Alpy.com - The History
Alpy.com history starts in December 2006, when the company was founded in Austria as ALPINRESORTS.COM; after nearly 20 years of steady growth and acquisitions across Europe, it rebranded to Alpy.com in August 2025 and is now Europe's largest independent online ski rental marketplace. Since 2009, more than 3.2 million customers have booked ski hire online through the platform, which connects winter sports vacationers across Europe with 1,150+ independent rental shops in 800 resorts across 10 countries for ski, snowboard and ski school bookings.
Unlike ski rental chains such, which send customers only to their own franchise stores, Alpy.com operates as a neutral marketplace where 1,150+ independent partner shops compete on price and quality. Book online in a few steps, lock in your price at the moment of booking with no surprises, save up to 65% versus walk-in rates, and get free cancellation until the day before pick-up — cancel the day before and pay nothing.
This page covers Alpy.com's founding, growth milestones, acquisitions, rebrand and current scale — and how its marketplace model gives skiers and snowboarders a more flexible, affordable way to book equipment before they travel.
2006–2011
The Early Years
Three friends — Gunther Dillersberger, Manuel Tenschert and Thomas Glössner — founded ALPINRESORTS.COM in Austria in December 2006, building what was, at the time, the world's first personal booking system for online ski hire. In 2009, the company launched its online marketplace, making booking possible at scale as partner shops joined and the first real bookings started rolling in.
2012–2017
Growth of Ski Rental
The 2010s were about building the network, with Alpy.com's growth centered on expanding its online rental marketplace across Europe — new markets opened, ski school services were added, and momentum picked up as more independent shops joined the platform. By 2017, Alpy.com had also launched its Virtual Shop Partner and home delivery service, creating a smoother booking process and more convenient access to gear.
2018–Today
Scale — 1,150 Partner Shops
The platform held steady through 2020, when COVID-19 hit the ski season hard — the team adapted and kept bookings running for winter sports travelers. Since then, a series of acquisitions and partnerships has deepened Alpy.com's presence across Europe, expanding the network resort by resort and through partner shops across the Alps, giving customers more choice, affordable ski hire while keeping the marketplace model neutral.
Today
Becoming Alpy.com
In August 2025, Alpy.com rebranded from ALPINRESORTS.COM to Alpy.com — a name that finally matched what the company had become. Read the full rebrand story at Rebranding. Today, Alpy.com connects skiers with 1,150+ partner shops across 800 resorts in 10 countries — complete rentals including ski boots, a good price locked at the moment of booking, dates changeable online for a hassle-free experience with no fees, and the next chapter, growing further across Europe, already underway.
The Full Timeline
The Early Years
- 2006
ALPINRESORTS.COM founded
Founded in Austria — the world's first personal booking system for online ski rental
- 2009
Marketplace opens
The platform launches across Europe. The first bookings roll in
Growth
- 2012
Snowbrainer acquired
New markets opened across Europe
- 2013
Hervis partnership
First full Simple Booking integration. Ski school services introduced
- 2015
Russmedia partners
Enters as majority partner. Market activity intensifies
- 2017
The Hoff signs on
David Hasselhoff becomes brand testimonial. Virtual Shop Partner & Delivery launch
Scale
- 2020
The platform holds
COVID-19 impacts the season. The team adapts
- 2022
Asterix the Gaul joins
Becomes brand ambassador. Joint venture with Sport 2000 for ekosport-rent.com. Acquisition of Simplytoski, French ski rental specialist
- 2024
130 shops on Simple Booking technology
By 2024, 130 partner shops are using the Alpy.com Simple Booking platform
- End of 2024
Swissrent acquired
Acquisition of the Swiss ski rental specialist. Strengthening of Alpine presence
- August 2025
Rebranding to Alpy.com
ALPINRESORTS.COM becomes Alpy.com. Clearer. Sharper. The start of the globalisation phase
- skiers
- 3.2M
- partner shops
- 1,150+
- resorts
- 800
- countries
- 10
Where would you like to rent your skis or snowboard?
Frequently asked questions
When was Alpy.com founded?
Alpy.com was founded in December 2006 in Austria, as ALPINRESORTS.COM. That's 20 years of ski rental experience.
Who founded Alpy.com?
Gunther Dillersberger, Manuel Tenschert and Thomas Glössner founded the company in December 2006. All three remain with Alpy.com today.
What was ALPINRESORTS.COM?
ALPINRESORTS.COM was Alpy.com's original name, from its founding in December 2006 until the rebrand in August 2025. Same company, same team, same shops — just a different name. Full story at Rebranding.
How did Alpy.com grow into Europe's largest independent ski rental marketplace?
Through a steady run of acquisitions and partnerships: Snowbrainer (2012), Hervis (2013), Russmedia (2015), Simplytoski (2022) and Swissrent (2024) all joined the network, alongside partnerships like the Sport 2000 joint venture for ekosport-rent in 2022. The result: 1,150+ independent partner shops today, with a straightforward booking process for booking ski hire online through a neutral marketplace.
Is Alpy.com still an independent marketplace, even with all these acquisitions?
Yes. Every acquisition brought more independent shops onto the platform — it didn't turn Alpy.com into a chain. Alpy.com still owns none of its 1,150+ partner shops, where customers collect equipment, including skis and ski boots, from local partner shops near the ski lift. They compete openly on price and quality, offering both ski and snowboard hire, exactly as they always have.
Why did Alpy.com change its name in 2025?
After nearly 20 years and 3.2 million customers, ALPINRESORTS.COM had outgrown its original name. Alpy.com is shorter, clearer, and describes the company today — built for booking your gear before you even reach the slopes. The service focuses on advance online booking for Alpy.com ski rental, completed in just a few steps. Full story at Rebranding.
Where is Alpy.com based today?
Headquartered in Bratislava, with a team also in Vienna — 50 people, serving 10 countries, and a site that provides detailed information for comparing local rental options.
Can I trust Alpy.com? What do customers say?
Yes. Alpy.com has been in the ski rental business for 20 years, has served millions of skiers, and holds a 4.7/5 rating on Trustpilot from more than 12,000 verified reviews. Customers consistently highlight the stress free, easy booking process, competitive prices and helpful staff at partner shops — and season after season, customers keep coming back to book with Alpy.com again.
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Twenty years of growth, one marketplace.
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