Evolution 2

What Evolution 2 does

Evolution 2 is a private French network of ski and outdoor adventure schools founded in 1987. It serves individual consumers and families on mountain or coastal vacations, corporate groups seeking seminars and team-building, aspiring outdoor instructors, and entrepreneurs operating local schools under license. The available data describes a footprint across French mountain and coastal regions and selected international markets, with scale indicators including 28 destinations, 30 licensed sites, more than 55 activities, and 500+ state-certified instructors.

The core offer is services-led rather than software-led. Products include ski and snowboard instruction, private guide bookings, rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, kayaking, VTT/e-bike/fatbike, climbing and via ferrata, paragliding, Lacanau water sports such as kitesurf and wingfoil, children’s camps, Pro Outdoor Academy instructor training, and corporate seminars. Operational differentiation is based on state-certified pedagogy, proprietary Yeti and Snow skill-progression frameworks, and centralized network tools including ERP, CRM, e-commerce websites, mailing tools, newsletters, brochures and signage for licensees.

Revenue is generated through pay-as-you-go bookings for lessons, guided sessions, camps, seminars and training programs, alongside brand-licensing economics from local operators. The license model includes entry fees around €10,000 plus annual royalties based on business volume. Go-to-market is primarily direct through website booking and resort locations, supplemented by licensed local operators, content marketing, events, referrals, and local partners such as equipment rental shops.

Name

Evolution 2

Legal name

Evolution 2

Website

https://evolution2.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Evolution 2 operates a French network of ski and outdoor adventure schools serving consumers, families, corporate groups, instructors, and licensees through lessons, guided activities, camps, seminars, training, and brand-licensed local operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Skiing Facilities (71392), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski & Snowboard Schools (Instruction & Coaching) (THAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climbing & Mountaineering Gyms/Guides (Indoor, Outdoor, Via Ferrata) (THAAAKAG), Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM), Certification & Training Providers (Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Guide Training) (THAAAOAF)

Keywords

• Outdoor adventure schools
• Ski instruction services
• Snow sports training
• Water sports activities
• Brand licensing network

Headquarters

HQ city

Chambéry

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ski and Snowboard Lessons: Group and private lessons for skiing and snowboarding across all network locations. Revenue generated per lesson or course booking with pricing varying by location, duration, and group size.
2. Outdoor Activities: Summer and year-round adventure activities including rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, kayaking, VTT/mountain biking, paragliding, via ferrata, climbing, and water sports (kitesurf, wingfoil, wakeboard). Revenue from guided sessions and equipment rental.
3. Brand Licensing: License fees collected from network operators (licensees) who use the Evolution 2 brand and operational framework. Entry fees around 10,000 EUR plus annual royalties based on business volume.
4. Training Academy (Pro Outdoor Academy): Training programs for aspiring ski and outdoor instructors including preparation for state diplomas (Diplôme d'État de ski alpin), technical tests, and continuing education.
5. Corporate Seminars and Team Building: Business tourism segment offering corporate events, seminars, and team-building activities in mountain settings.
6. Children's Camps: Summer camps and winter camps for children featuring multi-activity programs combining sports instruction with adventure activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Evolution 2 operates a network of licensed outdoor adventure schools providing state-certified ski and snowboard instruction plus 55+ year-round outdoor activities (rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, kitesurf, wingfoil, mountain biking, paragliding, accrobranche) across 28+ destinations in France and internationally. The network generates revenue through direct lesson and activity bookings, corporate seminars/team building, children's camps, instructor training (Pro Outdoor Academy), and brand licensing fees from independent operators running Evolution 2 branded schools.

Product overview

Evolution 2 is a network of outdoor adventure schools and ski academies offering over 55 adventure activities across 30 destinations in France and internationally. The portfolio centers on ski instruction (from Yetison beginner levels through Junior Academy advanced/off-piste programs), snowboard lessons, white water sports (rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, kayaking), land-based activities (VTT/electric mountain biking, accrobranche, via ferrata, climbing), air sports (paragliding, helicopter flights), water sports at the coast (kitesurf, wingfoil, wakeboard, stand-up paddle at Lacanau), and children/youth programs (Summer Camps and Winter Camps). The network also operates a training division (Pro Outdoor Academy) for instructor certification and a brand licensing program (Licence de Marque) for entrepreneurs. The company, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Annecy, positions itself as 'Le Spécialiste des activités Ski et Outdoor' with state-certified instructors ('Diplômés d'état') and serves both individual consumers and corporate clients for team-building seminars.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pro Outdoor Academy: Training center for future ski, mountain biking, and canyon instructors.

Products and services

• Ski Lessons (Cours de Ski) Ski instruction services for children and adults at all skill levels, from beginner (Yetison) to advanced (Junior Academy), offered as private lessons, group courses, and specialized children's clubs across 28+ mountain destinations.
• Snowboard Lessons (Cours de Snowboard) Snowboard instruction for beginners through experts, including private lessons, group courses, and stages, with levels ranging from first-time (Snow) to advanced (Snow Expert).
• Rafting White water rafting excursions on Alpine rivers including the Isère and Doron de Bozel, with difficulty levels from Discovery (green) to Sportif (red), suitable for ages 6+.
• Canyoning Canyoning adventures through Alpine gorges, combining swimming, climbing, and rope techniques in natural water environments.
• Hydrospeed River swimming with fins and wetsuit, navigating rapids on the Isère river in the Tarentaise valley, led by certified instructors.
• VTT, E-Bike, Fatbike Mountain biking activities including electric mountain bike (VTTAE) tours, fatbike rides, and progressive skill development programs for children and adults during summer season.
• Kitesurf Kitesurf instruction at Lacanau lake, with courses for beginners to advanced, using shallow water zones ideal for learning waterstart techniques.
• Wingfoil Wing foil lessons and courses at Lacanau lake, teaching participants to glide above water using an inflatable wing and hydrofoil board.
• Wakeboard and Water Sports Wakeboard, ski nautique, and wakefoil activities at Lacanau lake with cable wakeboard park and boat-towed options.
• Summer Camps (Clubs Enfants) Multi-activity summer camps for children ages 4-16, combining outdoor adventures, sports, and mountain exploration with supervised childcare.
• Winter Camps Multi-activity winter camps for children combining ski lessons with sledding, ice activities, and other mountain adventures.
• Corporate Seminars and Team Building Corporate team building events and business seminars incorporating outdoor activities, organized for over 500 professionals across the network.
• Pro Outdoor Academy Training center for future ski, mountain bike, and canyon instructors, offering preparation courses for the Diplôme d'État de ski alpin including technical test preparation and the full instructor certification pathway.
• Licence de Marque (Brand License) Brand licensing program allowing entrepreneurs to open Evolution 2 branded outdoor activity schools, with centralized marketing, training, and purchasing support, with entry fees around €10,000 plus annual royalties based on business volume.
• Pass Activités (Activity Pass) Multi-activity pass allowing access to various outdoor sports across different destinations within the Evolution 2 network.
• Paragliding (Parapente) Tandem paragliding flights over Alpine lakes and mountains, including departures from Annecy and Chamonix regions.
• Stand-Up Paddle Paddle boarding activities on Alpine lakes and at Lacanau, suitable for all levels and families.
• Accrobranche (Treetop Adventure) Treetop adventure courses with zip lines, rope bridges, and climbing elements for family and group activities.
• Kayak and Canoë Kayak and canoe excursions on Alpine lakes and rivers, including family-friendly flat water and more adventurous white water options.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Sport2000minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred equipment rental partner recommended to customers. Sport2000 stores provide ski, snowboard, and outdoor equipment rental services at resort locations, creating a complementary service offering for Evolution 2 customers.
• MammutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMountain equipment and apparel brand partnership. Mammut provides branding and marketing support in exchange for visibility with the Evolution 2 instructor and customer community.
• Dynastar/LangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki equipment brand partnership for equipment visibility and potential demo programs with Evolution 2 customers and instructors.
• Bonneval WatersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater sports equipment partner for white water activities. Collaboration on equipment recommendations and potentially co-developed products or services.
• Outdoor Sports Valley (OSV)minorOthersIndustry association membership providing access to exclusive market studies, conferences, and industry networking. Evolution 2 receives regular updates on outdoor sports sector economic news and emerging trends.
• Famille PlusminorOthersFamily tourism certification held by La Plagne Montchavin location, demonstrating commitment to family-friendly services with age-appropriate activities, pricing, and equipment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UCPA: Major French non-profit outdoor sports association operating sports schools across sailing, skiing, climbing, and more. Overlaps with Evolution 2's outdoor activity portfolio but serves a broader set of sports and a more mass-market audience.
• Compagnie des Alpes: Listed French operator of major ski resorts and theme parks. While not a direct ski school competitor, it controls many of the resorts where Evolution 2 licensees operate and is the dominant incumbent in the broader French mountain leisure market.

Direct peers

• Marmottes & Compagnie: French ski and adventure school operating in Val d'Isère and surrounding areas with similar ski lesson, VTT and summer activity portfolio to Evolution 2's resort-level offering.
• Ski Fun: French ski school network active across several Alpine resorts offering group and private lessons for children and adults. Direct comparable to Evolution 2 in scale and product mix.
• Oxygène Ski & Snowboard School: French ski and snowboard school network operating in multiple Alpine resorts with similar multi-activity summer offerings. Closest direct head-to-head competitor to Evolution 2 in non-ESF branded instruction.
• ESF (École du Ski Français): France's largest and most established ski school network, operating in essentially every major French resort. Direct competitor to Evolution 2's ski and snowboard lessons with the same state-certified instructor model and similar customer base.
• ESI (École de Ski Internationale): International-oriented French ski school network offering multilingual lessons and adventure activities. Comparable instructor structure, level-system pedagogy, and resort footprint to Evolution 2.
• Prosneige: Privately run French ski school brand operating multiple resort schools with private and group lessons. Closely comparable multi-school, multi-instructor operating model to Evolution 2.

Regional players

• New Generation Ski School: Multi-resort ski and snowboard school group primarily serving UK-origin customers in the French and Swiss Alps. Similar multi-school, multi-instructor business model but geographically focused on UK demand rather than French-resident customers.

Others

• Club Med: All-inclusive mountain resort operator offering ski lessons, ESF/partner school instruction and outdoor activities as bundled product. Comparable end-customer experience and overlapping demand for packaged mountain vacations in the same French resorts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Evolution2outdoorspecialist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Evolution 2