17 Apr 2024
Breaking the Ice: Heidi's Journey to Becoming a Ski Holiday Titan

Heidi

Trailblazing path to a £38M year 

 

Skiing for everyone, including under £100pp to over £10,000pp! 

Now in its sixth year, Heidi, the brainchild of entrepreneurial brothers Marcus and Alexander Blunt, has revolutionised the ski holiday landscape, demonstrating an impressive year-on-year growth of almost 60% with booked revenue reaching £38M.

The Bristol-based startup launched in 2018 on the eve of the global Covid pandemic and amidst the personal milestones of both founders welcoming new additions to their families. It was 'intense' as Marcus describes!

From its inception during a period fraught with uncertainty, the duo's unwavering commitment to their vision of offering flexible skiing so more people could enjoy the mountains, has paid off. It has catapulted them to become one of the top three biggest ski holidays companies in the UK with a team of nearly 50.

Heidi's success is not just reflected in its financial achievements but also in the overwhelming positive feedback from its customers. With 1,400 5-star reviews on TrustPilot in the past 12 months and an 'Excellent' overall rating, Heidi is celebrated for its customer-centric approach, something founder Marcus (right of picture) is immensely proud of: "Our customer reviews are a testament to our growth not coming at the expense of service," he explains, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality service even as the company expands.

As Marcus continues: “Despite Heidi being a web-based tool to search for the most flexible skiing options, we're still very much a people business, when it comes to our staff and customers.

“As we grow, we will continue to offer further employment opportunities, which is something that has always been important to us. Our team continue to amaze us and prove they're the exceptional backbone of our growing operations, sharing our passion as we continue providing customers with the flexibility and ease they are looking for.”

This becomes evident in the wide range of holiday options Heidi offers, from budget-friendly packages to luxurious getaways. For instance, a long weekend in Bansko, Bulgaria, inclusive of flights, transfers, and accommodation, was offered at a mere £78 per person (of three nights, based on four sharing).

On the luxury end, a lavish holiday in a three-bed penthouse in Crans Montana, Switzerland, awaits for £11,837 per person.  This one can be enjoyed next year (so still time to book!) and is based on two adults and two children, so a snip at £47,351!  https://www.heidi.com/holiday/guarda-golf-hotel-residences?adult=2&apt=LGW%2CLHR%2CLTN%2CSTN%2CSEN%2CLCY&child=2&child1age=12&child2age=12&departure_date=2025-02-15&nights=7&board_basis=BED_AND_BREAKFAST&flights=EZY8473-EZY8472&rooms=201985701

Heidi's innovative approach extends beyond its varied holiday packages. The company has introduced interest free flexible payment options and also 'FlexiFly', allowing customers to customise their flight arrangements for better convenience and cost-effectiveness. These initiatives are part of Heidi's broader strategy to enhance flexibility and accessibility for ski enthusiasts everywhere.

As Heidi sets its sights on international expansion, with a successful launch in Ireland doubling its revenue expectations, the company is poised for even greater achievements. 

 

Their increasing popularity is evident in the rise of both short and longer ski trips. It has reported that shorter breaks between two and six nights are +60% year on year and longer trips are also up, with 10-night skip trips seeing a +155% rise on last year!

 

Heidi's ability to identify emerging ski destinations, such as Norway, further cements its position as a forward-thinking leader in the travel industry. Bookings to Norway have increased by 138% as customers look for value or to discover something new, with budget friendly resorts including Bulgaria up by  +113%. 

 

Reflecting on Heidi's journey and its future, Alexander shares, "The journey we've embarked on with Heidi is a testament to what passion, resilience, and a customer-first approach can achieve. Looking ahead, we're not just focused on growing our business, but on revolutionising how people experience skiing holidays. Our vision is to make the slopes accessible to everyone, breaking down barriers to adventure and unforgettable experiences."

 

With their sights set on new horizons, the Blunt brothers with their dedicated team at Heidi are redefining the future of skiing holidays, proving that even in the face of adversity or uncertainty, innovation and determination can lead to extraordinary success.

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