About Us
30+ Years Experience
Our Managing Director, Marco Piccoli, has worked in student group travel for over 30 years and remains as passionate about creating exceptional experiences for young travellers today as when he first began his career. A lifelong skiing enthusiast with extensive knowledge of ski resorts, mountain destinations and winter sports, Marco’s expertise helps shape the high-quality ski programmes we deliver.
Building on the strong foundations established alongside co-founder Trish Lee and former NI Sales Manager Jill Russell, Marco now leads a dedicated, experienced, and highly stable Topflight for Schools team. Many of our staff have been with the company for over 22 years, providing invaluable expertise, continuity, and trusted relationships with our schools and partners. This shared commitment to outstanding service, attention to detail, and customer care continues to underpin everything we do, ensuring you are in safe hands when you book with us; as reflected in the many testimonials from our happy customers.
Topflight, A Name You Can Trust
Over 20 years ago, Marco Piccoli and co-founder Trish Lee joined forces with the highly respected Tony Collins, helping to build Topflight for Schools into one of Ireland’s leading school ski tour operators. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, earning a reputation for excellence, innovation, and outstanding customer service.
This success has been recognised through numerous industry accolades, including being named Best Ski Operator by the Irish travel trade for 19 consecutive years, Best Ski Operator in Northern Ireland for 11 consecutive years, and Best Long Haul Tour Operator. Topflight has also been honoured as a Deloitte Best Managed Company, reflecting the strength of its leadership, business performance, and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. These achievements give us confidence in our position as one of Ireland’s most trusted and experienced school travel specialists.
A Family Approach
At Topflight for Schools, we are often described by our clients as being more like a family than a tour operator. We take great pride in the strong, long-lasting relationships we have built with schools, many of whom have travelled with us for years and even decades. Our genuine, personal approach means we take the time to understand each group’s needs, offering honest advice, dedicated support, and a level of care that extends far beyond the booking process. For us, every school is a valued partner, and these enduring relationships are at the heart of everything we do.
Unparalleled Service Levels
Exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything we do. Our team combines extensive product knowledge with first-hand experience of the resorts and destinations we offer, enabling us to recommend the ski trip that best meets the unique needs of your group.
With decades of collective expertise in school travel, our dedicated Operations team manages every aspect of your trip with professionalism, attention to detail, and care. This commitment to service is reflected in our Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 79—an excellent result and a measure of the high levels of satisfaction and loyalty among our customers.
To those considering travelling with us for the first time, we invite you to experience the Topflight for Schools difference. To our many loyal and returning clients, we remain committed to delivering the outstanding service, reliability, and support you have come to expect, and we sincerely thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
We Tailor Every Package
As specialists in school ski travel, we pride ourselves on creating personalised ski programmes that are carefully tailored to the needs, objectives, and budget of each group. Our extensive expertise, strong resort partnerships, and attention to detail allow us to deliver exceptional value alongside outstanding service. Whether you are planning a first-time ski trip or a long-established annual tour, we can adapt the duration, accommodation, ski programme, and travel arrangements to suit your requirements. Our consultative, one-to-one approach ensures that every trip is designed around your group’s specific needs, giving you a truly bespoke ski experience backed by expert advice and dedicated support from start to finish.
We Support You at Every Step
From your initial enquiry through to your return home, our experienced Sales and Operations teams are on hand to guide and support you at every stage of your journey. We understand that organising a school ski trip involves many moving parts, which is why we work closely with group leaders to ensure every detail is carefully planned and managed.
Our support extends far beyond the booking process. You will be assisted by our airport representatives on departure and arrival, and throughout your stay you will benefit from the expertise of our in-resort Resort Managers. This dedicated local support is a unique and invaluable part of the Topflight for Schools experience and is a service that sets us apart from many other operators.
Our Resort Managers are there to ensure everything runs smoothly, providing local knowledge, practical assistance, translation support where required, and prompt help with any questions or unexpected situations. Their presence offers reassurance to group leaders and helps ensure that every trip runs exactly as planned, allowing teachers and students alike to focus on enjoying a safe, successful, and memorable ski experience.
Wherever your journey takes you, you can be confident that an experienced member of the Topflight for Schools team is never far away and that support is always available when you need it.
We Put Safety First
Student safety is our highest priority. Every aspect of our ski trips is carefully reviewed to ensure high standards are maintained throughout. All air and ground transportation services comply with the requirements of the relevant regulatory bodies.
We work closely with our trusted accommodation providers, transport partners, and ski schools, carrying out thorough supplier audits and compiling comprehensive risk assessment documentation. Our experience and attention to detail provide teachers, parents, and students with confidence that every trip is planned and delivered with safety at its core.