SkiYodl, a Norwich‑based ski travel company co‑founded by Oliver Dannatt, has entered liquidation after appointing liquidators on Wednesday 22 July. The business specialised in arranging self‑catered chalets and apartments across major Alpine resorts and operated a mobile app designed as a "pocket concierge" for customers.
What the company did
The firm marketed a combination of accommodation bookings and on‑the‑ground services via its app. It helped customers with:
- arranging ski passes and ski hire,
- booking airport transfers and lessons,
- finding local bars, restaurants and nightlife.
The business began with seed funding in early 2020 and launched its platform in Verbier shortly before the first significant Covid lockdowns in Europe.
Funding and operational setbacks
SkiYodl sought to grow after the pandemic and pursued several funding rounds. In 2021 the company launched a fundraising round seeking £750,000 to support expansion plans. It subsequently raised money through crowdfunding and other short bursts of trading after restrictions eased.
| When | Event | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2020 | Seed funding | Not specified |
| January 2021 | Crowdcube crowdfunding | £770,000 (from around 450 investors) |
| 2021 | Fundraising round launched | £750,000 target |
| Early 2022 | Trading after borders reopened | £500,000 taken in three months |
Despite these injections of capital, the company experienced repeated interruptions linked to the pandemic. The platform launched in Verbier only to be hit by Covid six weeks later, and the business paused again when the Omicron variant affected Europe in late 2021.
Local connections
SkiYodl's founder, Oliver Dannatt, is the son of Lord Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, and Lady Philippa Dannatt, the Lord‑Lieutenant of Norfolk. Prior to founding SkiYodl, Oliver Dannatt worked as an in‑house ski instructor at the Lodge in Verbier, teaching a number of well‑known clients during his time there.
The company also attracted local interest when Norfolk broadcaster Jake Humphrey pledged support by committing to invest in the 2021 crowdfund.
What we know about the liquidation
Liquidators were appointed on 22 July. The public statements about the appointment confirm the company has ceased to trade in its previous form, but details about outstanding liabilities, the number of affected staff or the next steps for creditors and customers have not been disclosed in the source material.
For customers holding future bookings or vouchers, and for those who invested via crowdfunding, the appointment of liquidators typically means claims will need to be lodged through the insolvency process. Anyone directly affected should look for correspondence from the liquidators and check communications from the platform they used to book or invest.
This development will be followed locally because of the firm’s Norwich base and family associations within Norfolk. The appointment of liquidators marks the close of a business that sought to combine digital convenience with the seasonal ski market but was repeatedly hampered by pandemic disruption.
