Episodes
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Today we look at a new project to help first-time skiers, find out the Women’s World Snowsports Summit and learn about plans to reopen of the UK’s most iconic dry ski slopes, Sheffield Ski Village.
Host Iain Martin was joined live by guests Kimberley Kay and James Gambrill and down the line by Tim Justice, Alex Armand and Lucy, Zac and Freddy Carrick-Smith.
SHOW NOTES
Kim was last on the podcast in Episode 229 (0:30)
James Gambrill is COO of the Ski Club of Great Britain
The Mountain Travel Symposium took place at Aspen Snowmass this year (4:00)
Find out more about Iain’s ‘25 in 25 Snow Camp Challenge’ (5:00)
He will be skiing all the UK’s indoor snow centres in a single day to raise funds for Snow Camp
You can sponsor Iain on his JustGiving page (7:45)
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching reported from Les 2 Alpes (8:20)
Listen to our Ski Jobs Special Episode to find out more about the ‘Youth Experience Scheme’ (9:30)
The Ski Podcast sponsors ‘Team Carrick Smith’ (10:00)
Iain spoke with Luca, Zac and Freddy on their end of season surfing break (10:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Team GB skier Molly Butler (19:15)
Tim Justice is chairman of the Sheffield Sharks Ski Club (22:20)
Sheffield Ski Village closed in 2012 (23:00)
There are plans to redevelop Sheffield Ski Village (25:00)
Find out more about the Revive Sheffield Ski Village campaign (29:00)
Find out more about the new ‘Way2Snow’ initiative (31:00)
Kimberley’s ‘Ski A-Z book’ is a great intro for newcomers to the sport (39:30)
James Gambrill is also organiser of the London Snow Show (40:00)
The show takes place at Olympia in West London in October (41:00)
Iain will be presenting at the show with our equipment expert Al Morgan (43:00)
Find out about apres-ski at the show (44:00)
Kimberley was at the inaugural World Women’s Snowsports Organization (WWS0) Summit (45:30)
It was held at Kitzsteinhornin Austria, near Kaprun in April 2025
54 women from 12 countries attended (47:00)
We covered 'Project Fear' in Episode 229 – looking at the extent to which fear is a factor in snowsport gender imbalance (50:00)
You can sponsor Iain on the ‘25in25’ on his JustGiving page (58:00)
Feedback
You can contact me with your feedback via our social channels @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
gordymission1035: "Thank you for a great episode (#247). So much great info."
There are now 260 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’re missing your skiing over the summer, then this is the perfect time to go to theskipodcast.com and have a look around our back catalog.
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
This episode is an equipment special, tackling essential questions about kit such as the best way to carry skis, the ‘right’ way to do up your ski boots and how to store your gear through the summer?
We also look at the effect of tariffs on the US retail market and discuss the latest developments in BOA ski boot technology.
Host Iain Martin was joined by our equipment expert, Al Morgan.
Watch this podcast on video on the Skipedia YouTube channel
This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by them. Ellis Brigham are the winter sports specialists, with 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for next winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com and you can buy online now.
SHOW NOTES
Al was last on the show in Episode 235, reporting from the SIGB Ski Test in La Clusaz (0:50)
This episode is also available on the Skipedia YouTube channel
Al last skied in Tignes (1:10)
Find out more about Iain’s ’25 in 25 Snow Camp Challenge’ (4:30)
Listen to Dan Keeley explaining more about the work that Snow Camp do in Episode 246
Sponsor Iain at Just Giving
How are tariffs going to affect prices in the States & exports from Europe? (7:00)
What are multi-BOA ski boots? (10:00)
How much does BOA affect the cost of a ski boot? (13:30)
[Video] How many BOAs does a skier need? (14:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-inNniPEpRQ
How should you do up ski boots? (14:45)
Phaenom suggest putting the liners on first outside the boot (17:30)
How to take out and put back liners (19:45)
Find out about Boot Bib (23:00)
Listen to our Ski Boot Special Episode #161 (24:00)
How to store skis over the summer (26:30)
Wind down your DIN settings (27:30
How to attach skis to a backpack (37:15)
How to attach skis to an airbag (40:45)
How to avoid the helmet gap? (49:00)
How to clean and re-proof outerwear? (51:30)
Listen to our Arcteryx ReBird episode #218 (53:45)
Feedback
If you’ve found this episode helpful, or you have any feedback on other episodes, please do let me know. You can contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
LJ@99 (Apple Podcasts): "Just the best ski and snow sports podcast going. Always listen and learn something new from the interviews and reports from all over the world. Plus there's a great back catalog."
Sarah Lewis (LI): “Lots of interesting and valuable information for listeners!”
There are now 260 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. This is the perfect time to go to theskipodcast.com and have a look around.
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
Missing episodes?
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We look at how to make your dreams come true and find a ski job, including what jobs are available, what skills you need, when to apply and how the market has changed in the last few years.
We also consider the ski instructor qualifications available and where they entitle you to work, and we also find out more about the possible new ‘Youth Mobility Scheme’.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Jenny Greenwood, HR Director at Skiworld, George Gray, co-founder of ski job recruitment specialists SZN and Dave Burrows from SnowPros Ski School in Switzerland.
SHOW NOTES
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching reports from Les 2 Alpes (5:45)
Floss Cockle from the FreeFloFloss YouTube channel is in Tignes (6:45)
Find out more about Snow Camp (8:45)
Iain is trying to raise £2500 in the ‘25 for 25 Snow Camp Challenge’ to give 25 inner-city young people the chance to experience snowsports for the very first time in 2025 (9:00)
Dan Keeley is community and events director for Snow Camp (9:20)
You can sponsor Iain on his JustGiving page here (11:30)
George Gray is co-founder of SZN (12:15)
Iain founded the recruitment website Natives in 1999 (15:30)
What ski jobs are available? (16:00)
Skiworld is the UK’s largest chalet company, recruiting almost 200 staff (18:15)
SBiT’s reseach shows that since Brexit there are 56% fewer chalets & 69% fewer workers
Last winter, Skiworld had 5000 applications
How do you make your application stand out? (21:30)
When do interviews happen? (23:30)
Do you need an EU passport? (25:15)
How does an employer secure a visa for you? (26:00)
Charlie Owen is the MD of SBiT and European Pubs (29:30)
Find out more about developments in the Youth Mobility Scheme
When should people apply for jobs? (36:00)
When do staff go out to resort? (40:00)
Can people still apply during the season? (41:00)
Dave did his instructor qualification via the Warren Smith Ski Academy (44:15)
Are instructor qualifications portable across countries? (46:45)
How to qualify as a French ski instructor (49:15)
Dave hosts the Ski Instructor Podcast (54:45)
Feedback (55:00)
I really enjoy finding out from listeners what you think of the show. I’m always interested to hear from you, so please do contact Iain on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Robbie Milne: “Great recent episodes - keeping the stoke well and truly alive! I’m getting married this summer meaning I couldn’t get out for spring skiing but this podcast makes it not so bad”
Steve from York: “Love the variety of topics covered in this podcast. It really gets you revved up for your next trip to the mountains”
Paul1608: “I’ve recently found the podcast and am working my way through the back catalog. I can’t make it to the mountains this year, but the podcast is the next best thing”
Rob Olliff: “I’ve enjoyed listening to The Ski Podcast since lockdown when it helped me keep going during those dark days…I recently found the episode on taking an EV to the Alps particularly useful. We drove to Les Menuires in an EV in Feb and Iain’s advice and tips definitely helped smooth the journey and calmed the nerves about charging in France. Keep up the great work.”
There are now 258 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 127 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com, have a search around and there is so much in there you’re bound to find something to keep your snow fix going over the summer.
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
We find out about this year’s ‘Brits’ – the GB freestyle champs in Mayrhofen, get to know Jibworx and their new community for girls in snowsport, and learn about the Italian ski resort of Passo Tonale.
We also have our regular snow reports, we announce the winner of our Vallon sunnies competition and Iain reveals a new UK snow challenge for May.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Amelie Cockburn from JibWorx, regular guest Mike ‘The Snow’ Richards and Stu Brass, co-founder and organiser of ‘The Brits’.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
You can help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com. Alternatively, simply take the link in the Show Notes and your discount will automatically be applied.
SHOW NOTES
Listen to Iain’s deep-dive interview with Stu Brass in Episode 213 (2:30)
Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter YouTube channel reported from Courchevel (5:45)
Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski is in St Anton (7:30)
Floss Cockle from the FreeFloFloss YT channel reports from Tignes (10:00)
Find out about Iain’s ’25 in 25 Snow Camp Challenge’ (12:30)
Find out more about Snow Camp (13:15)
There was success for Team Carrick Smith at the British Alpine Ski Championships (13:20)
Team Carrick-Smith are sponsored by The Ski Podcast
The Brits 2025 took place in Mayhofen, Austria (19:30)
The last person under 12 to win a Brits title was Mia Brookes (21:00)
Riley Sharp won the Slopestyle and big air titles at just 10 years old (24:00)
Riley won’t be eligible for the Winter Olympics the 2034 Games (24:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Lesley McKenna (26:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Ed Leigh (26:30)
What is Jibworx? (29:00)
They put on 30-40 events each winter (29:30)
Amelie’s dissertation was about women in snowsports (33:30)
Find out about The Girls’ Archive (34:00)
Sandra Caune won gold at the European Winter Olympic Festival (37:30)
The Jibworx event vehicle is an adapted American school bus (38:00)
Mike was in Passo Tonale (40:00)
Presena Glacier offers skiing up to 3069m (43:15)
Listen to our ‘Best Ski Boots of 2025’ episode (46:00)
Night skiing is possible in Passo Tonale (47:00)
Vallon’s End of Season Ski Sale is on right now with 25-35% off their ski eyewear range (51:15)
Feedback (49:00)
I really enjoy finding out from listeners what you think of the show. I’m always interested to hear from you, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Skiing Postie: "Episode 243 was very interesting combining my two loves - skiing & train travel. You definitely need to be organised for a trip like that!"
Nigel Winters: "Episode 243 was another great podcast. I loved the story behind this epic trip: train travel, skiing, different out of the way places even a skiing cat!"
Elizabeth Rose: “This is a lifesaver podcast getting me through to my next ski trip. I’m enjoying listening to the back catalog. I love the snow reports, specials, features and the equipment reviews. Thanks also for raising awareness of climate change and the focus on women in snowsport.”
Brae Estate: “I’ve been a follower since the pandemic. It kept my passion for skiing going through the restrictive years and has added to my knowledge ever since. There’s always something new and interesting.”
The winner of the Vallon competition was NorsKSarah on Apple Podcasts: “I have been a listener for the last year or so and love it when a new episode drops. Topics strike a good balance between the most experienced and newcomers to the sport.”
There are now 257 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 140 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com, look around the tags and categories – there is so much in there you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
In this episode we speak with two British athletes having a breakthrough season in their different disciplines, plus we celebrate a new British world champion.
As well as that we also have our regular snow reports, an update from European Gay Ski Week, competition news and your feedback.
Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Team GB slalom ski racer Molly Butler and Skimo athlete Iain Innes and down the line by freestyle skier Zoe Atkin.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Molly was in Bormio for the British Championships (0:45)
Iain is based in Chamonix (2:45)
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching is in Les 2 Alpes (3:15)
Catherine Murphy reported from Courchevel (4:00)
Robin (Big_Mauntain_Bob) is ski touring in the Lyngen Alps in Norway (5:15)
Win Vallon Watchtower sunglasses by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or write a comment on Spotify or Instagram (7:30)
Our next episode - E245 - will go live on 18 April (7:45)
Matt Ware reported from European Gay Ski Week in Val Thorens (8:00)
Zoe Atkin won gold in Ski Halfpipe at the Freestyle World Champ in St Moritz last week (9:45)
Zoe discusses her second run strategy (10:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zoe in Episode 238 (11:45)
The Carrick-Smith brothers are supported by The Ski Podcast (12:45)
Molly Butler is currently ranked around 150 in the world (13:00)
Molly was selected for the World Championships in Saalbach (14:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Martin Bell (17:15)
Molly’s coach is Emma Carrick-Anderson (17:45)
She was brought up in Megeve in France (18:30)
Intervals on the bike is a big part of Molly’s training (21:30)
The challenge of funding (24:00)
Iain Innes previously raced slalom and GS for Team GB (30:00)
Iain took Chemmy Alcott for a Skimo lesson Ski Sunday earlier this winter (29:00)
What is Skimo? (29:15)
Why Skimo? (31:30)
Iain took part in the Courchevel X3 triathlon (cycling/running/ski touring) in 2022 (33:00)
Qualifying for the Olympics (36:30)
Iain races with Claudia Chmielowska in the Mixed Team events (38:00)
Listen to Iain being interviewed on the Storm Skiing podcast (40:00)
Feedback (39:30)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Billy Mohan: “Loved Episode 243: great work!”
Shon Douglas: "Hugely appreciate your work to keep across all the sustainability improvements taking place across Europe"
Andrew Routledge: "Love that the show is so much more than "This is a nice place to ski". Keep on keeping is informed, inspired as well as entertained."
James Rice: "Just wanted to shoot you a quick note and say that I also enjoyed your episode with Stuart on his Storm Skiing podcast"
There are now 256 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 130 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com, look around the tags and categories – there is so much in there you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
Today we find out about ‘Going East’ – a new ski film from Arc'teryx – which sees a team of four skiers make their way to ski in Italy, Austria, then Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey – all by public transport with not a single flight!
In total they took 35 trains, 24 buses, 7 metro, 2 trams and spend over 140 hours travelling. They had to deal with language differences, connections and passport checks in the middle of the night. At one point they lost one member of their team completely!
Yet, when you listen to our conversation, you’ll find out why they think "the journey was as important as the skiing itself" and why they’d do it again.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Silvia Moser and Joi Hoffman, two of the athletes who made the film.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Win a pair of Watchtower sunnies from Vallon – simply leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or write a comment on Spotify or Instagram (1:15)
Vallon’s End of Season Ski Sale is on now with 25-35% off (1:30)
Silvia is based in Cortina, Italy (2:30)
Iain travelled by train back from Selva Val Gardena (3:15)
Joi is based in Innsbruck, Austria (4:30)
Watch 'Going East' – the new film from Arc'teryx (5:00)
The journey involved taking 35 trains, 24 buses, 7 metro, 2 trams and 140 hours of travelling (8:30)
The team used Interrail tickets for their train travel (9:15)
How did you carry so much camera kit? (11:30)
What about backing up? (12:45)
The other two athletes in the film are Loic Isliker and Max Kroneck (14:00)
The first stop was Tarvisio, Italy (14:30)
Next up was Semmering, Austria (15:30)
Find out more about Stary Smokovec in Slovakia (18:15)
The team stopped in Caransebeș, Romania (22:15)
Arriving in Borovets, Bulgaria was a culture shock (24:30)
Travelling on the night train from Sofia to Istanbul (26:45)
Max went missing in Ankara! (29:30)
In Turkey, the team finished their trip on Mt Hasan (32:00)
The editing process (35:45)
Watch the movie on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/yzHgzoPEJp4
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
There are now 255 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com, look around the tags and categories – there is so much in there you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
We find out more about Selva Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites, Saint Gervais in the Haute Savoie region of France and the world’s steepest cable car in Murren, Switzerland.
Host Iain Martin was joined by freelance journalist Katja Gaskell and Alan Ramsey, sales manager for Schilthorn Cableway - the Murren lift company.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.
So simply use that code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Katja was last on the show in Episode 207 (1:00)
Alan was last on the show in Episode 70 discussing the Inferno ski race (1:30)
Andy Butterworth (Kaluma Ski) is in St Anton, Austria (6:00)
Alex Irwin (150 Days of Winter) reported from Courchevel, France (7:30)
Ben Nyberg (Ski Scandinavia) reported from Trysil, Norway (8:30)
Moncler hosted a fashion show in Courchevel last week (9:45)
Luca Carrick-Smith took gold in the GS at the recent World Jr Champs (10:30)
The Ski Podcast is giving Team Carrick Smith financial support this winter (11:15)
Billy Major recorded his first ever World Cup Top 10, with 9th at Hajfell in Norway (11:15)
Jasmin Taylor currently leads in the Overall, Sprint, and Classic Telemark standings (11:30)
Mia Brookes (Big Air & Slopestyle), Charlotte Bankes (SnowboardX) and Zoe Atkin (Half Pipe) have already won the Crystal Globes in their disciplines (11:45)
Kirsty Muir take her first World Cup victory in Ski Slopestyle last week in Tignes (12:00)
Betony Garner spoke with Kirsty in Tignes (12:30)
Sandra Caune won two medals at the European Youth Olympics (16:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty recorded in April 2023 (18:00)
Find out more about the European Sleeper in Episode 237 (18:30)
Iain was in Selva Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites (20:45)
Local guide Gunter Costa showed Iain around the ‘Legendary 8’ runs around Val Gardena (21:00)
Katja visited Val Gardena with 80-year-old father (22:00)
Iain skied the famous ‘Sella Ronda’, travelling via Arabba, Val di Fassa and Alta Badia (22:30)
Christina Demetz works at the Val Gardena Tourist Office (25:15)
Find out about the GSTC accreditation that Val Gardena has been awarded (26:30)
The Italian Dolomites are included in the Ikon Pass (28:30)
Katja travelled to St Gervais Le Fayet by train (31:00)
Find out about the new ‘Le Valléen’ lift (32:30)
St Gervais is on the Domain Evasion Mont Blanc lift pass (35:15)
Iain was at the Kandahar Slalom race in Les Houches in Episode 200 (36:30)
There is a thermal spa in St Gervais (39:30)
Find out more about the water-powered Thermes lift (39:45)
Read Katja’s article for Sunday Post
Listen to our Inferno Special Episode (40:30)
Sir Arnold Lunn invented alpine ski racing in Murren (42:30)
Murren has opened the 'world's steepest cable car' (44:00)
It goes from Stechelberg 866m to Murren 1,640m in 4 mins (44:30)
It's the first part of a CHF130m project (45:00)
Mürren (1640m) to Birg (2670m) opened in December 2024 (46:00)
The second track will open in a year’s time (46:30)
Birg to the Schilthorn at 2970m opened in March 2025 (47:00)
‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed at the Schilthorn in 1969 (50:00)
The view from Murren to the Eiger, Munch and Jungfrau is incredible (51:00)
Feedback (52:30)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Wells Jones: "Listening to your latest episode, I was fascinated by your ski touring adventure on Mount Etna. Your vivid descriptions transported me right there, amidst the eruptions. It’s intriguing how you combined skiing with a unique rail ferry trip in Italy."
Ian Simpson: “We are currently touring in our motorhome and inspired by your podcast to visit Val Cenis. Well worth it and managed a day in Bonneval Sur Arc which is very different and amazing especially for those that like off piste. Keep up the great work.”
There are now 254 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 128 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com, look around the tags and categories – there is so much in there you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
Iain is joined by adventurer Elise Wortley. In the last 7 years, Elise has taken on some hugely challenging projects to highlight some of the original – and largely forgotten - female mountaineers and explorers.
What makes her ‘Woman With Altitude’ project unique is that she has climbed and trekked in places such as the Himalayas, the Alps and the Cairngorms using the same equipment and clothing that was available to her female predecessors at the time.
We discuss what it’s like trying to summit Mt Blanc in hobnail boots, how you source a wooden-framed backpack and the challenges of hiking in woollen knickerbockers.
Elise also featured in the Channel 4 programme ‘Alone’ where she spend over a month in the Canadian wilderness completely alone.
Discount Code for Intersport Ski Hire
If you are heading to the snow then don’t forget that you can save money when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com and use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’
You’ll get a guaranteed discount for ski hire in France, Austria and Switzerland and to make it even simpler you don’t even need to use the code, just take this link and your basket will automatically be reduced.
SHOW NOTES
Listen to Iain’s previous interviews with:
· BBC Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott
· GB Snowsport CEO, Vicky Gosling
· Former Erna Low MD Joanna Yellowlees-Bound
· Team GB freestyle skier, Zoe Atkin
Inghams are celebrating their 90th anniversary this winter (2:45)
Take a look at Elise’s website ‘Woman With Altitude’ (3:30)
Elise was inspired by Alexandra David-Neel’s book ‘My Journey to Lhasa’ (4:00)
Nan Sheperd wrote ‘The Living Mountain’ after hiking in the Cairngorms (11:30)
Find out more about Iain’s ski touring trip to Ben Lawers in Scotland (15:15)
Find out more about Elise’s Scottish adventure (15:30)
Jane Inglis-Clarke founded the Ladies' Scottish Climbing Club in 1908 (17:00)
Henriette d'Angeville was the first woman to climb Mont Blanc solo (17:30)
Look out for Henriette on the mural in the centre of Chamonix (18:15)
Elise’s hobnail boots were supplied by shoe specialists Trickers (20:15)
Dorothy Pilley wrote the book ‘Climbing Days’ and was the co-founder of the Pinnacle Club (24:00)
Elise travelled from Bastia to Monte Cinto in Corsica in February 2025 (24:30)
Watch the Channel 4 series ‘Alone’ (26:15)
[Spoiler] Elise came second after spending 34 days in the Canadian wilderness (32:00)
Elise will be returning to Chamonix in June 2025 to try and complete her recreation of Henriette d'Angeville’s historic climb (33:00)
Hotelplan are funding Elise’s 2025 attempt on Mont Blanc (34:15)
Only 2% of mountain guides are women (35:30)
FEEDBACK (37:00)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so if you enjoyed this episode, please do let me know on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
We’ve had a couple of items of feedback since the last podcast:
Emma Budget: “Fantastic podcast! My husband and I have been listening religiously since before Covid. Now that we’re taking our first holidays as a young family, it’s been so useful picking up tips and tricks from your episodes about skiing with kids! It’s unbelievably rewarding skiing the slopes for the first time with them. Thanks for the podcast, we love it!”
Ian Simpson: "Great podcast. Gives me so many travelling ideas especially by train. Any chance you could do one exploring by motorhome? Small community type resorts working together for the van people who like exploring the mountains in Europe."
[Try this episode, Ian]
There are now 253 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 166 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com and take a look around the tags and categories – you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
Today is a sustainability special, looking at train travel to Morzine, the impact of global warming on the Mer de Glace in Chamonix, plus we take a closer look at Patagonia’s decision to become a company for ‘purpose, not profit’.
We also have our regular snow reports, the latest news from GB Snowsports and your feedback.
Iain Martin was joined Sara Burton from Montagne Verte in Morzine and Matt Barr from the Looking Sideways Podcast.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com or take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Sara was last on the podcast in Episode 74 (0:45)
Listen to Iain’s experience of staying in an unmanned refuge in Meribel (3:00)
Catherine Murphy is in Kaprun, Austria (6:15)
Betony Garner reported from Combloux, France (8:10)
Floss Cockle from FreeFlo Ski reported from Tignes, France (9:15)
Charlotte Bankes is on course for the Snowboard Cross Crystal Globe (10:45)
Jasmin Taylor could win the Crystal Globe in Telemark Spint and Telemark overall (11:00)
Montagne Verte was formed in 2019 (12:00)
They run their own pre-loved shop in Morzine (14:00)
You can buy and sell second-hand ski wear at WhoSki (16:40)
Other initiatives include collection of food waste (17:00)
Find out about Verbier Green in Episode 206 (17:45)
The AlpinExpress Pass offers discounts to those travelling to resort by train (19:30)
Vialattea (the ‘Milky Way’) in Italy offer discounts for travelling by train (21:45)
Montagne Verte have published a very detailed Train Travel guide (22:00)
Matt has been mentioned in my interviews with Ed Leigh, Chris Moran and Stu Brass (27:00)
He is a previous editor of WhiteLines and runs his own agency, All Conditions Media
He is the host of the Looking Sideways Podcast (28:00)
Listen to 'The Announcement' (32:00)
Patagonia’s announced in September 2022 that it was ‘going purpose, not public’ (32:30)
Patagonia’s famous ‘Don't buy this jacket’
Bernie Sanders: “Billionaires in both parties should not be able to buy elections” (37:30)
Watch Iain’s video about the new €23m Mer de Glace gondola (42:45)
Read Iain’s article about Montenvers and the Mer de Glace at welove2ski (42:45)
The Mer de Glace has thinned 160m since 1990 and lost 3km in length since 1820
By 2019, there were 580 steps to make it back to Chamonix (43:30)
Brad Carlson is a mountain guide in Chamonix (43:45)
Check out the Glacorium if you visit Montenvers (53:15)
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Julian Holland: "Episode 237 was great as always! Keeping my fingers crossed for a few more dumps in Austria before my two weeks in Lech"
Skiingpostie (Spotify): "3 Zinnen sounds great and I will definitely be looking at a train ski trip soon."
Reid Aiton: "Another great episode"
There are now 252 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 137 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com and take a look around the tags and categories – there is so much in there you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
We discuss ski touring on Mt Etna in Sicily, the mountains of Catalonia and Borovets in Bulgaria.
Host Iain Martin was joined by guests Becs Miles and Mike Richards.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com or simply take this link and your discount will automatically be applied.
SHOW NOTES
Becs was last on the show in Episode 209, when she was telling us about Trysil in Norway (0:45)
Mike Richards was last on the show as a guest in Episode 226 discussing Hokkaido in Japan (1:15)
He has also been on the show discussing Bosnia, Madesimo, Turkey, North Macedonia, Georgia, Montenegro and Wales (1:30)
Mike called in from Erciyes in Turkey (2:00)
Katja Gaskell reported from Japan (3:30)
Alex Armand (Tip Top Ski Coaching) is in Les 2 Alpes (5:40)
Jen Tsang (That’s LaPlagne) is in La Plagne (6:00)
Freddy Carrick-Smith took gold in the GS & Zak Carrick-Smith took bronze in the Slalom at the European Youth Olympic Festival (8:30)
In freestyle Sandra Caune won gold in ski Big air and bronze in slopestyle and Emily Rothney won gold in the Snowboard Big Air
The Ski Podcast sponsors Team Carrick Smith (9:20)
Find out more about Iain’s train travel journey to Sicily, using an Interrail from Rail Europe (12:30)
The trip involved taking the unique rail ferry from the southern tip of Italy to Messina (13:00)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1ysMVLaA6Jc
Iain saw an Italian football match at Empoli on his return journey (16:00)
Mirto Monaco is one of three UAIGM guides on Sicily (17:30)
Ski touring was on Etna Nord out of Piano Provenzala - Etna’s ‘ski resort’ (17:45)
https://youtu.be/7bkj_m-5d6Y
Etna was erupting on the south side of the volcano (19:00)
In 2002, both ski resorts were destroyed by eruptions (25:00)
Iain hiked up to the source of the current eruption to view the lava flow (25:30)
Iain went ski touring in Morrocco in 2019 (27:30)
Becs as ‘glamping’ in Catalonia at Forest Days (28:30)
She did ski touring at the resort of Port del Comte (32:00)
You can try cross country sking in Tuixant (32:30)
Other activities included truffle hunting (33:00)
Becs learned how to search for fire kindling (34:00)
Iain recently drove to Courmayeur and Chamonix in an electric car (35:45)
Mike travelled to Borovets in Bulgaria (38:30)
He stayed at the Hotel Lion (42:15)
Take a look at the piste map for Borovets (44:00)
Feedback
Please send your feedback on the show on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Matt Sylvestre: "Just wanted to say hello from Pleasant Mountain in Maine, USA. I am obsessed with skiing, kit and technique and enjoyed Episode 235 with Stuart Winchester from the Storm Skiing Podcast.”
Chris Howie: "Loved Episode 235 of the Ski Podcast today as always. It was super to hear more about the Ikon/Epic passes and how the USA model for skiing is completely different from Europe.”
Jane Gotts: “Really enjoy listening to the podcast”
Anon: “Loving the ski podcast in the car from wet and windy Dublin”
Anon: "Great podcast, Iain. I’ve enjoyed it for ages and attended your talks at The Snow Show. Skiing has generally poor coverage on TV, so podcasts like yours help keep ski enthusiasts like me stoked in between ski trips and seasons. Keep it up!"
The winner of our Vallon goggles competition is Dominic Hales: “Loved listening to Episode 237 about the Dolomites. We just got our photos from a trip in Val Gardena and surely can’t be a more photogenic place.”
There are now 251 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 185 of those were listened to in the last week. You can find old episodes in our back catalog at theskipodcast.com where you can find your next podcast to listen to.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
Team GB freestyle skier Zoe Atkin has won multiple medals at the X-Games, World Cup and World Championships and is a hot prospect for a podium at next year's Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
This season the 21-year-old has three World Cup podiums in five competitions, including a win and two second place finishes in her last three events. She will next be in action at next month’s Freestyle World Championships in St Moritz.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you are heading to the snow, then don’t forget that you can save money when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com and use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’
You’ll get a guaranteed discount for ski hire in France, Austria and Switzerland and to make it even simpler you don’t even need to use the code, just take this link and your basket will automatically be reduced.
SHOW NOTES
Listen to Iain’s interview with BBC Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott, GB Snowsport CEO Vicky Gosling and former Erna Low MD Joanna Yellowlees-Bound
Zoe did her autumn training in Kitzsteinhorn, Austria (3:30)
Why half-pipe? (5:30)
Training with your competitors (10:00)
Strategy in competition (11:30)
Bringing new tricks into competition (13:00)
Strength and conditioning training (15:30)
Zoe won the half-pipe at the X-Games in 2023 (16:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with refer Kirsty Muir (18:00)
Zoe recorded back-to-back X-Games podiums with silver in 2024
Listen to Iain’s interview with Vicky Gosling, CEO of GB Snowsport (19:00)
Zoe finished 9th in the half pipe at Beijing 2022 (19:00)
The challenges of testing during the Games (21:00)
Zoe’s sister is Izzy Atkin, who was Britain’s first skier to win a medal at the Olympics (22:30)
Travels after the Winter Olympics (24:15)
Zoe was brought up in Maine and skied from the age of two (25:00)
Her base in now Park City, Utah (26:00)
Zoe is now studying at Stanford University (27:30)
Zoe finished on the podium for six consecutive events after Beijing (29:30)
The plan for winter 24/25 (33:00)
SELECTED RESULTS: FIS WORLD CUP
2025 Women's Freeski Halfpipe, Calgary – 2nd
2025 Women's Freeski Halfpipe, Aspen – 1st
2024 Women's Freeski Halfpipe, Copper Mountain - 3rd
2023 World Championships Women's Ski Superpipe - 2nd
2021 World Championships Women's Ski Superpipe - 3rd
2019 Women's Freeski Halfpipe, Copper Mountain - 1st (16 years old)
SELECTED RESULTS: X-GAMES
2024 Women's Ski Superpipe – 4th
2024 Women's Ski Superpipe - 2nd
2023 Women's Ski Superpipe - 1st
2020 Women's Ski Superpipe - 5th
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
There are now 250 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 190 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com and take a look around the tags and categories – you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
We find out about 3 Zinnen in the Italian Dolomites, plus we have a train travel focus: looking at the European Sleeper to Italy and trains to Serre Chevalier.
We also have our regular snow reports, gold medal news for Team GB and your ski Valentines stories, plus the chance to win some super-cool Vallon goggles.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Babsi Lapwood from the Mountain Trade Network and Dom Winter from Protect Our Winters UK.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.
That applies to any ski hire booked in their massive network across France, Austria and Switzerland – that’s hundreds of resorts. You’ll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Babsi recently skied in Risoul (1:45)
Lou Newton from Iglu Ski reported from Bansko in Bulgaria (4:00)
Mike Richards reported from Uludag and Dorukkaya in Turkey (5:15)
Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski reported from St Anton (6:30)
Win Vallon Ski Goggles worth £137 – just leave us a comment on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts (8:15)
Freddy Carrick-Smith took gold in the Giant Slalom (9:15)
The Ski Podcast supports Team Carrick-Smith
Mia Bookes retained the Big Air Crystal Globe (9:40)
Listen to my interview with Ski Sunday’s Ed Leigh (10:00)
Babsi has been to 3 Zinnen six times already (11:00)
Iain and Babsi both stayed in Innichen San Candido (12:30)
Piste map of the ski area in 3 Zinnen (14:30)
Try night skiing in Innichen (17:00)
Iain tried snow shoeing for the first time in 3 Zinnen (18:00)
The heating in Innichen is powered by woodchip and sawdust (20:45)
Atto and Botanic are two great family owned restaurants in Innichen (21:30)
Iain stayed at the Hotel Tyrol in Innichen (21:45)
Dom was last on the show in our London Ski Show special (23:00)
Find out about the WSF/POW video challenge on eco ways to get to the slopes (24:00)
There is also information on Instagram
Dom travelled by train to Serre Chevalier (25:00)
Serre Chevalier has a great record on sustainability (28:00)
Iain travelled to 3 Zinnen on the European Sleeper service from Belgium (30:00)
Iain interviewed Chris Engelsman from European Sleeper back in Episode 221 (30:30)
Read Iain’s review of the journey on Ski Flight Free (33:30)
Find out more about the European Sleeper here (36:30)
Thanks to Ed, Sasha, Ian and Mike for their Ski Valentine’s stories
Feedback (41:00)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Oliver Padgett: “Thanks for all the time and effort you put into making a great podcast. Keep up the great work.”
Will Cursham: “I’ve just started listening to your podcast at the ripe old age of 49. I love it! Lots of interesting stuff about skiing. Being a bit of a geek, I love the behind-the-scenes stuff, I’d love to hear more about how resorts work, maintaining the infrastructure etc. Keep going with the podcast, and I’ll keep listening!”
There are now 249 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com and take a look around the tags and categories – you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast.
You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. -
This special episode of The Ski Podcast is an exclusive interview with BBC presenter Ed Leigh.
Ed tells us how the ‘Ski Sunday’ season has gone so far, including why his co-presenter, Chemmy Alcott, was a natural when it came to snowboarding.
We cover his journey from Turin 2006 to Paris 2024, where he commentated on the BMX and skateboarding, before discussing the ridiculous talent of Mia Brookes, Britain’s 18-year-old world champion snowboarder.
Finally, I asked Ed about the Natural Selection Tour. We talk about the format, how it’s evolved and where you can watch it this winter.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…just use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.
That applies to any ski hire booked in their massive network across France, Austria and Switzerland. You’ll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Ed was last on the show in Episode 169 (2:30)
He was last on snow at Zugspitze above Garmisch (3:15)
Working with the Ski Sunday team (5:00)
Was Chemmy really a natural snowboarder? (10:00)
Listen to Warren Smith talking about coaching Louis Smith on ‘The Jump’ (10:30)
Ed on his ski racing lessons (12:00)
Presenting Ski Sunday with a serious injury (13:30)
Ed’s first BBC work was at the 2006 Turin Olympics (15:30)
Starting on Ski Sunday (17:15)
Filming ‘High Altitude’ (17:45)
Commentating on the BMX and Skateboarding in Paris 2024 (22:00)
“Every time I heard you or Tim Warwood’s voice I knew there’d be something fun to watch!” (25:00)
Is skateboarding selling out? (27:00)
Why don’t we see more freestyle snowboarding and skiing on Ski Sunday? (30:00)
Mia Brookes’ amazing season (32:30)
Is she stronger at slopestyle or big air? (33:00)
Charlotte Bankes as another potential medallist at Cortina 2026? (34:45)
Maisie Hill’s prospects (36:45)
Who is Txema Mazet Brown? (38:15)
What is the Natural Selection Tour? (40:30)
‘Designed for athletes, not spectators’ (40:45)
The Natural Selection Tour includes mountain biking, surfing, skiing and snowboarding (43:00)
It was founded by Travis Rice in Jackson Hole (43:45)
What's the format? (47:45)
The snowboarding takes place in Revelstoke from 10-17 March (50:45)
You can watch the Natural Selection Tour on RedBull TV (51:00)
Can you compare the X-Games and Natural Selection Tour (51:00)
Does the X-Games use AI judging? (53:15)
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Dave Mills and James Rice very kindly bought me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast
Dave: “Iain, love your podcast. It’s essential listening all year round, but never more so than during the ski season. Bravo!”
James: “I’m a huge fan of The Storm Skiing Podcast, so it was great to have him on your show. As an American, one of the things I really enjoy about your podcast is that it offers me a glimpse into a completely different ski and travel culture. I often listen to The Ski Podcast and inevitably add a resort or experience to my dream list of ski holidays.”
There are now 248 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 152 of those were listened to in the last week.
If you enjoyed this episode, then go to theskipodcast.com where you’ll find plenty of other interviews, destinations, experiences and adventures to entertain you on your commute, run, gym workout or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp. -
We find out about Big Sky Resort in Montana and look into the multipass options in the States, including the Epic, Ikon, Indy and Mountain Collective passes.
We also have our regular snow reports, your feedback, Team GB news and equipment expert Al Morgan reports from the SIGB Ski Test in La Clusaz.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Nancy Shiel, Head of Ski Patrol at Big Sky Resort in Montana, and Stuart Winchester, host of the Storm Skiing Podcast.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…just use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.
That applies to any ski hire booked in their massive network across France, Austria and Switzerland. You’ll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Tim Hudson from Inspired Italy is in the Dolomites (5:45)
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching is in Les 2 Alpes (7:00)
Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter is in Courchevel (7:30)
Mia Brookes finished 3rd at the X Games Slopestyle in Aspen (9:15)
Jasmin Taylor now has three wins this season in the Telemark World Cup (9:30)
Laurie Taylor tied with Dave Ryding for 15th at Kitzbuhel (9:40)
Freddy and Zak Carrick Smith will be taking part in the European Youth Olympics (9:45)
Ski kit expert Al Morgan was out at the SIGB Ski Test in La Clusaz (10:20)
Listen to our equipment episodes or watch them on YouTube (12:45)
Nancy has been working on the ski patrol at Big Sky for over 20 years (13:15)
Watch the Big Sky Ski Patrol in action (15:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f896Bsukqi0
“Big Sky is titanic, sprawling, impossible” (16:15)
Big Sky is in south-west Montana (16:45)
You can visit Yellowstone National Park in winter from Big Sky (17:30)
The resort has 5850 acres of skiable terrain and has 400 inches annual of snowfall (18:45)
The Lone Peak Tram is a standout lift (20:00)
Peter Landsman in Episode 181 described it one of the lifts you must ride (20:15)
Stuart is host of the Storm Skiing Podcast (24:00)
“Everyone’s searching for skiing’s soul. I’m trying to find its brains” (24:15)
The Epic Pass started in 2008 (28:00)
The issue of overcrowding in US ski resorts (32:00)
The Ikon Pass has introduced ‘reservations’ to limit overcrowding (33:00)
The Indy Pass is “the coolest thing going” (34:15)
Glencoe and The Snow Centre in the UK are both on the Indy Pass (37:30)
Will there be mergers between the multipasses? (37:45)
Find out about the Mountain Collective Pass (38:30)
Epic Pass sales were down 2% for the 24/25 winter (39:00)
Vail Resorts had to deal with a ski patrol strike in Park City in December (39:15)
Vail Resorts have acquired Andermatt and Crans Montana in Europe (41:00)
If you visit Big Sky, you need to try Uncle Dan’s Cookies (41:30)
You can follow The Ski Podcast on WhatsApp (44:00)
Feedback (42:00)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Charlie Owen: "I enjoyed your interview with Mark Smith – the Man in Seat61"
Charlie Henry Mack: "Episode 232 was great"
Marcus: "I just wanted to drop you a note to say that I have started listening to the podcast on my drive into work and it’s great! Brilliant to have such a good UK-based ski podcast."
There are now 247 episodes of The Ski Podcast. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not to go theskipodcast.com and take a look around the tags and categories – there is so much in there and you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast or WhatsApp -
We finding out about driving to the Alps in an electric vehicle, discuss Courmayeur in Italy, plus we have an entrepreneur focus talking to the founders of two snowsports companies.
We also have our regular snow reports, your feedback, news on more World Cup wins for Team GB plus an update from Dave Ryding ahead of the World Champs in Saalbach.
Iain was joined by Erin Flynn, founder of the clothing company Ruanua and Simon Hooper, founder of Whitestorm, the ski hire company in Courchevel and Meribel.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.
That applies to any ski hire booked in their massive network across France, Austria and Switzerland – that’s hundreds of resorts. You’ll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.
SHOW NOTES
Iain was in Les 2 Alpes in April 2024 (1:30)
Catherine Murphy reported on the new Jandri 3S lift in Episode 232 (2:30)
Iain reported on snow conditions in Chamonix last weekend (4:30)
Before that he was skiing in Courmayeur, Italy (5:00)
Mike Richards reported from Erciyes in Turkey (5:30)
Floss Cockle reported from Tignes (6:45)
Mia Brookes won the Slopestyle at the Laax Open (8:00)
Jasmin Taylor took a gold and silver in the Telemark World Cup (8:45)
Dave Ryding was talking about the World Champs coming up in Saalbach (9:00)
Regular listeners may recall I took the Flight Free UK pledge in 2024
Iain is taking the Flight Free Pledge again in 2025 (12:15)
Iain founded Ski Flight Free in 2019 (12:00)
Iain drove a BMW iX M60 electric vehicle to Courmayeur and Chamonix (13:00)
For charging, Iain used the Ionity network all the way (15:00)
For more advice on EVs in the Alps there’s an excellent page on SNO.co.uk website (16:00)
Ruanua is a new resortwear brand (18:00)
Erin worked as a ski instructor in Saalbach (19:30)
Ruanua uses stock fabric which is already made and unused (22:45)
Garments are made PFC-free with RDS certified Down (24:45)
Ruanua launched in autumn 2024 (27:00)
Simon founded Whitestorm in 2012 in Courchevel 1850 (30:00)
He now employs 21 staff (33:00)
The trend to ski rental as baggage fees have increased (34:45)
Iain reported on the new Courchevel Saulire cable car in Episode 229 (36:30)
Watch Iain’s video about the Skyway Monte Bianco lift in Courmayeur (37:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V055PF5enZA
Join The Ski Podcast WhatsApp channel (41:00)
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Jack Kelly: "Love the show!"
Kosta: "The equipment specials have been very good this year and Al communicates the nuances of design very well. The interviews also have been interesting and have shown the work that happens behind most people’s one week holiday. Keep up the good work"
Helen Keast (Spotify): "Really enjoyed Episode 232 with Mark Smith”
There are now 244 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up. There is so much to listen to in our previous episodes, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast -
Today is a special interview with Mark Smith – the train travel expert also known as ‘The Man in Seat 61’.
We discuss his background; how he came to set up his website seat61.com; his views on the best routes to the Alps by train; the trend towards night trains; plus whether there will ever be competition for Eurostar on the cross-channel line.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you’re heading to the Alps this winter, then you can 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
Seat61.com is a multiple award-winning website with more than 1m visitors per month (2:00)
Why is it called ‘Seat 61’? (2:30)
What prompted you to start the site in 2001? (4:15)
Mark has worked full time on Seat61.com since 2007 (7:00)
Iain took the ‘Flight Free Pledge’ to take no flights in 2024 (8:45)
Why should people travel by train? (9:00)
Come for the carbon savings, stay for the joy of travelling by train (9:15)
“We're in danger of creating a world where every single journey is an identical non-experience at 30,000 feet and life's too short not to grab every experience when you get the chance.” (11:30)
Listen to Iain’s report on the Eurostar Snow Train (13:00)
Will Eurostar ever bring back that direct service? (13:30)
Or that they might increase the number of rotations? (15:45)
Will we see competition to Eurostar on the cross-channel HS1 line? (18:00)
Virgin are interested in starting as a competitor to Eurostar (18:30)
When will the line from Paris to Turin open again? (21:00)
Taking the train to Italian ski resorts (23:00)
Taking the train to Austria (24:00)
Taking the train to Norway (25:00)
The Caledonian Sleeper is ‘Best train in the UK’ according to Mark (26:00)
Simon Calder and Mark raced to Edinburgh in a plane v. train race (27:30)
Night trains are becoming more popular (28:30)
OBB’s ‘Nightjet’ service is the biggest operator of night trains in Europe (29:30)
The Nightjet to Innsbruck departs from Amsterdam (31:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper (31:30)
Mark will be on the inaugural European Sleeper service (32:30)
Boutique operators include Snälltåget and European Sleeper (33:30)
How do you keep the costs of train travel down? (35:00)
When is Interrail better value than point-to-point tickets? (37:00)
Why do you have to wait to three months beforehand until you can book trains? (38:30)
Iain will be travelling to Sicily on the only train ferry left in Europe (40:45)
Is it possible to travel from Portugal to Singapore by train? (42:00)
Take the plunge, you’ll love it! (44:00)
“Collectively we are racing through spectacular landscapes, covering a mile every 40 seconds, using Victorian infrastructure to the full and causing minimal environment harm. The rail traveller is in touch with the world.”
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Dan Trapp: "Keep up the great work. And have a great season!"
Alex Nevill (BMAC): "Love this podcast, always gets me in the mood for the ski season"
There are now 245 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and a whopping 202 of those were listened to in the last week.
There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to theskipodcast.com and have a look around - you’re bound to find something that sparks your interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast -
We find out about skiing in Montenegro and Tignes, what it’s like at European Gay Ski Week and we look at the new Jandri 3S lift in Les 2 Alpes.
We also have our regular snow reports, your feedback and news on World Cup wins for Team GB.
Host Iain Martin is joined by freelance journalist Mary Novakovich, Matt Ware from European Gay Ski Week and regular guest, Catherine Murphy.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you’re heading to the Alps this winter, then you can 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 on the show in Episode 230 telling us about the WhamWalk in Saas Fee (2:00)
Find out about slope safety in Episode 229 (3:45)
Matt will be at Swiss Gay Ski Week in Arosa (4:45)
Mike Greenland reported from Jahorina, Bosnia (6:00)
Jen Tsang, That’s La Plagne, La Plagne, France (7:20)
Andy Butterworth, Kaluma Ski, St Anton, Austria (10:00)
There has been skiing in England at Weardale and the Lake District (13:00)
https://x.com/skipedia/status/1877261678758318563
Mia Brookes took her 2nd win of the season at Klagenfurt (13:30)
Txema Mazet-Brown came 9th at Klagenfurt and is one to watch out for (14:00)
Dave Ryding was 10th in Madonna di Campiglio (14:45)
The Team GB bobsleigh team won the Winterberg World Cup race (15:00)
The Carrick Smith boys update us on training and recovery from injury (15:20)
Iain used his Carv 2 for the first time in Tignes (19:45)
Iain travelled to Tignes in a luxury splitter van from Vans for Bands (21:45)
There was a lot of snow on the roof! (22:00)
Iain ran across ‘le lac’ in Tignes (23:00)
Catherine tried ice floating in Tignes (23:30)
The ESF ‘Fleche’ race was great fun (24:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okczVRVdwtk
Iain spoke with Olivier Duch, deputy mayor of Tignes (26:00)
Find out more about sustainability in Tignes (27:00)
The snow groomers in Tignes all run on HVO rather than diesel (27:30)
The Mountain Shaker takes place from 08-14 March in Tignes (29:15)
Tignes will host the Paralpine World Championships in 2027 (31:30)
Read Mary’s article about skiing in Montenegro (34:00)
Fly into Podgorica and stay in Kolasin (36:00)
European Gay Ski Week takes place in Val Thorens from 22-29 March (42:00)
Find out more about ‘Le Board’ in VT in Episode 165 (44:00)
Packages start from €159 for event pass and accom sharing (46:30)
Sharing options make it very affordable for solo travellers
The Jandri 3S lift opened in December (48:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz0hrmQgVGg
Find out about the ‘Last Ride Project’ in Episode 230 (55:30)
We are the lookout for Ski Valentines...did you meet your partner on a ski holiday or doing a ski season, and do you fancy sharing your story? Drop me an email to [email protected]
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Joseph Childs: "Thank you for the podcast, I always look forward to the episodes!" plus book suggestion (Higher Love, Kit Deslauriers)
Katie Waddington: “Enjoyed listening to the John Yates-Smith episode (233)”
Ed Clapham: "I’m really enjoying the ski podcast. It’s got a great mix of guests and for someone who’s been skiing for nearly 40 years, I still find myself learning something new when listening to it."
There are now 244 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast -
We focus on ski touring in this equipment special. Iain and Al look at the best skis and ski boots for people wanting an ‘all-rounder’ set up or a dedicated lightweight touring set up, as well as discussing layers and the different bindings available.
This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham. They are the winter sports specialists, with 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com and you can buy online now.
SHOW NOTES
What is ski touring? (5:30)
What are ‘skins’? (6:00)
How are the bindings different? (7:30)
Iain went ski touring in Morocco (9:30)
How important is weight? (11:00)
Al’s weight comparison example (11:45)
A 95mm freeride ski will weigh upwards of 1,650g per ski in a 175cm length
An equivalent touring ski would be 200-400g lighter per ski. In this case, we’ll use 300g per ski
A regular freeride binding would be around 1,000g per binding
An equivalent Kingpin is around 300g lighter per binding
A regular Alpine boot is around 2,000g per boot (in a 26.5MP)
An equivalent freeride touring boot can be 500g lighter per boot
For skis, binding and boots, a ‘lightweight’ set up could be 2.8kg lighter overall: equivalent to saving 14kg off your backpack
The Best ‘All Round’ Touring Skis – Salomon QST98 - £550 (18:30)
The Best ‘Lightweight’ Touring Skis – Atomic Backland 88 - £500 (20:30)
What is a Split Board? (23:45)
Buy your snowboard kit at The Snowboard Asylum
The Best ‘All Round’ Touring Boots – K2 Mindbender BOA - £625 (26:00)
The Best ‘All Round’ Lightweight’ Touring Boots - Scarpa Gea/Maestrale RS - £670 (29:00)
How important are layers? (32:00)
Listen to our ‘Best Ski Jackets of 2025’ episode (32:30)
Montane have a range of ski touring layers (34:15)
Iain uses Montane for his trail running races (35:00)
Al uses the Rab Mythic G down jacket - £450 (36:00)
How to use poles when ski touring (37:00)
What sort of gloves should you take? (39:30)
Helmets for ski touring (40:00)
Listen to our ‘Best Ski Helmets of 2025’ episode
Iain uses the Oakley Mod BC helmet (£220)
Eric Button is the founder of the Zoa Portable lift(41:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Blair Aitken from British Backcountry Skiing (49:45)
The Wild Ski Weekend is at the Glenmore Lodge in March 2025 (50:30)
Iain used the Carv in Tignes (53:30)
Al recommends Nunchucks as a good option for audio while wearing a helmet (54:30)
ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE (47:15)
Matt Brown works for Ellis Brigham in Aviemore
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 [email protected]
Episode 231 with John Yates Smith produced a lot of comment:
Paul Bond: "Of all the topics that could be on the podcast, the choice of pellets for a shot gun wasn’t one I had on my bingo card!"
David Bell: “Hi Iain, I must say I enjoyed your interview with John so much , what a great character with a great life story to tell, and a refreshingly honest outlook. I was laughing along with you.”
Anthony Benson: “John you’re a legend! You taught me a lot about life working for you when I was 19 in Val and Corsica and also working for your brother Dick. They were the best years of my life and I remember the time the Corsicans tried to burn the Valinco down!”
Quin R: “Absolutely loved the podcast with John Yates-Smith.”
David Lindsay: "Only just listened to the ski boot special. What an excellent podcast - Al really knows his stuff."
If you like the podcast, there are thre things you can do to help:
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – helps listeners find us
2) Subscribe, so you never miss an episode
3) Or you can Buy Me A Coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast
We now have 243 episodes to catch up with. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you might not end up listening to every episode, but you’re bound to find something of interest to you.
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast -
This special episode of The Ski Podcast featuring Val d'Isère legend John Yates-Smith.
John is just starting his 50th winter in the resort. He started in the 70s in the early years of the British ski industry and went on to run Bladon Lines’ operations in Val d'Isère for a decade.
In 1991, he co-founded his own chalet company, YSE Ski, which has now been offering ski holidays in VDI for over 30 years.
SHOW NOTES
Read Iain’s article about Bladon Lines (2:00)
YSE is a Val d'Isère specialist founded in 1991 (2:45)
“YSE is run by hyper-efficient ladies” (3:00)
Fiona Easdale is the ‘E’ of ‘YSE’
“Brexit has been a nightmare for us” (4:00)
John’s first ski season was with John Morgan in 1975/76 (8:00)
“The best skiing in the world and a lot of very pretty chalet girls” (8:15)
Is being a KP the best job in the Alps? (9:00)
John’s brother opened ‘Dick’s Tea Bar’ (12:30)
In 1982, John started working for Bladon Lines (16:00)
The company was founded by Mark Lines and Simon Bladon in 1978 (16:30)
Bladon Lines staff jackets were so colourful they became known as the ‘Parrots’ (18:00)
“I hated my parrot jacket and refused to wear it!” (18:15)
Telex was the typical mode of communication (21:00)
Transfers before the Geneva-Albertville motorway could take up to 13 hours (26:00)
In 1991 John started YSE with Fiona Easdale after Bladon Lines sacked her (33:00)
In 1995, Inghams bought the brand for next to nothing (35:30)
“I was absolutely delighted to see Bladon Lines go” (35:30)
John set up the Bladon Lines summer operation in Corsica (37:00)
The Hotel Valinco was built with sand from the beach (38:00)
John had some attention from the Corsican mafia? (39:15)
“There are no honest people in Corsica!” (39:45)
John’s car was set on fire… (41:00)
“What gun have you got?” (42:30)
Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]
Dave Mills: "Great podcast and adds to the excitement of another ski season"
Adam Fisher: "Good work with the podcast. I really enjoyed the Japan and Joanna Lees episodes.”
Mike Greenland: "Always entertaining!”
There are now 241 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. There is so much to listen to in our previous episode, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest.
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast
Cover Photo courtesy of Felice Hardy, Action Packed Travel -
Our special Christmas Episode is the present of snow reports for you from across the Alps, including Tignes, Les 2 Alpes, La Plagne, Courchevel, Combloux, Val Gardena, St Anton, Grimentz…and the Brecon Beacons in Wales!
SHOW NOTES
Iain is currently in Tignes (0:30)
Alex Armand, Tip Top Ski Coaching, Les 2 Alpes, France (1:30)
Jen Tsang, That’s La Plagne, La Plagne, France (2:00)
Alex Irwin, 150 Days of Winter, Courchevel, France (3:50)
Betony Garner, Combloux, France (5:20)
Tim Hudson, Inspired Italy, Val Gardena, Italy (6:55)
Andy, Kaluma Ski, St Anton, Austria (8:25)
Simon Burgess, Grimentz, Switzerland (10:30)
Dave Burrows, SnowPros Ski School, Les Crozets, Switzerland (12:00)
Mike Richards, Brecon Beacons, Wales (13:50)
If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast - Show more
