Celebrating 40 years of original skiing and defining luxury travel
After four decades of delivering unforgettable experiences, building longstanding partnerships, and helping families create lasting memories, Rory Byrne proudly reflects on its remarkable journey and looks forward to an exciting future.
“I founded Powder Byrne in 1985 at the age of 23… but perhaps the story really started years earlier with my father.
In 1934, Vincent Byrne won the Morel Cup – a ski race in Chateau-d’Oex, Switzerland. He was 26 years old, and had taught himself to ski by walking up on skins, and racing down on the basic wooden planks called “skis”.
His passion for skiing then followed him throughout his life. As a World War II Spitfire pilot and POW of Stalag Luft III, he still managed to make a pair of skis out of wooden lengths to practice around the camp. He eventually ended his RAF service as Wing Commander.
As we were growing up, he shared his passion for the sport with me and my 7 older siblings in Grindelwald. Staying in a caravan site, in the middle of winter, we all learnt to ski from a young age, all taught by my father.
So by 1985, I was a good skier! During my university years, I took friends skiing, showing them the best places for “Powder”, and the best places to “Dine”. This was the start of what we now call our “Powder Byrne ski guiding programme”.
Another benefit of my skiing upbringing was the relationships built up with great lifelong friends, particularly in Grindelwald, all of whom share a similar passion for skiing and the mountains.
Whilst quietly self-confident at the time, I never imagined that Powder Byrne would be celebrating its 40th anniversary with my son, Edward Byrne, leading the next generations of skiers to come.
I am immensely proud of the incredible people in the company who have helped us achieve where we are today. Our oldest partnerships are as old as the company. We have over 50 Powder Byrne married team member couples. We have introduced our summer and our adventure programmes, built our business in Japan, added a private flights programme, created properties in Switzerland, and a private Polo Club in Spain.
To all the people that have skied with Powder Byrne over the last 40 years, and to all those who have joined Powder Byrne on our journey, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you for the trust and belief you have always shown in us and I am looking forward to the future.”
Rory Byrne
For more information on Powder Byrne and inspiration for luxury winter and summer experiences contact an expert travel consultant on 0208 246 5300, or visit www.powderbyrne.com.
