Fact Files: Gareth
Over the years we receive superb feedback on the knowledge, passion and experience of team here at Ski Independence. So we thought it would be an idea to give you a bit of an insight into who's who..
To start things off, here's Gareth, our Sales Manager:
For the benefit of our readers could you explain your role at Ski Independence and what you’re responsible for?
I do a bit of everything which keeps my days varied. The bit I enjoy the most though is booking the most amazing holidays for our clients (and myself). Another enjoyable aspect of my job is working with a great bunch of hotel, transfer and on mountain suppliers from all over the world. You get to meet some fantastic people and I think they like working with us too – hence the reason we get some of the best ski deals in the market! We have a fantastic team here in the office and the job wouldn’t be the same without them – I love every minute of my working week with them. Don’t quote me on that over the busiest parts of the season please…!
[caption id="attachment_2258" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Gareth (left), Sales Manager, enjoying Aspen & the view of the Highland Bowl[/caption]
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to work for Ski Independence?
After leaving school I worked in retail, many different roles in just under 10 years. Just before my 10 year anniversary in the job I thought I would head off and find a different place to work, I couldn’t see myself there for many more years. My travels took me to Australia where I spent a great year travelling and working and I thought a job in travel would suit once I came back home. I was in no hurry to find a new employer and chose carefully – I wanted to find a place I would like to stay and I have certainly found that. Why would I move when I work for the best ski company in the UK?
What is the most interesting part of your job as Sales Manager?
I love my contact with our suppliers in resort. I get to see them in the resorts once in a while (not often enough) but they come over and see us in Edinburgh and we always have a fun night out. A few sore heads the next day too! We have great relationships and work together to make sure that our clients are the number one priority before, during and after their holiday.
[caption id="attachment_2259" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Team Whistler taking a tour of Scotland with the Ski Independence team[/caption]
What are some of your favourite Ski Independence destinations and do you have any top tips to share?
- Panorama offers the very best value for money in Canada.
- Whistler does it all brilliantly.
- Banff has possibly the most stunning scenery in all of North America – but then again some of the runs in Tahoe, California would push that!
- Aspen is not all ‘fur coat brigade’ and has some of the most laid back residents in the USA and Highlands Bowl...word fails me, go try it!
- The back bowls in Vail make you feel you’re the only one for miles around, when the snow falls and the sun shines there is no better place!
- Montgenevre is a hidden gem and you can get untouched powder three days after a storm!
- Espace Killy (Tignes and Val d’Isere) has possibly the best lift system in the Alps and has some good lift served access even for a skier of limited ability (yes, me!)
- I spent one night in Saas Fee and am itching to go back. All of the skers I spoke to had been on the mountain and raved about the ski area and I thought the village had a great vibe.
[caption id="attachment_2263" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Enjoying the powder in the Vail back bowls. Photo: Vail Resorts[/caption]
And finally, what would be your ultimate ski holiday?
My ultimate ski holiday would be a road trip – one that I could take my time on a few weeks. Maybe…fly in to Denver and hit three or four Colorado resorts (Aspen, Vail and Telluride would be in there) before Park City in Utah. Then on to Las Vegas for a night or two before checking out Mammoth, Heavenly and Squaw. I’d then fly home from San Francisco after a few days of chilling out there.
OR
The Great Canadian adventure. Fly in to Calgary and take in Fernie, Panorama and Kicking Horse. Back to Banff and Lake Louise before driving along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Head across the country to Sun Peaks, Big White and Silver Star before some luxury in Whistler – Four Seasons or Fairmont. Decisions decisions! Then finish off with a few nights in the amazing city of Vancouver before I fly home – flying Club World on British Airways of course!
Gareth (left), Sales Manager, enjoying Aspen & the view of the Highland Bowl[/caption]
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to work for Ski Independence?
After leaving school I worked in retail, many different roles in just under 10 years. Just before my 10 year anniversary in the job I thought I would head off and find a different place to work, I couldn’t see myself there for many more years. My travels took me to Australia where I spent a great year travelling and working and I thought a job in travel would suit once I came back home. I was in no hurry to find a new employer and chose carefully – I wanted to find a place I would like to stay and I have certainly found that. Why would I move when I work for the best ski company in the UK?
What is the most interesting part of your job as Sales Manager?
I love my contact with our suppliers in resort. I get to see them in the resorts once in a while (not often enough) but they come over and see us in Edinburgh and we always have a fun night out. A few sore heads the next day too! We have great relationships and work together to make sure that our clients are the number one priority before, during and after their holiday.
[caption id="attachment_2259" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Team Whistler taking a tour of Scotland with the Ski Independence team[/caption]
What are some of your favourite Ski Independence destinations and do you have any top tips to share?
- Panorama offers the very best value for money in Canada.
- Whistler does it all brilliantly.
- Banff has possibly the most stunning scenery in all of North America – but then again some of the runs in Tahoe, California would push that!
- Aspen is not all ‘fur coat brigade’ and has some of the most laid back residents in the USA and Highlands Bowl...word fails me, go try it!
- The back bowls in Vail make you feel you’re the only one for miles around, when the snow falls and the sun shines there is no better place!
- Montgenevre is a hidden gem and you can get untouched powder three days after a storm!
- Espace Killy (Tignes and Val d’Isere) has possibly the best lift system in the Alps and has some good lift served access even for a skier of limited ability (yes, me!)
- I spent one night in Saas Fee and am itching to go back. All of the skers I spoke to had been on the mountain and raved about the ski area and I thought the village had a great vibe.
[caption id="attachment_2263" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Enjoying the powder in the Vail back bowls. Photo: Vail Resorts[/caption]
And finally, what would be your ultimate ski holiday?
My ultimate ski holiday would be a road trip – one that I could take my time on a few weeks. Maybe…fly in to Denver and hit three or four Colorado resorts (Aspen, Vail and Telluride would be in there) before Park City in Utah. Then on to Las Vegas for a night or two before checking out Mammoth, Heavenly and Squaw. I’d then fly home from San Francisco after a few days of chilling out there.
OR
The Great Canadian adventure. Fly in to Calgary and take in Fernie, Panorama and Kicking Horse. Back to Banff and Lake Louise before driving along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Head across the country to Sun Peaks, Big White and Silver Star before some luxury in Whistler – Four Seasons or Fairmont. Decisions decisions! Then finish off with a few nights in the amazing city of Vancouver before I fly home – flying Club World on British Airways of course!