Our latest transformative travel journal features alpine travel guru, Oli Corkhill. Oli is CEO of luxury ski experts Leo Trippi, who create incredible ski adventures for their guests. Saltee and Leo Trippi https://www.leotrippi.com/luxury-ski-chalets/ are partnering this season to bring our shared passion for luxury travel to our customers.
We were eager to talk to Oli about his passion for the mountains, his mindset when shaping travel experiences and what makes the perfect ski holiday.
As we move into ski season 2024-25, Oli starts with the basics of explaining what really differentiates a ski trip:
“The perfect ski holiday blends staying at an incredible chalet with varied ski terrain, great restaurants and time to relax with family and friends. We love curating a balance of adventure and leisure, tailored precisely to each guest.”
We fired some questions at Oli to help generate some winter travel inspiration:
- Piste or off-piste?
- “Both have their place! For an adrenaline rush, I love to ski off-piste and challenge myself on new terrain but now I have a family I enjoy watching my children progress on the slopes and cruising on the piste with them.”
Q) Can you combine backcountry skiing with a luxury resort holiday?
A) “Absolutely. Many top resorts, like Verbier and Courchevel, offer seamless access to pristine backcountry terrain, with exquisite service, good food and state-of-the-art spa and entertainment facilities waiting for you back at the chalet.”
Q) Do you have a favourite Alpine resort?
A) “Each resort has its charm, but Zermatt’s combination of epic views, world-class dining, and iconic pistes makes it a standout for me.”
Q) Beyond Europe, where in the world has the most inspirational winter resorts?
A) “Japan’s powder-laden mountains are a skier’s dream, and Canada offers some of the most expansive ski terrain and opportunities for epic heli-skiing too. Both provide a unique, immersive winter experience.”
Q) We know it’s not all about the skiing; what else makes a holiday in the mountains special?
A) “Apres-ski culture, scenic alpine dining, and spa experiences all enhance a mountain holiday, as well as spending time together in our luxury chalets. We also recommend trying some of the alternative mountain activities on offer such as dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating or tobogganing.”
Q) What makes a Leo Trippi holiday so different and exciting?
A) “Leo Trippi creates bespoke ski holidays that focus on exceptional service, personalised experiences, and access to the best in mountain luxury. No detail is too small. I think we really get to know and understand our guests, what makes them tick and we try to wow them at every step of their trip with a few surprises.”
Q) Have you ever failed to wear SPF on the slopes and suffered as a result?
A) “Yes, when I was about 12 or 13 on summer camp in Tignes (skiing on the glacier). I didn’t really appreciate the importance of good SPF at the time and ended up with some pretty horrendous burns and a couple of weeks in pain. Luckily I learnt my lesson and always suncream up now.”
Q) Is there a favourite Leo Trippi chalet that you would love to stay at yourself?
A) “Chalet N in Lech is incredible, offering unbeatable luxury, superb amenities, and beautiful views. It’s the ultimate alpine retreat.”
Q) Do you have a summer holiday destination that you recommend to friends?
A) ”The Dolomites in Italy are stunning in summer. With hiking, fine Italian cuisine, and beautiful scenery, it’s a summer paradise for mountain lovers.”
With this shared mindset to travel and the mountains it was no surprise that Oli is excited about our winter season tie-up between Leo Trippi and Saltee:
“Both brands prioritise luxury, quality, and the guest experience. With Saltee, guests enjoy premium skincare to match their bespoke ski experience, ensuring they’re prepared for the mountains’ unique demands.”
Take us to the mountains please Oli.
