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E74 - Ski Alberta | Where's Best to Ski Now | Ellis Brigham Buyers Guide | Best Family Skiing in Austria
🎙️ In Partnership With Ski Independence — Crafting unforgettable, tailor-made ski holidays to top ski resorts like Whistler, Val d’Isère, the Dolomites and beyond. 👉 ski-i.com
🎥 Interview: Ski Independence
Dom and Rob chat with Karen and Ross about skiing in Alberta, Canada.
📰 Ski News
Verbier Opens Early: Lac des Vaux opened Nov 1 after 40cm of fresh Alpine snow — early skiing in Switzerland is on!
Baqueira Beret: Spain’s top ski resort expands to 170 km of pistes.
Dan Egan’s New Ski Film: Return to the Silk Road launches Nov 11 on YouTube.
Freeride Republic: A new grassroots movement focused on freeride skiing safety and skills.
Jannik Sinner x Gucci Altitude: The tennis star fronts Gucci’s first luxury ski collection with HEAD.
Candide Thovex & La Clusaz: New black run dedicated to the freeride ski icon.
Remembering Minty Clinch, legendary British ski journalist and mountain storyteller.
🌨️ Snow & Ski Conditions
Alps: Glaciers open in Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Sölden, and Hintertux — great early-season skiing conditions.
Scandinavia: Ruka and Levi are now open with fresh snow for early Nordic skiing.
North America: Keystone and A-Basin are open, with Banff and Lake Louise joining soon — Canada ski season begins!
🎿 Ski Gear Buyers Guide — in association with Ellis Brigham
Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 130 – the ultimate freeride ski boot for touring and downhill.
Picture Sygna Jacket – sustainable, waterproof, and warm ski jacket for all conditions.
Oakley Flight Deck M Goggles – wide-view ski goggles for crystal-clear vision. 👉 ellisbrigham.com
🏡 Austrian Ski Resorts — Family Favourites
🇦🇹 St. Johann in Tirol – 40 km of slopes, 18 huts, and heaps of family-friendly skiing. 🇦🇹 Serfaus–Fiss–Ladis – 214 km of pistes, sunshine, and its unique underground ski subway. 🇦🇹 SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental – 275 km of eco-powered ski runs and mountain huts. 🇦🇹 St. Johann in Salzburg – part of the vast Ski amadé ski area, just an hour from Salzburg.
🎙️ The White Out Podcast - In association with Ski Independence
In this episode of The White Out Podcast, Dom from InTheSnow and Rob from Ski Press are back together for another jam-packed roundup of all things skiing — from awards nights and snow shows to fresh powder and gear you’ll want this winter.
🏔️ In This Episode
A Glittering Week in Ski Media: Dom and Rob recap their night at the Travel Media Awards (yes, The Whiteout Podcast was a finalist!) and share behind-the-scenes moments with industry legends like Simon Calder.
LISTEX & The London Snow Show: What went down at the UK’s biggest ski industry events — from packed panels and epic parties to thousands of stoked skiers and big-name appearances.
Latest Ski News:
London Snow Show returns to Olympia after 15 years
Freddy Carrick-Smith and Luca Carrick-Smith set to make history on the World Cup circuit
Laurie Taylor teams up with Ski Club of Great Britain
New InPiste indoor ski centre opening soon at Luton Hoo Estate
Peak Performance x Max Palm bring urban ski vibes to London
Snow & Weather Update: The Alps are turning white! Sölden’s green light for the World Cup, fresh snow in Val Thorens and Chamonix, and promising early-season forecasts.
Reusch Isidro GTX Gloves – mountain-proof warmth and durability
🏂 Destination Guide: Dom and Rob reveal their Top Ski Destinations for 2025, featuring: Saas Fee 🇨🇭 | Les Menuires 🇫🇷 | Ponte di Legno-Tonale 🇮🇹 | Grindelwald 🇨🇭 | Jackson Hole 🇺🇸 | Altenmarkt–Zauchensee 🇦🇹 | Drei Zinnen 🇮🇹 | Hakuba 🇯🇵 | Sun Peaks 🇨🇦 | Geilo 🇳🇴
🏆 Shoutout to Our Episode Partner
Ski Independence – Tailor-made ski holidays built around you. Explore Whistler, Val d’Isère, the Dolomites and more this winter: ski-i.com
🎧 Listen, Watch & Subscribe
That’s it for this week’s episode — but the season’s just getting started! 👉 Hit subscribe on your favourite podcast app 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube – just search The White Out Podcast 📩 Got questions or ideas? Email hello@inthesnow.com
Welcome back to Skiing 101 - a 4 part mini-series in association with Crystal Ski Holidays! This series is designed to help you feel confident and prepared for your first ski holiday.
Skiing with Babies or Toddlers:
Tips for families traveling with young children.
Childcare options: From Crystal’s Pepi Penguin Nursery for kids aged 6 months to 3/4 years, to hotel kids' clubs and family-friendly resorts.
Recommended family-friendly resorts: Sälen (Sweden), Flaine (France), and Zell am See (Austria) – all offering excellent childcare services and family amenities.
Mixed Ability Groups:
Advice on selecting the right resort when your group has a mix of beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers.
Resort recommendations: Saalbach (Austria), Tignes (France), Pas de la Casa (Andorra), and Alpe d'Huez (France) – all perfect for groups with varying skill levels.
Family-Friendly Resorts with Childcare Services & Beginner Slopes:
Resorts with beginner slopes and childcare services for those traveling with young kids.
Top resorts: La Plagne (France), Flaine (France), and Passo Tonale (Italy) provide everything from wide beginner runs to exceptional childcare.
Après-Ski & Lively Resorts:
For après-ski, Austria offers lively spots like St Anton and Ischgl, France's Val Thorens and Val d'Isère are known for their vibrant après-ski while Italy provides a more relaxed après experience. Resorts like Sauze d’Oulx and Selva Val Gardena. Andorra offers budget-friendly après-ski in Pas de la Casa, with an Ibiza-like vibe, while Soldeu is more laid-back.
Short Transfer Times:
If you want to avoid long transfer times, consider resorts with short travel durations like St Johann in Tyrol, Bardonecchia, and Levi (Finland).
Budget-Friendly Resorts:
Rob and Dom share their top picks for affordable ski holidays: Bulgaria (Bansko), Andorra (Grandvalira), La Tania (France), Leogang (Austria), and Zell am See (Austria) – offering great skiing and fantastic value.
Accommodation Options:
Guide to the wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious Summit Collection apartments, Self-catering apartments, half-board hotels, and all-inclusive packages to fit your needs and budget.
Next Time:
In Episode 3, learn the importance of booking ski lessons, how to choose between group and private lessons, and essential safety tips for skiing responsibly. Plus, we’ll dive into equipment basics— rent vs. buy—and insider tips from instructors to get the most out of your lessons. Crystal Ski Holidays can help you add ski extras to your holiday package, with support from their reps and app. Don’t miss it!
Tragic News from Avoriaz: A 23-year-old British man tragically died after falling from a cliff in Avoriaz.
Sustainable Travel in the Alps: Montagne Verte expands the AlpinExpress initiative, offering discounts for sustainable travel to ski areas in the Morzine-Les Gets region.
Mikaela Shiffrin's 100th World Cup Win: Shiffrin becomes the first skier to hit 100 World Cup wins.
Where’s Best to Ski Now?
Austria: Obertauern and the Arlberg region remain in good shape. Resorts like St. Anton and Lech offer great coverage despite slightly below-average snow depths.
France: The French Alps, including the 3 Valleys and Portes du Soleil, are seeing excellent snow and sunshine, with near-100% terrain open.
Italy: Dolomites like Madonna di Campiglio and Livigno see fresh snow, offering excellent skiing with a mix of sunshine and cold temperatures.
Switzerland: Verbier and Zermatt benefit from heavy snowfalls, and conditions are set to improve with sunny weather ahead.
Pyrenees: Fresh snowfall improves conditions, especially in Andorra and Baqueira Beret.
Scandinavia: Norway and Sweden receive a solid amount of fresh snow, with resorts like Hemsedal and Trysil offering excellent skiing conditions.
Eastern Europe: Resorts in Bulgaria and Czechia, like Bansko and Špindlerův Mlýn, benefit from improved snow and spring-like conditions.
Canada: Western Canadian resorts, including Lake Louise and Whistler, report near-full operations with favorable snow conditions.
USA: The Pacific Northwest, including Crystal Mountain, is receiving significant snowfall, making it a top destination for skiing.
Ski Racing Corner with Ed Drake: Ed Drake discusses Shiffrin's 100th win and what it means for her future. He reflects on her dominance and potential competition.
Competition Time: Win HH legendary insulated pants, Helly Hansen Odin 40 backpack, Panda Optics goggles, Diablo Bath Polar Print neck warmer, Mizo stainless steel water bottle, and E-ski touring skis!
Gear Guide
Latest Ski Innovations: Electric-assist skis are here!
E-SKIMO: Features motorized treads in skis to make uphill travel 80% faster and reduce muscle effort by 30%.
Vipera : Ultra-compact, silent motors with a removable drivetrain.
Ski Racing Worldwide with Ed Drake
Destination Spotlight of the Week: Saas Fee, Switzerland
Village: Traditional, car-free, with a cozy atmosphere.
Skiing: Great for beginners and better intermediates, with plenty of slopes for everyone.
Non-Skiing Activities: Snowshoe tours on Fee Glacier. Via Ferrata and zip-lining. Winter hikes and snowshoe tours, sledging runs, Fondue Gondola experience etc
Desert Island Ski Resort with Ross Woodhall British rockstar photographer with 30+ years of experience capturing top skiers worldwide.
Welcome to Skiing 101 - a 4 part mini-series in association with Crystal Ski Holidays! This series is designed to help you feel confident and prepared for your first ski holiday.
Episode 1 is all about:
Understanding Your Travel Party:
Kids: If you're bringing little ones, look for ski schools and childcare options, like dedicated kids' zones and après-ski activities. Resorts such as La Plagne (France) and Zell am See (Austria) are fantastic for families.
Adults: Consider the fitness levels and interests of your group. Some adults might prefer quieter resorts or scenic spots where they can relax, while others might be more active. Resorts like Alpe d’Huez (France) and Soldeu (Andorra) offer a variety of runs for all levels.
Budgeting For Your Ski Trip:
Ski holidays can be expensive, but there are ways to save! Early booking, avoiding school holidays, and considering travel options like driving or train can reduce costs.
Crystal offers packages that include flights, transfers, accommodation, and more to simplify your trip planning.
Choosing the Right Resort:
Some resorts are family-friendly with excellent kids' ski schools and activities, while others cater to adults looking for a lively après-ski scene. Resorts like Ruka (Finland) are perfect for beginners and families.
In Episode 2, we’ll dive deeper into finding the resort that suits your needs.
Travel Options:
Flying: Quick and convenient, but may have hidden costs (e.g., parking and food).
Train: Comfortable and scenic, but transfers to the resort can add time and cost.
Driving: Offers flexibility and can be cost-effective for families, though weather conditions and long travel times need to be considered.
Other Activities:
Skiing isn’t the only thing to do on your holiday! Snowshoeing, ice skating, spa visits, tobogganing, and even winter hiking are great alternatives for non-skiers or if you need a break from the slopes.
Packing Essentials:
Clothing: Layer up with moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer layers.
The Whiteout Ski Podcast proudly sponsored by Ski Weekends!
Episode Highlights:
Ski Weekends Update: Dom shares his recent trip to Les Gets, skiing with Eddie the Eagle
Listener Questions: Dom and Rob answer a listener’s question about skiing with a teen who has autism.
This Week's Ski News:
Piste X Code Launches Safety Campaign: Learn about STOP • LOOK • SLIDE
Palisades Tahoe Fundraiser for Fire Relief
March Ski Holidays Offer Best Value: Why March 2025 is the best time for bargain ski trips
Mia Brookes’ Third World Cup Win: The 17-year-old snowboarder’s incredible victory at the Laax Open.
Hakuba Valley: Japan’s Nagano Prefecture is boasting some of the best snow conditions of the season.
Competitions:
Win a GoPro: Enter to win a GoPro by following InTheSnow Magazine on Instagram or leaving a review for the podcast. The competition closes in two weeks, so don’t wait!
Europe: The Alps are experiencing massive snowfalls, with resorts like Chamonix reporting 1.2 meters of fresh snow. Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland are all seeing excellent conditions, while Scandinavia is having one of its best weeks yet.
North America: Canada is cold and snowy, with Mont Tremblant seeing 38 cm of fresh powder. The US is gearing up for a massive storm expected to bring metres of snow to the West Coast soon.
Ski Gear Guide:
Helmets: Fit, safety, ventilation, and style tips to help you choose the right helmet.
Goggles: How to select the best ski goggles for various conditions, including lens types, frame size, and ventilation.
Outerwear: Waterproofing, breathability, insulation, and fit are key when selecting ski jackets and pants.
Baselayers & Socks: Material, moisture-wicking, and durability tips for the perfect base layer and ski socks.
Ski Destination of the Week:
Plan your next epic ski getaway to Turkey!
Remember:
Subscribe: Don’t miss an episode
Leave a Review: Let us know what you think
Competitions: Win a GoPro and Martina Diez-Routh art competition
Ski Sunday: While it’s beloved by hardcore fans, they discuss how it could appeal to wider audiences and promote skiing in general.
Ski centers like Ski-Allenheads in Northumberland and Yad Moss in Cumbria are seeing great snow conditions, while Snowdonia has received deep powder.
L2A (Les 2 Alpes): €145 million being invested into improvements, including a new gondola and updates to the glacier and beginner areas. A drone show is planned for the new Jandri 3S gondola inauguration on January 17.
Top Destinations for Snow & Skiing:
Austria: Fresh snow and perfect conditions in Skiwelt, Saalbach Hinterglemm, and Arlberg
France: Resorts like Portes du Soleil and 3 Valleys have recovered
Italy: Fresh snow at Madonna di Campiglio and Livigno, with most resorts now 90% open.
Switzerland: Verbier and Zermatt boast solid snow, but high winds and rain at lower altitudes challenge conditions at times.
Pyrenees: Fresh snow improves conditions in Andorra, St Lary, and Baqueira Beret.
Scandinavia: Cold temperatures and heavy snowfall in Norway, with top resorts like Hemsedal and Trysil offering great powder.
Eastern Europe: Bansko (Bulgaria) and Špindlerův Mlýn (Czechia) are seeing good snow conditions and well-maintained slopes.
Scotland: Snowmaking efforts are keeping resorts like Cairngorm and Glencoe open despite mild weather earlier in the season.
Canada: Western resorts like Lake Louise and Whistler Blackcomb are thriving with excellent snow coverage.
USA: The Pacific Northwest (e.g., Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass) is experiencing deep powder, while the Rockies and Eastern US are seeing fresh snow.
Ski Gear Guide & Competition Alert:
Win a GoPro HERO Speciality Accessory Bundle. To enter, leave a podcast review!
Rob and Dom discuss all-mountain ski gear.
Men’s All-Mountain Skis:
Black Crows Camox: Versatile, playful, and responsive at speed, perfect for both groomed runs and off-piste adventures.
Salomon QST 92: Lightweight, responsive freeride ski, ideal for side-country exploration and carving.
Rossignol Arcade 88: Expert-level ski offering a balance of stability and responsiveness, with Line Control Technology for smooth control.
Women’s All-Mountain Skis:
Line Pandora 85: Lightweight, stable, and great for hardpack conditions, perfect for piste skiers who occasionally venture off-piste.
Volkl Blaze 86: Fast and responsive, designed for sporty skiers who enjoy off-piste skiing.
Destination of the Week: La Plagne with Mountain Heaven
La Plagne celebrates Mountain Heaven's 21st Anniversary, highlighting their exclusive focus on La Plagne for catered chalets and self-catered apartments.
Located in the Paradiski area, La Plagne is a favorite for families and seasoned skiers, offering a vast network of slopes across 11 villages.
Mountain Heaven stands out for its personalized service and commitment to offering a hassle-free, unforgettable experience in the French Alps.
Terrain: Beginner-friendly green runs in Happy Valley. Diverse intermediate blues in Powder Quad and Falcon Double areas. Advanced terrain at Gem Lake and Cliff Chair for experts.
Activities: Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, spas, and Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink.
Dining & Nightlife: Top spots: Snowshoe Sam’s, Globe Cafe, Sopra Sam’s Italian Kitchen.
Family-friendly options like The BullWheel and The Market Café.
Accommodation:
High-end: Sundance (luxury suites, hot tubs).
Family-friendly: Inn at Big White (amenities, lift access).
Budget: Self-catering condos and vacation homes.
Closing:
Big White offers incredible terrain, snow, activities, and dining. A must-visit for all skiing levels and families!
Alps: Incredible snowfall in France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.
Major resorts are open, with more terrain becoming accessible weekly.
Key spots:
France: Tignes, Val Thorens (115cm at the summit), Alpe d’Huez.
Austria: Mayrhofen (80% terrain open, 120km of slopes).
Switzerland: Zermatt (100km of runs).
Italy: Val Gardena (150km open).
Upcoming storms to bring 40-120cm of snow across the northern Alps by the weekend, benefiting resorts like Avoriaz, Verbier, and St. Anton.
Pyrenees: Significant improvement after slow start.
La Mongie (France): Over 1m of snow at resort level.
Baqueira Beret (Spain): Excellent conditions after heavy snowfall.
2. North America: Heavy Snowfalls Across Key States
California: Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain report bases of 50-85 inches.
Wyoming: Jackson Hole received 3 feet of snow in 3 days.
Colorado, Utah, Montana: Exceptional snow depth and coverage across major resorts.
Avalanche Warnings: Elevated risk in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana; exercise caution off-piste.
Helmet Round-Up Summary
1. Salomon Brigade Index Helmet Price: £100-£130.
Best For: Budget-friendly, eco-conscious skiers prioritizing safety.
2. Oakley MOD BC Helmet
Price: £200-£250.
Best For: High-performance skiers seeking premium features and sleek design.
3. Bolle X-Fusion Pure Visor Helmet
Price: £260+ (up to £400 with add-ons).
Best For: Skiers preferring a visor helmet with sustainability in mind.
4. Head Cinema Pro W Visor Helmet
Price: £120.
Best For: Women seeking stylish, versatile visor helmets at a great price.
5. Smith Nexus MIPS Helmet
Price: £240.
Best For: Tech-savvy skiers who value safety, comfort, and music compatibility.
6. Sweet Protection Trooper 2Vi® Mips Helmet
Price: £250-£300.
Best For: Freeriders needing top-tier protection and performance.
Key Takeaways: Whether you’re after eco-conscious gear, visor helmets, or high-tech features like MIPS, there’s a helmet for every skier. Prioritize your needs—be it safety, style, or sustainability—and hit the slopes with confidence!
And finally we explored to resort of Cape Smokey - Nova Scotia with Martin Kejval CEO of the resort.
In this episode, Dom and Rob dive into the legendary Arlberg region in Austria, famous for its world-class skiing and rich history. The Arlberg is home to iconic resorts like St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, St. Christoph, and Stuben, offering something for every skier.
Location & Access:
Situated in Western Austria, where Tyrol and Vorarlberg meet, the Arlberg is easily accessible from airports in Innsbruck, Zurich, and Munich. The Arlberg Express shuttle connects directly to the region.
Snow & Skiing History:
The Arlberg gets an impressive 9 meters of snow annually, thanks to its high altitude and northern-facing slopes.
The region is legendary for ski history, with Hannes Schneider founding Austria’s first ski school in St. Anton in 1921 and introducing the first ski lift in Zürs in 1937.
Ski Area & Terrain:
Ski Arlberg is Austria’s largest ski area, with over 300 km of groomed slopes and 200 km of freeride terrain across all five resorts. Whether you're a beginner or advanced skier, there's terrain for all levels.
Resort Highlights:
St. Anton: Known for its après-ski, lively nightlife, and extreme terrain. Must-visit après spots include MooserWirt. The resort is a freeride mecca, with challenging runs and deep powder.
St. Christoph: A quieter, more exclusive option, ideal for those seeking a luxurious, private experience. The Hospiz hotel is a historic gem in the area.
Lech & Zürs: Lech is renowned for its high-end, refined atmosphere, offering wide, sunny slopes, gourmet dining, and top-tier shopping. Zürs is quieter and more upscale, with luxury chalets and fine dining. Both are perfect for those looking for a more laid-back and luxurious experience.
Dining & Après-Ski:
The Arlberg is famous for its dining, with Michelin-starred restaurants like Restaurant Schwärzler and Rote Wand. For a rustic mountain experience, try Trittalm or Zürserhof. Après-ski varies, with St. Anton being the wildest, while Lech and Zürs offer more relaxed, sophisticated après spots like Schneggarei and Hotel Arlberg’s Lounge.
Best Time to Visit:
Prime season is from January to March, but early December and April offer quieter options. The region’s snow retention ensures good conditions late into the season.
Other Activities:
The Arlberg is also great for non-skiing activities like snowshoeing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing, and ice skating.
Whether you're hitting the famous slopes of St. Anton, enjoying the refined charm of Lech, or exploring the freeride paradise of Zürs, the Arlberg offers an unforgettable ski holiday experience.
In this weeks episode Dom and Rob talk to Eddie the Eagle on how to get into ski jumping.
News: Carv 2 Launches
Carv 2, the advanced ski tech, has launched with major upgrades. The new system clips onto your ski boot strap, replacing the old inserts, and features a more accurate algorithm for tailored feedback based on snow conditions and terrain. Rob tested it in Austria and praised its flexibility, real-time coaching, and data tracking. For more, visit getcarv.com.
Lenzerheide's New Campaign
Lenzerheide, a Swiss ski resort, launched its World of Wonders (W.O.W.) campaign with a video featuring skiers Nico Vuignier and Didier Cuche. The resort is known for its versatile offerings and major events like the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. It will host the 2025 Biathlon World Championships. Watch the DREAMLINE video.
The Great British Ski Test 2024
The Great British Ski Test takes place from March 9th-15th, 2024, offering skiing, ski tests, lessons, and social events. Packages start at £1,550. For more info or bookings, contact Carole at carole@pilaski.co.uk.
Mia Brookes Wins Big Air
Mia Brookes, 17, won the FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air contest in China with a cab 1440 stalefish, scoring 179.75 points. Japan’s Mari Fukada and Anna Gasser placed second and third.
They talk avalanche safety and also introduce GoMiloby - a travel company specializing in the French Pyrenees, offering affordable, hassle-free holiday packages. They focus on providing great value by cutting out the middleman, with options for solo travelers, couples, or families. Miloby offers two main accommodations: scenic, south-west facing cabins with stunning views and sunsets, located 650 meters above sea level, and a newly renovated hotel set to open in February 2025 with luxurious studios and apartments. The cabins are secluded yet easily accessible, only 20 minutes from the Saint Lary ski resort and 25 minutes from Loudenvielle. Miloby also runs a ski school, creating complete packages for guests. The resort is known for its modern ski infrastructure, low crowds, and affordable dining options. Transfers from Lourdes and Toulouse airports are quick and convenient, making it an ideal spot for a winter getaway. For more, visit gomiloby.com..
Gear:
SCOTT Flow Pro MIPS Helmet (£180) A high-performance freeride helmet with MIPS® for added safety, RECCO® for avalanche rescue, and eco-friendly features like 98% recycled PC. It includes adjustable ventilation for temperature regulation. Weight: 500g. Watch on YouTube.
SCOTT Vest Airflow W's Back Protector (£140) Highly ventilated for comfort during rigorous runs, with a simple adjustable waist-belt for ease. A stylish alternative to traditional black.
Fischer RC4 Pro MV BOA DYN Boots (£700) A high-end freeride boot with BOA® Fit System for a micro-adjustable fit and a Dynafit® insert for uphill and downhill compatibility. Features a ZipFit® liner and CarbonFused cuff for stability.
Fischer RC4 MV 110/95 BOA Boots (£460) Performance boots with BOA® Fit, VACUUM shells, and GripWalk® soles for advanced skiers, offering comfort and great downhill performance. Women's version.
Montec Fawk Bib Pants (£195) Waterproof, breathable, and eco-friendly pants made from recycled polyester with adjustable waist, reinforced hems, and customizable insulation for peak performance.
And they visit the awesome destination of Les 2 Alpes located in the French Alps near Grenoble, a vibrant ski resort offering stunning slopes, excellent après-ski, and new developments. With 420 hectares of snow-sure terrain, the resort boasts runs&
Season 4 kicks off with Dom and Rob diving into everything ski-related for winter 2025/26. From the latest destinations and top gear picks to industry news and early snow reports, this episode is your ultimate ski season primer.
News & Industry Updates
London Snow Show 2025 – Join Dom & Rob live on Snow Show Radio at Olympia, 18–19 Oct.
Ski Beat – Nearly 100,000 tea bags shipped to French chalets, plus HP Sauce & Marmite.
Ski Weekends Expansion – New chalets in Val d’Isère, Avoriaz opening weekend ski test. skiweekends.com
Inghams Ski Campaign – ‘Ski Better with Inghams’ promoting heritage, service & expertise. Watch here
Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games – Torch relay, sustainability, volunteers, and tickets. tickets.milanocortina2026.org
The Snow Centre Rebrand – Manchester & Hemel Hempstead unified under one name. thesnowcentre.com
Italy Helmets Mandatory – All skiers & snowboarders must wear CE-certified helmets (2025–26 season).
Snow & Weather
Early snow in the Alps signals good glacier skiing.
Forecast pattern: early snow → lull → January snow → late-season dumps.
Head Attack Hybrid Bindings – £400–£450, alpine + touring flexibility.
Destination Guide – Where to Ski This Winter
Europe: Crans-Montana, Grindelwald, Les Gets, Les 3 Vallées, Champoluc, Andorra North America: Winter Park, Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Park City, Deer Valley, Sun Peaks, Whistler Japan – Hakuba Area: Cortina/Hakuba Norikura, Tsugaike, Iwatake, Happo, Hakuba47/Goryu, Sanosaka/Kashimayari/Jigatake
Next Episode Tease
Top resorts to visit this winter: Jackson Hole, Drei Zinnen, Sun Peaks, Jungfrau, Andorra, Baqueira & more.
Hotels featured: The Alex (Zermatt), Brewster Mountain Lodge (Banff), Edgewood (Tahoe), Villa Licht (Kitzbühel), plus more.
We explore the magnificent region of Baqueira Beret located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the Val d'Aran
171 km of slopes and 123 runs and the resort sits at an altitude of 1,500 meters, with the highest peak reaching 2,610 meters
For the 2024-2025 ski season they plan to open this week on November 30, 2024, and the season is expected to run through April 21, 2025, (depending on weather conditions)
NEWS Three brand-new slopes The Bosc de Peülla 2 a black run in the Bonaigua area - 514 meters long, with a 200-meter altitude drop and a steep average slope of 40%. It starts at 2,239 meters.
Barqueta 2 - a whole new extension, so you can ski all the way from Baqueira to Argulls. It’s a red run that’s about 430 meters long with a 35% average slope, perfect for intermediate skiers
And, the final new addition is the 2200 slope, which is a shorter, but super sweet run, located right at the 2,200-meter level of Baqueira. This one’s 220 meters long and has a 27% average slope—it ends right at the 2200 Restaurant
Also improving a bunch of existing runs, like the expansion of Ta Cabanes in the Dossau area and Pla de Beret 2, to make things smoother and easier to link different areas of the resort.
And in Baciver, they’ve revamped the access to slopes like Orqueta 1 and 2, which is perfect for freeride enthusiasts.
Baqueira’s added 31 new snow makers, which means more consistent coverage across the mountain, especially in busy areas like Bonaigua and Beret.
The addition of some new snow groomers with the SnowSAT system that will make sure the slopes are in the best condition possible.
SKIING Runs like Ticolet and Pasarell offer smooth gradients and scenic views through the forest, making them ideal for first-timers. For more advanced skiers, head over to Beret or Bonaigua (said BONAYGWA).Some great tree skiing around Beret, and Bonaigua has a few MORE TECHNICAL RUNS TOO and steeper terrain for the more expert skiers Baciver also has several marked freeride areas
EVENTS 4th edition of the Freeride World Tour in Baciver from January 18th to 23rd. Men’s FIS Alpine Ski Europa Cup on February 6th and 7th
EATING OUT 5 Jotas for the best Iberian ham and grilled meats in Spain 2,200 Restaurant. This place is known for its fondue and chuleton, which is basically a steak lover’s dream The Moët Winter Lounge FOR perfect après-ski vibe
HOTELS Luxury - Hotel Val de Neu Family or group - Hotel Montarto Rustic charm - Hotel Tuc Blanc
To contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com
S4. E53 - Destination Aosta, Aimee Fuller - Become a Pro Athlete, Ski Racing with Ed Drake, Gear Buyers Guide, Where's the best Snow & Ski News from around the world
This weeks episode is brought to you in association with Ski Weekends
NEWS Black Friday deals from Saas Fee, Ski Weekends and Balkan Holidays Val Thorens Named 'World’s Best Ski Resort', W Verbier Wins 'Best Ski Hotel' Sunweb Named 'Best Ski Tour Operator' Mammut Recalls Barryvox 2 and S2 Avalanche Beacons Tour de France Returns to the Mountains New lift announced for Argentiere
AND FINALLY: We explore resorts with a bunch of skiing over 2000m
WHERE IS BEST TO SKI NOW: Verbier is open, Chamonix, Val Thorens, and Tignes join the action.
Other resorts currently open include:
Austria: Hintertux, Stubai, Kitzbühel, and Obergurgl.
Italy: Passo Stelvio and Val Senales.
Switzerland: Zermatt, Saas-Fee, and Engelberg.
Whistler is opening early after receiving 1m of snow in the past week
GEAR: SCOTT React Light Sensitive Goggle PRO-SKI SIMULATOR BASIC PREMIUM LEKI HOT SHOT SKI MOJO SPORTUBE HARD CASE SALOMON ORKA CHILDRENS SKI HELMENT DUVILLARD ESTELLE FAUX-FUR TRIM IN DRAGONFLY
DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT Aosta Valley - Whether you’re a gourmet enthusiast, a freeride fanatic, or a family-friendly skier, there’s something for everyone in the Aosta Valley’s five iconic resorts: Courmayeur, Cervinia, Pila, Monterosa Ski, and La Thuile.
DESSERT ISLAND SKI RESORT WITH AIMEE FULLER How to become a pro athlete
In this special episode we are joined by Isère expert Katja Gaskell to dive into everything this region of the French Alps has to offer. From iconic resorts like Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes to hidden gems like Les 7 Laux and Auris en Oisans, they cover it all.
Katja shares her extensive experience in the region, offering insights into the best ski resorts for families, ski enthusiasts, and those looking for something off the beaten path.
Introduction to Isère:
Located in the French Alps, Isère is home to 21 ski resorts across 4 mountain ranges the Belledonne, Chartreuse, Vercors and Oisan.
It includes big-name resorts like Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes, as well as lesser-known gems like Les 7 Laux and Auris en Oisans.
Misconception about Val d'Isère:
Katja clears up the confusion between Isère and Val d’Isère, emphasising that while both are part of the Alps, they are in different regions.
The Ski Resorts of Isère:
Alpe d'Huez & Les 2 Alpes: Popular resorts with major international appeal, new lifts, and exciting developments for the 2024 season (including World Cup events).
Hidden Gems: Resorts like Les 7 Laux (featured in S2, Ep. 13) and Auris en Oisans, which offer unique experiences for those looking for quieter, more authentic ski holidays.
Other resorts include Vaujany, Oz 3300, Chamrousse, Corrençon en Vercors and Villard de Lans
Who the Resorts are Best Suited For:
Families and Beginners: The region offers fantastic beginner-friendly resorts, especially for younger families or those new to skiing.
Advanced Skiers & Freeriders: Isère also caters to experienced skiers with options for freeride skiing and ski touring.
What Sets Isère Apart:
Katja discusses how Isère stands out for its value, authenticity, and local charm. It’s a less commercialized alternative to the Tarentaise region (home to resorts like Courchevel and Val d'Isère).
Ski Touring & Cross-Country:
Isère is known for its excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing and ski touring, with many areas offering less crowded, backcountry terrain.
Villard de Lans and Correncon en Vercros are particularly good for nordic skiing with 155km of trails for all levels.
Season Updates:
Key updates on Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes for the 2024 season, including new lift developments and major sporting events like World Cup races.
How to Book:
Peak Retreats: A great resource for booking ski holidays in Isère. Check out their website and social media for more information on the region.
***** Welcome to our Headline Sponsors - Skiweekends
Home of short break and flexible ski holidays, and you can stay a bit longer too. Catered chalets in France, plus hotels in over 30 resorts across Europe and Scandinavia. The ski experts for over 30 years. Visit skiweekends.com
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NEWS
Ski in Jeans Day is BACK in jackson hole, on Saturday Dec. 7
Dan Charlish, founder of the incredible youth charity Snow Camp, has been awarded the Ski Club of Great Britain’s highest accolade, the Pery Medal.
Arc’teryx Global Winter Film Tour
19-year-old Italian ski racer Matilde Lorenzi who died this week
ski gear manufacturer Salomon is opening its first UK store
Vail Resorts, is readying for the start of the ski season
WELCOME Sky Alps where you can Book your shortcut to the Dolomites right now, save precious time and enjoy a premium experience on board your SkyAlps flight
We welcome our season sponsor Skiweekends Specialising in Great Value Short Break Ski Holidays 3, 4 or 7 night catered chalet holidays, as well as excellent 2* - 4* ski hotels. Choose when and how long you would like to go skiing in Europe, and maximise your time on the slopes.
We explore the tremendous resort of Park City Utah and all it has to offer visitparkcity.com
We look at where the best snow is right now and we also talk to James Gambrill GM and COO at Ski Club GB and owner of the London Snow Show, to answer the question "how to get the job in Ski Industry" whilst also finding out, if he could only ski one resort for the rest of his life, where would that be?
And we spotlight skiing in Tirol and what a magnificent offering this immense ski area has to offer for families
A fantastic season launch episode, loads of ski news and new lifts opening for this season
Verbier’s new Savoleyres combined chair and gondola A new replacement lift in Engelberg taking people up to Titlis Les 2 Alpes the new Jandri Express, a 32 person tricable car In Les Gets, a new enclosed beginner’s lift on the Mappy’s area Big Sky Resort in Montana continues to invest and is opening the fastest 6 person lift in North America, the Swift Current.
We also cover some ski racing news, a new ski school and dry slope has opened near Perth, Scotland, as well as the InTheSnow readers trip to Les gets
Also Val Cenis and it's bid to reduce wastage by using old lift material to build new lifts
We also look at new gear for the season ADN that is a technology that is specifically designed to improve the eco credentials of skis Panda Optics has launched its new dual vision goggle - pandaoptics.co.uk at £160 Chemmy Alcott has just become an ambassador for Salomon Salomon Brigade Index with Custom Dial 360 fit Stance socks
We also looked at where is best to ski right now
And finally our destination showcase focussed around some incredible resorts that we both visited last season including:
Whistler, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, Pila, Crans Montana, La Clusaz, Les Gets and the PDS and many more besides.
In this episode Dom and Rob chat about what's coming in this winters episodes of The White Out podcast whilst also taking a delve into booking your next dream ski holiday to Whistler with leading UK tour operator Ski independence.
They have some cracking deals on this winter if you book before the end of September including a £250 voucher to spend on food & drink (for a limited time only!) £100 per person discount and up to 40% off stays.
The best offers are only available until the 30th of September – you could save up to 65%, no kidding!
Check out their website at ski-i.com/whistler or give them a call on 0131 243 8097 and chat to one of their expert team.
In this weeks episode we discussed all things canyoning and white water rafting. And recommended 2 sites to get some great info that include Manawa.com and awe365.com. We talked about where you can do this and what gear you're gonna need!!
We also explored the Portes Du Soleil area, that includes the towns of Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz and Chatel on the French side and Champéry, Morgins and Les Crosets on the Swiss side and everything that this superb area ha to offer.
And finally we took you on our bucket list trip to Route to Everest Base Camp itself.
We looked at that trek itself, what you need to do it, what gear you need, and how fit you need to be and exactly what the route looks like...
The journey to Everest Base Camp typically begins with a flight into Lukla Airport also known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport. From Lukla, trekkers follow the legendary trail known as the Everest Base Camp Trek, which winds through picturesque Sherpa villages to Namche Bazaar (2,860 meters) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters), the busy hub of the Khumbu region. This stretch involves crossing suspension bridges over rivers, ascending stone staircases, and passing through dense forests of rhododendron and pine.
Then Acclimatization stops are planned at strategic points such as Namche itself
The next stage is Tengboche (3860) to Dingboche (4,410 meters) and then Lobuche (4,910 meters) Then Lobuche onwards the final leg to Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters) and involves navigating glacial moraines and rocky terrain.
The Intro and Outro music today was supplied by Rob himself on the guitar singing a Rod Stewart classic.
Our next winter episode will be out on the 4th of October as we now take a break for the summer.
In the meantime, please do tell your mates about The White Out Podcast - it really helps us get bigger an dbetter.
To contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com
S3. E46 Summer Climbing, Via Ferrata and all things Marmottes! Plus the best climbing resorts around the world and a spotlight on Whistler British Columbia
This week we explored news from around the world of summer and winter mountain resorts including:
Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network, Glamos that the countries glaciers have 31% more snow on them now than on average over the years between 2010 and 2020
9% of skiers in French resort were from the UK, that’s the largest group after the French
France’s ski season has just come out with some good news about the snow because above 1800 metres, snow accumulation was 20-30 cm’s above the average
Peak Retreats have just launched what they say are affordable family summer holidays in the mountains and I took a look at some of the deals they have on offer – they go to the likes of Les Contamines, Samoens, Le Grand Bornand and Val Cenis. For around £1100 you can get a nice two bedroom apartment for a week that also includes a return ferry crossing, so pretty decent. Check those out at peakretreats.co.uk
Skiline are offering chalets in Les Gets, Morzine and some of the Austrian resorts too. Chalets and apartments significantly lower than during the winter months, even during the school holidays.
We also talked all things climbing and we discussed Via Ferrata another great way of getting up the mountains.
We looked at some of the best places to go including:
Chamonix including Mont Blanc at 4,805 metres, plus classic routes the grand Jorasses, the aiguille du dru and aiguille Verte
Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore in Scotland
The Dolomites are still probably the most famous destination to experience Via Ferrata – publishers Cicerone have a guide book with 75 routes included cicerone.co.uk
We discussed the Swiss Valais including the likes of Zermatt, Verbier, Nendaz, Crans-Montana, Anzère, Veysonnaz, Saas Fee, Leukerbad, Grimentz and Zinal as great places to experinece Via Ferrata.
We also looked at:
Crans-Montana - super luxury hotels, spas, golf, wakeboarding, e-mountain biking, hiking and incredible local wineVerbier – ride a huge network of mountain bike trails, listen to classical music, hang out in cool bars and pubs, great hiking of course and explore the area on a road bike.
Nendaz and Veysonnaz, relax with the family, take long hikes, try paragliding, have a go at via ferrata and of course try mountain biking too saas fee, well we mentioned the via ferrata, again great hiking but spectacular glacier scenery too and ride the funicular to the top
For more info head to Valais.ch/en
Amnd finally we explored Whistler and all it has to offer in summer including:
Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Peak to Peak Gondola, The High Note Trail, The Audain Art Museum, The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, Fairmont Chateau Whistler or the Four Seasons Resort, ZipTrek Eco Tours, Whistler Farmers’ Market, The Whistler Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer and the Nicklaus North Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
In this Summer episode we explore all things hiking...
News Pass Portes du Soleil, a 3 day festival of mountain biking July 6 and 7, the Savoie Mont Blanc Freestyle Tour by FISE in AvoriazMorzine hosts the Spartan Ultra World Championship, Les Gets, the UCI mountain biking world cup event
Hiking Gear
Walking boots - waterproof and breathable. Salomon X Ultra 360 is a good choice at £140
Socks – UYN Merino trekking socks £30
Waterproofs - shell jackets and trousers Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell jacket (RRP £400 but currently at £280 on Hellyhansen.com) and the Verglas Micro shell pants £120 also at hellyhansen.com
A backpack - The Osprey Talon 44 is a good multiday pack £185 from osprey.com
Poles reduces stress on the knees and hips Leki Micro Vario Carbon is super light at 240g - £170 per pair, from leki.com
A few things for the kit bag includes a water bottle, suncream, hat or cap, sunglasses, and perhaps a smart watch like a Garmin or Suunto can be very useful. And maybe a map and a compass is good too!!
Hiking Destinations
A new trail in Portugal 3000 kilometres called the Palmilhar
The classic Pennine way - over 260 miles of walking
The Tour of Mont Blanc - a classic trek around Mont Blanc just over 100 miles
The Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine and over 2000 miles
West Coast trail on Vancouver Island which is a mere 47 miles but covers some spectacular terrain.
The Annapurna trail in Nepal which is well over 100 miles
Kimano Kodo in the Kii Peninsula of Japan 43 miles
Salburgerland
The Salzburg Almenweg (the Alpine Pastures Trail), a 350km, 25-stage trail The 1100th anniversary of St. Wolfgang of Regensburg The Yunion Yoga festivals in Gastein And the Adidas Terrex Infinite Trails running weekend
In Leogang “forest-bathing” hiking trail The Jazz festival Saalfelden, now in its 44th year The Salzburg Festival of drama and music The Dom Quartier Museum’s exhibition, “The Colours of La Serenissima,”
SalzburgerLand’s 16 regions are easily reachable, all within two hours of the city of Salzburg
And finally our Bucket List destination is Georgia.
Here we cover what we can expect if we tackle The Transcaucasian 1500km Trail!
Peak Skis Shuts Down - Founded by Bode Miller, has filed for bankruptcy
Dave Ryding to Retire - announced he’ll retire after the 2025–26 World Cup
New London Snow Show Launches - at Olympia London this October Visit londonsnowshow.com
Eurostar Ski Train Returns - running Saturdays from December 20 to March 28.
Marcel Hirscher Returns to Racing
2025–26 FIS World Cup Calendar Announced
Altitude Comedy Festival Returns - Mayrhofen, March 30 to April 3, 2026 altitudefestival.com.
New Beginner Initiative: Way2Snow - offering new skiers a £299 package for 12 hours of indoor slope instruction. Aimed at first-timers to get slope-ready before their first ski trip.
We then uncovered 10 things we didn't know about presenter Rob Stewart.
Dom swaps snow for sun with a trip to Club Med Palmiye in Turkey.
Direct flight from Gatwick to Antalya, Beachfront location with mountain views and All-inclusive food exceeded expectations – lots of Turkish dishes and variety for all diets, Tons of activities: pilates, paddle tennis, archery, trapeze, Zen Pool, sunset boat trip, Great evening entertainment: theme nights, live music, beach bars, Spa massage before flying home was a perfect end Verdict: Club Med does summer just as well as winter. A great choice for skiers looking for a warm-weather break.
Best Summer Mountain Resorts in North America
1. Sun Valley, Idaho - America’s first destination ski resort, now a top summer retreat
2. Park City, Utah - 35 mins from Salt Lake City with over 400 miles of trails
Verdict: Edgy, eco-friendly, packed with energy
3. Banff, Alberta - Turquoise lakes, big peaks, endless daylight
Verdict: Epic scenery with culture, adventure, and calm
4. Sun Peaks, BC - Canada’s 2nd largest ski area, now a summer secret
Verdict: Quiet, refreshing, and full of soul
5. Lake Tahoe, CA/NV - Alpine lakes, beaches, and trails meet high-end culture
Verdict: Perfect mix of lake life and mountain adventure
We take a quick look at summer ski news as well as summer mountain news.
We explore some of the fantastic things you can do in resorts over the Summer with a a particular focus on mountain biking, and what you need to know to get cracking, what to wear, where to go, and where in the UK is great to visit to try out mountain biking from Warren smith Bike Academy, based in Verbier, Glen Tress in Scotland, in Wales, Afan Forest Park, Bike Park Wales and Cym Carn and then in the north wales coed y Brenin, Marin Trail and Penmacno to name a few, then also Forest of Dean, Swinley Forest near Bracknell and we also talked about swinleybikehub.com and also Grizedale in the Lake District.
Overseas we also mentioned Les Gets in France – arguably Europe’s home of mountain biking and where it all started.
Verbier in Switzerland which is the largest, but Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide follows closely behind. A huge area linking up with Arosa too.
The Dolomites in Italy and specifically Selva Val Gardena where you can do a day mountain bike tour around the sella ronda
In Austria the largest bike park which is Salbaach-Hinterglemm and Leogang
And of course North America, among many others places such as Whistler are huge - more to come >
We look at what's going on with the Tour de France with full details available at www.letour.fr/en
And we explore 2 new bikes from Rossignol.com/gb-en and the great deals they are offering on the Trail Mandate XP - the top of the range Rossignol bike now it’s £2,265 instead of the full £3,775 as well as the Scott Sports Voltage eRIDE scott-sports.com/gb/en/voltage
This weeks episode looks back on the winter of 2023/24, and all the greatest things that happened
From the top news stories Vail resorts taking over Crans-Montana and Whams 40 years since filming in Saas Fee and The Dolomites Dirndl Ski Day
We also looked back at our daftest story of the season The Skypark engagement story as well as our favourite kit this season and our best introduction of the season :)
And we looked at a number of our ‘Legends of the winter’ as well as announcing our winner for 2023/24.
And finally we looked at our Resorts of the Winter and a cast back to the great travels this Winter.
Jasmine Taylor, 12 world cup wins, 4 world champ medals and 56 world cup podiums now ranked the world number 1 telemark skier, we had the chance to sit down with Jasmin to uncover:
This week we were lucky enough to catch up with Warren Miller Ski Movie star and legend Dan Egan to talk about his most recent trip - Heliskiing in Alaska.
It was fantastic to see the passion and enthusiasm from somebody that has skied pretty much everywhere, in the very best conditions, and yet still he talks like it's his first turns in powder...it's definitely not!
In this weeks episode Dom and Rob delve into what's been happening around the world's ski scene, from new lifts in Chamonix to the World Cup Finals in Saalbach.
They also share where is best to ski now as we head into the real meat of the spring skiing season.
Then they feature the best sunglasses for spring skiing as well as a new visor from Valon!
Not to be outdone, they also have a resort spotlight on the fabulous destination of Carinthia before introducing next weeks episode, where they will be talking to the legendary Dan Egan about helisiing in Alaska...what more could you want from a ski podcast!?
How do you get to Heiligenblut? London Stanstead to Klagenfurt with Ryanair 2 hour drive through lovely scenery and then up a long valley where right at the end, you get to Heiligenblut.
Whats the town actually like… It’s not big it’s really a village so it’s pretty quiet there’s some lovely hotels there including the 4* Kärntnerhof which is where I stayed. The standard of the hotel accommodation is really high and the food was excellent too. It’s very much settle into the hotel territory and enjoy relaxing, it’s not party central.
The skiing It’s definitely for the more adventurous skier It’s not a huge resort in terms of the mileage with around 50km’s of marked runs The longest is 10 kilometres Really good snow record and the village is at 1300 metres and it goes up to 2600 metres
The mix of really long runs and the off-piste terrain is the draw, plus the scenery and the fact it’s such a cool mountain destination with very comfortable accommodation.
In this special episode we are joined by Ben and Clau who have skied 24 resorts between January and March 2024 and, while doing so, have output some fantastic content across all social channels, resulting in some of the best and most useful content in the world of ski today.
Here are some of the highlights that Ben and Clau talked about but you canalso check out the chapter markers to skip to each section :
With 3.8m video plays and well over 40k engagements in stories and 623k impressions on Instagram and over a 1/4 million views on TikTok over the last 7 weeks, it's safe to say that people have been captivated by their travels !
Starting in the Italian Alps in mid-January, Ben and Clau travelled up towards the French Alps, where they took in their first ten resorts, ranging from Serre Chevalier, Les2Alpes, Alpe d’Huez and the huge Les 3 Valleés area, before ending their French leg in Chamonix, where the couple got engaged just a year ago.
With no time to waste, they went on to Switzerland to take in the luxurious resorts of Crans Montana and St Moritz, before embarking on a three-week Austrian fest, hitting its finest resorts of St Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbuhel, Saalbach, Mayrhofen and Soelden.
Finally, they headed back towards the Italian Dolomites to end their seven-week ski-marathon in Livigno, Bormio and Madonna di Campiglio.
Phew!
How would you like us to compare 24 resorts across four countries..? WE hope you enjoy the listen.
In this weeks episode Dom and Rob share where is best to ski now as well as news from around the world of skiing. they also tell us about some great new gear finds including a brand new binding for skis plus a 360 degree camera from Insta. And finally they take us to explore Sierra Nevada and Turkey would you believe!!
Enjoy the ride :)
***** WELCOME TO OUR SPONSORS The team at Ski Independence Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
******* NEWS New dry ski slope in Kingussie at the Loch Insh outdoor centre that has now opened with the Proslope surface – also seen at 5 other slopes around the UK including Tallington and Snowtrax
La Clusaz has launched its circus festival called Radio Meuh from April 4-7 which includes a number of acts over several nights in the French ski resort. Tickets cost 37 euros and can be purchased online at https://circus.radiomeuh.com/en/
Ski racing - the slalom last weekend in Palisades Tahoe, won by Austria’s Manuel Feller. Both Dave Ryding and Billy Major qualified for the second run, unfortunately Billy failed to finish that run and made a mistake close to the top of the course and Dave ended up in 24th place. This weekend we have the women’s speed races in Kvitfjell, Norway and mens GS and slalom in Aspen, Colorado. The women then head to Are in Sweden, the men to Slovenia before everyone comes together in Saalbach, Austria for the World Cup finals from March 16-24.
Les Arcs had 81% commercial apartment occupancy in January compared to an average of 75% in France overall. More interestingly is the press release then states that the resort at 2,000 metres has 485cm’s of snow compared to 130cm’s at the same time last year.
******* This weeks WHERE IS BEST TO SKI RIGHT NOW is brought to you by SkiWeekends.com”
******* GEAR The Protector Attack binding from Tyrolia, you don't just get that toe release, it also offers Full Heel Release (FHR) technology, a first in our Attack series. Tyrolia.com, £320
******* RESORT SHOWCASE Sierra Nevada ******* BUCKET IST DESTINATION Turkey with Luke Rees from awe365.com and Jamie Barrow worlds fastest snowboarder. https://www.powdermad.com/
In this weeks episode Dom and Rob delve into the best places to go skiing in the spring, what better advice when there's great snow across Europe and the sun will shine, Easter really is one of the best times to go skiing !
Enjoy the ride :)
***** Welcome to our Sponsors The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other. Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
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WHERE IS GOOD TO SKI RIGHT NOW This weeks weather round up is brought to you by SkiWeekends, The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts. You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.com”
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SPRING SKIING SPECIAL
For the very best advice on this episode take a look at https://www.inthesnow.com/where-is-best-to-ski-this-easter/
In this weeks episode Dom and Rob bring us all the latest news from around the world from Mikeys Miles to International Ski Patrollers Day. They also share the biggest secrets on where is best to ski right now!
Then in this weeks episode they tell us aboiut ski boots that are so easy to get on and off they are like slippers as well as some other great gear finds.
They also explore Region Dents Du Midi, and finally everything that Sun Peaks British Columbia has on offer.
Enjoy the ride :)
*****
Welcome to our Sponsors The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other. Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
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NEWS Mikeys Mountain Miles mikeysmm.com International ski patrollers day hellyhansen.com/skipatrol Esprit winds up
SNOW REPORT This weeks weather round up is brought to you by SkiWeekends, The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts. You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.com”
ROB: what's the size of the ski area? Second biggest ski area in Canada 4300 acres 139 trails
ROB: who is the ski area best suited for?
I would probably say for beginner / intermediates
ROB: what about the resort, any nice vibes, apres? guess it's not quite like Whistler Massa and Bottoms are the places for après cool beers and ice hockey
ROB: any top tips for the best ski run or off-piste? Maybe a day of heli skiing in the area?
5 mile is perfect for improver beginners
The crystal bowl accessed the same way is really nice for more advanced skiers
Morrisey side of the mountain still smokin i'dunno out of the woods and plenty more. I've done a really nice YouTube video
ROB: and what about town, best restuarant and bar?
Big cooked breakfast going to Cahilty Nice coffee and a smoothie and a pastry Altitude and bolacco, Mountain high for very good pizzas
Bottoms and Massas good for lunch and après drinks
I would also recommend steakhouse at Sun Peaks Lodge and Oya sushi Japanese was really tasty
ROB: how can we get there and where can we stay?
Ski Independence Sun Peaks Lodge right in the middle of the village Ski straight to the first lift
In this weeks episode Dom and Rob bring us all the latest news from around the world , where is best to ski right now, how Ben and Clau are doing skiing around 24 resorts in 7 weeks as well as a great interview with Zak Carrick-Smith!!
Enjoy the ride :) ***** Welcome to our Sponsors The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
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NEWS Recent article in a certain national newspaper about skiing being, ‘too fast and furious’
British skier Zak Carrick-Smith of the St Foy Ski Club has won the first ever British medal in an alpine Olympic event
17 year old snowboarding prodigy Mia Brookes has taken gold at the X Games.
Zoe Atkin also won a silver medal in the ski superpipe at the same event in Aspen Colorado.
Fischer is celebrating its centenary in 2024.
Woman trapped in gondola overnight
************* WEATHER
This weeks weather round up is brought to you by SkiWeekends.com”
************* GEAR – SIGB SKI TEST
************* RESORT SPOTLIGHT – AOSTA VALLEY
19 resorts, over 800 kilometres of slopes, 8 snow parks and a single international electronic ski pass - Check out the Aosta Valley website (https://aosta-valley.co.uk) + Interski offer.
And remember, the Aosta Valley region, with all its 16 resorts, easy location from the UK either by car via the Mont Blanc tunnel – and you’re there straight away or via Turin or Milan airports. I’d say something for everyone – families absolutely, adrenaline seekers, yes, foodies, for sure.
Bucket List - Ben and Clau Skiing 24 resorts in 7 weeks
Starting in the Italian Alps Ben and Clau travel up towards the French Alps, where they will knock off their first ten resorts, ranging from Serre Chevalier, Les2Alpes, Alpe d’Huez and the huge Les 3 Valleés area, before ending their French leg in Chamonix, where the couple got engaged just a year ago. With no time to waste at thre start of February, they will then head into Switzerland to take in the luxurious resorts of Crans Montana and St Moritz, before embarking on a three-week Austrian fest, hitting its finest resorts of St Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbuhel, Saalbach, Mayrhofen and Soelden. Finally, they will head back towards the Italian Dolomites to end their seven-week ski-marathon in Livigno, Bormio and Madonna di Campiglio. Phew!
"End-of-Season Round-Up + Sölden Upgrades, Flora's Funny Rant, and a Ski Song from 1960"
Sponsored by Ski Weekends A big thank you to our season-long sponsor Ski Weekends. They specialise in short break ski holidays, with 3-, 4- or 7-night options in catered chalets and flexible hotels across top resorts. skiweekends.com
NEWS
New Boss at Crystal Ski
Canadians Rethink U.S. Ski Trips
Sölden’s 2025/26 Upgrades
Media Watch: “The Middle Classes Are Giving Up on Skiing”? Really?
We dive into a slightly baffling piece in The Spectator by Flora Watkins
The Best of The 2024–25 Season
22 episodes since our October 4 launch
Covered the best of ski news, conditions, destinations, and gear
Destination Specials: Whistler, Isère, Aosta, Jungfrau, Baqueira-Beret, Park City
Guests: Aimee Fuller, Eddie the Eagle, Nick Jenkins (Moonpig), Roisin Timpson (The Show Makers)
Beginner Series: 4-part special in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays
Features: music, marmottes, Ed Drake’s racing updates, and loads of resort stories
Dom’s Ski Season Recap
Alpe d’Huez (Dec)
“Island in the sun” – sunny start to the season
Quiet slopes, big terrain, and the epic Sarenne black run
Après at La Folie Douce: as rowdy as ever
La Clusaz (Jan)
A bit more off-the-beaten track
Tree-lined runs, authentic Alpine charm, and cheese-fuelled evenings
Dog sledding and XC skiing for the adventurous
Les Gets (Feb)
Part of Portes du Soleil = tons of terrain
Powder days, relaxed village vibes, and great terrain for intermediates
Mont Chéry for steeper lines and freestyle fun
Saas-Fee (Mar)
Glacier skiing = snow security
Car-free charm and the Metro Alpin underground lift
Great cruising runs and long, sunny days
Cervinia (Mar)
Wide-open Italian slopes + access to Zermatt
Carving heaven and unbeatable pasta-powered après
Thanks for tuning in all season, and we’ll catch you next time for more ski chat on The Whiteout.
WELCOME OUR SPONSORS SKI INDEPENDENCE The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
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Todays Episode explores every way to get the your ski holiday other than flying.
We start by talking electric cars to the alps and the various why and wherefores. Take a look at the various maps of electric charge points like ZapMap to help make that journey even easier.
We then cover train travel to resort, and this week we are joined by train travel expert Dan Elkan of Snowcarbon.co.uk who gives us the absolute lowdown on travelling to resort by train and everything you need to know to get to resort in the most environmentally way...and maybe even the fastest or even the most relaxing...check out the Race between Train and Plane to the Alps
And finally we cover all the info you might need if you decide to travel by coach with Snowexpress.
However you choose to get to your favourite ski destination, do consider all options some might be surprisingly more fun, better value and more relaxing :)
WELCOME OUR SPONSORS SKI INDEPENDENCE The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
****************** NEWS Dolomites Dirndl ski day Nick Fellows appointed director of FIS TV Southern Hemisphere news Andorra is not bound by the EU 90 day within 180 rule ----------------------- GEAR GUIDE Size is key. Getting the fit right is really important, not just for comfort, but safety too. Two main types, with a third hybrid that combines the two. 1 - a hard shell helmet 2 - an in-mould Broadly speaking the hard shells are lower cost and hard wearing, whilst the in-mould types provide lighter, but still as strong, protection and can handle better ventilation systems that are more active – in other words you can control the ventilation.
There’s then hybrid helmets that combine both the hard shell and the in-mould manufacturing techniques, which can then provide both value and more functionality.
Style MIPS that stands for Multi-directional impact protection system (thats the round yellow badge) Sweet Protection Igniter 2Vi MIPs helmet that comes in at £219 Oakley Mod5 MIPS £221 Hardnutz currently at around £50 Mountainwarehouse.com
233 kilometres of skiing, with 181 of them being marked and groomed, the rest are left ungroomed and are marked as Ski Routes. There’s 58 ski lifts and it’s one of the world’s most modern lift systems. You’ve got 60 mountain restaurants across three separate mountain ranges.
All linked up to the Skiwelt which means even more ski lifts – 82 in total and marked trails in several resorts including Brixe, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau, Söll and Westendorf.
Skiwelt is the longest ski circuit in the world, it’s 88 km’s long and takes in 14 villages. Lots of nice intermediate crusiy red runs too - Hannenkahm race held on the Strief slope, which is marked black, good nursery slope in town with free lifts and then several long blue runs from the hannankahm and kitzbuler horn mountains. The town is just below 800metres.
BUCKET LIST - CAT SKIING
3 places where you can cat ski, starting with British Columbia. 14 operators listed on the Powder Highway website, but Baldface Valhalla out of Nelson is an interesting one. North Macedonia in the Shar Mountains - sharoutdoors.com Niseko - Shimamaki operated by the
LOCATION Very close to the city of Grenoble, just up in the Belledonne mountain range in the Dauphiné Alps. Drive into the city of Grenoble in around 30-40 minutes traffic permitting and the airport is just over a one hour’s drive away too. Chambery is also just 50 kms away, so another option for flying in and then driving from Calais would normally take about 8.5 hours.
The train would be London-Paris-Lyon-Grenoble and then a taxi or a bus from there. Not too difficult because you get pretty close in Grenoble and whilst that might not be for everyone...could do a nice little stop over on the way too.
THE SKI AREA
There’s 120 km’s of ski trails that link up three separate villages, there’s about 22 ski lifts, mostly chairs and some drag lifts plus a gondola too, and 90% of the lifts are 10 years old or newer. Within that 120 km’s there’s 45 individual ski trails that include green, blue, red and black, so genuinely something for every level of skier and snowboarder . It is mostly blues and reds, but there’s 7 black runs so pretty significant and it has the largest freeride area in the region including the The Vallons du Pra trail which is basically a marked off-piste route.
The beginner’s terrain is extensive and separate from the main ski area and then there’s a nice progression onto green runs after that. The majority of runs are blue and red so we are talking about all this freeride terrain but at the end of the day it’s beginners and intermediates that actually get the best deal here.
SKI SCHOOLS
There’s the ESF, ESI: Pro 7 school that also offers freestyle and freeride lessons and a dedicated snowboard school called Slash and another called Easy Riders. They all say they have English speaking instructors. SNOW RECORD Village is 1350, and it goes up to 2400 metres, that’s more than a 1,000 metre vertical and with its location they get good snowfalls through the winter and well into spring here. A lot of the slopes are north westerly facing so they hold the snow well.
THE VILLAGES
The main village is Prapoutel and it’s where most of the accommodation and facilities are. It’s mostly self-catered accommodation and there’s a good choice of both value and higher end places to stay and it’s easy to walk around – it’s not tiny in any sense but it’s not like a massive town either. It does have that sort of purpose built feel, but in a nice way and the views across the valley are fantastic.
Why is it called Les 7 (seven) Laux? It was founded in the 1960’s / 70’s by a group formed of 7 communes in the area. Where do I go for a pint? O’Bar BU What about a bit of Tartiflette ? Le Rocher Blanc Prices for the actual holiday? A starting price of around £1500 for the whole apartment for a week and that includes a return Eurotunnel fare
peakretreats.co.uk or call them on 023 9283 9310 Peak Retreats is the French Alps specialist and they have been organising holidays in the French Alps for over 20 years. They have multiple awards pretty much on a yearly basis and they are ABTA bonded.
Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta.
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
****************** Weather report Brought to our listeners in association with our friends at SkiWeekends The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts. You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.
****************** Gear Reviews - Avalanche Air Bag Back Packs
Best for Ski touring… If you’re looking at day tours only then the 25 litre Scott Patrol Ultralight at under 2kg’s is perfect. £1,100 from scott-sports.com
The slightly larger ORTOVOX Avabag :iTRIC Tour 30 litre pack at £1,250 is a good bet. ortovox.com
Best for freeriding - Again you can tour with this pack it’s just slightly larger the Mammut Pro 45 removable airbag 3.0 costs £650 it’s 45 litres in size and has a removable airbag system with carbon cartridges. Check that out at mammut.com
Best for travelling - The Deuter Alproof Lite 30 pack comes with loads of tech and a battery that is easy to travel with. £1,300 from deutergb.co.uk
****************** Looking back on 2023 Best trip/resort ROB: Big Sky in Montana. DOM: 10 Day Colorado road trip to Beaver Creek, Vail and Breckenridge
Best après ROB: Interlaken, Switzerland DOM: Tignes
Best bit of kit ROB: Armada Declivity 102Ti DOM: Sweet Protection Helmet Igniter Helly Hansen Elevation Ski Gear
Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta.
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence.
****************** Weather report Brought to our listeners in association with our friends at SkiWeekends The flexible ski holiday experts, choose form 10 fantastic catered chalets and over 100 hotels in over 40 resorts. You can stay as long as you like with SkiWeekends.
****************** Resort Spotlight: Arapahoe Basin we speak to Louis Skowyra Director of Mountain Operations to talk all things A-Basin and what a unique and fantastic skiers mountain it really is with an incredibly long season!
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InTheSnow’s 24 in 24.
Two Lucky individuals, Ben Haver and Clau De Cesaris sculpted this trip of a lifetime and will visit and compare 24 resorts starting in January 2024. Whilst doing so, InTheSnow bring you all the freshest content across our social channels this winter, and watch out for 24 brand new resort reviews on our YouTube channel.
Follow us Instagram @InTheSnow_Magazine TikTok@inthesnowmag
****************** Next week we have an episode dedicated to Les 7 Laux, never heard that name, well this is well worth listening t!! ****************** Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year from Rob and I
In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us!
And don't forget to check us out on the following channels
In this special episode dedicated to the brilliantly located Les 2 Alpes in Association with award Winning tour operator Peak Retreats, we talk to Amanda Sanchez who is an on-the-ground-expert in all things Les 2 Alpes.
Amanda went to L2A 18 years ago to do a season and fell in love with the place (as well as a ski instructor) and never came back to the UK!!
While Amanda showed me her outlook of snow falling all around her on a backdrop of peaks, I stared out onto some wet fields and could only imagine living there.
Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta.
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence. ******************
NEWS:
Vail buys Crans-Montana
Winter Olympics 2030 and 2034
Edinburgh Ski Centre gets a makeover
First ski cable car in France turns 90 ******************
Weather report - brought to our listeners in association with our friends at Ski Weekends
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Gear Reviews
Dope Pile fleece sweater - RRP £79 but from ridestore.com
Mons Royale Arete Merino Insulation Hood - £275 futureproof.life
Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski which comprises Alpe d’Huez, Oz 3300 that used to be referred to as Oz-en-Oisans (oz en wezons) and Vaujany
Peak Retreats a tour op specialising in french alps, they are total experts in their field, you can obv book book Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski with them:
They are Winners of Telegraph Travel Awards Best Ski Operator 2023
They feature loads of quality apartments, self catered chalets and hotels across the french alps and Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski
Bucket List: Beaver Creek Resort Feature
InTheSnow’s 24 in 24.
Two Lucky individuals, Ben Haver and Clau De Cesaris sculpted this trip of a lifetime and will visit and compare 24 resorts starting in January 2024. Whilst doing so, InTheSnow bring you all the freshest content across our social channels this winter, and watch out for 24 brand new resort reviews on our YouTube channel.
Follow us Instagram @InTheSnow_Magazine TikTok@inthesnowmag
Next week we have an episode dedicated to Les 2 Alpe where we talk to Amanda Sanchez who went to resort 18 years ago to work a season….and never came home…
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence. Lift tickets in Jasper’s Marmot Basin are half price until the end of November.
This week we look into the detail behind boot fitting
Starting at the looking and inspection of your feet - be they slender model like feet, or bunion ridden, flat slabs of meat, the fitter needs to assess your feet before the correct boots are selected.
After this there are a number of boots selected that may fit your feet and a shell check then takes place. This is when you plant your feet into the boots without the liners to see how much space there is between the shell and your feet.
Assuming there is enough space the liner is then put in and you try your new boots on for the first time.
At first they may feel tight but never fear there are many adjustments that can take place before you take to the slopes.
Totally we also explore custom foot beds and the process involved withgetting the perfect foot bed inside that boot.
Finally the footbed is inserted and any finer minor adjustments are made to the boot before you leave the store and head off to your nearest ski slopes!
This podcast was produced as a result of our recent visit to Ellis Brighams Boot Fitting Lab in Milton Keynes when we launched a youtube video that ended up very popular so we thought a podcast would support that poularity.
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best après-ski locations, to breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise, or how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper for an experience like no other.
Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more about booking Canada’s Alberta with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence. Lift tickets in Jasper’s Marmot Basin are half price until the end of November.
NEWS
A new rail strategy has launched intending to increase train services from the UK to the French Alps.
An Icon re-visited! After being a skiers favourite for many years the Down Spirit model has been updated for even more comfort. Featuring a premium natural down insulation, high quality Gore-Tex waterproof and windproof insert, technical soft shell base with resistant goatskin leather, they keep the hands comfortably warm and dry in even the harshest weather conditions.
Recommended Retail Price: £150 Places to buy: Snow + Rock & Ellis Brigham
Restaurant Chiecco very close to that central hub area of Plan Checrouit. 100 km’s of slopes give or take a few
Resort height is 1200 The main skiing area goes up to 2,755m - but obviously Skyway is much higher. There’s 18 lifts, 59% of the area is red runs, 27% blue and 14% black
Bucket list - La Grave in France In between Les 2 Alpes and Serre Chevalier that for many skiers and snowboarders that like to go off-piste or want big adventure do have this place on the ‘must go to one day’ list and lots of people always ask me what it’s like.
Our best PISTE SKI picks for the 2024 winter ahead
Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta.
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best eateries, breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise and wildlife spotting opportunities, to how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway for an experience like no other.
Book with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence before the end of October, and under 12s will ski & rent for free in Banff & Lake Louise, and lift tickets in Jasper’s Marmot Basin are half price until the end of November. Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more.
NORDICA SPITFIRE IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHAPE The entire line of Doberman Spitfire skis is designed for skiers demanding high-performance, on-piste precision. Built using three years of studies and on-snow testing, the skis are more fluid through the arc, smoother, and faster thanks to a number of new technologies. That includes the new Recoil Power Plate, which allows the ski to flex naturally, thereby delivering a livelier ride. All of the skis in the line are modeled after our World Cup race skis, but each Dobermann Spitfire is specially designed to meet the demands of a variety of abilities and needs. Whether you’re a masters racer, PSIA instructor, or just a skier that loves carving up the frontside, a ski from the Dobermann family is your best bet.
ATOMIC REDSTER X9S Atomic Redster X9S Revoshock S set is for skiers who want speed, versatility, and max performance - infused with World Cup heritage and a hefty dose of fun.. and it's compatible with both alpine-normed and GripWalk boots. Redster X9S takes World Cup proven tech and packs it into a platform for skiers who want to enjoy the speed and versatility of Atomic’s Multi Radius Sidecut engineering. The ski is ready to snap off quick short carves or stretch out beautiful long-radius turns. With Revoshock, the Redster X9S Revo S has an agile, predictable ride, making icy, early morning corduroy a pleasure to ski. Dual-layer Ultra Titanium laminate that runs from sidewall to sidewall above and below the core enhances overall strength, edge grip and torsional flex, while Ultrawall construction combines the edge hold and power transfer of a full sidewall with the durability and longevity of cap finishing. The Ultra Power Woodcore comes over from Atomic's FIS race platforms to provide pro-level strength, keeping the speed up and the fun high from open to close.
Redster X9S Revo S is ideal if you want to do a bit of racing and piste skiing the rest of the time.
BLIZZARD THUNDERBIRD R15 Skiing requires a certain amount of trust in your equipment. Trust that it will perform and trust that it will keep you safe. The Thunderbird R15 with it’s Trueblend Piste woodcore and Active Carbon Armor vibration damping system, is designed to give you that trust and confidence to carve turns as fast you dare on any groomed slope, and with a 15m radius, it has the turning versatility you need to make long turns, short turns and every kind of turn in between.
SALOMON ADDIKT PRO Skiers addicted to every opportunity to carve down the mountain will be instantly hooked on the latest Salomon Addikt Pro set. Thanks to innovative Motion Tail technology and a narrow waist, this ski is reactive yet forgiving, so you can have fun mixing short and long turns all day long.
Limitless turns Motion Tail technology increases tail flexibility by 5% for a forgiving yet responsive ski for days on snow.
Time to mention today’s sponsors, Ski Independence & Canada’s Alberta.
The team at Ski Independence have been sending customers to Alberta’s ski resorts for almost 30 years. With oodles of personal experience, they know all about the best places to stay, the best travel options… and everything in between: from Banff’s best eateries, breathtaking scenery at Lake Louise and wildlife spotting opportunities, to how to get the best out of a multi-centre itinerary – they highly recommended road-tripping up the spectacular Icefields Parkway for an experience like no other.
Book with tailor-made specialists Ski Independence before the end of October, and under 12s will ski & rent for free in Banff & Lake Louise, and lift tickets in Jasper’s Marmot Basin are half price until the end of November. Visit ski-i.com/alberta to find out more.
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NEWS:
New lift and ski area in La Plagne - Check out Laplagneresort.com for more info
Dartbus - Dartbus.co.uk
Ski Club survey - Skiclub.co.uk
H&M MOVE SNOW COLLECTION
SkiWeekends launch CO2 travel comparison tool - skiweekends.com/news/travel-greener-to-the-alps
SNOW REPORT:
Our friend in Chamonix, David Robertson, this week and he says: “this is the best snow we have seen at this time of the season in the past 18 years I have been in Chamonix. There’s already a number of tracks up there – the mid station lifts are still open for hikers but it’s skiers that are taking advantage of it.”
No high pressure then blocking all that snow, yippee.
Tignes has announced that it will open a week earlier than planned, on the 18th November, the weekend after next, rather than the 25th.
Hannah Bolger of France-specialist ski holiday company Peak Retreats, contacted us about this and she said: “They’re opening up the Glacier with an option of a returning slope to Val Claret, via the Double M piste! With the continued ‘progressing-opening’ of the rest of the ski area from 25th November. It’s very exciting news for the start of the season!”
Kitzbuhel and Schladming in Austria OPEN this weekend, Madonna di Campiglio in Italy from the 18th and Arosa, Davos and Verbier in Switzerland from this weekend, joining more than a dozen glacier ski areas that have already opened.
Val Thorens opening weekend is scheduled for November 25 and 26 Switzerland is looking pretty good too and Austria The Dolomites and the likes of Bormio in Italy also have snow Cervinia is all set for the weekend’s downhill race and it is looking spectacular on the course right now Arapaho basin and Keystone are already reporting around 45cm’s of snow on their upper slopes and there’s up to 10 cm’s forecast for the next week
GEAR
Helly Hansen – Ski Free - buy a jacket and get a free ski pass, or buiy one get one free for more details visit - hellyhansen.com/skifree
Planks on Rainkiss
Fauna Skisfaunaskis.com
Axiski
Resort Spotlight – Park City
BUCKET LIST JAPAN
LHR > Haneda
TOKYO - Senso ji - Harmonica Yokocho - Tokyo Skytree a 2080 ft tower with 360 degree views of the city - Shibuya crossing the busiest intersection crossing in the world - Shinjuku national garden, absolute glorious blossom trees
>> fly to New Chitose in Hikkaido
Risutsu ski resort 90 mins from the airport and this is the largest all season resort in hokkaido, With 4 gondolas and 14 lifts servicing the 3 peaks, home to 37 runs that range from gentle, wide slopes where everyone can safely ski and snowboard right up and challenging runs that satisfy advanced skiers.
Then Sapporo Kokusai, a small but popular resort on the outskirts of Sapporo City, well its an hour all said and done but still simple
These are the Best All Mountain Skis for 2024 (in our opinion)
BLACK CROWS SERPO The Serpo is a young and lively ski in the range for carving on the piste and poking a bit off-piste. With 93mm at the base, it is a good carver, it is there to really play with the terrain with its tolerant flex but it also has positive response thanks to its metal layer for grip and stability, For all that, its performance does not erase the ease and pleasure of the game.
K2 MINDBENDER 96C New Mindbender 96 C and 106 C. All-new carbon construction with flax for vibration absorption without extra weight. These skis weight about 150g less than the Ti versions and offer a different feel with excellent suspension for skiers who don’t want metal. More dynamic, accessible, and precision-oriented than the Ti Mindbenders.
Are you looking for an all mountain ski that's equally comfortable on hard pack, bumps or the occasional powder day? Look no further than the all new K2 Mindbender 96C. Featuring K2 patented Spectral Braid technology, Bio Resin and Uni-Directional Flax. The 96C delivers a playful and stable demeanor which is sure to inspire confidence while exploring the resort.
FACTION DANCER Introducing: the Dancer 1. Nimble, smooth and stable, this ski is built for pure piste performance. Two razor-thin sheets of metal complement the sustainably-sourced wood core, for the ideal blend of up-tempo energy and fluid, full-confidence handling—whether you’re dicing through the fresh corduroy or dancing between the late-afternoon bumps. Backed by the finest, most durable Austrian construction, powered 100% by renewable energy.
You'll love this ski if:
You want to ski fast but under control You want a super-stable ski that can also rip in the bumps You want a ski that is easy to turn in all conditions You are skiing almost 100% on the piste
BLIZZARD BRAHMA 82 Your character says a lot about the type of person you are and the same can be said for a ski. Strong at heart with an easygoing attitude makes the Brahma 82 the go to choice for skiing all over the mountain. With a Flipcore design and Trueblend woodcore inside, the Brahma 82 gives you the confidence to rip or cruise on hard snow or soft, anywhere your skis want to take you.
ARMADA DECLIVITY 92 Built off a platform that excels in any condition, the Declivity 92 Ti screams versatility from ripping high-speed groomers to charging chopped-up powder. A full AR100 Sidewall partnered with our Articulated Titanal Banding provides confident grip on hardpack and allows power to build in a smooth yet predicable way. Pairing light-weight Caruba with a triaxial glass lay-up, we created a high-performance ski that doesn’t carry extra weight. No matter what the mountain throws at you, from turning and burning on hardpack to sliding down silky pow, this one-ski-quiver will conquer anything on the hill.
In this fantastic bonus episode, we chat with Squamish, BC resident Amber Turnau who tells us the ins and outs of the best ski resorts in British Columbia, Canada the massive province that we all know and love and home to some of the best ski resorts in the world.
Beginning on the west coast, The resorts start at Vancouver Island's Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Then, as you make your way to the mainland, head up the fabulous Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler Blackcomb host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. As you make your way inland to the Okanagan Region (one of BC’s wine regions), you’ll find the resorts Silver Star, Big White, Sun Peaks and Apex.
Onto the south east corner of BC - The Kootenays, bordering the neighbouring province of Alberta are home to fabulous resorts that make up the Powder Highway like Fernie, Crossland (Red Mountain) Revelstoke, Panorama, Kicking Horse, and Kimberley.
The resorts of BC are like nowhere on Earth and so worth the trip, it was great catching up with Amber and getting the inside track on axe throwing and graded tree runs, we can't wait to get back out there :)