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.