THE SEASONAL B2B CURTAIN-RAISER EVENT FOR THE SKI SECTOR
LONDON, 8 SEPTEMBER 2026
The 2026 season starts here
SkiLaunch brings together leading suppliers, destinations, operators, influencers and travel professionals at the Tara Kensington Hotel in London.
Showcase your latest offering to the trade, specialist and consumer media and leading digital platforms. It’s the perfect opportunity to make invaluable connections and ensure your brand is on the media radar before the season gets underway.
You can meet fellow ski professionals too, exchange ideas, and hear from leading industry voices during our morning conference sessions. Afterwards, continue the conversation over a relaxed three-course SkiLunch, when you'll be joined by our media guests.
Smart, professional and refreshingly relaxed
Forget suits and stuffy business attire. SkiLaunch is smart casual — so come ready to network, share ideas and enjoy the day. Reserve your place at SkiLaunch 2026 here.
SKILAUNCH 2026 SPONSORS
SKILAUNCH 2026
The Running Order
In partnership with LifePass, the ski pass that can save your life
08:30 Networking Breakfast
Supported by 3 Zinnen Dolomites
09:00 The Ski Agents: The Inside Track on What Skiers Really Want
Simon Hoskyns - Owner, Alpine Answers
Ian McIlrath - MD, Ski Solutions
Simon McIntyre - MD, Iglu.com
09:40 Ski Touring Goes Mainstream: Zoa, Homeland & Ski Touring for Softies
Katja Gaskell – globetotting.com
Sam Haddad – Climate & Board Sports
Mike Richards – Freelance journalist
10:15 The Future of Snowsports: From Ambition to Action
Iain Martin, The Ski Podcast and Ski Flight Free
10:30 Coffee Break
Supported by 3 Zinnen Dolomites
11:00 All the news from 3 Zinnen Dolomites
Sophia Amhof
11:10 Key Note: How Indy Pass is Rewriting the Rules of Mega Passes
Erik Mogensen – CEO, Indy Pass
11:50 Beyond the Podium: Turning Olympic Buzz into Bookings
Katy Ellis - General Manager, The Ski Club of Great Britain
Chemmy Alcott - Four time Winter Olympian
Mike Ward - Head of Sourcing, TUI UK
Ian Brown - CEO, SnowWorld
12:25 The new SwissPeak Resorts programme from Pierre & Vacances
Katja Gaskell – globetotting.com
Sam Haddad – Climate & Board Sports
Mike Richards – Freelance journalist
12:30 Aperitif
Supported by SwissPeak Resorts by Pierre & Vacances
13:00 Networking lunch with the Ski Press
In partnership with LifePass, the lift pass that can save your life
During lunch, the LifePass team (Pete, Mike, Drew and their brand ambassador, Chemmy Alcott) will be providing an update on last season's activity and what is new going into the 26/27 season.
2026 Speakers & Panelists
Every year we're joined by leading figures from the world of ski and snow sport. This year we are delighted to welcome these well-informed, influential, and inspirational speakers to the SkiLaunch stage.
Conference Organiser & Host
Iain Martin
Iain is host of 'The Ski Podcast' - the UK's no.1 Ski Podcast. Started in 2017, The Ski Podcast now has over 320 episodes covering (almost) everything in the world of snowsports.
Iain is also the founder of the lobby group, Ski Flight Free.
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Keynote Speaker
Erik Mogenson
Erik Mogensen is the Founder of Entabeni Systems, MD of Indy Pass, and GM of Black Mountain Ski Area. A lifetime skier and innovator, he works to smash the barriers that independent resorts face.
Erik is the latest recipient of the North American Ski Journalist Award for his work in revitalizing Black Mountain, New Hampshire.
CEO, Alpine Answers
Simon Hoskyns
Simon has been a partner at Alpine Answers - one of the UK’s leading chalet agencies and bespoke ski tour operator - for almost 30 years.
He oversees web design and development and is tasked with embracing the AI revolution.
MD, Ski Solutions
Ian McIlrath
Ian is Managing Director at Ski Solutions and COO of the Wilderness Group.
He is a keen skier, cyclist, and walker, although didn't discover the joys of skiing until he was 28!
MD, IgluSki.com
Simon McIntyre
Simons favourite ski resorts include Whistler, BKK, and Val d'Isere.
He's an experienced skiier, having taken it up some 33 years ago, and especially loves taking to the slopes with his two daughters.
Family Specialist Journalist
Katja Gaskell
Katja is founder of globetotting.com, one of the UK's top 10 family travel blogs.
She is also a freelance writer for publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, Lonely Planet and The Mail on Sunday.
Freelance Journalist
Sam Haddad
Katja is founder of globetotting.com, one of the UK's top 10 family travel blogs.
She is also a freelance writer for publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, Lonely Planet and The Mail on Sunday.
Freelance Journalist
Mike Richards
Katja is founder of globetotting.com, one of the UK's top 10 family travel blogs.
She is also a freelance writer for publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, Lonely Planet and The Mail on Sunday.
GM, Ski Club of Great Britain
Katy Ellis
Katy is General Manager of Ski Club GB and has worked in the ski industry for more than 25 years.
Her career has focused on holidays, customer and membership experiences, and what brings people together through a shared passion for skiing.
Team GB Athlete & Broadcaster
Chemmy Alcott
SkiLaunch regular Chemmy, is a former English World Cup alpine skier. She competed in four Winter Olympics and seven FIS World Championships, was British national champion seven times, and was overall British ladies' champion eight times.
Chemmy retired from international competition after the 2014 season.
CEO, SnowWorld
Ian Brown
Ian is the CEO for SnowWorld, who operate 12 indoor snow centre sites across five countries - Netherlands, UK, Germany, Belgium, and France.
SnowWorld welcomes over 4.5 million visitors annually.
Head of Sourcing, TUI UK
Mike Ward
Mike is a member of the Crystal Leadership Team.
He leads the sourcing of accommodation, ski services and other key partnerships for Crystal as well as the other TUI regions in Europe.
The SkiLaunch Venue
THE TARA COPTHORNE HOTEL
Scarsdale Place, London W8 5SY
Chosen for the flexibility of its modular function rooms, high standards of service and excellent location on the heart of Kensington (High Street Kensington tube is a realistic 5 minute walk), The Tara Copthorne has been the home of Ski Launch since 2015.
Delegates can benefit from discounted room rates. Please ask for details if required.
