Schneesportinitiative Schweiz

What Schneesportinitiative Schweiz does

Schneesportinitiative Schweiz (operating as GoSnow) is a Swiss non-profit association (Verein) founded in 2014/2015, headquartered in Worblaufen, BE, with a staff of six. It operates the gosnow.ch platform, which mediates between Swiss primary and secondary schools and a nationwide network of local service providers (accommodations, ski schools, transport companies, equipment rental) to deliver all-inclusive ski and snowboard camp packages. The core product is the Schneesportlager — a multi-day package bundling public transport (SBB RailAway), group accommodation, mountain railway passes, equipment rental, one organized activity, a local contact person, and centralized billing — complemented by single-day Schneesporttage and the newer GoNow summer camp offering.

The business model is a transaction-fee / centralized billing arrangement: schools pay a single package price (with a 60% deposit due four weeks before camp start), and GoSnow settles downstream with providers. Pricing is held down by the non-profit structure, national-scale aggregation, and centralized invoicing rather than by subsidies. A hardship fund (Härtefallfonds), seeded by the Stiftung Freude herrscht, extends access to schools in financially weak municipalities. The organization is institutionally backed by a 13-member Trägerschaft that includes BASPO, EDK/KOKES, Swiss Ski, Swiss Snowsports, Swiss Cableways, Intersport, Swiss Youth Hostels, LCH, STV/Swiss Olympic, ASSA, Sportbiz, Ochsner Sport, and SPAF, giving it a quasi-public mandate across all 26 Swiss cantons in six macro-regions. Customer acquisition runs through institutional referral, bilingual (German/French) SEO, content marketing, and a leader/exchange job board in partnership with sportnetzwerk.ch, while add-on revenue streams include SBB transport tickets, group baggage transport, and clothing rental via Outdoor Service.

Name

Schneesportinitiative Schweiz

Legal name

Verein Schneesportinitiative Schweiz

Website

https://gosnow.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Schneesportinitiative Schweiz (GoSnow) is a Swiss non-profit association that runs the gosnow.ch platform, bundling transport, accommodation, ski passes, and equipment into all-inclusive ski/snowboard camp packages for Swiss primary and secondary schools nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School Ski Camp Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter Activity & Experience Operators (Ice Climbing, Dog Sledding, Fat Biking, Ice Skating) (THAAAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Ski Homes (THAMAAAG), Ski & Snowboard Schools (Instruction & Coaching) (THAAAJAC)

Keywords

• School ski camps
• Snow sports packages
• School camp booking
• Youth snow sports
• Educational travel programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Worblaufen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ski/Snowboard Camp Package Sales: The organization acts as a mediator/broker between schools and local service providers (accommodations, ski schools, transport companies). Schools pay a package price (Pauschale) for ski camp bundles including transport, accommodation, ski passes, equipment rental, activities, and local contact person. GoSnow charges a centralized billing fee and aggregates offerings from multiple providers. The organization is non-profit (Verein) and does not use subsidies to reduce prices — competitive pricing is achieved through non-profit status, national-scale operations, and centralized billing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Schneesportinitiative Schweiz (operating as GoSnow) is a non-profit association that intermediates ski and snowboard camp packages between Swiss schools and a nationwide network of local service providers. It runs the gosnow.ch online booking platform where primary and secondary schools can search camps by region and calendar week, submit online reservation requests, and receive a single centralized invoice covering transport (SBB RailAway), accommodation, mountain railway passes, equipment rental, activities, and an on-site local contact person. The organization does not operate ski lifts or resorts itself; it acts as a broker/aggregator and bills schools centrally.

Product overview

GoSnow (Verein Schneesportinitiative Schweiz) operates primarily as an online booking and information platform for snow sport activities at Swiss schools. The core offering is the Schneesportlager — an all-inclusive package for multi-day ski and snowboard camps for primary and secondary schools — complemented by the Schneesporttage (single-day snow sport experiences) and GoNow (summer/mountain camp alternatives launched during COVID-19). Additional paid add-on modules include SBB public transport packages, group luggage transport, sports clothing rental (via Outdoor Service partner), a hardship fund for financially constrained schools, and a leader exchange board. The digital platform GoSnow.ch serves as the centralized booking and management portal handling search, reservation requests, provisional bookings, confirmations, and centralized billing. A companion community platform, Skilagergeschichten, collects and archives ski camp stories from the Swiss school community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Schneesportlager (Ski/Snowboard Camp Package) All-inclusive multi-day ski and snowboard camp package for Swiss primary and secondary schools. Includes round-trip public transport (SBB RailAway), 4 nights of group accommodation (self-catering to full board), mountain railway passes (Mon-Fri), rental equipment (skis, boots, snowboard, helmet) for students without gear, one afternoon/evening activity, a local contact person, and centralized billing through gosnow.ch.
• Schneesporttage (Snow Sport Day) Single-day snow sport experience for Swiss schools, providing shorter-duration access to ski areas with equipment rental and instruction.
• SBB Schneesportbillett (Public Transport Package) Special-rate round-trip public transport ticket (CHF 10 per person) for school groups traveling to snow sport camps, arranged via SBB/RailAway. Available from October 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026. Maximum 2 months advance booking. School day card alternative: CHF 15 per person per day. Group discount: 30% for groups of 10+.
• Gruppengepäcktransport (Group Luggage Transport) Door-to-door luggage transport service for school camp groups via SBB. Pickup at school and delivery to accommodation (minimum 2 days prior). CHF 100 flat rate per direction for up to 30 pieces (max 23 kg each). Same-day service: CHF 500 for up to 50 pieces.
• Sportbekleidung mieten (Sports Clothing Rental) Ski and outdoor clothing rental via partner Outdoor Service for school ski camps, starting at CHF 2 per child per day. Includes rental form and delivery to the desired address (school or accommodation).
• Fonds für Härtefälle (Hardship Fund) Financial support fund for schools in financially weak municipalities that cannot otherwise afford snow sport camps or snow sport days. Financed by Stiftung 'Freude herrscht' and administered by the Schneesportinitiative Schweiz. Schools can only access it once.
• Leiterinnenbörse (Leader Exchange Board) Free job posting board for snow sport camp leadership positions, operated in partnership with sportnetzwerk.ch, Switzerland's largest sports job and specialist platform. Schools can post openings and search for qualified snow sport instructors and supervisors.
• GoNow (Summer/Mountain Camp Alternative) Summer and multi-activity camp packages offered through GoSnow as alternatives to snow sport camps, in mountain destinations with activities such as hiking, climbing, biking, clean-up days, wildlife observation, and foxtrail. Offered under the same centralized service model (central booking, contact persons, attractive pricing, cancellation flexibility) as GoSnow.
• Online-Buchungsplattform (Online Booking Platform gosnow.ch) The web-based gosnow.ch platform used by schools to search accommodation by region and calendar week, submit reservation requests, receive provisional bookings (valid 10 days), complete final reservations, and manage centralized billing. The full booking workflow from inquiry to confirmation is handled online.
• Skilagergeschichten (Ski Camp Stories Platform) Community storytelling platform celebrating ski camp culture, inviting past participants and teachers to submit memories as text, photos, or videos. Run as a companion initiative with prize draws for participating classes and individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73 kg CO2e per child per 5-day ski camp vs 122 kg CO2e for 5 days of everyday life at home — ski camp has a lower carbon footprint (calculated by myclimate)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BASPO (Bundesamt für Sport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Office of Sport — core institutional backer and sponsor (Trägerschaft) of the Schneesportinitiative Schweiz. Provides legitimacy, potential co-development of youth sports programs, and access to government sports funding channels.
• EDK/KOKES (Erziehungsdirektorenkonferenz / Konferenz der kantonalen Kultusdirektorinnen und -direktoren)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education — core institutional backer of the initiative. Bridges the educational and sports policy domains, facilitating school participation nationwide.
• Swiss Ski (Schweizerischer Skiverband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational ski federation — core institutional sponsor providing expertise in snow sports and connecting the initiative with ski schools and instructors.
• Swiss Snowsports (Schweizerischer Snowboard-Verband und Schneesportausbildung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Snowsports association — core sponsor contributing to snow sports education standards and instructor networks.
• Seilbahnen Schweiz (Swiss Cableways)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Cableways industry association — core sponsor facilitating access to ski resort partnerships and ski pass arrangements.
• Intersport SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sports retailer with ski equipment expertise — core sponsor providing equipment rental coordination and potentially discounted gear for school camps.
• Schweizer Jugendherbergen (Swiss Youth Hostels)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss Youth Hostels network — provides accommodation infrastructure for ski camps, offering group lodging at youth hostels across ski destinations.
• Ochsner SportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Swiss sports retailer — core sponsor supporting equipment and retail aspects of ski camp programs.
• LCH (Lehrerinnen- und Lehrer Schweiz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Teachers' Association — core sponsor representing teachers and facilitating outreach to the educator community.
• STV/Swiss Olympic (Schweizerischer Turnverband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Gymnastics Association / Swiss Olympic — core sponsor connecting with sports education and youth sports programs.
• ASSA / ASSU (Allgemeiner Sportverband Schweiz / Association Suisse des Sports)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Swiss Sports Association — core sponsor providing broad sports sector representation.
• SPAF (Schweizerischer Pädagogischer Fachverband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Pedagogical Professional Association — core sponsor bridging educational expertise with snow sports camp programs.
• SBB / RailAway (Swiss Federal Railways)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSBB RailAway offers special ski camp transport tickets at CHF 10 per person round trip. GoSnow integrates this offering into its package prices. SBB also provides door-to-door baggage transport service (CHF 100 per way for up to 30 pieces).
• myclimateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss climate protection foundation — sustainability partner that calculated the CO2 footprint comparison between ski camps and everyday life (73 kg vs 122 kg CO2e per child per 5 days).
• Raiffeisen SwitzerlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss banking cooperative — sponsor and partner providing prize sponsorship for the 10th anniversary 'Skilagergeschichten' campaign, including a VIP chalet experience at the Adelboden ski race.
• Swiss Olympic / STV (Schweizerischer Turnverband) — SwisstainableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner under the Swisstainable initiative, contributing to the organization's environmental and sustainability credentials.
• Summit FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner contributing to the organization's environmental programs and initiatives.
• ZRCL (We Are ZRCL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner contributing to environmental initiatives and sustainable operations.
• Ginto / OK GominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccessibility platform partner — provides accessibility information for destinations and venues through the Ginto Guide platform.
• SchtiftiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner focused on reducing food waste and promoting sustainable practices in school camps.
• Outdoor ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutdoor clothing and equipment rental service. Provides ski clothing rental for children at CHF 2/day per child for school ski camps. Products are delivered to the school or accommodation address. Founded by Markos, focuses on sustainability through repair and reuse.
• sportnetzwerk.chminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest Swiss sports job and specialist platform. GoSnow collaborates with sportnetzwerk.ch to help teachers find qualified supervisors and snow sports instructors for their camps. Teachers can post free job listings.
• GaraventaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor listed in the sponsorship section — provides marketing support for ski camp programs.
• sisagminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor listed in the sponsorship section — provides marketing support.
• TechnoAlpinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor listed in the sponsorship section — provides marketing support for ski camp programs.
• Sales Rental (Ovomaltine)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor listed in the sponsorship section. Ovomaltine provides product sponsorship for ski camp programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• EF Educational Tours: Global educational tour operator serving millions of students with curriculum-linked trips including ski and alpine experiences. Comparable in bundling and institutional channels but at vastly different scale, geography, and product breadth.
• Studiosus Reisen: Large German-language educational tour operator that packages language, cultural, and active (including alpine/ski) trips for school classes and adult groups. Comparable as a school-trip bundler but operates far more broadly and internationally than GoSnow.

Direct peers

• SnowTrex Ski Holidays: Online ski-holiday booking platform aggregating accommodation, lift passes, and equipment across alpine resorts. Comparable as a ski-experience aggregator and bundler but serves individual/family travelers rather than school groups.
• Schweizer Skischulen / Swiss Snowsports: Umbrella body for Swiss ski and snowboard schools; member schools offer direct instruction and rental services to school groups. They compete with GoSnow at the ski-school component of every camp and could bypass the aggregator to book school groups directly.
• Schweizer Jugendherbergen (Swiss Youth Hostels): Swiss Youth Hostels directly supply group accommodation (including ski regions) and run their own school-camp packages, competing with GoSnow on lodging and bundled experiences while also being a core Trägerschaft partner. They are the closest direct substitute for school ski camp lodging and bundled logistics in Switzerland.

Regional players

• Schulfahrt.de: German school-trip comparison and booking portal covering ski camps, alpine trips, and other class journeys. It is the closest analogue in the DACH market but serves German teachers and destinations rather than Switzerland.
• Jugendreisen.de: German youth-travel specialist offering school ski camps and class trips across the Alps. Provides similar bundled transport, lodging, and activity packages for school groups but is German-market focused.

Others

• Intersport Rent: Intersport's ski and snowboard rental network provides equipment for school groups via GoSnow packages. Although a current partner and equipment supplier, the rental arm could in principle serve school groups directly, making it an adjacent ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schneesportinitiative-schweiz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Schneesportinitiative Schweiz