Jon-allan Butterworth, Paralympic Snowboarder (Bonus Episode #20)

In Episode 74, we discuss summer skiing in Avoriaz, sustainability in Morzine and cat skiing in North Macedonia. Plus we talk origins with Jim Adlington from Planks Clothing and the demise of apres-ski in Courchevel with Alex Irwin. Iain is joined ‘live’ by Sara Burdon from Morzine Tourist Office and regular guest and friend of the show, Mike Richards.  Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES ·       Katie Crowe is from Battleface Travel Insurance ·       You can read the details of their latest research here ·       Their Sherpa tool is useful for checking the latest situation in each country ·       Richie Owen reported from Mt Hutt in New Zealand  ·       Tammy from Mint Snowboarding was in Avoriaz ·       We were joined by Paul Anderson, CEO at NZski.com in Episode 73 ·       We have over 100 episodes to catch up on ·       Morzine and Avoriaz are both within the same ‘commune’ ·       Avoriaz was founded by Jean Vuarnet, ski racer and sunglass pioneer ·       Al Judge from AliKats took part in our Electric Vehicles special ·       Dom Turner from Skiology was on the show in Episode 65  ·       Find out about the excellent organisation Montagne Verte ·       Iain went to Les Arcs to review their sustainability in Episode 45 ·       Morzine was the first ski resort to have a dedicated MTB course in 1997 ·       Mike went to North Macedonia in January 2011 ·       Mike has previously talked about his experiences in Georgia (Episode 37), Montenegro (Episode 39), Japan (Episode 41) and in Wales (Episode 65) ·       Popova Shapka was a candidate for the 1992 Winter Olympics (which went to Sarajevo instead) ·       Mike stayed at the Hotel Slavija, which opened in 1987 ·       Eskimo Freerideoffer cat skiing in Popova Shapka ·       Find out more about the resort here (in Macedonian) ·       Listen to our special episode of The Ski Podcast with Jim Adlington ·       Alex Irwin is presenter of the 150 Days of Winter YouTube channel Buy Me A Coffee  I'd like to thank Wayne Hall and the Winterised team for buying me a cuppa since our last episode.  It takes hours to put together a single episode of the podcast, so if you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Stickers Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free. Coming Up Our next episode will be out in early July - let's hope we have some better news on travel by then… You can follow the show @theskipodcast - and we're now on Instagram as well.

21 Kesä 20211h 3min

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

14 Kesä 202126min

Episode 73 covers three time zones with Paul Anderson (NZski.com) in New Zealand and Claire Burnet (Chamonix) in France joining Iain in the UK. We discuss the coming season and the expected boom for NZ resorts from the Trans-Tasman bubble; the lifts turning again in Chamonix and the prospects for a ‘normal’ summer season in France. We have a special feature on skiing in the UK in May – it’s very rare, but we have reports from Wales, Scotland and the Lake District in England. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES Mike Richards reported from Wales and previously appeared on the show discussing skiing in Wales in more depth in Episode 65 Follow Mike at mikethesnow on Instagram Greg Hilton was ski touring in Cairngorm with British Backcountry David Johnson visited Glencoe and the Nevis Range earlier in May You can check the Nevis Range webcam here We previously covered skiing options in Scotland in Episode 62 Simon Burgess visited Raise, organised by the Lake District Ski Club Check the live feed on Twitter here You can follow Simon’s adventures on his website Katie Crowe is from Battleface Travel Insurance You can check current travel restrictions on the 'Sherpa' app on their website NZ.com includes Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt and welcome 700,000 guests each winter, of which 30-40% are from Australia The resorts near Queenstown offer ‘remarkable’ views with a season lasting from June to October A recent survey suggests pent-up demand for NZ skiing in Australia The lifts starting turning again in Chamonix on May 19 at 50% capacity as 'deconfinement' gets underway Last winter’s 'saison blanche' saw peak season occupancy reduced to 30-50% of normal levels Mark Seaton talked to us about the ski touring options in Chamonix in Episode 62 Betony Garner reported on the rise of cross country skiing in France in Episode 65 The ‘Village Vacances Grandeur Nature’ deal in Chamonix this summer means visitors can enjoy free activities on week days in July and August Iain is taking part in the UTMB trail running race Buy Me A Coffee Matt Hayes, Andrew Brannan, John M and Nick D have all very kindly bought me a cuppa since our last episode. Andrew: “You're doing such a professional job: it's a very enjoyable listen.” Nick: "Many thanks for the great work you do, putting out the best ski podcast going" John: “Thank you. You’ve kept my ski passion going thru this tough year” If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Reviews Please do give us a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts - we've had over 80 reviews now - and as you know how all those algorithms work, it genuinely does help people find us. Many thanks to 'SkiSkiSki' who reviewed us on iTunes: Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free. Remember that you can still secure yourself a free ticket for the National Snow Show at the Birmingham NEC in October, using the code 'SnowSkiPodcast' Coming Up Don't forget if you haven't listened to it yet, our Pat Sharples Ski Podcast Special is now live. Do listen to this one - it's one of our best! You can follow Iain @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast on Twitter

31 Touko 202153min

It was a real pleasure to interview Pat Sharples, Head Coach at Snowsport GB.  I've known Pat for 20+ years, but with his globe-trotting lifestyle rarely see him these days. I loved hearing about the rise to the top of freeskiing in the UK and the team of talented athletes that he's leading to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Sit back and enjoy this 'Chat with Pat'... Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES Almaty in Kazakhstan hosted the Moguls & Aerials World Championships Tom Gerken Schofield finished 6th in the Dual Moguls He started to ski at Rossendale Ski Slope in Lancashire Pat lived in Courchevel for twelve years, working for Ski Olympic at the Hotel Les Avals in Courchevel 1650 The European Mogul Challenge took place in the 90s in Meribel, Verbier and Val d’Isere Ian ‘Big Mac’ taught Iain how to do a ‘180’ (or ‘heli’ as it was called at the time). He is now Resort Direction for Alpine Action Jim Adlington is the founder of Planks Clothing British Freeski Camps were founded by Warren Smith Iain skied in Saas Fee last summer The Salomon Grom Camps started in 2005 The AIM series was running at the same time Pat’s first Salomon sponsored skier was James ‘Woodsy’ Woods Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Harding made their public debut at The New Breed’ quarter-pipe competition at the Manchester Ski Show The X-Games Europe in Tignes was a key event for the progression of UK freestyle The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi was the first to include ski slopestyle and the British team was funded with lottery money Izzy Atkin won the first ski freestyle medal at the Winter Olympics (look closely at the start of this video and you can see Pat giving Izzy some final words of advice) Izzy and Zoe Atkin are based in Park City, Colorado Kirsty Muir is only 16 but finished 2nd in the Slopestyle World Cup in Aspen this winter Rowan Cheshire came 7th in PyeongChang in the Half Pipe Pat visited Ella Hall in Bournemouth and made her day! If you enjoy the podcast, you can always buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

17 Touko 202147min

In Episode 72, there's an exclusive interview with Pat Sharples from GB Snowsport; we learn about the new 'Swisstainable' programme; find out about the acquisition of the Chill Factore indoor snow slope; and talk ski touring and all things Switzerland; plus there's our usual round up of resort reports from around the Alps.  In this episode Iain speaks with Alex Herrman from Switzerland Tourism, freelance journalist Katy Dartford, Ian Brown from The Snow Centre and Pat Sharples, Head Coach for GB Snowsports. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES The new traffic light system should be confirmed later this week, before it starts on May 17 We discussed the cost of testing in Episode 71 with Katie from Battleface Steve Angus from Fresh Chalets reported from Val d'Isère Jim Duncombe reported from La Clusaz Ed Mannix from Matterhorn Chalets reported from Zermatt Katy Dartford visited Binntal in Switzerland on a ski touring adventure Katy ski touring in the Binn Valley, Switzerland Iain tested skiing in the ‘new normal’ in Saas Fee in July 2020, reporting for InTheSnow Magazine Larger resorts in Switzerland were more affected than smaller resorts  https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1381547175763718144  Iain reported on cross country skiing in Crans Montana in Episode 65 We discussed the number of different activities this winter’s visitors to French ski resorts have tried in Episode 69  https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1364518040247951360  Charlie  Rees reported on snow shoeing in Engelberg in Episode 71 There is no quarantine on arrival into Switzerland for British citizens. You can check the latest travel and lockdown status here. Crans Montana has extended its ski season into June Check the latest resort and snow info at the MySwitzerland website You can find out more about the 'Swisstainable' programme here Switzerland is currently 3rd in the World Economic Forum sustainability rankings, and the goal is to make CH 'the world’s most sustainable destination' Train travel to Switzerland is very easy:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw38LXhMJL0&list=PLnWt0xPp4oTqPp0n4Ke3ULgU8IAVy8kSv  Iain visited the Valsana Hotel in Arosa in March 2020. The hotel prides itself for its sustainability credentials, which Iain tested out for Skier and Snowboarder Magazine. Potato is a new restaurant in Zermatt Ian Brown, MD of The Snow Centre, was on the show in Episode 67 The Chill Factore indoor snow slope is in Manchester Pat Sharples is head coach of GB Snowsports His Salomon ‘Grom Camps’ started in 2005 His first sponsored athlete was James ‘Woodsy’ Woods Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss the full interview coming soon as a Ski Podcast Special Reviews I'd like to thank all of these guys who've bought me a cuppa since our last episode. If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Nicole Clark: "The podcast just keeps getting better and better, thank you for all your hard work" Suzi Jones: “Just listening to the podcasts makes you feel in touch so when we are lucky to go back it won’t feel as alien. Thanks again you’re our lockdown ski saviour.” Jonny Goldsborough: "Thanks for getting us through the winter" Michael Gold: "The podcast is something that I look forward to and I appreciate the work you put into it"  Michael: "Great podcast, cannot wait to return to Chamonix someday" Also thanks to Paul Findlay and Michael Greenland for your support. Stickers Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free. Free tickets for the National Snow Show To get your free tickets for the National Snow Show, use the Discount: SNOWSkiPodcast on their website Follow Iain on social media @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast – now on Instagram as well.

4 Touko 202158min

In Episode 71, we find out about Les 2 Alpes, snowshoeing in Engelberg, quarantine, testing and the new ‘traffic light’ travel rules, plus we have snow reports from around the Alps and an focus on equipment trends for 2021/22.  Iain was joined by Helena Hospital, Press Relations from Les 2 Alpes and Alyn Morgan from SkiKitinfo.    Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES ·       Alyn last skied in Glenshee ·       Katie Crowe is Communications Manager for Battleface Travel ·       You can find out more about the Battleface survey here ·       A study from Amadeus revealed 91% of travellers would be comfortable with a digital health passport https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1379330549538492417 ·       Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter is based in Courchevel ·       Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel is in St Anton, Austria ·       France is in lockdown just now ·       The Les 2 Alpes glacier is due to open on 29 May or 05 June ·       Iain covered the French ski resort protests in December on Skipedia ·       Helena confirmed that lift pass revenues in Les 2 Alpes are down from €170m to €40m ·       Les 2 Alpes will open with limited capacity, perhaps only 300 lift passes per day ·       Look out for the Bradley Wiggins-hosted cycling event in September in Les 2 Alpes ·       Al Morgan is from SkiKitInfo.com ·       This is the Elan Voyager foldable ski ·       Watch this video for a reminder why knowing how your transceiver works is essential https://www.facebook.com/skipedia/posts/3755350864514828     ·       Roving Swiss reporter Charlie Rees was in Engelberg ·       Kirsty Muir, silver Slopestyle World Cup ·       Charlotte Bankes, Bronze Snowboard Cross World Cup Veysonnaz ·       Billy Major has just been crowned Europa Cup Slalom Champion 2020/21 ·       Listen to our Eddie the Eagle special episode here ·       Roger Federer is now a global ambassador for Switzerland ·       Iain has a place in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc trail running race in August Buy Me A Coffee  I'd like to thank Wayne, Hubert and also these guys who all bought me a cuppa: Nick D: "Great podcast, keep up the fantastic work"  Andrew Thomas: “I've followed you for well over a year and seen the standard increase significantly in the last year. Keep up the good work.” If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Reviews  Skiintel on Instagram: "Love the podcast. Especially the one about train travel to the Alps. We're booking our first ski train for next year as a result."  Inside Morzine on Twitter: 'An excellent listen'  The Winner of our competition is 'Les Petit Singe' on Apple Podcasts, who kindly said:  "Love this podcast, it is the shining light that gets me through the week, discovering previous episodes and, because if pesky Covid, keeps the fire burning for next season. Informative, educational and extremely interesting. Keep up the brilliant work."   If you'd like a set of The Ski Podcast stickers, then email iain@skipedia.co.uk      Follow Iain on social media @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast - now on Instagram as well.  Thanks as always to Switzerland Tourism

12 Huhti 20211h 1min

Eddie tells us how his life changed after the 'Eddie the Eagle' movie was released, from Taron Edgerton perfecting his accent to Hugh Jackman asking to have a selfie with him. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES Eddie was in Courchevel with Ski Weekends, raising money for Ski for Cancer The idea for a movie first came about in 1999, but 'Eddie the Eagle' wasn't made until 2016 Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CATCSEoeG_c It was at Calgary 1988 that Eddie first made his name Jonty Learoyd is a talented junior ski jumper who is British by birth, but is competing for France We interviewed Charlotte Bankes about her switch from France to Team GB in Episode 25 You can follow Iain @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast on Twitter If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

5 Huhti 202117min

In this Special Episode of The Ski Podcast, Iain speaks to James Willcox, founder of Untamed Borders, about skiing in Afghanistan and the Afghan Ski Challenge.  Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. This is Untamed Borders’ 11th ski season guiding skiers in Afghanistan  They have taken skiers to the Panjshir Valley, Badakhshan in the far North East and the Salang Pass that links Kabul to Mazar e Sharif Bamian remains best place due to good security and awesome scenery You can listen to Iain’s interview with Battleface CEO Sasha Gainullin in Episode 68 Battleface will offer you insurance for trips to countries such as Afghanistan when travel is not recommended Find out about the Afghan Ski Challenge here, which started in 2011 Watch the film 'Where The Light Shines' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6tgjWtwRQE Watch footage from 2019 Afghan Ladies Ski Challenge and boys’ wooden ski race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r70jrQ2kl74 You find out more about the Afghan Sports Trust here Find out about the women’s programme in this article in The Guardian BuyMeACoffee If you enjoy the podcast you're very welcome to buy me a cuppa at BuyMeACoffee.com/theskipodcast Make sure you subscribe to The Ski Podcast now and never miss an episode...

29 Maalis 202132min