Established Over The Summer of 2018

Hike and Ride was established over the Summer of 2018, after 7 years in the UK industry, deciding there was a real gap in the market for good old fashioned customer service in the ever evolving chase for the perfect set up out on the mountain.

Since it's inception, Hike and Ride boasts a multitude of awards including 'Best Bespoke Ski Boot Supplier', 'Ski Retailer of the Year', 'Outdoor Sports Retailer of the Year' and customer service awards. We've been featured in publications with Rolls Royce & Fall Line, as well as one a number of UK podcasts. 

Based in London, with the freedom of a ski shop and boot-fitting lab on wheels, we aim to help everyone. Adventures have taken us through the home counties, up to Birmingham, Warwick & Cambridge, across to Bath and Bristol and down the south coast. We’ll go where the service is needed!

Meet the Team

A native Australian, Jen grew up with a love for the outdoors and sports in her veins. The Aussie way, however, was not the mountains but pristine beaches and the watersports that followed, predominantly surfing and boarding. Ironically she never saw or set foot on the snow until her early 20’s. Moving to the UK at the end of 2009 and a subsequent ski season in Chamonix, France, was the start of a love affair with snow. Since that point, 6 seasons boot fitting in the ski industry in the UK and a 2nd season boot fitting in the French Alps, this time, Courchevel, in the heart of the world’s largest ski resort, The Three Valleys.

Having finished her studies at RMIT University in Melbourne, a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Physical Education, Jen has a sound understanding of anatomy and physiology, as well as human movement and functions. However, it was her own injuries following 15 years of competitive sport that have helped shape her boot fitting skills. Jen has also gained experience doing her Level 3 and 4 Personal Training Qualifications as well as ski boot specific training courses with various training bodies including Masterfit University and Sidas Academy.  

Hike and Ride Marketing Manager Phil Gordon

Born in Toronto, Canada, Phil is the epitome of someone with snow in their veins. A Level 4 Canadian Ski Teacher, Phil spent 8 seasons teaching his craft at Whistler Blackcomb. During this time, Phil was on multiple occasions recognised as Whistler Blackcomb Employee of the Year, as well as Ski Esprit Ski Instructor of the Year.

Whilst in the UK Phil has spent 13 years working in the head office of retailers Snow+Rock, 7 of these years as their Ski Hardware buyer. His role as head buyer meant Phil has attended Sidas Academy training in France on multiple occasions, as well as organising a yearly test team to help research and finalise the buying requirements for one of the UK's biggest ski departments. Since leaving Snow+Rock Phil has worked with notable global brands including Salomon and Nordica. He currently produces a ski podcast, Legends of the Brand featuring guests such as US Ski Hall of Famer Glen Plake, Salomon Free-skier Mike Douglas & GB Snow Sports Head Coach Pat Sharples.    

Q&A

What is Hike & Ride? (where you’re from, where you’re based, how long you’ve been going for, what are your products/services and who are they for)
Hike and Ride is a totally mobile ski shop, bringing the art of custom fitted ski boots and a whole new level of service to the customer’s doorstep.

Jen, the Aussie owner, moved to the UK almost a decade ago and has been in the ski industry in some form, pretty much ever since- with several seasons in the French Alps, as well as several years in the UK with Snow and Rock working on her boot fitting craft, the business is into its 2nd year now.

We’ve fitted out the boot lab with all the tools required to fit ski boots and custom insoles. We’re based in London but have the ability to offer a service anywhere its required in the UK (We’ve been to Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester, Surrey and the home counties to date).

We've opened a second location in Warwick for Friday-Sunday appointments over selected weekends. It means we still cover the first half hour of travel free and you can pick the location where the service starts!

We’re super pleased several brands have jumped in to support us and now offer not only ski boots, skis and bindings as well as helmets, goggles. But now we're stocking gloves, outdoor clothing, skin care & sunscreen and even mountain prints and paintings to hang on your wall.

It’s really becoming a one-shop stop for all your skiing needs, where you need it!!

Why did you start the brand? (did you spot a niche?)
Years of experience in stores around Europe told me that everyone wants fit and performance to make the most of enjoying their holidays, but no one wants to waste the hours getting it right, so I’m excited to bring knowledge and service to their doors

In today’s age, there’s a lot of pressure in retail to cut cost, which unfortunately often means cutting back on staff and therefore the customer experience. So it’s all about putting our customers at the heart of the business once more.

What makes your product/service different?
It’s simple, old fashioned, one to one customer service, picking a time and place that suits our customers, cutting out the travel time for them as we’re a totally mobile business- not only do we fit their boots, but we make the fitting itself, fit for them, all backed by a Comfort Fit Guarantee.

Why use Hike and Ride?  
We’re here to help everyone get their perfect fitting ski boots and in the process almost everything else they may need for their trip, all at a time and place that’s convenient for them.
From business men and women who struggle with spare time, to families who don’t want to trek through town, life long skiers who may have always struggled to find good fitting boots or know exactly what they are looking for and can’t find it on the high street, through to junior aspiring ski racers looking for a precision fit to advance their career. It really is for everyone.

In the process of having a boot fit with Hike and Ride, you also have peace of mind knowing that you’re getting advice on your ski boots from someone who’s been crafting their skills now for 10 winters.

What is the dream for Hike & Ride?
We’d love to get a few vans up and running, so that we really can cover the majority of the UK!!