This February, Hotelplan UK's ski and snowboard holiday tour operators, Inghams and Esprit   launched an initiative in partnership with young person's charity, Snow Camp. The aim was to support inner city young people board apprenticeships, internships, qualifications and opportunities in snow sports. Without diversity and inclusion initiatives like these many young people would not have the access or confidence to broaden their horizons through snow sports. 

Young people from Manchester, Midlands, London and Glasgow, completed UK based apprentice schemes with Snow Camp, before travelling to Val-d'Isère's ski resort in France. Joined by British Snowboard Olympian, Jamie Nicholls, who himself grew up in Bradford, far from snowy mountains and has since become an ambassador for charity, Snow Camp, the young people experienced life in resort with tour operator hosts, Inghams and 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 are also offering a 12 month internship in the Inghams and Esprit UK head office to give one of the 2023/24 Snow Camp apprentices first-hand experience of working in the industry and a career progression they had never imagined.

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, Community & Partnerships 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.

Watch Jamie Nicholls interview the apprentices here.

Find a career with Inghams and Esprit via their recruitment provider at https://www.workaseason.com/ or for more information on the diversity and inclusion programmer visit https://www.workaseason.com/about-us/snow-camp for Work a Season, https://www.espritski.com/about-us/snowcamp/ for Esprit and https://www.inghams.co.uk/about-us/snow-camp for Inghams

ENDS:

Image credits: Inghams, Esprit and Work a Season

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.​

Snow Camp Charity Information

Snow Camp is a life-changing national youth charity dedicated to turning young lives around with the power of snowsports.

Established in 2003, Snow Camp's dedicated staff team break down barriers and broaden horizons for over 1000 vulnerable and at-risk young people annually, taking young people on a three-stage year-long journey at indoor slopes across the UK, culminating with a life-changing week in the mountains.

At every stage of the Snow Camp journey, young people gain invaluable life-skills, qualifications, mental-wellbeing support and vocational opportunities; empowering them to go onto many other positive destinations in life in the snowsports industry and beyond with renewed confidence, self-esteem and aspirations.

Visit snow-camp.org.uk to learn more.

Media: Contact details:  Jenny Nicholls, PR Manager jenny.nicholls@hotelplan.co.uk  07773205464