Meet Our Finalists. Vote for Your Winner of the Graciosa “Back to Ski” Competition

Our “Back to Ski” competition has captured the hearts of the nation, unearthing stories of resilience, love, and the enduring passion for the mountains. Over the summer we invited skiers, snowboarders, and mountain dreamers to share their stories in our ‘Back to Ski’ competition. With the launch of our brand-new property, the Graciosa in La Plagne, we wanted to give one deserving person the chance to make a return to the slopes in style.

From over 300 heartfelt entries, five finalists were chosen, each with a story that embodies the spirit of VIP SKI adventures. Now, the competition is in the hands of the public! It’s time for you to vote for your winner of the £3,466 luxury ski holiday giveaway.

The finalists’ journeys capture the essence of why skiing is about so much more than sport. It’s about resilience, joy, and making memories that last a lifetime. Cast your vote at the bottom of this page. The winner will be announced at the end of September 2025.

Leeds father-of-two Richard Haigh, 50, was nominated by his partner Yvonne after a life-changing cancer diagnosis stopped him from skiing.

In January 2023, Richard’s life changed in an instant when he fractured his vertebrae, spending six weeks in a wheelchair. Upon investigation it was discovered that he was battling Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer that develops in the white blood cells, found in the bone marrow.

Despite months of gruelling treatment, Richard has stayed positive and is now managing the incurable condition. He is determined to get back on his snowboard and carve up the slopes once again with his sons, Harrison and Jackson.

Richard and Yvonne first skied together more than 20 years ago in La Plagne and winning would be a symbolic return to the place where their skiing story began.

“We know the cancer could come back and we don’t know when, so for now all we can do is ski,” said Yvonne.

Skipton mum-of-three Katie Fox, 44, has spent the last decade raising her young children, navigating a divorce, and building a thriving business. A lifelong skier, she was nominated by her twin sister Anna, who wanted to give Katie the chance to put herself first again.

Katie founded Wild Explorers, a popular children’s forest holiday club, during the pandemic, helping thousands of kids connect with nature. But now, Anna says, it’s time for Katie to reconnect with her own passions.

If she wins, Katie hopes to take her long-distance partner Lee, swapping train tickets for lift passes and enjoying a much-deserved adventure in the Alps.

“Katie works so hard and puts 100% into everyone and everything around her – she truly deserves to win!” said Anna.

For Clare Edwards, 38, from Devizes, skiing is deeply connected to her late husband Tony, who tragically passed away in 2020 when their baby son Theo was just three weeks old.

The couple once worked together as VIP SKI chalet hosts in Val d’Isère, an experience that Clare describes as life-changing for Tony and his mental health. Returning to the slopes now feels both emotional and healing, as Clare hopes to create new memories while honouring the past.

Today, Clare runs Just Breathe Yoga and is raising her son, now five. Winning the holiday would give her the chance to share the mountains with Theo or her new partner, David.

“It’s been difficult to contemplate skiing again without Tony, but it would be wonderful to have a new VIP SKI adventure,” said Clare.

Lauren Kenneth, 37, and her husband Chris from Chichester are hoping to return to the mountains after two decades away.

Lauren first skied as a nervous teenager in Switzerland back in 2005, while Chris enjoyed snowboarding holidays in his youth. But despite being together 12 years the couple have never skied together. With young children and busy lives, their dream of a mountain break has always felt out of reach.

Now, the parents of Teddy and Elodie hope to swap family chaos for time on the slopes, learning together and soaking up the après-ski atmosphere.

“It would be a real treat to have a break just us two, learn something new together, and put a few fears to bed,” said Lauren.

Caroline Musson, 51, from Milford, Derbyshire, has shown extraordinary resilience after a devastating accident in 2024. While attending an agricultural show, she was struck by a tractor, suffering life-threatening injuries including a fractured skull, lacerated liver, and traumatic brain injury.

After ten days in intensive care and five major surgeries, Caroline began the long road to recovery. Eight months later, the mum-of-two is back at work part-time and determined to embrace life fully - with skiing at the top of her list.

Nominated by her friend Mark, Caroline’s story of survival and strength earned her a spot in the VIP SKI final five. If she wins, she hopes to swap her usual Austrian trips for a dream ski adventure in France with her family.

“Her finalist position is truly a celebration of survival and new beginnings, and a reminder of how far Caroline has come,” said Mark.

The lucky winner will be one of the first to experience the Graciosa’s unparalleled luxury. The Graciosa offers an exquisite collection of 16 brand-new, fully catered luxury chalets, perfectly nestled beside the slopes at 2003m altitude, with breath-taking panoramic mountain views. Meticulously designed, renovated, and styled with VIP SKI’s renowned attention to detail, these chalets promise a truly memorable Alpine escape for years to come.

The prize is a seven-night stay for two in a twin or double room in Rochette Suite, a shared chalet, during the week commencing 11 January 2026. Guests will enjoy complimentary coach transfers to and from Geneva, daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and a three-course evening meal with wine on six nights, along with canapés on the first and last evenings. To complete the experience, the winners will each receive a six-day La Plagne lift pass and two Aerolive passes, courtesy of the La Plagne Tourist Office. It’s a chance to rediscover the snow in style, with thoughtful hospitality and breath-taking alpine views.

Competition terms & conditions;

1. Open to EU residents aged 18 and over. 
2. One entry per person. 
3. Entries close on 30 April 2025.
4. Once notified, the winner must reply within two weeks to make arrangements to take the prize.
5. Prize consists of a room for two people - departure date is 11 January 2026. Prize includes transfer from/to Geneva, accommodation, chalet board catering. 
6. Prize does not include flights, ski hire or ski school.
7. The holiday prize is subject to availability, must be accepted as offered, is not transferable, refundable and there is no cash alternative.
8. In the event of cancellation by winners, for whatever reason, no alternative need be given. Once the booking is confirmed reservations may not be changed.
9. All other expenses associated with taking the trip, such as flights, equipment hire, ski lessons, shall be the responsibility of the winner.