The Kriski Story begins with a simple truth Kris often repeats: “Even today, the moment that makes me happiest is that feeling of gliding freely down a snowy mountain.”
It’s a feeling that many might call old-fashioned, a pure, unpolished joy. But for Kris, it has defined a lifetime.
It started in his childhood on the slopes of Feldberg Mountain.
“My passion for skiing came from my father.
He grew up in Germany’s Black Forest, and every visit to my grandparents meant skiing on Feldberg Mountain. We couldn’t afford proper ski pants, so we wrapped our jeans in plastic to stay dry.“
That humble beginning sparked a lifelong passion, and eventually led to the creation of his skiing brand – Kriski.
“Everything began in 1998, when I organized my first ski trip for 65 friends and relatives to Risoul. A year later, the group had grown to 85. I had no idea where this journey would lead; I only knew I wanted to share something I loved.”
Starting small, fueled by nothing but passion, Kris took the leap to launch himself as a ski tour operator. And that year he had secured 325 hotel beds for winter trips.
When no travel agent believed in his idea, he took over a struggling agency. That season, instead of 325 beds, he sold 625—double what he expected. “Those numbers are still vivid in my memory.” said Kris.
“In the early days, every detail was a challenge—finding instructors, arranging transport, securing accommodations, building our systems. Nothing came easily.
But quitting never crossed my mind. The business grew, step by step, and I built a team that cared as deeply as I did.”
Life, of course, had its storms.
“In one of our early years, one of our buses was involved in a tragic accident. We lost two guests.
We weren’t at fault, but the grief—and the overwhelming sense of responsibility—nearly broke me. Those were some of the darkest days of my life. Every single day, I wanted to give up.
What kept me standing were the buses that still needed to leave on schedule, and the guests who continued to trust us. That sense of duty brought me back from falling apart and pulled me forward.“
This year, Kriski’s winter trips are nearly sold out, and the brand continues to grow with confidence.
Beyond skiing, Kris has expanded into luxury, tailor-made travel outside Europe, widening the world he creates for travelers.
In every journey—whether carving down snowy slopes or shaping bespoke travel—Kris defines luxury through passion. It is passion that brings balance, creates meaning, and delivers a deep sense of inner fulfillment. And true passion, he proves, is never out of style.
If you’re planning a custom ski adventure in Europe or a private trip beyond Europe,
Kris and his team would love to assist.
