SKIMO
SKIMO (Skimo.in) is an Indian D2C outdoor recreation company that sells climbing, mountaineering, and ski gear via Shopify and runs instructor-led Himalayan adventure courses and expeditions (avalanche training, ski, snowboard, ice climbing, backcountry, ski mountaineering) across Gulmarg, Manali, Keylong, and Ladakh.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersKeylong, India
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SKIMO does
SKIMO (operating as Skimo.in, owned by Hillbillee and powered by Skimonk) is an Indian outdoor recreation company that runs a direct-to-consumer Shopify e-commerce platform selling climbing, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding equipment from brands including Petzl, Black Diamond, Deuter, MSR, Fischer, La Sportiva, and Rossignol, alongside a structured catalog of guided adventure experiences. Its service portfolio includes avalanche certification courses (ABC-1 and ABC-2), glacier skills and crevasse rescue, ice climbing courses in Lahaul and Spiti, ski and snowboard instruction at Gulmarg, multi-tier backcountry skiing and splitboarding trips in Lahaul and Kashmir, and high-altitude ski mountaineering expeditions to peaks such as Kau Rang II (6187m) and Yunam Peak (6150m). The company operates across key Himalayan geographies — Gulmarg (Kashmir), Manali and Kullu Valley (Himachal Pradesh), Keylong (Lahaul & Spiti), and Ladakh — with small instructor-to-student ratios (3:1 to 6:1), packaged lodging (e.g., Highland Park Hotel, Gulmarg), and instructor credentials anchored in Canadian Avalanche Association certification and extensive 6000m+ Himalayan summit experience.
The business model is transactional and one-time-pay: revenue is generated from per-participant course fees (Rs. 15,000–Rs. 65,000 for courses; EUR 1,800–2,800 for premium international backcountry trips) and fixed-price gear retail (Rs. 500 to Rs. 117,000 per item). Go-to-market combines content marketing (educational blogs on avalanche safety, gear reviews, Himalayan guides), organic SEO, organic social (Instagram as Skimonk), email newsletter, and a deeply integrated partnership with the Avalanche Himalaya Foundation (AHF), a non-profit that issues daily avalanche forecasts and provides avalanche training to government clients including the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, SDRF, and DDRF. The company is privately held with approximately 25 employees, no disclosed funding or revenue figures, and is operationally intertwined with AHF through shared leadership, instructors, and mission.
SKIMO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SKIMO
- Legal name
- Skimo.in
- Website
- https://skimo.in
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SKIMO (Skimo.in) is an Indian D2C outdoor recreation company that sells climbing, mountaineering, and ski gear via Shopify and runs instructor-led Himalayan adventure courses and expeditions (avalanche training, ski, snowboard, ice climbing, backcountry, ski mountaineering) across Gulmarg, Manali, Keylong, and Ladakh.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SKIMO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Adventure Gear Retail and Guided Expeditions
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (56152), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF), Rock Climbing, Mountaineering & Via Ferrata Guides (THAAADAC), Ski Touring / Backcountry & Avalanche Safety Retail (AT Gear, Skins, Beacons, Probes, Shovels, Airbags) (CRAMAJAD), Climbing & Mountaineering Gear Retail (CRAMAAAB)
Keywords
Where SKIMO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Keylong
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
SKIMO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Adventure Courses & Expeditions: Revenue from structured outdoor/adventure courses including avalanche training (Levels 1 & 2), ski and snowboard instruction (basic/intermediate in Gulmarg), ice climbing courses (Lahaul/Spiti), glacier skills, backcountry skiing/splitboarding trips, and ski mountaineering expeditions (e.g., Kau Rang II, Yunam Peak). Courses are priced per participant and typically include instruction, accommodation, meals, and equipment.
- Retail E-commerce (Gear Sales): Revenue from direct online sales of climbing, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor camping equipment. Products include ice axes, crampons, harnesses, helmets, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, skis, avalanche gear, and accessories from brands such as Petzl, Black Diamond, Deuter, MSR, La Sportiva, Fischer, and others. Sold at fixed prices with Indian Rupee (Rs.) pricing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Avalanche-Backcountry Course 1 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Avalanche-Backcountry Course 2 (Advanced) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Himalayan Backcountry Skiing - Intro |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Basic | Intermediate Ski Course (Gulmarg) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Basic | Intermediate Snowboard Course (Gulmarg) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ice Climbing Basic Course 2025/26 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kashmir | Gulmarg Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lahaul Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding (Aloo Puri - 13 Days) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lahaul Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding (Masala Chai - 8 Days) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lahaul Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding (Sweet Paan - 3 Day Powder Weekend) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kau Rang II Ski Mountaineering Expedition (6187m) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yunam Peak Expedition (6150m) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Climbing & Mountaineering Gear (Retail) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
SKIMO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SKIMO runs skimo.in, a direct-to-consumer Shopify storefront that retails climbing, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor camping gear alongside offering certified adventure courses and guided Himalayan expeditions. Product categories include climbing hardware, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, down jackets, skis, and avalanche safety equipment from brands such as Petzl, Black Diamond, Deuter, MSR, Fischer, and La Sportiva. Course offerings span avalanche training (Levels 1 and 2), glacier skills and crevasse rescue, Gulmarg ski and snowboard instruction, ice climbing in Lahaul/Spiti, backcountry ski/splitboard trips in Kashmir and Lahaul, and high-altitude ski mountaineering expeditions to peaks such as Kau Rang II and Yunam Peak.
Product overview
SKIMO is an Indian outdoor recreation company operating as both an e-commerce retailer and adventure tour operator. The product portfolio comprises two interconnected offerings: (1) An online equipment store selling climbing gear (anchors, ascenders, belay devices, carabiners, crampons, harnesses, helmets, ice axes, ice screws, lanyards, pulleys, ropes), outdoor gear (backpacks, cooking systems, headlamps, hydration, protection, sleeping bags, trekking poles, tents, sunglasses, snow shoes), apparel (down jackets, waterproof jackets), and ski/snowboard equipment (all-mountain/carving/powder skis, avalanche gear) from brands like Petzl, Black Diamond, Deuter, Fischer, Rossignol, and La Sportiva; and (2) Adventure services including avalanche training courses (Levels 1-2), mountaineering courses (backpacking, glacier skills, crevasse rescue), skiing courses (Gulmarg basic/intermediate ski and snowboard), ice climbing courses in Lahaul/Spiti, backcountry ski and splitboard trips in Lahaul and Gulmarg Kashmir, and high-altitude ski mountaineering expeditions to peaks like Kau Rang II and Yunam Peak.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Avalanche Himalaya: Non-governmental, not-for-profit organization committed to advancing public avalanche safety in India, issuing daily avalanche forecasts for mountainous regions in North-western India
Companies that use SKIMO
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SKIMO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SKIMO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Avalanche Himalaya FoundationcoreAvalanche Himalaya is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization committed to advancing public avalanche safety in India. It issues daily avalanche forecasts for Himalayan regions in northwestern India and coordinates avalanche education programs. SKIMO's co-founders/instructors (notably Dhruv Sharma) serve in leadership roles within AHF, and SKIMO courses are delivered under the AHF umbrella. The two organizations share instructors, curricula, and mission, creating a deeply integrated operational relationship.
- Highland Park Hotel (Gulmarg)minorHighland Park Hotel in Gulmarg is the designated accommodation partner for SKIMO's Kashmir backcountry ski and splitboard trips. The hotel, established in 1966 and perched on the Gulmarg plateau, provides 10 nights of lodging as part of the packaged 10-day Gulmarg backcountry experience. SKIMO promotes the hotel in their itinerary descriptions.
- Gulmarg Avalanche CentercoreSKIMO instructors work with the Gulmarg Avalanche Center. Dhruv Sharma (SKIMO instructor) serves as Duty Forecaster at the Gulmarg Avalanche Center (2022–present). The relationship involves shared avalanche safety operations, forecasting, and ski patrol support at the Gulmarg ski resort.
- Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA)coreSKIMO's lead instructor Dhruv Sharma holds certification from the Canadian Avalanche Association (Avalanche Operations Level I). CAA curricula inform SKIMO's avalanche training programs, aligning Indian avalanche education with international standards set by CAA and AIARE.
- Petzl (Gear Brand)minorPetzl is the dominant brand in SKIMO's climbing gear catalog, with extensive product listings including ice axes (Nomic, Quark, Summit Evo, etc.), crampons (Lynx, Sarken, Vasak, Dart, etc.), belay devices (GriGri+, Reverso, Verso), harnesses (Corax, Tour), helmets (Meteor, Panga), ascenders (Ascension, Tibloc), and headlamps (Tikka, Actik, IKO Core, Bindi). Petzl products span the full climbing equipment range.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SKIMO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Backcountry.com: US specialty e-commerce retailer focused on backcountry skiing, climbing and outdoor gear with content and community features. Comparable to SKIMO's retail arm in product category (backcountry ski, avalanche gear, climbing equipment) and SEO-driven content strategy.
- Alpine Ascents International: US-based high-altitude mountaineering and ski mountaineering expedition operator running technical climbs globally. Comparable to SKIMO's Kau Rang II and Yunam Peak expeditions in technical content, small guided ratios and premium expedition pricing.
- Evo: US-based outdoor retailer combining curated gear e-commerce (ski, snowboard, climbing) with trip and experience offerings. Closely comparable to SKIMO's combined retail-plus-experiences business model, with similar content-driven marketing and curated brand mix.
- Indiahikes: India's largest D2C trekking and outdoor adventure platform, offering curated high-altitude treks and standardised safety protocols. Directly comparable to SKIMO in combining online booking, community content and certified instruction for Indian outdoor enthusiasts, though focused on trekking rather than backcountry skiing and avalanche training.
- Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH Heli-Skiing): Premier guided backcountry and heli-skiing operator running multi-day lodge-based trips with small client-to-guide ratios. Directly comparable to SKIMO's Lahaul and Kashmir backcountry ski/splitboard packages on trip structure, premium pricing and guided small-group format.
- Bikat Adventures: Indian adventure tour operator offering mountaineering expeditions, trekking and technical courses in the Himalayas. Comparable to SKIMO's expedition and course business, particularly around high-altitude peaks, though with less emphasis on backcountry skiing and avalanche-specific training.
- Trek The Himalayas: India-based adventure operator running trekking, mountaineering and winter sports experiences in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Kashmir. Closely comparable in geography and product mix to SKIMO's Himalayan courses and expedition offerings.
Emerging players
- Thrillophilia: Indian adventure and experience marketplace aggregating tours and activities from operators including Himalayan skiing and trekking suppliers. Comparable to SKIMO on adventure experience distribution in India, though as an aggregator rather than an operator-retailer hybrid.
Broad incumbents
- Decathlon India: India arm of global sporting goods retailer with broad outdoor, climbing and skiing assortment at scale. Competes directly with SKIMO's retail arm on price, range and delivery, while not operating guided experiences - so an asymmetric incumbent threat to SKIMO's gear revenue stream.
- REI Co-op: US outdoor cooperative combining large-scale gear retail with extensive outdoor education and guided experience programs. Comparable as a hybrid retail-plus-experiences model; represents the broader incumbent template SKIMO is executing at Indian Himalayan scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SKIMO social profiles
Digital presenceSKIMO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SKIMO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SKIMO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SKIMO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SKIMO
What does SKIMO do?
SKIMO runs skimo.in, a direct-to-consumer Shopify storefront that retails climbing, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor camping gear alongside offering certified adventure courses and guided Himalayan expeditions. Product categories include climbing hardware, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, down jackets, skis, and avalanche safety equipment from brands such as Petzl, Black Diamond, Deuter, MSR, Fischer, and La Sportiva. Course offerings span avalanche training (Levels 1 and 2), glacier skills and crevasse rescue, Gulmarg ski and snowboard instruction, ice climbing in Lahaul/Spiti, backcountry ski/splitboard trips in Kashmir and Lahaul, and high-altitude ski mountaineering expeditions to peaks such as Kau Rang II and Yunam Peak.
Is SKIMO a public or private company?
SKIMO is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SKIMO founded?
SKIMO was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SKIMO based?
SKIMO is headquartered in Keylong, India, in the Asia region.
How does SKIMO make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Adventure Courses & Expeditions are the primary driver. The others are retail E-commerce (Gear Sales).
Who are SKIMO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Backcountry.com, Alpine Ascents International, Evo, Indiahikes, Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH Heli-Skiing), Bikat Adventures and Trek The Himalayas. Thrillophilia is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Decathlon India and REI Co-op.
Does SKIMO have an API?
No public API is recorded for SKIMO.
What industry is SKIMO in?
SKIMO's product category is Outdoor Adventure Gear Retail and Guided Expeditions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAJAD, Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing), with a secondary code of THAAALAF, Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing). Its NAICS code is 56152 and its SIC code is 7900.