Meet The Winners of Our Graciosa “Back to Ski” Competition

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the winners of our “Back to Ski” competition! Over the summer, we were blown away by the heartfelt stories from skiers, snowboarders, and mountain dreamers across the UK. Each entry celebrated resilience, adventure, and the enduring love of the mountains – so much so that we’ve also awarded two runner-up prizes alongside the main winner.

Our Winner – Katie Fox
Skipton mum-of-three, Katie Fox, has won a luxury ski holiday at our brand-new Graciosa property in La Plagne, valued at £3,466. A lifelong skier, Katie hasn’t enjoyed a week on the slopes in over a decade, having devoted herself to raising her children, navigating a divorce, and building her successful outdoor childcare business, Wild Explorers.

Nominated by her twin sister, Anna Chapman, Katie secured over 37% of the public vote, beating hundreds of entries nationwide. She will now experience the Graciosa with its luxury chalets, ski-in access, and VIP service.

Katie said: “I still can’t believe it – I’m absolutely thrilled! Skiing has always been a huge part of my life, and to return to the slopes in such luxury is incredible. I’m so grateful to Anna for nominating me and to everyone who voted – it really means the world.”

Runner-Up – Clare Edwards
Wiltshire widow Clare Edwards, 38, narrowly missed out on first place but has also been awarded a luxury week at the Graciosa. Clare’s moving story of love, loss, and resilience struck a chord with judges and voters alike.

Clare shared: “It’s been difficult to contemplate skiing without Tony, but the mountains will always hold a special place in my heart. To return and create new memories feels incredibly special. I’m so grateful to VIP SKI for this unexpected gift.”

Runner-Up – Richard Haigh
Leeds dad-of-two, Richard Haigh, also receives a runner-up prize. After fracturing his vertebrae in 2023 and being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, Richard is now in remission and determined to snowboard again. He will enjoy a luxury week at the Graciosa, experiencing the slopes and VIP SKI’s impeccable service.

Perched at 2003m above Plagne Centre, the Graciosa offers 16 luxury ski-in chalets with direct access to the Paradiski area, along with chalet hosts, a lounge and bar, ski hire, massage facilities, and childcare, ensuring every stay is seamless and indulgent.

We’re delighted to celebrate these incredible stories of resilience, adventure and the power of the mountains. Congratulations to Katie, Clare, and Richard – we can’t wait to welcome you to the Graciosa for an unforgettable VIP SKI experience!

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.

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.

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.

A huge congratulations to our winner and runners-up, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us. Your passion for the mountains reminds us why we do what we do – and we can’t wait to welcome you all back to the slopes this winter.