Chemmy Alcott is probably the most well-known woman in snowsports in the UK.  After a racing career that took her to four Winter Olympics, she now balances presenting Ski Sunday on the BBC, with bringing up her young family and coaching new aspiring racers. 

This special episode is part of an occasional set of podcasts I’m going to be publishing this winter focussing particularly on women in the snowsports industry. 

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. 

SHOW NOTES

Chemmy’s given name is Chemine (2:45)
In Dec 2010 Chemmy suffered a double fracture of her right leg at Lake Louise (5:00)
Shortly after Chemmy learned her funding had been withdrawn by BSS (8:45)
Third Space helped Chemmy with funding (9:45)
Chemmy took part in ‘Dancing on Ice’ in 2012, finishing 5th (11:45)
BSS said Chemmy’s participation was an ‘acceptable’ risk (13:00)
Chemmy has broken over 40 bones in her career (16:00)
Injuries include a dislocated jaw, broken neck, broken back, broken ribs, groin tears, two ACLs, compound tibia/fibula fracture and a broken ankle
Chemmy learned to ski in Flaine and takes her family there now (22:00)
Her first race was when she was 3 years old (although she didn’t win!) (23:30)
Chemmy made her FIS debut at Coronet Peak in 1997 (27:30)
She won medals at the European Youth Olympics in 1999 in SuperG and GS (28:45)
In 2002 Chemmy beat Lyndsey Vonn in Junior Worlds and was 4th overall (29:00)
Chemmy took part in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics (29:45)
Chemmy competed in all five disciplines: Downhill, Super G, GS, slalom and combined
Alain Baxter ‘won’ the bronze in Slalom at Salt Lake (31:00)
Chemmy finished 11th in the Downhilll at the 2006 Turin Olympics (32:00)
At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Chemmy finished 11th in  the super-combined (37:00)
Chemmy broke her leg again in the summer of 2013 in Saas Fee (39:30)
Sochi in 2014 was Chemmy’s fourth Winter Olympics (43:00)
She finished 19th in the Downhill, which ‘felt like a gold’ (43:15)
Lady Gaga is an inspiration (44:00)
Chemmy retired in 2014 and started working on ‘Ski Sunday’ in 2015 (46:00)
Working on the 2018 Winter Olympics, Chemmy teamed up with Claire Balding (46:45)
In 2020 Chemmy joined Ed Leigh as one of the presenters of ‘Ski Sunday’ (47:15)
Listen to Iain’s in-depth interview with Chemmy while she was based in Laax (47:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Ed Leigh (49:00)
Why isn’t there more freestyle coverage on ‘Ski Sunday’? (51:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zac Carrick-Smith (52:30)
On how women take those decisions to find time for themselves (58:00)
Listen to Chemmy explaining about her downhill POV camera runs (59:30)

Leonardo Da Vinci: 

"Once you've tasted flight you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

Feedback

I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com 

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
 2) Subscribe so every episode will automatically be downloaded for you
 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link

Today we find out what’s new at Banff Sunshine Village in Canada and we look into the history of one of the UK’s oldest snowsport retailers, Ellis Brigham. Plus, we have the latest gossip on which European destination Vail Resorts are planning to buy next.

Host Iain Martin was joined by Kendra Scurfield, VP Brand and Communications at Banff Sunshine Village ski resort and Mark Brigham, Marketing Director at Ellis Brigham. 

SHOW NOTES

Vail Resorts have been linked strongly with Laax (3:45)
Vail Resorts are ‘not buying Verbier’ (4:45)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GZD8jeQKjr8
POWDR are selling several resorts (4:45)
There have been serious floods in St Anton in Austria (6:30)
The new European Sleeper service from Brussels to Innsbruck & Bolzano (7:00)
Ellis Brigham is 90 years old and still family owned (8:30)
The business was founded in 1933 by Frederick Ellis Brigham (9:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awe-sKyNhm8
In Episode 218 Arcteryx told us about their ReBird programme (10:45)
Sons Bob & Ellis took over in the 1950s
The first store in Manchester and first catalog 'The Mountaineers Gadgeteer' (13:15)
The Ellis Brigham ‘White Book' first appeared in the 1980s (15:15)
The Snowboard Asylum was created in 1989 (16:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Stu Brass (19:30)
Ellis Brigham won ‘Outdoor retailer Of The Year‘ 2024 (21:00)
Our Equipment special episodes with Al Morgan start on 27 September
Banff Sunshine Village had snow in August (21:30)
There are just two snow cannons! (22:30)
Their new heated 6-person Poma chairlift will be the first in North America (23:30)
The Mountain Collective pass is a great option for a road trip in Canada (25:30)
Find out more about the Ikon Pass (26:30)
Ski Big 3 will be at the Ikon stand at London Show (27:30)

Feedback (28:30)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com 

Shazza: “Love these conversations to get us excited for the ski season! We went to the Dolomites with Inspired Italy last season. It was an amazing adventure; great terrain, food, and people."

Jay Roh: "Excellent interview with Bode Miller"
 
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

We discuss Baqueira Beret in Spain and finding out about skiing in China – the fastest growing ski market in the world. 

Iain was joined by freelance journalist, Gabriella Le Breton and Justin Downes, President of Axis Leisure, who specialise in resort development in China.

SHOW NOTES

Gaby last skied in Andermatt (1:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Mike Goar, CEO of Vail Resorts in Andermatt (2:00)
[Video] Things Americans find shocking about skiing in Europe! (3:30)
Justin was last on snow at the indoor slope in Wuhan, China (4:15)
Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski skied in St Anton and Ischgl (5:00)
The Black Eyed Peas are playing at Ischgl’s closing party (6:45)
Susie Burt reported from Chamonix (8:00)
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching is in Les 2 Alpes (9:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview in Episode 209 about the new Jandri 3S lift (11:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz0hrmQgVGg
Les 2 Alpes will remain open until 07 July
Huge thank you to Messy Weekend for replacing the ski goggles I lost in Verbier (14:30)
Take a look at the Vallon vizors here (15:15)
Gaby visited Baqueira Beret in the Spanish Pyrénées (16:14)
Heliskiing is possible in Baqueira (25:00)
Gaby stayed with Emerald Stay on her trip
Justin previously worked at Whistler and Kicking Horse in Canada (28:00)
He then managed Hotham in Australia (30:00)
Justin is now President of Axis Leisure (31:45)
China has more indoor snowdomes than the rest of the world combined (32:15)
There were around 30m skier days in China in 23/24, compared with around 50m in the USA (33:30)
Justin expects China will become the biggest snowsports market in the world in 2025 (34:15)
Eileen Gu and Su Yuming are huge influences on the growth of Chinese skiing (43:15)

Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com

Oliver Rutman: "Really great episode with Xavier De La Rue"
Quin Rescigno: "I found your podcast recently and have enjoyed listening."
Darren Jer: "Congrats on getting the new Vail Resorts executive of Andermatt on your show." 

If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:
 
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2) Subscribe  (find all the links here at PodFollow) 

There are 215 episodes to catch up with and 134 were listened to in the last week. In the last week, 56% of our listeners were in the UK, 13% in the States and the remaining 31% across the world, including Turkey, Vietnam and Japan. 

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

In Episode 82, we discuss avalanche safety, what a ‘rocker’ is and have interviews with Olympic medal winners Billy Morgan and Izzy Atkin. 
There are snow reports from Italy, Switzerland and…the Netherlands, plus you can find out how to win a copy of Billy Morgan’s new book, ‘Drop in!’
Iain was joined by Henry Schniewind from the eponymous Henry's Avalanche Talk, plus Megan Hughes, Deputy Editor at InTheSnow Magazine, as well as regular equipment expert Al Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.
 
SHOW NOTES

• Find out about e-quad biking in Andermatt
• Iain reported on his ski touring in Andermatt in Episode 52
• Battleface offer travel insurance for skiing regardless of FCO rules on travel
• The PCR Day 2 test for fully vaccinated travellers was replaced with an antigen lateral flow test on 24 October
• The NHS Covid Pass is now accepted across Europe
• For children this winter, it looks like regular tests in resort will be required in Italy & Austria, although it’s less likely in France and Switzerland
• Covid boosters may be required for travel

https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1457233120965521408
             
 

• Dave Burrows from The Ski Instructor Podcast reported from Cervinia
•  Simon Burgess was in Landgraaf in the Netherlands
•  Listen to Simon’s report from the Lake District in Episode 73
•  Rob Rees was reporting from Switzerland
•  The early November snow has been very good so far

 https://twitter.com/FrenchMountains/status/1455941744210624519

• Listen to our 'How to become a Pisteur' Special with Tom Greenall
• Caroline Elliot talked about avalanche rescue dogs in Episode 47
• You can catch up with Avalanche Safety Special Episode with Jim and Dave Burrows
• Find out about Henry’s UK ‘Off Piste Awareness’ Tour on his website
• Iain regularly contributes video snow reports to InTheSnow

https://www.facebook.com/inthesnow/videos/134822691302566

• This is a useful graphic from Wagner Skis on rockers
• Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Tony McWilliam, founder of Faction Skis
• Billy Morgan won Bronze in the Snowboard Big Air at PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics
• Graystone Action Sports is a superb training facility in Manchester
• GB Snowsport have a huge airbag in Livigno, Italy for practising on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cJoU0kV3rg

To win a copy of his book all you have to do to go in the draw is tell us why you listen to The Ski Podcast You can enter on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (just make sure you tag us) or by dropping us an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com and I'll pick a winner at the end of November

https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1457259032218116097
 

• Izzy Atkin won Olympic Bronze in the Ski Slopestyle at PyeongChang 
• Younger sister Zoe competes in Ski Big Air
• Listen to the full interview in our Special Episode coming soon

 
Reviews 

Leon Butler: “It was cool to watch 'The Ski Podcast Live'
Al Morgan (LinkedIn): "Superb episode of The Ski Podcast"
sofatoslopes (Instagram): "Fab morning endurance training while listening to The Ski Podcast"
 
Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. This episode I'd like to thank Kimberley Kay and Mike Greenland, who also said:

"Love the podcast. I have skied at least twice a year ever since 1970. Started on wooden skis and lace up leather boots. Things have changed...missed my first season this year due to covid but hope to keep the calendar annual record going as I am off in Dec”

I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com & if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts
 
We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, pls drop us an email or contact us via social with your address.

In Episode 81, we find out about Disability Snowsport UK is changing lives, plus we have the story of how one company in the Alps has survived both Brexit and Covid. 

We find out how the National Snow Show in Birmingham went and answer the question “How long should my skis be?" plus much more.

Iain was joined by Rachel Davies, Head of Snowsport from Disability Snowsport UK, and Noel Miles who tells us his DSUK story. From Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps, Tania Casey from Huski joined us, as well as regular equipment expert Al Morgan.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

·    Battleface offer travel insurance for skiing regardless of FCO rules on travel
·    The PCR Day 2 test for fully vaccinated travellers was replaced with an antigen lateral flow test on 24 October
·    For children this winter, it looks like regular tests in resort will be required in Italy & Austria, although it’s less likely in France and Switzerland
·    We recommend you create your 'Travel Folder of Dreams' by printing out all documents, in case this happens
·    Jenny Nicholls from Inghams Ski reported from Hintertux, Austria
·    Tania Casey from Huski was on the glacier in Tignes
·    Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching skied in Les 2 Alpes this weekend
·    The National Snow Show took place at the Birmingham NEC last weekend. The dates for 2022 are 15-16 October
·    Iain was joined by Mike Richards and Simon Burgess for ‘The Ski Podcast Live’

https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1452530423154757632

·    Rachel Davies is Head of Snowsport from Disability Snowsport UK
·    You can help raise funds for DSUK by joining in with the Alpine Lunch
and find out about other ways to give here 
·    Huski is a food & drink delivery company operating in the French Alps
Tania’s favourite meal on offer is the ‘Lapin a la moutarde’
·    Our equipment expert Al Morgan is from SkiKitInfo where you can read reviews of all the latest skis and boots
·    Neil McQuoid is editor of Racer Ready Magazine You can read his interview with Alex Tilley here.
·    Alex Tilley finished in an equal best 13th place in the GS in Solden

Reviews

Keith Webb:

"Really enjoy the show, I listened to old episodes for 10 hours one day....yeah, I know pretty intense but I was driving Chatel to Zell am See and needed to stay awake."

I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes it
helps other people find us.

Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated.

We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, please drop us an email or contact us via social with your postal address.

The Ski Podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism

For full Show Notes, please go to www.theskipodcast.com 

This episode was recorded in September 2021 at the 'Ski Launch' event in London. Iain hosted this special panel with Olympians Graham Bell and Emily Sarsfield.

Please note that the sound quality on this broadcast is not ideal. This is not typical of The Ski Podcast (have a listen to our other 100+ episodes), but having played a clip in Episode 80, listeners asked to hear more - hence this special episode.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

Topics discussed include:

- What snow conditions can athletes expect at Beijing 2022?
- What will the Covid regulations be?
- How does that compare to Tokyo 2020 and what was the experience of working there a a broadcaster like?
- What impact will all the changes have on the athlete experience?
- How do athletes deal with adversity, such as when they are injured?
- How are Team GB persuading athletes from other countries (such as Charlotte Bankes and Gus Kenworthy) to join the team?
- What other athletes are crossing over from other sports to join?

We have lots of ski-related chat in this episode, including a St Anton update, how to find the right ski boot for you, Graham Bell on Beijing 2022, the latest update on Covid rules and whether it's possible to take all your holidays flight free.

Iain was joined by Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel, first time guest Helen Coffey, travel editor at The Independent, as well as regulars Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance and equipment expert Al Morgan.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES
 

• ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed in Murren, Switzerland
• The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant was the location for Blofeld's base in 1969
• Find out more about James Bond in Switzerland
•  Listen to our special episode focussing on the Inferno downhill race
• Andy hopes to ski in Hintertux, following their fresh snow last week

https://twitter.com/Chaletline/status/1446030206603571201
 

•  Helen skied in Sierra Nevada
•  Iain was joined by Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance 
•  There is no pre-return test required for double vaccinated travellers from 04 October
•  The Day 2 PCR test will be replaced by a Lateral Flow test by the end of this month
•  Travel to the USA should start again soon
•  It looks like the Pass Sanitaire will not be required to ski in France this winter
•  The situation for children in Austria is less clear
•  Find out about 'Trav-min' 
• Helen recently took a mega-trip to Morocco by train, having signed the Flight Free UK pledge
•  Iain is a signatory to Tourism Declares and founded the Ski Flight Free campaign
• Find out about The Independent's policy on travel coverage

 Google are now including carbon emissions totals for flights:

 https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1446387406618386445
 

• Ruka ski resort is in Finland
• Listen to our Travelski interview in Episode 79
• Andy is based in St Anton
• Kaluma Ski are facing some challenges of recruiting post-Brexit 
• Iain hosted the Olympics sessions at the recent Ski Launch event in London. Please let us know if you’d like to hear more of this by emailing me at theskipodcast@gmail.com
• Non-vaccinated athletes will have to quarantine for 21 days to compete at Beijing
• Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Jon-Allan Butterworth about his conversion to snowboarding and his time on The Jump
• The Jump was our lead story in Episode 1 of The Ski Podcast four years ago in 2017
• Beth Tweddle is sueing the show. 
• Read and watch more equipment reviews from Al Morgan at SkiKitInfo.com
• Al mentioned the Lange XT3 Tour ski boot
• I spoke to author Kimberley Kay about her new book: Ski A-Z: An Illustrated Guide to Skiing 
• Alex Irwin reported from Courchevel on the damaged Saulire cable car
  
  

https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1446031205976186886
 
Reviews

Joe McHugh: "Thanks Ian for keeping the skiing vibe on life-support during Covid times"
Inside Morzine: "Well worth a listen.. Iain’s #podcast are ALWAYS essential listening"
Greg Hilton: .

Thanks also to Mike Greenland, who pointed out Lauterbrunnen is part of Jungfrau (I was confusing it with Adelboden)

I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes it
helps other people find us.

Don't forget you can listen to The Ski Podcast on Spotify as well, and if you know someone else who's getting excited about the ski season then please do share it. Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. 
 
We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, please drop us an email or contact us via social @theskipodcast with your postal address.
 
Thanks again to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring The Ski Podcast. 

XGHWeR2fMsQjvfoQn8Ae

In this Ski Podcast Special, Iain speaks with Paralympian Jon-allan Butterworth.

A four-time Paralympic medallist, Jon-allan recently joined GB Snowsport’s Para Snowsport World Class Programme following his retirement from Britain’s professional cycling programme in December 2020.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Jon-allan won three silver and one gold medal at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and will represent Team GB in the Para Snowboard discipline in the Banked Slalom and Boarder Cross events.

https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1438080356087894023

• Jon-allan’s first event will be at SnowWorld Landgraaf in the Netherlands

• You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special with GB Snowsports Team Manager, Pat Sharples

• Jayne Kavanagh is GB Snowsport's Head of Culture and Para Operations 

• Prior to his sporting career, Butterworth was a member of the RAF and served in Afghanistan, in 2005, and in Iraq before losing his left arm below the elbow in a rocket attack in August 2007. 

• In 2015, Jon-allan Butterworth took part in Channel 4's 'The Jump':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXztu1dT3qI

In Episode 79, we discuss the latest testing & travel rules, reveal how the new direct snow train will operate and listen to industry experts’ predictions for season.

We also find out about Dynastar's new 21/22 skis, meet the latest member of GB Snowsports squad and find out if you can still work overseas in a post-Brexit world.
 
 Iain was joined by Alyn Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com and Christa Jackson, LDA
resident and Area Manager for Eurocamp.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• You can ski right now in Saas Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland
• Al was testing skis at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead
• Christa last skied in Lauterbrunnen, Swizerland
• PCR tests are being replaced for the fully vaccinated 
• A Covid certificate may be required to ski in Switzerland, and possibly in Italy as well
• The Pass Sanitaire will apply to children in France from 30 September, so children's vaccinations in UK may become even more relevant

https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1439844825822638090

• Austria have extended the max duration since full vaccination to 12 months from 270 days
• According to figures from the NHS, less than 1.5% of red and amber list arrivals tested positive in the week between Aug 26 and Sep 01 

https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1438119171922046981
 

• Iain spoke to the following contributors at the Ski Launch
• event in London about their predictions for this winter season: Cathy Rankin (P&V), Nick Morgan (Le Ski), James Gambrill (Ski Club of Great Britain), Doug Newman (Ski Weekend), Jane Bolton (Erna Low), Hannah Zajic (Austrian Tourist Board)

• Listen to our Ski Podcast Special about Erna Low here 
•  Find out more about the ‘Travelski Express’ in this blog post at Ski Flight Free
•  Charlie Owen from SBiT has been on the podcast previously discussing post-Brexit recruitment in Episodes 8 and 20
•  We featured Al’s review of Faction Dictator 3.0 in Episode 78 and discussed the Elan Voyager ski in Episode 71
•  Read more about Dynastar’s range of skis for this winter on the SkiKitInfo website
•  Jon-allan Butterworth is a multiple Paralympic medal winner in cycling
• Listen to our Pat Sharples Ski Podcast Special here
• He took part in ‘The Jump’ in 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXztu1dT3qI
 
Reviews

Thanks to Andy (aka ‘sailormissingsnow’) for his 5* review on Apple Podcasts

We really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or
whatever platform you listen on, then that would be great, as it helps other people find us.

Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. 

In Episode 78, we discuss the new National Snow Show coming up next month, summer activities in the mountains like e-biking, mountaineering and trail running, plus we talk to Tony McWilliam, founder of Faction Skis.

Iain was joined by Stephen Morgan, MD at Raccoon Events, and mountaineer Olivia Jane, with contributions from Alyn Morgan at SkiKitInfo and Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Steve skied in Glencoe. Listen to our interview with Andy Meldrum, owner of Glencoe, in Episode 75
• There is now no quarantine for British arrivals into Italy
• Austria, Norway, Switzerland and Canada have all been added to the ‘Green List’
• But Austria are applying a 270 day limit on their double vaccination rules for travellers 
• The cost of tests remains an issue, as Battleface have identified in their previous research
•  Iain used the Britanny Ferries discount for Randox tests
•  Helen Coffey’s article in The Independent about ‘Trav-min’ is spot on
•  We interviewed James Wilcox from Untamed Borders in our Special Episode about 'skiing in Afghanistan' 
• Find out more about their campaign to support local guides here
• The National Snow Show is on at the NEC on 23-24 October
• Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Benjamin Alexander – Jamaican Alpine Skier
• The mystery speaker turned out to be Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards. Listen to our Ski Podcast Special interview with Eddie here. 
• We spoke to Mount Noire in Episode 61 of The Ski Podcast
• You can buy tickets to the National Snow Show here
• You can watch The Ski Podcast Live at the show at midday on Sunday 24 October
• Iain will be joined by Podcast regular Mike Richards as well as Simon Burgess, who told us about his experience skiing in the Lake District in Episode 73
• 2021 is the 150th anniversary of Lucy Walker’s first female ascent of the Matterhorn
• Olivia Jane is part of the Mammut team
• Iain reported from Zermatt in Episode 76 
  
  

 https://www.instagram.com/p/CSW0BAIjQjI/ 

• Listen to Iain’s interview with Martin Anthamatten in Episode 77
• Iain took part in the Eiger Trail 51 race in Grindelwald, Switzerland
• Read Iain’s article ‘Five Tips for Fast Packing the Tour du Mont Blanc’
• The UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) is a 171km race with 10050m of climbing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyvVhgPp4p0
 

• Read Iain’s race report from the UTMB here
• Listen to Iain’s interview with Claire Burnet from the Chamonix Tourist Office in Episode 73
• The ‘Village Vacances Grandeur Nature’ offer in Chamonix meant visitors could enjoy free activities in July and August
• Jim went surfing at Alaia Bay and reported on that in Episode 76 and tried VTT in Crans Montana
• Iain spoke to Faction Skis founder Tony McWilliam about the early years of the company. You can listen to the full interview in our Ski Podcast Special
• Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Jim Adlington
• Verbier holds an ebike Festival every year

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQEGEx8D3J3/ 
 

• We're still waiting to get hold of Faction's new range, but Alyn Morgan (previously on the show in Episode 71) reviews the Faction Dictator 3.0 freeride here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6-nqtJb9Y0

REVIEWS

I'd like to thank everyone who bought me a coffee since our last podcast, it's very kind of you. Also thanks to these guys for their feedback and reviews:

Tom Brownlee: “Keeping me going during this ski-less time!"
 
Matt Hayes: "fantastic pods as ever"
 
Andrew Brannan: “Two episodes to keep me going during August - Cheers for that!”
 
Peter S: "An excellent discussion about the prospects for ski holidays this winter and a good report from Switzerland. Must listen to more of your podcasts now. Keep up the excellent work"
 
Roddy MacDonald: "Enjoy the podcast, keeping the faith for the upcoming season both abroad and here in Scotland"

Jon White: "I am enjoying your chats with everyone from ‘back in the day’ when I was in the industry"
 
I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you listen on, then that would be great, as it helps other people find us.

And if you do enjoy listening to The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated.

We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, please drop us an email or contact us via social with your postal address.

COMING UP

As we get nearer the season, we are going to be finding out more about equipment and all the changes and developments for the coming season. We'll keep our eye on the travel rules and the snow forecast.

Please do email theskipodcast@gmail.com if you've got any questions or suggestions for items you'd like to listen to on the show. 

In this Ski Podcast Special, we meet Tony McWilliam, founder of one of the world's leading snowsports brands - Faction Skis.

We find out what inspired him to start the company and how it took it to become one of the most famous freestyle ski brands in the world.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Tony designed my first brochure for my first business, Natives.co.uk
• You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Pat Sharples here
• Faction skis started in 2003
• BoardX took place in Battersea for several years
• You can listen to our Ski Podcast with Jim Adlington here
• Other key contacts for Tony in the early years were Phil Martin, Gordy Hughes and Matt Reardon
• He worked closely with Peter Bauer, founder of Amplid
• The first range of Faction skis had a waist of 80-110mm
• Initially the skis were made in Annecy before production moved to Austria
• Skis like the Seth Pistol were an inspiration
• Jamie Strachan's designs for Volkl were another influence
• The first run of Faction skis was just 44 pairs - they now sell 35,000 pairs every year globally
• Sam Smoothy is a NZ freeride skier
• Ski Service in Verbier was the first store to stock Faction Skis
• Tony first met Candide Thovex as a 16-year-old rider in Les Arcs
• Check out Candide in China here (he took 27 pairs of skis with him for that shoot!)
• Tony launched an eco-friendly outerwear brand, GHOSTS, on Kickstarter in 2019
• He also worked with Eric Pollard - ex-Line Skis - on the launch of the new ski and snowboard range Season Eqpt
• Find out about Candide's outerwear brand

In Episode 77, we find out about skiing in Northern Ireland and we talk Olympics - summer and winter - with my guests Olympian Emily Sarsfield and World Cup winning telemarker, Jasmin Taylor. Iain meets Martin Anthamatten to find out what it takes to win the Patrouille des Glaciers.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Mark and David skied in the Mourne Mountains (850m), just north of the border near Dundalk and at Errigal mountain in Donegal (751m)
• Watch their TikTok here 

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd4N4dCU/

• Andy Meldrum from Glencoe told us about midsummer skiing event in Episode 75
• We have over 100 episodes to catch up on at TheSkiPodcast.com
• Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance joined us
• Battleface research shows that on average people are prepared to pay £61 for travel tests

https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1422830932793376771

• We interviewed Vicky Gosling - CEO of GB Snowsport - in Episode 21
• Listen to the Pat Sharples Ski Podcast Special
• Jasmin Taylor has reached the podium in World Cup events more than 30 times - you can listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Jasmin here
• Find out about the Ellie Souter Foundation
• 'The Chimp Paradox' is by Steve Peters
• Iain spoke to Philippa Middleton about the Patrouille des Glaciers race way, way back in Episode 06 of The Ski Podcast
• Martin Andermatten is a previous winner of the Patrouille des Glaciers
• Find out more about the Sierre Zinal trail race
• Iain took part in the Eiger Trail in Grindelwald
• UTMB went 'fastpacking' around the Tour de Mont Blanc in four days
• Iain takes part in the UTMB trail race - 171km with 9500m+ - later in August

In Episode 76, we discuss surfing, skateboarding and snow drifts in Switzerland in Crans Montana, Zinal & Zermatt. Plus we chat ski holiday trends for next winter, including the implications of Brexit for British workers, plus we find out what it's like to live in a mountain refuge year round.

Iain is joined by Cathy Rankin from Pierre & Vacances and, joining us from La Clusaz, a voice that long time listeners of the show will know well, former presenter of The Ski Podcast, Jim Duncombe.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Iain didn't get to ski in Zermatt, but he did do this snow report for InTheSnow Magazine
• Dave Burrows from SnowPros Ski School was skiing at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise from the Cervinia side
• The UK government has introduced a new 'Amber Plus' category for France in their traffic light system
• France has also introduced a new vaccination certificate system, called the Pass Sanitaire, to allow access to restaurants
• Jim was surfing in the Alaia Bay surf centre in Sion and skateboarding at the Alaia Chalet in Crans Montana

The Alaia Bay surf centre

• Iain went to Crans Montana in December when he interviewed Adam Bonvin, the founder of Alaia Chalet and Alaia Bay
• Iain was trail running last week in Switzerland as preparation for the UTMB race in August

• Day 1 took him along the Sierre-Zinal course
• He first came across snow on Stage 6 of the Via Valais, which took him to the Turtmann Hutte where he interviewed Fredy Tscherigg

Magdalen and Fredy Tscherigg

• Stage 7 was more challenging with heavy snowfall to deal with!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM9RvCJaJpQ 

• Iain last stayed in a refuge when ski touring in Morocco. You can listen to his report on this in Episode 30

Ski touring in Morocco

• Cathy Rankin took part in the Travel Industry Day of Action
• Seasonal Businesses in Travel are lobbying for British staff to be able to work in the Alps

Photo (c) Daily Express

Reviews

"Love the skipodcast. Thank you for keeping us hopeful over the last 15 months."

Simon Marr

Thanks to Wayne Hall and Jonny Goldsbrough for buying me a coffee. Don't forget if you enjoy listening to The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated.

If you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free.

Equally that's the email address if you've got any questions or suggestions for items you'd like to listen to on the show. And if you enjoy the show, let us know - send us an email or contact us via social media...and tell all your friends about this great podcast you've found.

We discuss Les 2 Alpes in France, Trysil in Norway and find out more about a great new way of travelling to the snow on your ski holiday.

Iain was joined by freelance journalist, Rebecca Miles and Tarrant Anderson, founder of Vans For Bands.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. 

SHOW NOTES

David George joined me to discuss the impact of climate change on ski resorts in Episode 206 (3:30)
Simon Burgess was in Flaine (3:45)
Steve Angus reported from Val d'Isère (4:45)
Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported from Courchevel (6:20)
Iain took part in the X3 Triathlon in Courchevel in 2022 (7:00)
It was the warmest start to April ever in France, hitting 29C in Grenoble & 27C in Albertville (8:15)
This winter was already the third warmest winter in France (8:30)
Lobbying is underway for a direct Train from London to GVA (8:45)
Take a look at this year’s ski April Fools in this Skipedia blog post (9:15)
Vail Resorts themed April Fools including Disney buying Vail Resorts &  Vail buys Alterra(12:30)
Les 2 Alpes is a great trip for older teens looking for apres-ski! (13:30)
Highly recommended is the Umbrella Bar (14:00)
Anthony Guzman is Sales & Marketing Director at Les 2 Alpes lift company AEON (14:15)
SATA has rebranded as AEON (15:15)
You can find out more about the new Jandri 3S lift here (17:00)
Iain drove to Les 2 Alpes in a 9-seater luxury splitter minivans from Vans For Bands (23:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tYRSizJYAE
Vans For Bands was founded in 2006 (23:15)
The VFB coaches are like ‘hotels on wheels’ (26:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Bode Miller (27:00)
There is SO MUCH storage space (31:00)
Vans cost from £145pd to rent, including insurance, breakdown cover & snow chains
You can drive a splitter van on a regular driving licence (33:15)
Read Bec’s article about Trysil in The Telegraph (34:30)
Becs flew into Scandinavian Mountain Airport (35:30)
Find out more about Trysil ski resort (39:00)
Have a look at the piste map for Trysil (40:30)
Is Salen the closest ski resort to an airport? (42:15)
Find out more about train travel to ski resorts at Ski Flight Free (46:00)
Becs booked group train travel with Eurostar and SNCF at a good discount (46:45)

Feedback (43:30)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com

Adam Fisher: "Really enjoy listening to the podcast, you're doing a great job. It helps me out with a bit of research. I'll just let you know that I am your English but Mexican listener as I spend a bit of time over there"

Michael Hart: "Enjoyed listening to The Ski Podcast as usual. I appreciate the work you do both on sustainability, but mindful of the difficulties that skiers in the north/Scotland have with train travel. I have taken the decision to offset my carbon to mitigate air travel, but the lack of economically viable train option from Manchester and similar areas remains a problem."

Andy Aitkenhead: "I found the recent episode on Andermatt and Vail Resorts of interest - I was in Andermatt just before the deal was announced. I'm heading to Engelberg in just over a week. I'm currently wrestling over travel - given my concerns around climate change. Currently my calculations are that it will be cheaper to fly. I wondered whether you have any tips for reducing the cost over the Eurostar and SNCF published prices. Keep up the good work with the podcast."

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2) Subscribe
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout
 
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast 

In Episode 75, Iain and his guests find out about St Moritz Engadin in Switzerland, mid-summer skiing in Scotland and the oldest ski club in the world - the Ski Club of Great Britain. 

Iain was joined by Marijana Jakic from St. Moritz and James Gambrill, the new general manager at the Ski Club of Great Britain.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• 60% of our listeners are from the UK, with the other 40% spread across the globe
• Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported from the summer glacier in Tignes
• Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching reported from the glacier in Les 2 Alpes
• Steve Angus was on the glacier in Val d'Isère 
• We featured skiing in Scotland in May in Episode 73
• Andy Meldrum is the owner of Glencoe
• If you'd like to know more about skiing in Scotland, can I suggest taking a listen to Episode 62, when we were joined by Trafford Wilson from Snowsport Scotland. 
• We have over 100 episodes to catch up on, so if you're a new listener, have a look on the website (www.theskipodcast.com), maybe look for a tag or category that takes your interest, from Crans Montana to Courchevel, Eddie the Eagle to Erna Low.
• Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance talked us through the current travel situation
• Cricket is still played on the St Moritz lake every winter
• Engadin is famous for hosting the Engadin Ski Marathon - the second largest cross country event in the world
• David Norris took part in the race in 2003 and 2004
• James Gambrill previously founded and managed LISTEX - the trade networking show for the snowsports industry
• The SCGB is the oldest ski club in the world, founded in 1903 at the Cafe Royale in London 

Don't forget if you enjoy listening to The Ski Podcast, you
can buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. 

In Episode 74, we discuss summer skiing in Avoriaz, sustainability in Morzine and cat skiing in North Macedonia. Plus we talk origins with Jim Adlington from Planks Clothing and the demise of apres-ski in Courchevel with Alex Irwin.
Iain is joined ‘live’ by Sara Burdon from Morzine Tourist Office and regular guest and friend of the show, Mike Richards. 

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.
SHOW NOTES
·       Katie Crowe is from Battleface Travel Insurance
·       You can read the details of their latest research here
·       Their Sherpa tool is useful for checking the latest situation in each country
·       Richie Owen reported from Mt Hutt in New Zealand 
·       Tammy from Mint Snowboarding was in Avoriaz
·       We were joined by Paul Anderson, CEO at NZski.com in Episode 73
·       We have over 100 episodes to catch up on
·       Morzine and Avoriaz are both within the same ‘commune’
·       Avoriaz was founded by Jean Vuarnet, ski racer and sunglass pioneer
·       Al Judge from AliKats took part in our Electric Vehicles special
·       Dom Turner from Skiology was on the show in Episode 65 
·       Find out about the excellent organisation Montagne Verte
·       Iain went to Les Arcs to review their sustainability in Episode 45
·       Morzine was the first ski resort to have a dedicated MTB course in 1997
·       Mike went to North Macedonia in January 2011
·       Mike has previously talked about his experiences in Georgia (Episode 37), Montenegro (Episode 39), Japan (Episode 41) and in Wales (Episode 65)
·       Popova Shapka was a candidate for the 1992 Winter Olympics (which went to Sarajevo instead)
·       Mike stayed at the Hotel Slavija, which opened in 1987
·       Eskimo Freerideoffer cat skiing in Popova Shapka
·       Find out more about the resort here (in Macedonian)
·       Listen to our special episode of The Ski Podcast with Jim Adlington
·       Alex Irwin is presenter of the 150 Days of Winter YouTube channel

Buy Me A Coffee

 I'd like to thank Wayne Hall and the Winterised team for buying me a cuppa since our last episode. 
It takes hours to put together a single episode of the podcast, so if you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

Stickers
Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free.

Coming Up
Our next episode will be out in early July - let's hope we have some better news on travel by then…
You can follow the show @theskipodcast - and we're now on Instagram as well. 

In this Ski Podcast Special, I speak to Jim Adlington, founder of the UK snowsports clothing brand, Planks.

We talk about Jim's early ski career, from Kidsgrove to Val d'Isère; becoming a sponsored athlete with Salomon; and how he ended up creating the Planks brand.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Jim Adlington is founder of the British snowsports brand Planks Clothing
• Jim learned to ski at Kidsgrove Dry Slope 
• His first experience of snow was in Chamonix
• ‘Blizzard of Aahhhs’ was a hugely influential extreme ski movie
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTsAsYmPgDk
• His first seasons were for Skibound in Courchevel and then Val d'Isère
• You can listen to our Pat Sharples Special Podcast here
• The Salomon 1080 was a revolutionary ski 
• This is a good article about the evolution of skis 
• Jim persuaded Eric Davies, MD at Salomon, to give him a pair and subsequently became a sponsored rider
• He worked closely with photographer Ross Woodhall
• https://youtu.be/AKkyygSGa0U
• Planks Clothing started in Val d'Isère in 2008, with just hats
• Their iconic phrase is ‘Drop Cliffs, Not Bombs’
• Even from the start Planks was upcycling by used old stock
• Two thirds of the Planks collection uses recycled yarns from Repreve and has used 1.5m waste plastic bottles
• In 2019 Planks linked up with GB Snowsports with many of the athletes in the Park+Pipe team wearing their kit
• Planks have had a James ‘Woodsy’ Woods signature series since 2016
• https://youtu.be/IQ_iOkqmaNo
• The company has seen growth of 40% pa over the last few years, with sales to 46 countries worldwide
• Their recent crowdfunding campaign smashed their target and has raised almost £1m so far

Episode 73 covers three time zones with Paul Anderson (NZski.com) in New Zealand and Claire Burnet (Chamonix) in France joining Iain in the UK.

We discuss the coming season and the expected boom for NZ resorts from the Trans-Tasman bubble; the lifts turning again in Chamonix and the prospects for a ‘normal’ summer season in France.

We have a special feature on skiing in the UK in May – it’s very rare, but we have reports from Wales, Scotland and the Lake District in England.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Mike Richards reported from Wales and previously appeared on the show discussing skiing in Wales in more depth in Episode 65
• Follow Mike at mikethesnow on Instagram
• Greg Hilton was ski touring in Cairngorm with British Backcountry

• David Johnson visited Glencoe and the Nevis Range earlier in May
• You can check the Nevis Range webcam here
• We previously covered skiing options in Scotland in Episode 62

• Simon Burgess visited Raise, organised by the Lake District Ski Club
• Check the live feed on Twitter here
• You can follow Simon’s adventures on his website
• Katie Crowe is from Battleface Travel Insurance
• You can check current travel restrictions on the 'Sherpa' app on their website

• NZ.com includes Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt and welcome 700,000 guests each winter, of which 30-40% are from Australia

• The resorts near Queenstown offer ‘remarkable’ views with a season lasting from June to October
• A recent survey suggests pent-up demand for NZ skiing in Australia
• The lifts starting turning again in Chamonix on May 19 at 50% capacity as 'deconfinement' gets underway
• Last winter’s 'saison blanche' saw peak season occupancy reduced to 30-50% of normal levels
• Mark Seaton talked to us about the ski touring options in Chamonix in Episode 62
• Betony Garner reported on the rise of cross country skiing in France in Episode 65
• The ‘Village Vacances Grandeur Nature’ deal in Chamonix this summer means visitors can enjoy free activities on week days in July and August
• Iain is taking part in the UTMB trail running race
  
  

Buy Me A Coffee

Matt Hayes, Andrew Brannan, John M and Nick D have all very kindly bought me a cuppa since our last episode.

Andrew: “You're doing such a professional job: it's a very enjoyable listen.”

Nick: "Many thanks for the great work you do, putting out the best ski podcast going"

John: “Thank you. You’ve kept my ski passion going thru this tough year”

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

Reviews

Please do give us a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts - we've had over 80 reviews now - and as you know how all those algorithms work, it genuinely does help people find us.

Many thanks to 'SkiSkiSki' who reviewed us on iTunes:

Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free.

Remember that you can still secure yourself a free ticket for the National Snow Show at the Birmingham NEC in October, using the code 'SnowSkiPodcast'

Coming Up

Don't forget if you haven't listened to it yet, our Pat Sharples Ski Podcast Special is now live. Do listen to this one - it's one of our best!

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast on Twitter

It was a real pleasure to interview Pat Sharples, Head Coach at Snowsport GB. 

I've known Pat for 20+ years, but with his globe-trotting lifestyle rarely see him these days. I loved hearing about the rise to the top of freeskiing in the UK and the team of talented athletes that he's leading to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Sit back and enjoy this 'Chat with Pat'...

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Almaty in Kazakhstan hosted the Moguls & Aerials World Championships
• Tom Gerken Schofield finished 6th in the Dual Moguls
• He started to ski at Rossendale Ski Slope in Lancashire
• Pat lived in Courchevel for twelve years, working for Ski Olympic at the Hotel Les Avals in Courchevel 1650
• The European Mogul Challenge took place in the 90s in Meribel, Verbier and Val d’Isere
• Ian ‘Big Mac’ taught Iain how to do a ‘180’ (or ‘heli’ as it was called at the time). He is now Resort Direction for Alpine Action
• Jim Adlington is the founder of Planks Clothing
• British Freeski Camps were founded by Warren Smith
• Iain skied in Saas Fee last summer
• The Salomon Grom Camps started in 2005
• The AIM series was running at the same time
• Pat’s first Salomon sponsored skier was James ‘Woodsy’ Woods
• Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Harding made their public debut at The New Breed’ quarter-pipe competition at the Manchester Ski Show
• The X-Games Europe in Tignes was a key event for the progression of UK freestyle
• The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi was the first to include ski slopestyle and the British team was funded with lottery money
• Izzy Atkin won the first ski freestyle medal at the Winter Olympics (look closely at the start of this video and you can see Pat giving Izzy some final words of advice)
• Izzy and Zoe Atkin are based in Park City, Colorado
• Kirsty Muir is only 16 but finished 2nd in the Slopestyle World Cup in Aspen this winter
• Rowan Cheshire came 7th in PyeongChang in the Half Pipe
• Pat visited Ella Hall in Bournemouth and made her day!

If you enjoy the podcast, you can always buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

In Episode 72, there's an exclusive interview with Pat Sharples from GB Snowsport; we learn about the new 'Swisstainable' programme; find out about the acquisition of the Chill Factore indoor snow slope; and talk ski touring and all things Switzerland; plus there's our usual round up of resort reports from around the Alps. 

In this episode Iain speaks with Alex Herrman from Switzerland Tourism, freelance journalist Katy Dartford, Ian Brown from The Snow Centre and Pat Sharples, Head Coach for GB Snowsports.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• The new traffic light system should be confirmed later this week, before it starts on May 17

• We discussed the cost of testing in Episode 71 with Katie from Battleface
• Steve Angus from Fresh Chalets reported from Val d'Isère
• Jim Duncombe reported from La Clusaz
• Ed Mannix from Matterhorn Chalets reported from Zermatt
• Katy Dartford visited Binntal in Switzerland on a ski touring adventure

Katy ski touring in the Binn Valley, Switzerland

• Iain tested skiing in the ‘new normal’ in Saas Fee in July 2020, reporting for InTheSnow Magazine
• Larger resorts in Switzerland were more affected than smaller resorts

 https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1381547175763718144 

• Iain reported on cross country skiing in Crans Montana in Episode 65
• We discussed the number of different activities this winter’s visitors to French ski resorts have tried in Episode 69

 https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1364518040247951360 

• Charlie  Rees reported on snow shoeing in Engelberg in Episode 71
• There is no quarantine on arrival into Switzerland for British citizens. You can check the latest travel and lockdown status here.
• Crans Montana has extended its ski season into June
• Check the latest resort and snow info at the MySwitzerland website
• You can find out more about the 'Swisstainable' programme here

• Switzerland is currently 3rd in the World Economic Forum sustainability rankings, and the goal is to make CH 'the world’s most sustainable destination'
• Train travel to Switzerland is very easy:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw38LXhMJL0&list=PLnWt0xPp4oTqPp0n4Ke3ULgU8IAVy8kSv 

• Iain visited the Valsana Hotel in Arosa in March 2020. The hotel prides itself for its sustainability credentials, which Iain tested out for Skier and Snowboarder Magazine.
• Potato is a new restaurant in Zermatt
• Ian Brown, MD of The Snow Centre, was on the show in Episode 67
• The Chill Factore indoor snow slope is in Manchester

• Pat Sharples is head coach of GB Snowsports
• His Salomon ‘Grom Camps’ started in 2005
• His first sponsored athlete was James ‘Woodsy’ Woods
• Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss the full interview coming soon as a Ski Podcast Special

Reviews

I'd like to thank all of these guys who've bought me a cuppa since our last episode. If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

Nicole Clark: "The podcast just keeps getting better and better, thank you for all your hard work"

Suzi Jones: “Just listening to the podcasts makes you feel in touch so when we are lucky to go back it won’t feel as alien. Thanks again you’re our lockdown ski saviour.”

Jonny Goldsborough: "Thanks for getting us through the winter"

Michael Gold: "The podcast is something that I look forward to and I appreciate the work you put into it" 

Michael: "Great podcast, cannot wait to return to Chamonix someday"

Also thanks to Paul Findlay and Michael Greenland for your support.


Stickers

Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free.

Free tickets for the National Snow Show

To get your free tickets for the National Snow Show, use the Discount: SNOWSkiPodcast on their website

• Follow Iain on social media @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast – now on Instagram as well.

In Episode 71, we find out about Les 2 Alpes, snowshoeing in Engelberg, quarantine, testing and the new ‘traffic light’ travel rules, plus we have snow reports from around the Alps and an focus on equipment trends for 2021/22. 

Iain was joined by Helena Hospital, Press Relations from Les 2 Alpes and Alyn Morgan from SkiKitinfo.  

 Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

·       Alyn last skied in Glenshee
·       Katie Crowe is Communications Manager for Battleface Travel
·       You can find out more about the Battleface survey here
·       A study from Amadeus revealed 91% of travellers would be comfortable with a digital health passport


https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1379330549538492417

·       Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter is based in Courchevel
·       Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel is in St Anton, Austria
·       France is in lockdown just now
·       The Les 2 Alpes glacier is due to open on 29 May or 05 June
·       Iain covered the French ski resort protests in December on Skipedia
·       Helena confirmed that lift pass revenues in Les 2 Alpes are down from €170m to €40m
·       Les 2 Alpes will open with limited capacity, perhaps only 300 lift passes per day
·       Look out for the Bradley Wiggins-hosted cycling event in September in Les 2 Alpes
·       Al Morgan is from SkiKitInfo.com
·       This is the Elan Voyager foldable ski
·       Watch this video for a reminder why knowing how your transceiver works is essential
https://www.facebook.com/skipedia/posts/3755350864514828
 
 

·       Roving Swiss reporter Charlie Rees was in Engelberg
·       Kirsty Muir, silver Slopestyle World Cup
·       Charlotte Bankes, Bronze Snowboard Cross World Cup Veysonnaz
·       Billy Major has just been crowned Europa Cup Slalom Champion 2020/21
·       Listen to our Eddie the Eagle special episode here
·       Roger Federer is now a global ambassador for Switzerland
·       Iain has a place in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc trail running race in August
Buy Me A Coffee 
I'd like to thank Wayne, Hubert and also these guys who all bought me a cuppa:
Nick D: "Great podcast, keep up the fantastic work"

 Andrew Thomas: “I've followed you for well over a year and seen the standard increase significantly in the last year. Keep up the good work.”
If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast


Reviews

 Skiintel on Instagram: "Love the podcast. Especially the one about train travel to the Alps. We're booking our first ski train for next year as a result."

 Inside Morzine on Twitter: 'An excellent listen'

 The Winner of our competition is 'Les Petit Singe' on Apple Podcasts, who kindly said: 
"Love this podcast, it is the shining light that gets me through the week, discovering previous episodes and, because if pesky Covid, keeps the fire burning for next season. Informative, educational and extremely interesting. Keep up the brilliant work." 

 If you'd like a set of The Ski Podcast stickers, then email iain@skipedia.co.uk
 
 
 Follow Iain on social media @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast - now on Instagram as well. 
Thanks as always to Switzerland Tourism

Eddie tells us how his life changed after the 'Eddie the Eagle' movie was released, from Taron Edgerton perfecting his accent to Hugh Jackman asking to have a selfie with him.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Eddie was in Courchevel with Ski Weekends, raising money for Ski for Cancer
• The idea for a movie first came about in 1999, but 'Eddie the Eagle' wasn't made until 2016
• Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CATCSEoeG_c
• It was at Calgary 1988 that Eddie first made his name
• Jonty Learoyd is a talented junior ski jumper who is British by birth, but is competing for France
• We interviewed Charlotte Bankes about her switch from France to Team GB in Episode 25

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast on Twitter

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

In this Special Episode of The Ski Podcast, Iain speaks to James Willcox, founder of Untamed Borders, about skiing in Afghanistan and the Afghan Ski Challenge. 

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

• This is Untamed Borders’ 11th ski season guiding skiers in Afghanistan 
• They have taken skiers to the Panjshir Valley, Badakhshan in the far North East and the Salang Pass that links Kabul to Mazar e Sharif
• Bamian remains best place due to good security and awesome scenery
• You can listen to Iain’s interview with Battleface CEO Sasha Gainullin in Episode 68
• Battleface will offer you insurance for trips to countries such as Afghanistan when travel is not recommended
• Find out about the Afghan Ski Challenge here, which started in 2011
• Watch the film 'Where The Light Shines' here:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6tgjWtwRQE
• Watch footage from 2019 Afghan Ladies Ski Challenge and boys’ wooden ski race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r70jrQ2kl74
• You find out more about the Afghan Sports Trust here
• Find out about the women’s programme in this article in The Guardian

BuyMeACoffee
If you enjoy the podcast you're very welcome to buy me a cuppa at BuyMeACoffee.com/theskipodcast

Make sure you subscribe to The Ski Podcast now and never miss an episode...

This week we find out about the booming market for ski holidays for next winter, there's an interview with Olympic downhill racer Martin Bell, news of the Afghan Ski Challenge and we find all about The Inferno - the downhill race in Murren for amateur skiers.

Iain was joined by Vanessa Fisher (last on the show in Episode 63) and Nick Morgan, Managing Director and founder of Le Ski Chalet Holidays.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

• The Global Travel Taskforce is due to report on April 12, with the hope that travel may start again from May 17
• Cyprus, Greece & Turkey have all confirmed UK citizens will be welcome
• The EU has announced details of a new 'Digital Green Pass'
• We discussed the ‘Common Pass’ back in Episode 61 last autumn
• Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel was reporting from St Anton
• Andy last appeared on the show in Episode 66
• Ben from Mabey Ski called in from Whistler, Canada
• Ed Mannix is the owner of Matterhorn Chalets in Zermatt, Switzerland
• You can listen to our Joe Ponte interview in this Special Podcast
• Le Ski have recently reported sales are 'stratospheric'
• Nick started the company in Kitzbuhel in 1982
• Bob Dylan: "If you ain’t got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose”
• Charlie Rees was in Murren, Switzerland
• Vanessa and Nick have competed in The Inferno 26 times
• You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special Episode published last week
• Find out more about The Inferno here
• Martin and Graham appeared on The Wogan Show before the Calgary Winter Olympics
• Zoe Atkin won Bronze at the World Championship Ski Half Pipe
• Mia Brookes won Bronze in the Europa Cup Snowboard Slopestyle 
• James Willcox runs Untamed Borders
• Watch the film 'Where The Light Shines' here
• You can find out about the Afghan Ski Challenge here

 
Buy Me A Cuppa
Thanks to everyone who has bought me a cuppa since the last podcast.

Stuart Barber: “Love the podcast"
Peter Taylor: “Really enjoying the podcast, only recently discovered it”
Andrew Brannan: "Thanks for the podcasts. They brighten up my commute"
Plus also thanks to David Wade, Matt and Graeme

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

If you’d like a set of Ski Podcast stickers, please contact us.

Plus you can win goodies from Switzerland Tourism by giving us a review on Facebook or Apple Podcasts before the end of March. 
 
Reviews (from Snowheads)
Layne: “A couple of very interesting specials. Keep up the good work”
Mike Pow: “Getting better each episode”

COMING UP
We have a full Podcast Special of our interview with James Willcox about skiing in Afghanistan, Charlie will be reporting on snow shoeing in Engelberg and we'll be talking to Al Morgan from Ski Kit info.

This episode is a special interview with professional snowboarder Xavier De Le Rue. We speak about his competitive past, the cliff named after him in Verbier, his move into film making and adventures in places such as Alaska, Svalbard and Antarctica. 

We also discuss his almost fatal avalanche and how it changed his views about risk-taking. Finally, we talk about sustainability and his Audi Experience Camps taking place in Verbier this winter.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. 

SHOW NOTES

Xavier broke his ribs while taking time off from filming in Lobufen (1:00)
FIS bought the Freeride World Tour in 2022 (3:00)
Watch the Freeride World Tour on YouTube
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Verbier Extrme this amazing night shot was captured (4:30)
Xavier went to Antarctica in November 2023 (6:00)
The trip involved crossing Drake’s Passage (8:30)
The Svalbard adventure took place in 2016 (11:00)
Xavier took brother Victor with him to Alaska (14:00)
Victor won the Freeride World Tour for the third time in 2024 (15:00)
Xavier’s daughter Mila is also on the Challenger Tour (15:45)
Xavier is from St Lary in the French Pyrénées (17:00)
Iain skied in the Bruson sector of Verbier in March 2024 (19:00)
Watch Xavier’s ‘How to’ videos on YouTube (20:15)
Learn how to ski on ice! (20:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjfh9F9eT34
We discuss Xavier’s avalanche experience (22:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6EXW_e2ETU
“Paranoia can be a good thing” (24:00)
Xavier has clear views on air bags (26:30)
Listen to Xavier’s sustainability podcasts (31:30)
Find out about the Audi Experience camps (32:00)

Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com 

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2) Subscribe
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout
 
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast 

In this Ski Podcast Special, we feature Martin Bell, who raced at downhill for Great Britain in the 1980s and 1990s.

His racing career took in 4 Winter Olympics, 160 World Cup races (with 7 top-ten results) and his 8th at Calgary in 1988 remains the best placing by a British male skier at the Olympics.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

• Martin is now based in Vail, Colorado
• In 1995 Martin took place in the Pro Downhill tour with Steve Lee
• Previously Martin lived in Big Sky, Montana
• Martin's daughter Reece is racing slalom for Team GB
• Martin's younger brother is Graham Bell, who we've interviewed for the podcast several times before, most recently about his appearance in 'Dancing on Ice' (6:00)
• Martin represented Team GB at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo 1984, Calgary 1988, Albertville 1992 and Lillehammer 1994 (9:30)
• Check out Inception to see where Martin and Graham stayed for Calgary 
• Martin and Graham appeared on The Wogan Show with David Vine before the Games
• You can listen to our chat with Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards in Episodes 29 and 30
• Martin learned to ski at Hillend in Edinburgh and at the Karl Fuchs Ski School (15:00)
• At 14 he moved to Austria to Ski Gymnasium Stams, where he was joined by Emma Carrick-Anderson and Paul Hourmont
• Martin shadowed Konrad Bartelski when he first joined the Alpine team
• He regularly trained with Canadians such as Todd Brucker and Rob Reid
• Martin's 11th in the Super G in Leukerbad in 1988 is the best result by a Brit in the discipline
• We interviewed Dave Ryding previously on the podcast in Episode 54 and Episode 57 (25:00)

In this Ski Podcast Special, Tom Greenall tells us how he qualified as a pisteur in France, allowing him to become one of the few Brits in the ski patrol.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

·       The first qualification required is a Fleche Vermillion, which he passed on his second attempt
·       Glen Plake has been coming to Chamonix since 1987 (this will be the first winter he's missed since then)
·       The Test Technique for the ski patrol took Tom four attempts: Puy St Vincent, then Chatel, Serre Chevalier and then finally passing at Puy St Vincent
·       The Premiere Secours Equipe Niveau 1 & 2 is the standard rescue industry first aid course
·       Tom’s Pisteur Course cost €3000 and took place in Les Orres
·       The course included knowledge of middle mountain environment; weather and snow awareness; Rules and Regulations; taking the PSE2 first aid to the ski patrol environment; sled (‘bloodwagon’ practice); avalanche practice
·       This concluded with exams on the two types of sled; an avalanche beacon search; a simple first aid case and a complex first aid case. 
·       You can listen to our interview with the producers of ‘Ski A&E’ in Val Thorens in Episode 43

This week, Iain is joined by Stephie Dijkman from Tignes. We discuss the challenges of this ‘saison blanche’ and plans for summer glacier skiing.

We find out more about the new National Snow Show, Charlie reports from Murren, we learn how to become a pisteur and discuss the impact of Brexit on UK tour operators.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Stephie Dijkman is Sales & Marketing Director at Tignes 
• Buses in Tignes are operating fine, not like in Meribel (listen to Episode 68 for more on this)
• Walking and snow shoeing have both been very popular with the lifts closed 
• Would you try ice diving in Tignes?! 
• Tignes have seen occupancy around 25%, compared to 95% usually for vacances scholaires - 55% of their clientele to come from outside France 
• Tignes have announced summer skiing on the glacier from 19 June to 01 August
• Zermatt charges considerably more for race training
• Research from the Mountain Trade Network suggests that more people are looking for longer two week holidays
• Workations are becoming more popular, both Courchevel and La Clusaz have had special ‘teletravail’ offers
• Joe Ponte is CEO at Hotelplan includes Inghams, Flexiski, Esprit and Ski Total
• SBIT are campaigning to try and help employers of seasonal staff
• You can listen to the full version of this interview in our Special Episode released last week
• Friend of the show Katy Dartford was in Les Menuires
• Catherine Cosby from Mountains 4 All reported in from Gstaad in Switzerland
• Jim was reporting from Bulgaria
• Charlie Rees has been in Murren
• The Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed here
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrkerh77MYY
• Tom Greenall has trained to become a pisteur in France. This will be released as a special podcast next week
• The National Snow Show will take place at the Birmingham NEC from 23-24 October 2021
• Ski Sunday prompted a lot of discussion after a feature on diversity in their last episode
• We interviewed the founders of Mount Noire in Episode 61
• Listen to our ski podcast special about Benjamin Alexander

 
Feedback

Janet Barnett: "Thanks again for continuing to keep us informed & entertained on all things skiing"
 
Jonny Goldsborough: "Long term listener, tks for keeping the ski vibe going in challenging times!"
 
Nicky: "You are keeping me going whilst working from home"
 
Pete: "Been a listener since the beginning. Great podcast entertaining and informative. Keep up the good work."
 
I'd like to thank all of these guys, who also bought me a cuppa. If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

Question: Jonny G asked about our 'least favourite resorts' 

Coming Up
Interview with Martin Bell and we'll have more from Charlie in Murren about the Inferno

Joe Ponte is CEO at Hotelplan UK, the company that own the Inghams, Esprit, Flexiski and Ski Total brands.

During our conversation Joe and I talked about a wide range of subjects including: 

• His first experience of the travel industry at Flight Centre in Australia
• Joe was previously MC at Explore Worldwide
• Joe joined Hotelplan in November 2020
• The challenges of this unusual season 
• Optimism bias
• The Save Our Summer travel lobbying group
• 60% of Hoteplan customers carried over their cancelled bookings to next winter
• Year on year bookings are 100% up
• Iain went to Crans Montana in December
• Hotelplan will be offering 32 chalets for winter 2021/22
• Find out more about the SBIT campaign here

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

In Episode 68, Iain was joined by Jasmin Taylor, Team GB telemark skier, and friend of the show Alex Irwin. 

We chat about Courchevel, avalanches and foldable skis, plus Iain speaks to newly crowned world snowboard cross champion Charlotte Bankes.

We have a report by Charlie Rees from the Jungfrau region in Switzerland and we also find out about how Dan Egan skied off the Berlin Wall!

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

·       Jasmin has over 30 World Cup podiums and you can listen to a more in depth interview in our podcast special recorded last year
·       Alex is based in Courchevel and runs the YouTube channel 150 Days of Winter
·       The lifts were meant to start to turning in Italy on 15 February, but this has now been delayed
·       Since our last episode we’ve seen avalanches in Zermatt, Méribel and Val d'Isère
·       These dogs barking saved their owners who’d been buried in an avalanche
·       We've reported before on how the press mispresented the situation in Verbier in Episode 65 and also in Wengen (in Episode 66)
·       There has been some great reporting by Abi Butcher (who appeared in Episode 65), with a deep dive into the 'super spreader' story about British instructors in Jochburg, Austria
·       The tourist office in St Anton also confirmed that reports of 96 people arrested and fined was also incorrect
·       Mike Richards told us about skiing in Wales in Episode 65
·       Neil Bradshaw reported from Sun Valley ski resort in Idaho
·       There are pistes open in Courchevel 
·       Meanwhile Meribel stopped running their buses due to the number of people using them to ski 
·       Jasmin has been training and racing in Plaine-Joux in France 
·       Charlotte Bankes won the Snowboard Cross World Champs last week 
·       We interviewed Charlotte in Episode 25 about her switch from the French team 
·       Dave Ryding will be racing in the slalom at Cortina 2021 on 21 February
·       We featured the new Eiger Express lift in Grindelwald in Episode 61 
·       You can listen to Iain’s review of his trip to Crans Montana in Episode 65
·       Sasha Gainullin is CEO at Battleface
·       Listen to the full interview with Dan Egan in our Ski Podcast Special published last week
·       It’s not pretty, but we found the Intersport ‘yodel’ videos bizarrely addictive… 
·       Find out more about the foldable award-winning Elan voyager
 
Reviews

"Keeping the skiing spirit alive when we need it most" Ged Ainsworth
"Thanks for doing the podcasts. I've been listening over the last year and have enjoyed dreaming of being on the slopes at a time when we can't" Nick Taylor
"Loving your podcast, although it 'feels me sad' not to be in Chamonix this winter" Sarah Owen Hughes
"Keep up the great work with the podcast" Jeffrey Fantl
"I love listening to your show all the way over in Australia” Nicole Clark
 
BuyMeACoffee
If you enjoy the podcast you're very welcome to buy me a cuppa at BuyMeACoffee.com/theskipodcast

Thanks to Luke Sipson, Ged Ainsworth, Suzi Jones, Scott Newsom, Christian Bowden, Chris Rose, Christian Cobley and Nicole Clark for supporting the show.
 
Coming Up
Watch out for interviews with Martin Bell, Joe Ponte at Hotelplan and a special podcast on how to become a pisteur, all coming up soon. 

Make sure you subscribe and never miss an episode...

This Ski Podcast Special features Dan Egan - one of the extreme skiing pioneers back in the new world of the 80s when VHS revolutionised demand for ski footage.  

Apart from leading the MTV generation of skiers, he's a familiar name to anyone who's watched a Warren Miller movie, or visited the Vermont stand at the London Ski Show over the years. 

Dan was part of the original freeride scene, back when it was better known as 'extreme' skiing. We talked to him about his carerre and new book, Thirty Years in a White Haze, his story of worldwide adventure and the evolution of extreme skiing. 

• Dan is based in Big Sky, Montana
• Check out Big C couloir
• Mt Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe
• Dan was on a Degre 7 shoot
• Dan featured in 12 Warren Miller movies
• Future Retro is available digitally

https://youtu.be/prEWB3vfZRA

• Mark Shapiro, John Faulkner were part of the Verbier posse
• John Egan first starred for Warren Miller in 1979, with Dan joining in 1985
• Both John and Dan started off in Sugarbush
• "If everybody skied, there'd be no wars" Hannes Schneider
• Dan skied on the Berlin Wall
• "Say yes,  before you say no!" Warren Miller
• Dan's steep ski courses are in Big Sky
• "Skiing from the head down, not the feet up" Dan Egan
• 'Thirty Years in a White Haze' is out on 20 Feb
• The book features Nick Lyon's cartoons

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

In Episode 67, we go behind the scenes at 'Ski Sunday', on tour with James Blunt, inside The Snow Centre, discover craft beer in the Alps and reveal the results from our survey.

Iain's guests for this episode where BBC Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott and Ian Brown, Managing Director at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Chemmy was skiing chest-deep powder in Laax
• The group denied boarding at Eurostar was on their way to Verbier to do a training course with Peak Leaders
• They started the time in Europe in Vallorcine where some of the group tested positive
• Graham Bell is in Dancing on Ice 2021
• Chemmy took part in the Inferno in Murren in 2020
• Laax uses an app system to control Covid and numbers in resort
• Iain travelled to Crans Montana in December
• Chemmy has tried cooking for Ed!
• Dougie and Chemmy are coaching Giselle Gorringe
• Graham would probably have been very hot in his outfit
• Betony Garner appeared in Episode 65 when we discussed cross country skiing
• Her report was recorded in Les Contamines
• Charlie Rees took the Mammut backcountry course in Andermatt
• The avalanche danger is very high in Switzerland
• We've previously discussed skiing in Wales and in Scotland 
• Ian is MD at the The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead
• Sadly, the Swindon project will not be going ahead
• You can listen to the full interview with Peter Hardy here
• Listen to our podcast special about Erna Low here
• Peter is the author of ‘Different Country, Same State’ – the inside story of being on tour with James Blunt
• You can watch Peter’s video of skiing with Graham Bell on old kit here
• Find out about the Sapaudia brewery here
• Jan Farrell has retired from his career as a speed skier

 
 Reviews
 
Suzi Jones: 
"Just to say I love the Podcast not being able to ski at the mo is made
easier by your interviews and discussion thanks!"

Chris Filey:
"With not much chance of getting on the slopes, the Ski Podcast brings
some relief to us all"

Skibum70: 
"Often copied, never surpassed"

Jill Taylor:
"Keep it up, it’s very enjoyable"

James Hawkins: 
"Another great listen"
 
Matt Hayes:
"Love this pod, keeps me entertained in many a commute, lockdown workout or when I'm simply missing the mountains" 
 
Eggfried100 on Snowheads:
"I’ve listened to quite a few other podcasts but ‘The Ski Podcast’ is by
far the best for me. Great content, interesting guests, plus it has really
kept us informed through the shall we say an ‘interesting’ last twelve
months."

 Please do review us on iTunes as it helps other people find us
 
Tips on Car Hire at Geneva:

• Hire from the Swiss side and don’t wait for the bus, just walk (it’s only 5 mins)
• Don’t return the car empty – it’s expensive! 
• Iain recommends booking via Holiday Autos
• Chemmy suggests renting from Super U on the French side for
• long-term rentals (but don't take too much meat!)

You can read the results of our recent survey here

If you’d like some The Ski Podcast stickers then please contact us with your address and we'll drop a few in the post to you 

Thanks to Matt Hayes, Michael Gold, Mark McGarry, Julie Slaughter, Doug Newman, Rachael Westbrook and Joanna Yellowlees-Bound for buying me a cuppa at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast
 
You can follow Iain and the show on Twitter and Facebook @skipedia and @theskipodcast 

This Ski Podcast Special features an interview with industry veteran Peter Hardy, co-editor of WeLove2Ski and co-presenter of Action Packed Travel.

Peter Hardy, award-winning ski journalist and a man who has been skiing longer than many of us have been alive.

SHOW NOTES

- Peter started skiing in 1960 in Lech on 2m10cm skis
- The Marshall Plan pumped money into Europe after WWII
- You can read Iain’s article about Haus Falch and St Anton here
- Erna Low organised their own ski train to the Alps in the 60s
- You can listen to our special podcast about the life of Miss Erna Low here
- Many skiers were fans of Lillywhite’s in London and bought all their ski gear there
- Idi Amin was president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979
- Peter has visited around 500 ski resorts in his career
- The Hardy Ski and Snowboarding Guide segued into WeLove2Ski.com
- You can watch Peter’s video of skiing with Graham Bell on old kit here:
- Peter is the author of ‘Different Country, Same State’ – the inside story of being on tour with James Blunt
- Peter and Felice present the Action Packed Travel Podcast

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

In Episode 66, Andy joins us direct from St Anton with all the latest news from a very snowy Austria.

We’re also joined by journalist Abi Butcher who reveals the truth behind the alleged ‘Escape from Verbier’.

There’s an update from Graham Bell on his final preparations for ‘Dancing on Ice’, during which he reveals what music he’ll be dancing to, plus GB Telemarker Jasmin Taylor lets us know how her season preparations are going.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Thanks to all of our new listeners – up almost 20% on this time last year
• Andy Butterworth is a director at Kaluma Travel and is based in St Anton
• Polish resorts could open soon
• This guy tried to travel with Eurostar to go skiing
• The Brits have been getting a bashing again, this time in Wengen
• ‘We do not blame the British’, apparently
• It is far from clear however, if the blame is correct:
• We interviewed Alex Moore in Wengen while she was quarantining in Episode 65
• Ultimately these headlines were classic clickbait and lies
• Abi wrote this excellent article looking into what actually happened
• Lifts in St Anton have been open since 24 December, albeit only to ‘locals’
• The Austrian lockdown has been extended to 07 Feb, when it will be reviewed again
• The Jochberg outbreak appears to be concentrated in a group of British instructors
• Alf Alderson appeared in Episode 64 and reports from Les Arcs 
• Al Judge from AliKats featured in our Electric Vehicle special and reports from Morzine
• Alex in Courchevel been ski touring again
• We reported on the fire in Courchevel season worker accommodation in Episode 33
• Congratulations to Dave Ryding and Laurie Taylor (guest in Episode 55)
• Jasmin Taylor has over 30 World Cup podiums – listen to our Ski Podcast Special
• This is what ski hire in the ‘new normal’ with Intersport will be like:
• Please complete our survey to let us know what you’d like more of and less of in the podcast. You’ll also stand the chance of winning this bag of swag…
• So if you do like the show, you can now show your appreciation by buying me a cuppa 
• Graham Bell is taking part in Dancing on Ice 2021 (his first dance is on Sunday 24 January)
• You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special interview with Graham which was released last week

Big snow in St Anton

Reviews

“Love this podcast, keep them coming!” Matt Hayes“
"Great work Iain. Keep it up.” Dan King
“Love the podcast. It’s great to hear ski talk, especially at this frustrating time when we should all be enjoying the slopes but can’t” Luke Sipson

• Please do review us on iTunes as it genuinely helps people find us
• Alpine Cooking by Meredith Erickson received another endorsement from Deborah Stevenson:

“It’s a great book: much more than just the recipes. Lots of interesting insight into the regions and history.”

• Find out more about TTG’s Mental Health Hub here #GetTravelTalking

Coming up next time

We have an interview with industry veteran ski journalist Peter Hardy interview and we’ll be talking to the team at Sapaudi Brewing

Don’t forget you can support us by buying me a cuppa at buymeacoffee.com 

Thanks as always to Switzerland Tourism

Graham Bell tells us about 'Dancing on Ice 2021', including

- how he rates his chances
- who he sees as his main competitors
- how his training is going
- whether he'll get to ski this season
- and of course, whether he'll try the 'Headbanger'!

Dancing on Ice 2021 starts on Saturday 16 January on ITV.

A shorter version of this interview first appeared in Episode 64 of The Ski Podcast (www.theskipodcast.com)

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

We find out more about Val Cenis and the Haute Maurienne area of France as well as discoving what the skiing in Slovenia is like. 

Iain was joined by freelance journalists Katja Gaskell and Rob Rees.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. 

SHOW NOTES

Katja was last on the show in Episode 197, sharing her tips on skiing with children (0:30)
Rob was last on the show in Episode 186, discussing glacier skiing in Austria (1:00)
Find out more about the Dolomites in Episode 192 (1:30)
Tim from Inspired Italy reported from the Italian Dolomites (3:45)
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching is in Les 2 Alpes (5:20)
Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski is in St Anton (5:30)
Team GB telemarker Jasmin Taylor was last on the show in Episode 200 (8:30)
Jasmin won two Crystal Globes at the World Cup Finals - with 11 podiums and 5 wins this season
British Slalom Champion Reece Bell is Martin Bell’s daughter and Graham Bell’s niece (9:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Martin Bell here
Freddie Carrick-Smith (just) beat twin brother Zac Carrick-Smith the Junior Slalom and Senior GS (9:45)
Iain interviewed Zac in Episode 200 about his double gold at the Youth Olympic Games (10:15)
Katja was in Val Cenis in the Haute Maurienne area of France (10:30)
Bonneval-sur-Arc has lots of ski touring options for both novice and advanced (12:30)
Bessans is a centre for biathlon and cross-country skiing (15:00)
Iain travelled to Orelle by train from Paris to Modane and covered this in Episode 165 (20:15)
Rob flew to Lublijana in Slovenia (22:15)
Rob skied at Krvavec, Vogel and Rogla ski resorts (24:30)
Listen to Iain’s experience of skiing in Abruzzo in Episode (29:00)
Rob visited the Elan Skis museum (31:15)
Elan introduced the first ‘parabolic’ ski in 1993/94 (33:00)
Find out more about the Julian Alps International Ski Pass (34:15)

Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com 

Andrew Brannan: "I enjoyed today's interview with Frank Baldwin. I am sure you could get him back on, sounds like he has a hundred more stories in him."

James: "Love the podcast. I was keenly interested in your interview with Mike Goar from Vail Resorts. I also found the two recent episodes discussing the resorts in Norway fascinating. Keep up the good work."

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2) Subscribe
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout
 
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast 

In this episode we discuss skiing in Wales, the 'Great Escape' from Verbier, the challenges of cross-country skiing, ski touring in Crans Montana and plenty more.

Iain was joined by guests Betony Garner in the Chamonix valley and regular 'friend of the pod' Mike Richards in Wales, as well as down the line by Alex Moore in Wengen and Dom Turner in Morzine.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Dave Ryding finished 10th in Alta Badia
• Andrew Young took 2nd in the Cross Country at Dresden
• Mia Brookes took a podium on her debut in Snowboard Slopestyle in the Europa Cup
• Reece Bell is the daughter of Martin Bell and niece of Graham Bell
• The Brexit ‘deal’ has been done 
• Passports must be at least six months in date
• SBIT will let us know the impact on British workers soon
• Did Brits really escape from Verbier? This article by Abi Butcher looks at the facts
• Alex Moore has been reporting on quarantine in Switzerland for The Telegraph
•  The French have been stopped from skiing at border
• Iain visited the ‘Rando Parc’ in Crans Montana
• Iain travelled to Crans Montana by train
• Adam Bonvin is the owner and founder of the Alaia Chalet
• Find out more about the Hotel Pass in Crans Montana
• Iain tried cross country with his guide Christian on the Plaine Morte glacier in Crans Montana
• You have two options for cross country: Classic or Skating
• Betony bought the Haute Savoie Nordic Pass
• Mike skis in the Brecon Beacons area of Wales
• Check out some of his recent great pics 
• You can follow Mike on Instagram at @mikethesnow 
• Evidently word has got out already…
• Iain interviewed Dom Turner from Skiology
• We noticed his Christmas story in an email from Montagne Verte
• Les Arcs have been awarded the Flocon Vert label
  
  Reviews
  Janet Barnett
   
  “A big thank you for your very informative and entertaining ski podcast which I look forward to every few weeks”
  
  Andrew Brannan
   
  “Thanks for another great podcast. Red Mountain...top of my list too!”
  
  Terry
   
  “I was delighted not only to find the podcast. They have a good mix of interviews, friendly banter, background info and general chit chat and ski news. It's been great to get an insight, through the many interviews, of people's backgrounds, their passions for the sport and how they got to where they are.”
  
  
• Please complete our survey here and tell us what you’d like more of and less of in The Ski Podcast and you could win this great prize

• Matt Hayes recommends ‘Alpine Cooking’ by Meredith Erickson, especially the Herdsman macaroni and tartiflette (“The best I've ever come across”)

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In this special pre-Christmas mini-podcast, listen to updates from friends of the show around the Alps, including:

- Alex Irwin in Courchevel - Steve Angus in Val d'Isère - Mark Seaton in Chamonix - Katy Dartford, reporting from the Jura mountains - Ed Mannix in Zermatt Matterhorn - Charlie Rees, reporting from Andermatt
Merry Christmas everyone. We look forward to sharing more ski chat with you you in 2021!


If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In Episode 64, Iain was joined by Jane Peel (Chief Reporter, Planetski.eu) and Alf Alderson (author and freelance journalist).

We discuss the latest on resort openings, have snow reports from Courchevel and Engelberg, and we talk favourite ski areas.

Graham Bell updates us on his preparations for 'Dancing on Ice', while the Chalet Shop team tell us what it was like working for Richard Branson. Plus we have Xmas pressie recommendations and there's even more in this episode of The Ski Podcast.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Jane last skied in Les Menuires (before injuring her ACL)
• Alf last skied at Castle Mountain in Alberta
• It was suggested today that Brits might not be able to travel to the EU
• The town hall in Chatel has added Swiss flags
• There have been demonstrations across French ski resorts against the lift closures
• It's been suggested that the Chamonix border could move slightly to allow lifts to open
• There are limits on the French going to ski in other countries (but will it be enforceable?)
• Switzerland is currently open but are there restrictions on the way?  
• Social distancing was not being observed on Verbier's first day
• Austria skiing will open from 24 Dec, but for locals only 
• Jasna in Slovakia is planning to open
• Ski Amis ceased trading (adding to VIPSki, overed in Episode 63)
• Alpine Elements have gone into pre-pack administration
• You can read Jane's interview with James Hardiman here
• 'Test & Release' starts on 15 Dec, reducing quarantine on return to UK to 5 days
• Alex Irwin reported on ski touring in Courchevel
• Alex previously appeared in Episode 61
• Charlie Rees reported from Engelberg in Switzerland
• Listen to Charlie's previous reports from Andermatt (E61) and Engelberg (E62)
• Craig Glennie reported from Lake Louise
• Mark Frary talked about 'Aiming High: The Life of Ski Pioneer Erna Low' in this special episode
• We talked to Jon Trigell, about his book Cham in Episode 20
• Alf has written 'Ultimate Skiing Adventures' - 100 Epic Adventures in the Snow'. There is a 30% discount for podcast listeners with code 'SKIBK' if you buy before 31.3.21   

• Jane's favourite resort is Tavascan in the Spanish Pyrenees
• Alf's favourite resort is Red Mountain, BC
• Star Wars-loving ski younglings will enjoy this Mandolorian onesie from Columbia for Christmas

• Graham Bell told us about his Housenkamm viral video from Lockdown 1 in Episode 52
• Graham is taking part in the new season of 'Dancing on Ice', which will start in January 2021

• You can find out more about Chalet Shop on their website
• Sally and Hannah first job was kitting out Richard Branson's property in Verbier

• Intersport Ski Hire offer a free Cancellation guarantee on all bookings
• Podcast listeners can save an extra 10% using the Discount Code 'WINTER2020' (France only)

Coming Up
Our next episode will be out towards the end of December - in the meantime there are over 80 episodes you can catch up with over the festive season. 

And please do give us a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts as it helps people find us.

Thanks to Switzerland Tourism and Intersport Ski Hire for their support.



If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In conjunction with Ski Flight Free, this is a Ski Podcast Special all about Electric Vehicles in ski resorts.

Find out more about driving to the Alps and in ski resorts from four EV owners in the ski industry.

Iain was joined by Richard Sinclair (Sno.co.uk), Rob Forbes (CoolBus.co.uk), Al Judge (AliKats) and down the line by author Jonathan Trigell.

- Find out more about the Ski Flight Free campaign
- Up to 75% of the greenhouse gas emissions generated from a ski holiday come from your journey to resort
- According to the Ski Club of Great Britain 35% of skiers plan to drive to their ski holiday this winter (twice the numbers for last year)
- There are now 164,000 EVs in the UK
- Registrations for pure-EVs in 2020 to date are up 158% YOY
- You can find out more about Tesla vehicles here
- AliKats have a Renault Kangoo Z.E.
- Jon owns a Renault Twizy (and previously appeared in Episode 20)
- This page on the Sno website has some great advice about driving an EV to the Alps
- You can see the full Tesla charging map here
- Montagne Verte is an excellent community environmental organisation in Morzine
- President Macron has pledged green subsidies for France
- Excellent options for a family EV are the Hyundai Kona and Kia eNero
- Have a look at EV-Pow.com for fitting charging points in France (a great idea for a tour operator looking for a competitive advantage)

Enjoy your skiing this winter and if you do want to reduce your emissions, please remember to Ski Flight Free

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

Iain’s guests for Episode 63 of The Ski Podcast are Vanessa Fisher and Steve Angus.

We discuss reduced quarantine and a dramatic week for French ski resorts. When will we get to ski this winter? There are snow reports from Verbier and Crans Montana, plus we talk electric cars and have another suggestion for Ski Book Group.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Vanessa made her debut as a dalek in Episode 7, told us about her downhill racing experiences in Episode 23
• Regular listeners will know Steve from Episode 6, 25 & Episode 43 
• Steve is a Ski instructor at TDC in Val d'Isère
• You can book lessons in Val d’Isere with Steve at Clareangus.co.uk or by emailing him at steveangus@yours.com  
• Quarantine has been reduced to 5 days (with a negative test)
• Could quarantine even be reduced to zero? 
• Intersport's survey showed that 58% of skiers were more likely to travel now
• You can read Ski Weekend's survey here
• Will French/European resorts open after Macron's speech 
• You can read Iain's blog on Skipedia about France's dramatic week here
• La Clusaz is 'not an amusement park'
• #jesuisunestation
• There is a petition with over 20,000 signatures
• Note that ski touring is NOT banned in France in December
• Italy want resorts closed over Christmas
• Zermatt has allegedly seen overcrowding, but Switzerland is still open 
• VIPski has gone out of business
• Hotelplan have confirmed they will run no chalets this winter
• You can listen to our review of Bankso in Episode 48
• There is going to be a Brexit staffing issue after 31 December
• Testing has been set up in Courchevel and in Val Thorens  
• Sam from Altitude Ski School reported from Verbier
• Pierre-Henri Mainetti reported from Crans Montana
• There will be no World Cup racing in Val d'Isere
• No dancing on the tables at the Folie Douce this winter
• Ischgl has scaled down apres ski 
• Vanessa reported on her experiences at the Inferno in in Episode 23
• Intersport Ski Hire is offering free and easy cancellation on all bookings
• 81% of their customers hire so they don't have to haul their skis around
• 33% are hiring because it's cheaper than ski carriage on flights
• Podcast listeners can get an additional 10% by using the code 'WINTER2020'
• Our 'Electric Vehicles in ski resorts' special was recorded last week and will come out as a Podcast Special Episode on 08 December
• Would you like one of these for Christmas?
• Iain has some new sunnies from Messy Weekend
• Listen to our Ski Podcast Special about 'Aiming High': the life of Erna Low
• We covered 'A Whole Life' in Ski Book Group in Episode 61 
• Vanessa recommended 'Beneath a Scarlet Sky' 
• Chris Howie suggested getting the sleeper to Scotland...I'm working on it, Chris! Nicola Sturgeon notwithstanding - can you even travel between England & Scotland?
• You can listen to our Train Travel Special here

Reviews

• Dodshuz (via twitter): 

Nice to listen to people talking about skiing and managing to stay positive about the up & coming season. Good job well done

• Sally Ingham

Love The Ski Podcast and listen to you often while I am working from home  

• Mark Wilson (via Facebook):

I listen to the podcasts everywhere, especially in the garden with my headphones on whilst messing about. my skis are ready to go.... just waiting for something to happen, and we’re away!

• Chris Howie

Really excellent to see you continuing to make great podcasts even with COVID descending. Loving your podcasts, keep up the great work! 
Coming Up
If you missed our Facebook Live, our Ski Podcast Special on Electric Vehicles in Ski Resorts will be live on 08 Dec as a podcast.

Episode 64 will be out on 15 December. Thanks to Switzerland Tourism and Intersport Ski Hire for supporting the podcast.


If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In this special podcast, Iain interviews Mark Frary, author of 'Aiming High', the biography of ski pioneer Erna Low and Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, former CEO of Erna Low. 

We discuss the background and history of the eponymous founder of Erna Low Holidays, who advertised her first ski holiday as early as 1932. 

Joanna Yellowlees-Bound explains why she commissioned Mark to write the book and we look at how he made his way through the reams of archive material available. 

We learn how back in the early days all skiers travelled by train and had to go ski touring (as there were no lifts); how Miss Low overcame early challenges and how she helped introduce French ski resorts to the British public. 

If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, please do share it on social and tag us at @theskipodcast 

www.facebook.com/theskipodcast
www.twitter.com/theskipodcast
www.theskipodcast.com


If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

In Episode 62, Iain is joined by guests Ed Drake (Olympian and presenter of Ski Racing Podcast) and Katy Dartford (Freelance ski journalist based in Lyons).

We discuss ski touring in Chamonix, how the World Cup is going to look in the 'new normal' and skiing in Scotland. Plus we have snow reports from Andermatt and Tignes.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

• Thank all of our listeners as we have just passed 100,000 total listens
• If this is your first, we have 88 great episodes to catch up with in lockdown!
• Ed last went skiing in Bormio
• Cervinia shut down on 24 November just after opening
• The French lockdown is scheduled to end in early-November
• Currently you can still ski now in Switzerland (and there's no quarantine on arrival)  
• The UK's 'Global Travel Task Force' are still to report
• There is progress on testing in resort?  
• Charlie Rees reported on the skiing in Andermatt
• Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported from Tignes   
• The World Cup in Lech has been postponed for two weeks
• All World Cup races will be behind closed doors 
• Resorts in France are hoping 'confinement' will end before their World Cup races in December
• We interviewed Dave Ryding in Saas Fee in Episode 57 and also in Episode 54
• Mark Seaton is a UIAGM Mountain Guide in Chamonix
• You can book ski touring with Mark via Ski Weekend for this winter
• Steve Wells, Ellis Brigham Ski Hardware Buyer, confirmed that ski touring equipment sales have increased in the last few years
• Trafford Wilson is CEO of Snowsport Scotland
• Capacity has been limited in resorts in North America
• The Lecht will be doing temperature checks on their gondola
• Thanks to Lucy Edwards for her review of 'A Whole Life'
• You can support the crowdfunder for Fjord Mountain Mission here
• Caroline and Fjord previously featured in Episode 47

Reviews
Thanks for Mike Pow from Snowheads: "Another great listen"
And to Andrew Brannan: "Really enjoyed most recent podcast"

• Don't forget to subscribe, share and contact us on Twitter or Facebook
• You can follow Iain at @skipedia on Twitter or Facebook
• Watch out for Episode 63 arriving in early-December

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In this Ski Podcast Special, Iain interviews Florian Palluel, Sustainability and Transparency Manager at Picture Organic Clothing.

Sustainability in the clothing industry has never been more important, with research showing it is responsible for up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 20% of all global wastewater. 

During this interview we discuss many topics including: 

·       the history of the company ·       their supply chain and how they source their materials ·       why they choose to manufacture in Turkey & China and not France ·       what steps they are taking to reduce packaging ·       how they are making their new offices as sustainable as possible ·       whether in the future a zero-emission ski jacket might be possible

We also mention this survey by consultancy McKinsey about consumer views on sustainable fashion. 

If you’d like to find out more, you may find these two links useful:

https://www.picture-organic-clothing.com/en/taking-a-step-back/
https://www.picture-organic-clothing.com/sustainability/index-en.html 

If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, please do share it on social and tag us at @theskipodcast 

www.facebook.com/theskipodcast
www.twitter.com/theskipodcast


If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In Episode 61 Iain is joined by Krystelle Kubicki (Head of Marketing, Sno.co.uk) and Alex Irwin (Founder, 150 Days of Winter)

We discuss the latest on quarantine and #Test4Travel, what's new in Courchevel. We have a snow report from Engelberg and updates on the Eiger Express in Grindelwald.

Iain finds out more about sustainable skiwear from Picture Organic Clothing and diversity in skiing from Mount Noire. Plus we have much more...

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

SHOW NOTES

• Krystelle last appeared way back in Episode 9
• Both Tignes and Les 2 Alpes have opened on 17 October
• Learn how to pronounce Gstaad in Episode 44
• The latest from the government 'Task Force' 
• Find out about the Common Pass Project
• Charlie Rees: "Really enjoying listening to the show. Skiing is my passion, the pod has inspired me!"
• Robin reported from Montafon in Episode 60
• Remo Kaeser is from Jungfrau Railways and was discussing the Eiger Express 
• Iain raced the Inferno in Murren
• The new downhill run in Courchevel is called the 'Eclipse'
• There is a new building in the Courchevel stade
• Tour de France came to Meribel in 2020
• Find out more about the MTN survey here
• The full Picture Organic interview is available to watch here
• It is coming soon as a Podcast Special Episode
• Rachael from Ecoski featured in Episode 57
• Iain interviewed Alex from Cahaya Straits in Episode 59
• Find out more about One Tree At a Time
• Read more about MTN's research on quarantine here
• Mount Noire is a Tour operator specialising in trips for black British skiers  
• Listen to our Benjamin Alexander Podcast Special episode
• Get yourself free tickets to the 2021 National Snow Show
• Ski Book Group: A Whole Life - Robert Seethaler 
• Coming up: Aiming High one off Podcast special next month

Thanks for Alex Soden, Stephen Morgan and Stewart Johnson for your reviews
 
Coming up next time
Ed Drake will be a guest, talking about the oncoming World Cup season. We'll be discussing skiing in Scotland and ski touring in Chamonix.

Thanks to Switzerland Tourism for their continued support


If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

Iain is joined this week by Dave Burrows (Director, SnowPros Ski School) & Lucy Aspen (Online Ski Editor, Telegraph).

We discuss quarantine and the #Test4Travel campaign and ski technology predictions from 1988. Iain interviews Team GB telemarker Jasmin Taylor and Robin reports from Montafon in Austria.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

Show Notes

• Dave skied in Diablerets last week, which opened early
• Lucy skied in Scotland in February
• Mike covered skiing in Scotland last winter in Episode 58
• A negative test result is now required for entry to Italy  
• Brits have to quarantine for 10 days to enter Switzerland  
• Tignes & Les 2 Alpes are both opening on 17 October
• Some skiers will definitely travel
• Find out more about the Telegraph #Test4Travel Campaign 
• Government Task Force will report early-November  
• Find out more about the Common Pass Project  
• There may be no apres-ski (more on this in Episode 58)
• More info here on what it's going to be like in France and in the USA 
• You can listen in Episode 56 about how Australia dealt with 
• Thanks to Robin from Sport Harry in Silvretta Montafon for his report
• Both LISTEX & WLSS cancelled (ref Episode 58)
• Mike has more positive views about the new Bham Show 
• You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special on Jasmin Taylor here
• Or watch it as a Facebook Live
• Other Ski Podcast Specials include Benjamin Alexander, Graham Bell, Avalanche Safety and Train Travel
• We have another Podcast Special with Picture Organic coming up
• Thanks to Andrew Brannan for sending us these features from Ski Survey magazine 1988
• David Goldsmith was the author of this article - thanks for your time in talking to us David
• Current ski tech options include Skitracks, Carv, Peakfinder and Strava
• If you'd like to hear more about ski touring, then listen to Iain's previous reports from Morocco and Andermatt
• Dave presents the Ski Instructor Podcast
• This includes an amusing Eurotest meme
• Find out more about the Ski Club of Great Britain survey

Reviews:
Amy Moore: I absolutely love your ski podcast...it really cheers you up especially during the pandemic to hear all the ski chats! Wish you had more podcasts more often!   
Thunderer on Snowheads - Just discovered your Podcast, really enjoying it
Bennyboy on Snowheads: Good podcast. I haven’t listened before. Thanks!
@theovalball1 on Twitter: Really good listen!

Coming up in Episode 61 

• Our guests will be Krystelle from Sno.co.uk and Alex from 150 Days of Winter
• Mount Noire on diversity in skiing
• Remo Kaeser from the Jungfrau region
• Ski Book Group: A Whole Life 

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

In this episode, we discuss Verbier, Saalbach Hinterglemm and the impact of climate change on ski resorts. Plus we have a lot of feedback on Vail Resorts and the Epic Pass, which we covered in Episode 204. 

Iain was joined by freelance journalist and regular guest Catherine Murphy and David George, founder of the PisteHors.com website

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. 

SHOW NOTES

Catherine was last on the show in Episode 173, when she was telling us about Pays de Gex
Jen Tsang from ‘That’s La Plagne’ reported from…La Plagne (3:00)
Betony reports on the latest conditions in the Mont Blanc valley (5:45)
Alex from 150 Days of Winter covered the latest conditions in Courchevel (7:15)
Iain rented skis from Philippe Roux Intersport on his Verbier trip (8:45)
Charlotte Bankes has taken 5 consecutive podiums in World Cup Snowboard Cross (9:00)
Dave Ryding finished 7th overall in the World Cup slalom rankings
Jasmin Taylor picked up 3 more podiums in Telemark and goes into the Finals in 1st place (9:15)
Catherine was in Saalbach Hinterglemm
Saalbach will host the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2025 (10:15)
Read the case study on train travel to Saalbach on Ski Flight Free (14:00)
Iain’s guides in Verbier were Anthony Voute from European Snowsport and Bertrand Lovey from ski school La Fantastique (18:00)
Try the ‘Canadian Trees’ in the Bruson sector of Verbier (18:15)
Verbier has so many backcountry options off the back of Mont Fort (19:30)
Victor de la Rue clinched the snowboard Freeride World Tour title for the third time (20:30)
Iain spoke with older brother and three-time champion Xavier de la Rue (21:00)
Iain travelled by train to Verbier – a very straightforward journey (21:30)
Protect Our Winters research shows that ski kit represents 12% of the carbon footprint of a ski holiday (22:00)
Cirkel Supply is a new ski clothing rental company, founded by Anders Bergenstrand (22:45)
Anna Smoothy has done some research that shows renting clothing has a 76% smaller carbon footprint than buying
Josh Speller is the founder of Verbier Green (30:00)
David founded PisteHors.com in 2004 (34:00)
You can read David’s blog about the effect of climate change on ski resorts here (44:00)
66% of the carbon footprint of a ski holiday comes from the your flight (45:30)
Find out more about low-carbon ski holidays at Ski Flight Free (46:00)
More than half of American skiers buy an Epic or Ikon pass (49:00)
The Magic Pass has seen a 9% increase in sales this winter (49:00)
Laurent Vauchet, CEO of Televerbier, is equivocal that Vail Resorts is not buying Verbier (49:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Mike Goar, MD of Andermatt in Episode 204 (51:00)
Find out more about the Ikon Pass (52:00)

Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com

Adam Horsfield: "I have been an avid listener of the ski podcast since 2018. After 6 years of listening, I’ve finally taken the decision to take the train to the Alps and am very much looking forward to it." 

Episode 204 about Vail Resorts prompted a LOT of feedback:

Simon Burgess: "Really enjoyed the last episode on the Epic Pass. As someone who has used it a lot it’s exciting what’s on offer and what could develop. I still think some of the partner agreements are a rip off with special lodging needed to get a pass, but for Andermatt, 3 Valleys and the Dolomites it’s been brilliant. It was fantastic in Andermatt: show the Epic Pass and they give you a season pass which I’m pretty sure is sold for more”

Andrew Brannan: "Eye watering ticket prices, all the top management jobs taken out of resort, all teh restaurants and hotels, shops and even estate agents bought up by the same monopoly, aggressive property development, workers forced to live down the valley"

Chris Howie: "It feels as if Vail Resorts are trying to wring every last penny out of resorts while providing the very minimum in return. In most of the Vail Resorts-owned resorts prices have gone sky high so only the rich can ski. Ski passes are almost three times the price of a European ski resort. Lift lines are unbelievably long. The local staff are removed to bring in centralised American staff, ripping the heart out of the resort. I will do my best to never ski at a resort owned by the Vail Resort organisation"

Jane Henderson: “You should've given him a bit of a grilling on the negative impact of Epic/Ikon passes”

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2) Subscribe
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout
 
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

In this Ski Podcast Special, Iain interviewed Jasmin Taylor, telemark skier and Britain's most successful Alpine skier of all time. 

We discuss how Jasmin discovered telemark skiing, while on a British Ski Academy training camp and her first ever turns on skis in Ipswich. 

She explains what telemarking is, how racing works and her hopes that the sport might be included in the Olympics at some future point. 

Jasmin was one of the most modest people we have interviewed for the podcast and we're sure you're going to enjoy listening to her and finding out more about this part of our sport that often passes under the radar. 

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

For this Ski Podcast special Iain has his Ski Flight Free hat on and is joined by Daniel Elkan from Snowcarbon and Anna Hughes from Flight Free UK to discuss train travel to the Alps.

• Great options for checking your carbon footprint include the WWF Footprint Calculator and Ecopassenger 
• Find out more about the Save The Ski Train campaign on Facebook
• You can sign the petition here
• Changing stations in Paris is not difficult. This video shows Iain’s journey to Courchevel last winter
• Train travel in the ‘new normal’ is very different
• Iain referred to this study about the chances of catching Covid on a train
• You can hear more about Iain’s trip to Zermass and Saas Fee by train in Episode 57 of The Ski Podcast
• Iain likes to book direct with Eurostar and SNCF
• Anna has travelled to Scotland on the Caledonian Sleeper on multiple occasions
• It’s possible to travel overnight to Austria with the Alpen Express service 
• Iain has previously written for Ski2 about taking the train to Champoluc 
• Sam Haddad travelled on the ski train to Les Arcs
• Daniel recommends the Railmap of Europe

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

[Some listeners may have downloaded an unedited version of Episode 59 - please listen to this version instead]

Iain was joined in Episode 59 by Megan Hughes, Digital Content Manager at InTheSnow.com and Olympian Emily Sarsfield.

We discuss the current quarantine situation, the impact on ski holidays for this winter, and Crystal’s decision to stop offering chalet holidays.

Emily tells us about her experiences at PyeongChang 2018, while Benjamin Alexander suggests a title for movie as he aims to represent Jamaica at Beijing 2022.

Plus we have interviews with new skiwear brand Cahaya Straits and Snowcarbon founder Daniel Elkan on the campaign to ‘Save The Ski Train’.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.

Show Notes

• You can find out more about the new Eiger Express in Grindelwald here
•  We covered Emily’s Meribel Ski Yoga weeks in Episode 41
•  Does skiing on the Zermatt glacier from Cervinia require a quarantine? Let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter
•  Is this the season to try skiing in Poland?
•  Megan skied in Garmisch in Germany
•  Les 3 Vallees have confirmed that masks will not have to be worn while skiing this winter
•  There will be no chalets at Crystal Ski this season 
•  Mt Buller is letting season pass holders choose their refund amount 
•  You can listen to our interview with Miss SnowItAll (Rachael Oakes-Ash) in Episode 56
•  Listen out our Ski Podcast special interview with Benjamin Alexander, who is hoping to be the first Jamaican Olympic Skier (or you can watch it on Facebook) 
•  Emily Sarsfield competed in Skier Cross at PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics
•  You can listen to our PyeongChang specials here
•  Cahaya Straits are a new company producing sustainable skiwear
•  We interviewed Rachael Westbrook from Eco Ski in Episode 57
•  We love Patagonia!
• You can find out more about the Save The Ski Train campaign here
•  Don’t forget to sign the petition
•  Watch our Train Travel as a Facebook Live, broadcast by Ski Flight Free
•  It will be released in an edited version as a Ski Podcast Special on 29 September
• Find out more about Protect Our Winters
•  Thanks to ‘Whacker London’ for their 5-star review
•  Also to Chris Howie: "Great episode! Keep up the good work."
•  We will be reviewing ‘A Whole Life’ by Robert Seethaler for Ski Book Group in Episode 60

 
Coming up in Episode 60

•  Iain will be joined by Dave Burrows, who’ll be looking at the impact of Brexit
•  Lucy Aspden, ski correspondent for The Telegraph, will be joining us
•  Interview with Team GB telemarker Jasmin Taylor
•  New and old ski tech discussion with David Goldsmith

If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…