Meet Our Snowsports Gear Specialist John Jennings

Meet John Jennings, our snowports gear specialist and ski hardware buyer at Snow+Rock.

Skiing holds a special place in John's heart. From road trips to Austria to unforgettable powder days in Utah, he's chased the thrill all over the world. For John, skiing is more than a sport; it's an exhilarating rush, and a shared adventure. 

Read on to discover John’s epic skiing adventures, where he guides friends to hidden mountain gems and shares the joy of the slopes. 

My journey into the skiing industry started with a simple passion. I’d always go to the London Ski Show at Olympia and after returning to the UK following three years abroad, I quickly packed my bags for New Zealand. My life became a cycle of winters at the Chertsey store and chasing the New Zealand ski season.

I moved around, from Bristol to Kensington High Street, and back to Chertsey, climbing the ranks from supervisor to store manager. A little over a year ago, I began my current role as a buyer. 

Utah, USA

The Utah trip stands out as a real gem. It had everything a skier could dream of - endless powder, no lift queues, just perfect conditions all day long. It was surreal. Places like Val d'Isère might see fresh snow disappear within a morning, but in Utah, it just kept coming, day after day. 

Whistler, Canada 

Another iconic destination that every skier should have on their bucket list. The conditions there never disappoint, and I've never met anyone who didn't have an amazing time skiing in Whistler.

Mount Dobson, New Zealand 

One of the most unique memories was from my time working in New Zealand, specifically at a small family-owned ski field called Mount Dobson. It was tiny, even by Scottish standards, and every morning, we'd hop on a 1950s tractor to start one of the lifts. You'd rev up the engine to get it warm, put it in gear, and that's what powered the button lift. It was a quirky experience.

Some of these small ski fields still use rope tows; you'd hook onto a metal belt just like a seatbelt, and it would grip the rope and up you go! No grooming, just skiing wherever your heart desired. It's a far cry from the big resorts like Maribel in the Three Valleys, where you spend a good chunk of your day standing in lift lines. 

Most trips, it's usually with friends from work. Like when we headed to Utah, it was a group of us from the company. Jason, who used to manage the Hemel Hempstead store came with us. We grabbed our gear and hit the road. And there were a few New Zealanders I was working with at the Chertsey store. 

Without a doubt, I've seen ski technology undergo some remarkable changes over time. Interestingly, it was the snowboard market that played a significant role in this evolution. I remember working in Kensington when the first wave of what they called parabolic skis, essentially carving skis, came on the scene.

Every brand was jumping on the bandwagon, and it truly was a game-changer. These skis made skiing so much more enjoyable and easier, a real revolution in the sport.

The ski industry has a role to play in making more environmentally conscious choices. It's a bit of a challenge as we often have to fly to ski destinations, and products like ski boots, made from plastic, have a long lifespan. 

As a buyer for snowsports hardware, I'm interested in brands who put our planet at the forefront of their mission. For example, brands like Rossignol have released skis like the Rossignol Essential Ski - made from recycled materials and wood sourced within 600km of the production line. So, 77% of the ski can be recycled plus 17% can be used in the energy sector, leaving 6% of the ski as waste. For me, the biggest plus of the story is Rossignol have made all their research available to the industry, encouraging others to push this responsible technology forward. 

Brands such as Tecnica and Nordica operate the Recycle Your Boots campaign to recycle your old ski boots from any manufacturer for anyone who buys new boots to carefully repurpose the parts. 

Skiing is all about going full throttle, from first to last lifts. And for those who've never been to places like St. Anton with its Krazy Kanguruh or the legendary Dick's Tea Bar in Val d'Isère, you'd often spot people walking back to their chalets at 10:30 at night, still in their ski gear, lugging their skis along. It's all part of the ski-hard, play-hard ethos.

This past January, I went to the City Ski Championships and despite years in the industry, there are always new places to explore. That's part of the attraction - finding new slopes. I'm the kind of skier who might return to a place two or three times if it's great, but then I'd want to venture elsewhere. It's that freshness and sense of discovery that makes skiing so enjoyable.

Guiding friends around and sharing some of the quieter spots, those hidden gems on the mountain, it's a real pleasure. It’s not just doing it for yourself; it's all about the shared experience, and that's what makes it special. 

Unlike when I'm out road biking, where I often ride solo for miles on end – skiing is a shared adventure. It's fantastic to see groups of people out there, all feeding off each other's joy and energy. 

Skiing is a social activity, and that's one of the things that make it so wonderful.

Thank you, John, for sharing your experiences!

Snow+Rock specialists know that finding the right snowsports gear isn't just important – it's your ticket to epic adventures.  With quality products from world-leading brands, and in-store advice & ski boot fitting appointments, gear up for your most thrilling snowsports season yet.  

Book an appointment online now and head to your nearest Snow+Rock store to make the right choice with people who love the snow as much as you.