difficult times, become part of something together and share their struggles with each other, realising they are not alone. The bonds that are formed throughout the programmes are unique and life-changing.
The opportunity to go out to Val D’Isère was amazing, I learned so much about the industry thanks to Inghams and Esprit, and got the chance to snowboard with inspiring athlete, Jamie Nicholls.”
The Hotelplan group, which includes Inghams Esprit and Santa’s Lapland, Director of Human Resources, Nicky Lyle commented:
“At Hotelplan UK our Inghams, Esprit and Santa’s Lapland brands are committed to increasing exposure and opening up career opportunities for all young people in the UK. No matter your background, gender or ethnicity, we welcome you to experience the joy of working a season with us. This initiative is just the first step in doing more to support young people’s snow sports and travel industry careers.”
Dan Keeley, Partnerships & Community Manager at Snow Camp added:
“We couldn’t be more grateful for Hotelplan’s commitment to supporting Snow Camp to break down barriers and broaden horizons for our young Apprentices embarking on their careers in the snowsports industry. Since 2003, we’ve worked in close collaboration with all corners of the UK snowsports industry, particularly with those who truly appreciate the power of snowsports to turn young lives around. It’s clear that the entire Hotelplan group embodies this shared vision and mission; truly going above & beyond to change the lives of our young people in our 20th anniversary year. “
Olympic Snowboarder Jamie Nicholls said:
“I’m honoured to be on board as an ambassador for this programme. It’s so important that we break down the boundaries and support people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to experience the amazing opportunities working in and enjoying snow sports can bring. Snowboarding and the industry can provide so much more than just fun on the snow, it’s about life skills and lifestyle too.
In Snow Camp’s 20th anniversary year, Inghams/Esprit and the Snow Camp team are looking forward to working even more closely together, including live activations during National Snow Week and throughout the 23/24 Snow Camp programme year running until July 1st 2024.
To read more about the partnership, please visit workaseason.com/about-us/snow-camp, espritski.com/about-us/snowcamp/ or inghams.co.uk/about-us/snow-camp. To speak with the Inghams/Esprit team about the partnership, please contact Elise Wortley, Elise.Wortley@hoteplan.co.uk. To speak with Snow Camp about the partnership, please contact Dan Keeley, Partnerships & Community Manager dan.k@snow-camp.org.uk.
Hotelplan UK Company Information
Hotelplan UK, owned by the leading Swiss co-operative retailer, Migros, is a well-established family of specialist tour operators, with a strong tradition of excellence and high standards of quality and service. Each company brand is incredibly passionate about its holidays.
Its winter business includes three differentiated winter sport and snow brands – Inghams, Esprit Ski – plus family favourite Santa’s Lapland, taking thousands of families to meet the “real” Santa above the Arctic Circle. The group also operate Work a Season to recruit seasonal staff for their winter brands.
Inghams has a popular summer experience holiday programme and a self-guided and escorted tours programme. While Inntravel offer self-guided walking and cycling holidays and Explore operates its adventure travel trips all year round.
