In this ‘flashback’ episode, Iain speaks with ‘ski instructor to the stars’ Warren Smith, from the Warren Smith Ski Academy. 

We talk about how Warren got into skiing and his journey to Verbier via the Hemel Hempstead dry ski slope and Seefeld in Austria.

There’s plenty about the early days of the UK freestyle scene, working with many of the youngsters who have now become Olympians, as well as the celebrities that he’s taught over the years, including Laurence Dallaglio, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, Louis Smith, Bradley Wiggins and more.

As we are looking ahead to this winter, don’t forget that 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. 

 

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do: 

-          follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode

-          give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify

-          ‘buy me a coffee’ at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

We look at Les Arcs in summer, find out about La Plagne’s new lifts and the ‘Flocon Vert’ – the sustainability award for ski resorts in France.

There’s snow reports from Australia and New Zealand, as well as a special report on the new Soho Basin area in Cardrona from Ski Sunday’s Ed Leigh, plus we find out what it was like when the Tour de France came to the Alps. 

Host Iain Martin was joined by La Plagne expert, Jen Tsang and Claire Tollis from the Mountain Riders association in France.

We haven’t quite started up winter yet in Europe, but I know people are booking their holidays, so if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money on your ski hire this winter…just use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book 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. 

Find out more about SnowCamp in Episode 249 (2:15)

Miss SnowItAll, Rachael Oakes-Ash from Snowsbest.com reported from Down Under (3:45)

Guy Beatson sent in his snow report from New Zealand (5:45)

Listened to Iain’s interview with Ed Leigh in Episode 236 (7:15)

Ed has been riding the new Soho Basin ski area at Cardrona, NZ (7:30)

Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter was in Courchevel for the Tour de France (10:15)

Stage 19 went from Albertville to La Plagne (12:00)

A new gondola has been proposed from Aime to La Plagne (19:15)

The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in France (20:00)

The new Roche de Mio gondola will open this winter (24:30)

Iain was in Les Arcs for ‘Le Trail des Arcs’ (27:30)

There’s a lot to do in Les Arcs in summer, including chilling at Nama Springs (28:30)

Find out about the ‘Hero Pass’ and ‘Hero Camp’ (28:45)

Everyone loves the sound of cow bells (30:30)

Iain stayed at the Refuge du Mont Pourri (32:00)

25% of all visitors to Les Arcs come by train (33:45)

Les Arcs is the only ski resort in Europe with B Corp status (34:00)

Visit the 'Mountain Riders' website (34:30)

Find out more about the 'Flocon Vert' (36:30) and Montagne Zero Dechet (38:45)

I always enjoy listener feedback and I love to hear what you think about the show. You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected] 

If you haven’t listened to Episode 252 yet, I strongly recommend that you do. It’s the story of Bladon Lines – in my opinion it’s the best episode I’ve ever produced (42:30)

Thanks to all of the following for their kind words about it: Nicola Anderson, Debbie Marshall, Jilly Hooper, Nico Stanford, Victoria Clay, Kirsten Nicholl, Matt Hayes Lesley Glass, Fiona Parkhurst, Colin Barnett, Craig Mayhew, Giles Helbert, Diane Palumbo, Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, Martin Carver, Alex Irwin, Andrew Brannan, Mike Greenland, James Buist and Snowheads MikePow and Kenzie.

I was most touched to receive this message from George Lines, son of co-founder Mark Lines, who tragically died in a car accident in 1990:

There are now 268 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you enjoyed this episode, then go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll want to listen to too.

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. Look in the Show Notes for that link.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do: 

-          Follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode

-          Give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify

-          Book your ski hire at Intersportrent.com using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’

In this special ‘Flashback’ episode, Iain speaks with Tony McWilliam - founder of one of the world's leading snowsports brands - Faction Skis.

 

We find out what inspired Tony to start Faction, how he smuggled his first batch of 44 skis across the Swiss border to Verbier, meeting freeski legend Candide Thovex when he was just 16 years old and how he grew Faction to become one of the most famous ski brands in the world.

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. 

BoardX took place in Battersea for several years

Jamie Strachan’s designs for Volkl were another influence

Sam Smoothy is a NZ freeride skier

Ski Service in Verbier was the first store to stock Faction Skis

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. 

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:

1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – helps listeners find us

2) Subscribe –it every episode will automatically be downloaded for you, so you can catch up at your leisure

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

In today’s episode Iain speaks with Fiona Easdale, managing director and co-founder of the Val d’Isere chalet specialist YSE Ski. 

She was racing downhill in the Winter Olympics at just 16 years old, then worked in sports management with World Cup winning footballers, before her return to the ski industry with Bladon Lines. 

There, she rose through the ranks to become managing director, before going off on her own to set up YSE Ski with John Yates-Smith – a company that’s now been in business for over 30 years. 

This episode is the latest in a series of podcasts I’ve been publishing focussing on women in the snowsports industry. Previous episodes have included BBC Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott, GB Snowsport CEO, Vicky Gosling and former-Erna Low MD, Joanna Yellowlees-Bound.

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. 

Listen to Iain’s interview with John Yates-Smith in Episode 231 (3:45)

Read Iain’s summary of the latest Mountain Trade Network research (5:45)

Fiona competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics at just 16 years old (7:00)

Seba Johnson is the youngest Alpine skier to compete in the Olympics at 14 (7:30)

Fiona joined the Downhill Only Ski Club in Wengen (8:30)

Fiona finished 34th in Downhill, 37th in GS, 18th in Slalom and 10th in the Combined (11:30)

“Nobody gives us a chance. Why should they against the Alpine countries? But we’re having a go!” (13:30)

Konrad Bartelski was also at Innsbruck (15:00)

John Curry won gold for Team GB in the ice skating (16:00)

Fiona was injured in an Europa Cup race in Flaine (18:30)

IMG is a sports management agency (20:15)

Listen to Episode 252 about the Rise and Fall of Bladon Lines (21:45)

Fiona rose from Contracts Manager to MD (23:00)

How did it end at Bladon Lines? (29:00)

The founding of YSE (30:00)

Of 30 resorts offered by Bladon Lines, 60% of profits were in Val d'Isere (31:00)

YSE is a Val d’Isere specialist (33:45)

Dealing with global crises (35:00) 

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 [email protected] 

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:

 

1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

2) Subscribe –it every episode will automatically be downloaded for you

3) Book your ski hire with Intersport using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link 

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast or WhatsApp

In this special ‘Flashback’ episode, Iain speaks with Tom Greenall, one of the few British members of the ski patrol in France.

Tom explains the long journey he had to go through to qualify as a ‘pisteur’ (ski patroller in France), starting off with racing against 11-year-olds (having had some training from Glenn Plake!) to learning how to ski with a blood wagon in his hands. 

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. 

Glen Plake has been coming to Chamonix since 1987

Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money…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.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast on Facebook and Instagram  @theskipodcast.

You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.

In this special episode we look at the rise and fall of Bladon Lines – a British chalet company who in the mid-80s were the biggest ski company in the UK, but by the mid-90s had completely disappeared.

It’s the story of two young men, who met at university and were sure that they could do ski holidays better. It’s about how their company rode the 80s boom and grew exponentially to become ‘the’ name in British skiing. Then new competitors came in and the market changed.

The last glass of ‘Parrot Claret’ was served over 30 years ago now, but the Bladon Lines continues to hold a special place in the hearts of British skiers…

Mark Lines died in a car crash in 1990 (2:00)

Simon Bladon met Mark Lines on his first day at Exeter University in 1971 (3:15)

In July 1978 Simon was sacked from his job, leading to the start of ‘Bladon Lines’ (6:00)

In year three, the company made a profit of £80,000 (9:00)

Listen to Iain’s interview with John Yates Smith in Episode 231 (9:30)

The famous red, yellow and blue Bladon Lines jackets led to the parrot logo (11:00)

Bladon Lines offered ‘Parrot Claret’ and ‘Parrot Vin’ wines in their chalets (12:00)

Alastair Scott from the Sunday Times, found the jackets ‘hideously recognisable’ (12:30)

Amin Momen founded Momentum Ski – a corporate ski specialist (12:45)

The dotted Ski West jackets were also famous (13:30)

Ed Mannix is now owner of the Zermatt specialist, Matterhorn Chalets (13:40)

Nick Morgan founded the chalet company Le Ski in 1982 (15:15)

What are ‘Sloane Rangers’?

John Yates-Smith: “It was the days of glorious amateurishness” (17:30)

‘The Bladon Lines Chalet Girls Cookbook’ is occasionally available on ebay (22:00)

The standard of chalets in the 80s… (22:45)

Simon Hoskyns worked for Bladon Lines before going on to co-found Alpine Answers (24:00)

There were no mobile phones in the 80s… (23:30)

Gareth Crump is now Sales and Marketing Director at VIP Ski (26:30)

The days of the Telex… (27:00)

Ed Mannix was the only member of staff with a ‘mobile phone’ (28:15)

Simon Bladon sold his 50% share to family friend Christopher Needler (29:00)

Christopher Needler kept Bladon Lines afloat as the market changed (29:45)

Crystal Ski were an aggressive new competitor (32:00)

Chalet rents went ‘out of control’ (32:30)

In 1991, the company sacked Fiona Easdale as managing director (33:15)

John Yates-Smith and Easdale formed their own chalet company, YSE Ski (33:30)

Inghams bought Bladon Lines in 1995 (36:00)

Simon Bladon offered to come back to help run the new Bladon Lines division of Inghams (37:15)

The skills you develop when working ski seasons… (38:30)

The Bladon Lines community… (42:00)

In 2020 Crystal Ski announced it was cancelling its entire chalet programme (44:00)

Seasonal Businesses in Travel report a 50% reduction in chalet capacity this decade (44:00)

The Bladon Lines ‘Chalet Girl’ races (45:00)

This episode was written, narrated and edited by Iain Martin. 

Thanks go to Andy Wadsworth for reading the additional clippings, quotes and excerpts and to everyone who contributed to this episode including Simon Bladon, John Yates-Smith, Amin Momen, Ed Mannix, Gareth Crump, Nick Morgan and Simon Hoskyns. 

If you enjoyed this episode and you know someone who worked or took holidays with Bladon Lines back in the 80s or 90s, or simply likes a good ski industry story, then I would really appreciate it if you shared this episode with them. 

If you want to share your own memories of Bladon Lines or just let me know what you thought about this episode, then please contact me via Facebook or Instagram @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]. You can also follow us on WhatsApp.

There are over 260 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with – just go theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you like.

 

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.

Today we discuss ‘Homeland’ – a ski touring only ‘resort’ in Italy, we ask what should be on Rob Katz’s ‘to do’ list as he takes up the reins again at Vail Resorts, plus we find out about skiing along the Mississippi.

Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by freelance journalist Sam Haddad and host of the Storm Skiing Podcast, Stuart Winchester, as well as down the line with snow reports by Rachael Oakes-Ash in Australia and Guy Beatson in New Zealand.

Sam was last on the show talking about La Grave in Episode 214 (1:15)

Stuart was last on the show in Episode 235 (1:30)

Find out about La Sarenne in Alpe d’Huez (4:00)

Stuart’s last day of skiing was at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado (5:00)

Guy Beatson reported from New Zealand (9:30)

Rachael Oakes-Ash from Snowsbest reported from Australia (11:00)

Homeland is a ski touring ‘resort’ in Italy (13:00)

Read Sam’s Substack ‘Climate and Board Sports’ (14:00)

Read Sam’s article for the Guardian

We featured Madesimo in Episode 165 (18:00)

Read Stuart’s Storm Skiing Journal Substack (23:30)

”Everyone’s searching for skiing’s soul. I’m trying to find its brains”

We covered the Ikon Pass, Indy Pass, Mountain Collective & Epic Pass in Episode 265

We discussed how the Epic Pass is making a difference in Australia in Episode 250 (25:45)

Vail launched the Epic Pass in 2008 (26:00)

Sales of the Epic Pass were down for the first time in 2024/25 (28:30)

The ski patrol strike in Park City was a PR disaster for Vail Resorts (30:00)

The CEO of Vail Resort Kirsten Lynch resigned in May 2025 (32:00)

She was replaced by Rob Katz (32:30)

What should be on Rob Katz's 'to do' list (32:45)

“Walk-up lift ticket prices that would embarrass a luxury handbag store!”

“Wait, There's a Limit to What People Will Pay to Ski 7 Hours on a Tuesday in a Highly Competitive Market?”

Skiing in Alabama (37:00) 

I always enjoy listener feedback. Please leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram and Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected] 

Guy Beatson: "I really enjoy the podcast – it helped prepare for my trip to Big Sky and Grand Targhee in late January" 

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do: 

-          Follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode

-          Give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify

-          ‘Buy me a coffee’ at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

Today we focus on the new ski season in Australia and New Zealand, especially the new chairlift in Perisher and ski area extension in Cardrona. Plus could ski ballet be making a comeback? We find out about this iconic sport from the 80s

Host Iain Martin was joined by the expert on skiing in Australia and New Zealand, founder of the Snowsbest website, Rachael Oakes-Ash, and the founder of MGG clothing, and the man single-handedly behind the ski ballet revival, Tom Bata. 

Rachael enjoyed great conditionsat the Australia opening weekend (1:30)

Iain skied all five of the UK’s indoor snowdomes in May (2:45)

Big Sky featured in Episode 235 of The Ski Podcast (3:00)

Svalbard featured in Episode 218 of The Ski Podcast (5:00)

Listen to Iain’s interview with Xavier De Le Rue (7:00)

Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported from the opening weekend in Tignes (8:00)

Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching reported from Les 2 Alpes (9:15)

The new AUD26 million chairlift in Perisher (10:45)

Listen to Iain’s report from Australia in Episode 182 (12:45)

The Epic Pass in Australia (15:00)

The new 4 day pass in in Australia (17:00

The Thredbo Alpine Coaster (19:30)

The Soho ski area in Cardona will make it the largest NZ ski area (21:20)

Cardrona is opening a new freestyle training centre (23:20)

Mt Dobson and Ohau are for sale (27:00)

MGG (Mont Gele Gear) is based in Verbier (28:45)

MGG incorporate a Radical Transparency Label (30:45)

Take a look at one of the RTL labels (32:00)

 What is ‘ski ballet’? (33:30)

 Watch MGG’s film about ski ballet (34:45)

Did Tanner Hall made his start in ski ballet? (35:00)

Will ski ballet ever come back into the mainstream (40:00)

Feedback (41:30)

I love to hear what you think about the show – what you like, or don’t like – just leave me a comment on Spotify or Instagram and Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected] 

skiiingPostie (on Episode 249): “I get people’s apprehension (about starting skiing)…I started learning at 47 and the main thing I was worried about was hurting myself or others”

Alex: “I've recently got into listening to your podcast and am really enjoying all the skiing chat.” 

There are now 262 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 229 of those were listened to in the last week. Go to theskipodcast.com and have a look around our back catalog - you’re bound to find something of interest.

You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 

This week we look at how to inprove diversity within the ski industry and ways that under-representation is being addressed.

Iain was joined by Amirra Blackwood and Dan Keeley from Snow Camp, Zahia Shaw from Skimigos and Burhan Ali from the Muslim Ski Club.

Dan was last on the show in Episode 98 (1:20)

Find out about Dan’s epic run to Rome (2:20)

Amirra and Dan were at the AJ Bell Three Valley Challenge in Val Thorens (4:00)

Dave Ryding has announced that he will retire at the end of the 25/26 winter (6:15)

Listen to Iain’s interview with Dave in Episode 199 (8:00)

Find out how Iain’s ’25 in 25 Snow Camp Challenge went (8:30)

You can donate at Iain’s JustGiving page (9:00)

Around 1000 inner city young people join Snow Camp each July (10:45)

Amirra’s journey with Snow Camp started in 2001 (12:00)

Snow Camp are taking on 16 apprentices this year

Amirra’s first placement was with Ellis Brigham

She has just finished working at the Ski Club of Great Britain (14:45)

Skimigos took 100 people to Les 2 Alpes in March (18:00)

Zahia (Zee) Shaw set up Skimigos in 2019 (19:45)

Zee uses the Skimigos Instagram to tackle objections people come up with (22:00)

Addressing “it’s not for people like us” (22:45)

Skimigos apres ski is off the charts… (25:00)

Burhan is the founder of the Muslim Ski Club (27:30) 

This year the club travelled to Erciyes in Turkey (30:00)

“Apres-tea over apres-ski” (30:25)

The club is organising ‘Eid in the Alps’ in Avoriaz in 2026 (32:30)

Snow Camp has been organising indoor taster sessions for young Muslims (34:00)

I always enjoy listener feedback. Couple since our last episode.

Ben: "Love the podcast"

Pete: “248 was a great episode...loving the grass roots vibe"

You can contact me with your feedback via our social channels @theskipodcast or by email [email protected] 

There’s so much to catch up with in our back catalog just to theskipodcast.com and have a look around the tags and categories. 

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 look at a new project to help first-time skiers, find out about 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 Luca, Zak and Freddy Carrick-Smith.

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, Zak 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)

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.