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…

62: Scotland, Touring in Chamonix, World Cup Latest, Andermatt & Tignes

Want to know more about the world of skiing?

The Ski Podcast is an award-winning podcast with over 200 episodes covering all aspects of the world of skiing and snowboarding, from resorts to racing, Ski Sunday to slush.

It is hosted by Iain Martin, who is joined by guests from the world of snow to chat about wintery stuff and probe around the avalanche of ski news.

The Ski Podcast was voted 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the 2021 Sports Podcast Awards and nominated for 'Best Broadcast Programme' in the 2023 Travel Media Awards.

Iain is a freelance journalist and digital marketing consultant (https://www.skipedia.co.uk/) specialising in snowsports. He is also the founder of Ski Flight Free (http://www.skiflightfree.org) - a campaign to encourage skiers to take the train or drive to their ski holiday.

Before The Ski Podcast, he spent six winters working in the Alps, then founded and managed the season worker community 'Natives' from 1999 to 2011.

Listen to all our back catalog at http://www.theskipodcast.com

If you want to get in touch or take part you can email us: theskipodcast@gmail.com

Music: http://www.purple-planet.com Logo: http://www.vexels.com

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Hobbies

Games & Hobbies

Sports

Wilderness

Leisure

In Episode 212 we find out about Valle Nevado and Portillo in Chile, what it’s like being a resort rep for the Ski Club of Great Britain and check in on a possible direct London-Geneva train.



Iain Martin was joined by travel journalist, Lou Cameron-Hall and artist and snowsports blogger, Martina Diez-Routh.



SHOW NOTES



Katie Bamber wrote this article on summer ski options (2:00)

 Iain skied in Saas Fee in the summer of 2020, covered in Episode 57 (3:20)

 Australia and NZ have had their first snow (3:30) 

 Chalet company Alpine Action has ceased trading (4:00)

 Listen to Episode 180 to find out more about the impact of Brexit on recruitment (4:30)

 In Episode 95, Iain spoke with Diane Palumbo from Skiworld, who is on the SBiT committee (4:45)

 Find out more about the Ski Club Consumer Survey in this blog post on Skipedia (5:00)

 The Youth Mobility Scheme has not been welcomed by UK politicians(5:15)

 The flight represents 60-70% of the carbon footprint of your ski holiday (5:45)

You can find out more about Inghams’ sustainability plans in Episode 185 and Episode 160 (6:00)

 Nadine McCormick set up the petition calling for London-Geneva direct train service (6:00) 

 You can sign the petition here (13:45)

 Eurostar also confirmed last week that they going to increase their fleet size by 30% (14:00)

 The Brits took place last weekend at SnowDome Tamworth (14:00)

 Iain interviewed Paddy Graham in Episode 211 to find out how ski movies like this were made (24:45)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbqHK8i-HdA

 Martina joined us for Episode 87 and Episode 50 covering the Aosta Valley (15:30)

 Valle Nevado and Portillo are the two main ski resorts in Chile 

 There’s only one accommodation option in Portillo (18:30)

 The sling-shot lift in Portillo takes some practice… (21:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRN9gKUDNak

 Valle Nevado links to El Colorado and La Parva (23:30)

 Mountain Capital Partners have bought La Parva (24:00) 

 Valle Nevado is on the Ikon Pass (25:00)

 Listen to our feature on Perisher and Thredbo in Episode  (27:00)

 Lou went on the Ski Club of Great Britain reps course (27:45)

 The Ski Club of Great Britain celebrated their 120th birthday in 2023 (35:00)

 Find out more about the Les 2 Alpes-Alpe d'Huez gondola link in Episode 93 (39:43)



 Feedback (38:00)

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 



Robert Stone: "I recently discovered your podcast and found it very enjoyable. I skimmed previous episodes and was surprised to see you've never covered the Brit favourite of Sauze d'Oulx. It suffered an unfair reputation as a Benidorm-on-snow resort in the 90s, particularly after a very sneering Wish You Were Here episode. It's actually a charming old town and has a fabulous ski area linking to the huge Vialattea"

 

 Paul Bond: "Episode 210 was as ever great listening. I've skied all over Europe and finally skied in Baqueira in March. Plenty of challenge with a unique vibe but also easy for a mixed ability family to ski the same mountains and meet up. My top tip: Hire a car from Toulouse and stay in Vielha in valley: a great old town with lots of accommodation and good value eateries."

 

 Hayder Fekaiki from www.myskibuddy.app: "I hope it’s been a successful season and thank you for a very enjoyable podcast."



If you like the podcast, I’d really appreciate it if you could give us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 



‘Every Nickname is taken’ recently gave us a review on Apple Podcasts: “I like listening to the Ski Podcast when I’m driving up and down the country: there’s a great variety of guests and tons of useful information. It also reminds me of all the places we’ve skied and boarded over the years, while also giving me new ideas where to target next. Keep going and maybe one day we’ll meet on the slopes!”



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 to you. 



You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

212: Portillo & Valle Nevado, Chile plus how to become a Ski Club of Great Britain rep

This special episode is an interview with pro-skier and filmmaker Paddy Graham. Paddy was one of the first wave of British freeskiers who burst out of the UK dry slope and indoor scene into the international arena in the early-2000s. 


Paddy is an extremely accomplished freeride and freestyle skier, but is best known for the incredibly creative ski films that he's starred in and produced, as co-founder of the legendary production company Legs of Steel. 



SHOW NOTES



Legs of Steel started in 2009 (2:45)

Paddy learned to ski at Sheffield Ski Village (6:00)

 Sheffield Ski Village had its own ‘fun park’ (8:00)

 Natives organised ‘The New Breed’ quarter-pipe comp at the Birmingham Ski Show

 Listen to Iain’s interview with Pat Sharples (10:00)

 Stu Brass organised the AIM series (11:30)

 Listen to Iain’s interview with Jim Adlington, founder of Planks Clothing (12:15)

 Paddy went to Serre Chevalier with Ben Hawker and Noddy Gowans (13:30)

He followed that with a trip to the States to film ‘Rad’ (16:00)

 Murray Buchan, James Kilner, James Carr and Laura Berry, Adam Gendle, Ed Leigh, Tim Warwood, Matt Barr and Jonny Verity were also on the trip (17:45)

 Red Bull asked Paddy to go for the Sochi Olympics (19:30)

 The ski movie ‘Same Difference’ in 2017 featured THE kicker (22:00)

 The kicker was created in Livigno (23:30)

 They needed to hit the kicker between 110-117 km/h (26:30)

 “It was like being shot out of a cannon!” (28:30)

 The second attempt at jumping did not go so well (31:00)

 ‘Action Men’ came out in 2020 (33:30)

 Legs of Steel crew produced ‘The Ultimate Run’ with Markus Eder in 2021 (33:45)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbqHK8i-HdA

 Paddy shot in Sheffield in 2023 after Storm Larissa (38:30)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb9lZlLMLUk

 Watch Paddy’s ‘How To’ features for Red Bull (45:00)

 'Skiers Jump over chairlift' was filmed for Red Bull at Mammoth Mountain (45:30)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1P0SeYt2TA 

 Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty Muir (48:00)

 Paddy has been on some very long bike rides! (49:45)

 Find out more about Stance Ski Socks (52:00)

 Advice for aspiring filmmakers and skiers (57:00)


Paddy wears a range of Stance socks which all feature Freshtek and Infiknit™ technology; Sargent Snow, Flynn Snow and Baron Snow. Freshtek Performance Mesh keeps you cool with maximised airflow and breathability, whilst Stance’s Infiknit™ technology never rips, never tears. 

 

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 theskipodcast@gmail.com 

 

Tim Boyse: "I think I was “that guy“ you recently mentioned who listened to your very first episode. I retired to the Swiss Alps in 2017 and have listening since then. I loved the early episodes with Jim, but I have to say the podcast has gone from strength to strength since you took it on alone. Keep up the good work - you keep giving me so many ideas I can’t keep up."



rms1765 (Apple Podcasts): “I love the mix of guests on this podcast and everything you are doing to raise awareness about issues facing skiing.”



If you like the podcast, there are a couple of things you can do to help:

 

 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 

 2) Subscribe and every episode will automatically be downloaded for you



There are now 216 episodes to catch up with, and 91 were listened to in the last week. 50% of our listeners were in the UK, 18% in the States and the remaining 32% across the world, including Portugal, Taiwan and Brazil. 



You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast.

211: Paddy Graham, Professional Skier & Filmmaker

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

210: Baqueira Beret in Spain & the growth of skiing in China

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 

209: Les 2 Alpes, Trysil in Norway & Vans For Bands

This episode is a special interview with professional snowboarder Xavier De La 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 

62: Scotland, Touring in Chamonix, World Cup Latest, Andermatt & Tignes

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