30 years of sporting passion: how Stoked has impacted Zermatt

Combining passion, courage and endurance creates extraordinary stories. One of these stories began in 1994, when Christian Meier founded the Stoked snowboard school in Zermatt. Three decades later, Stoked is much more than a snow sports school: the Stoked Group also features a successful event management company and a specialised boot fitting service. Together with his brothers Jürg and Michael, Christian Meier has built up a company that is now an integral part of the world-famous winter sports resort of Zermatt.

How did it all begin? What makes Stoked so special today? And what are the highlights from the past 30 years? We look back at a success story.

The beginning: a trail-blazing snowboard school

“Back then, we weren't the most welcome addition,” Christian Meier admits, recalling the early years with a grin. As the first private snowboard school in Valais, the Meier brothers met with some scepticism and resistance. In the mid-1990s, snowboarding was a young, wild sport – an outsider compared to traditional skiing. It was precisely this new freedom and passion that Stoked embodied from the outset.

 

With an ethos of persistence and quality, Stoked quickly became a permanent fixture in Zermatt. Guests appreciated the personalised attention and innovative teaching methods. Just five years after its foundation, Stoked expanded its teaching in 2000 to include skiing lessons and guiding, giving the snow sports school an even broader base. Today, Stoked offers customised courses for all ages and abilities – from the first glide in the snow to challenging freeride tours.

The next step: event management

The Meier brothers have always been visionaries. In 2002, they expanded the Stoked Group to include a new business area: event management. Once again, they blazed a trail in Zermatt. Starting as an experiment, this quickly developed into a successful branch.

 

“We wanted to organise events that weren't off the peg,” explains Christian Meier. And so they created experiences that continue to inspire today: ski races with award ceremonies, team events with dinner and torchlight descents, or exclusive parties in unusual locations. One particular highlight was an event at Riffelboden, where 180 guests from around the world enjoyed a spectacular programme – including catering from a 5-star hotel. Another unforgettable job involved providing 50 ski instructors for 50 princesses. “You don't forget the image of 50 ski instructors standing in front of the hotel facing 50 princesses,” says Christian Meier.

 

Since 2016, Stoked has been operating completely independently in the events sector, establishing itself as a major player in the region. With the Turbina, a renovated former hydroelectric power station, the company also has an exclusive event location that is particularly popular for team events and private parties.

Customised for your feet: boot fitting at Stoked

Boot fitting is another success for the Stoked Group. An expert in this field, Michael Meier explains: “Boot fitting is much more than just selling ski boots; it's a science.” With a deep understanding of anatomy and biomechanics, Michael Meier fits ski boots individually. The result? Perfect fit and maximum comfort.

 

Skiers with high ambitions swear by the custom-made boots from Stoked. But amateur athletes also benefit from this service. “Once you've had a custom-made boot, you'll never buy an off-the-peg boot again,” says Michael Meier.

Highlights from 30 years

The three decades of Stoked include many milestones. The Stoked parties and snowboard camps, which were embedded in the company culture from the start, have become legendary. Spectacular major events such as the Event Village at the Zermatt Cervino Speed Openings 2022 and 2023 are also among the milestones.

 

However, Christian Meier picks a different aspect as a personal highlight: “It makes me incredibly proud that we have had guests who learned to ski or snowboard with us as children and are teaching with us now.” This close connection shows the deep roots Stoked has in the Zermatt community.

A look into the future

After 30 years, Stoked is still a long way from reaching its goal. With passion, innovation and a deep connection to the mountains, the company will continue to inspire guests and enrich the Zermatt winter sports scene for decades to come.

 

Christian Meier sums it up: “Stoked is not just about winter sports or events. It’s about experiences that touch people and bring them together. And that's exactly what we'll continue to do in the future.”