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.”
The man who said this once skied with plastic bags pulled over his jeans.
This is the story of Kris, founder of Kriski Belgium.
The Kriski Story: How a Skiing Passion Became a Travel Brand begins with Kris’s love for skiing, a passion that 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 real ski pants, so we wrapped our jeans in plastic to stay dry.
Back then, it was pure joy. I never imagined skiing would become my life.”
“Everything began in 1998, when I organized my first ski trip—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.”
“Two seasons later, I decided to create my own adventure and launched myself as a ski tour operator. I secured 325 hotel beds for the winter, planning to organize the trips while a partner agency handled admin.”
But no travel agent believed in his idea. So Kris had no choice but to take over a struggling travel agency to make it work.
“That year, instead of selling 325 beds, I sold 625—double my expectation. Those numbers are still vivid in my memory.”
“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 our third or fourth year, 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.
— You don’t have to be perfect. Just keep moving, and life will meet your passion halfway.
If you’re planning a custom ski adventure in Europe or a private trip beyond Europe,
Kris and his team would love to assist — contact them at info@kriski.be
