89: Crans Montana, Gstaad, The Mighty Coe & Dewerstone

Iain and Al cover the best new ski helmets and goggles for winter 2024, plus we explain all the jargon, including MIPS This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists.   They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now. SHOW NOTES Catch up with our previous episodes on the best skis, ski boots and ski jackets  Helmet terminology:  ‘Fit is king’ (2:15) Safety Standards (3:00) What do EPS and MIPS stand for? (4:00) The importance of the strap (5:45) Passive v. active (adjustable) venting (6:00) Visor Helmets (7:00) The Spektrum Brunner helmet may be the greenest ever (8:45) What is the natural life of a ski helmet? (17:00) The Best Ski & Snowboard Helmets for Winter 2024 Sweet Protection Grimnir 2VI MIPS, £410 (10:00) This is expensive but beautifully made. The shell is made using pre-preg carbon fibre for incredible strength to weight, ten vents with grill covers and their own MIPS 2VI system. This is available in other Sweet helmets, including the £230 Sweet Ingiter. Visit the Sweet Protection website to learn more.   Giro Tor Spherical, £250 (11:45) A very comfortable helmet that uses the MIPS Spherical system with a hybrid construction of hard-shell upper and in-mold lower. It has adjustable venting, a dial fit system, Fidlock magnetic buckle, Recco reflector.   Head Rachel and Head Radar – £200 (12:45) A light, visor helmet with great functionality to fit with prescription glasses or lens can be removed. Uses Head’s Sphere Fit BOA system to adjust fit, adjustable venting, and excellent lens. Note that if you wear with goggles and no visor, there’s not goggle retainer. The Rev and Rita models are sold without the visor.    Salomon MTN Lab – £155 (14:00) A multi-purpose light (400g) helmet certified for climbing and skiing, so a superb choice for ski tourers. Passive venting, dial-fit system, removeable washable Merino liner, separate summer liner, head-torch clips and an elasticated goggle retainer at the rear. It uses Salomon’s EPS 4D liner, so the EPS core of the helmet provides crumple-zone like features, making it 30% safety than the European standard.    Oakley MOD 1 – £85 (16:00) A super-clean skater-inspired design. Light, BOA fit, washable liner and ear pads and available in a massive range of colours. If you want this style but with a brim or peak, the dual cert (ski and bike) hard shell Smith Holt at £80 is an excellent choice, at around 150g heavier. Goggle Terminology:  UV protection (18:30) What is VLT? (19:45) When to change the lens (21:00) How to clean the lens in goggles (23:00) Cylindrical, spherical or toric lenses (24:30) The Best Ski & Snowboard Goggles of Winter 2024 Smith 4D Mag - £320 (24:00) Uses their ChromaPop lens, with magnetic lens swap feature from the S3 ChromaPop Sun Red Mirror and S1 ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash low light lens. Comes with a zippered hard case, lens and a microfibre bag.   Dragon PXV Dennis Ranalter Signature Goggle– £165 (26:00) The Lumalens Dark Smoke has a 23% VLT (S2) Toric lens, which works well for sunny days and when the clouds arrive. Comes with an extra Lumens Light Rose lens with 66% VLT. Oakley Line Miner – £138 (27:15) A medium fit product, also available in a Line Miner Large version. Available in a large range of frame and lens colour options, but the Prizm Saphire Iridium lens (Cat S3 13% VLT) is a stand-out. Silicon lined strap, triple layer face foam, microfibre bag and notches in the frame allow them to work over the legs of prescription glasses.   Bloc Boa – £45 (29:15) The standard black has a Cat S2 spherical lens (19% VLT) and a silver mirror finish. For the price, with a UV400 lens, anti-fog coating, triple layer face foam and silicon lined strap, microfibre bag this is excellent value. Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show,so please contact us on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com   If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:  1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify  2) Subscribe, so you never miss an episode    You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast and find all our back episodes at www.theskipodcast.com

5 Tammi 202433min

Our final episode of 2023 is a Snow Report Special, covering 10 resorts in 5 countries. Thanks to all of our listeners who joined us this year and here’s to a wonderful 2024 packed full of snow. 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 Tim from Inspired Italy reported from the Dolomites (1:00) Find out more about the Dolomites ski area in Episode 192 (1:45) Andy from Kaluma Ski is based in St Anton (2:00) Robin reported from Verbier (5:00) Listen to Iain’s report from Verbier in March 2023 in Episode 172 (6:15) Kendra Scurfield is based in Banff Sunshine (6:45) Find out more about Banff Sunshine Village Betony reported in from St Gervais, Tignes and Verbier (9:00) Dave Burrows runs Snow Pros Ski School (9:45) Listen to Dave’s interview in The Ski Instructor Podcast with Julian Griffiths (11:30) Katja was in Morzine over Christmas (12:00) Take a look at Katja’s family travel blog, Globetotting (13:00) Simon Burgess was out in Flaine (13:15) Listen to Simon’s experience of the Magic Pass in Episode 87 (14:30) Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching in Les 2 Alpes (14:45) Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter is in Courchevel (15:30)

31 Joulu 202317min

Iain and Al pick the best new ski jackets for winter 2024, plus we explain the difference between waterproofing, breathability and taping. We also look at the increased use of recycled materials in jackets and the phasing out of PFCs.  This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists.   They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now. SHOW NOTES Listen to our Best Skis of Winter 2024 episode Listen to our Best Ski Boots of Winter 2024 episode Waterproofing (2:45) Breathability (3:45) How important is taping? (5:00) The difference between 3-layer and 2-layer jackets? (6:00)            Why a ‘powder skirt’ isn’t for powder (9:00) What is ‘Recco’ (and why it’s not a replacement for a transceiver) (10:00) Sustainability in ski jackets (11:15) What is DWR? (11:30) The danger of PFCs (12:00) Increased use of recycled materials (13:45) Al recommends NikWax for cleaning your technical clothing (15:45) Listen to our special episode on Picture Organic Clothing (29:00)   THE BEST SKI JACKETS OF WINTER 2024 (17:00)   Spyder Vanqysh GORE-TEX Insulated Men's Jacket, £750 (17:30) The Vanqysh uses a Gore-Tex membrane, delivering dynamic stretch for freedom of movement. It has PrimaLoft Gold insulation, include a Recco reflector, removable helmet compatible hood and removable powder skirt and a good selection of pockets and stowage. The North Face Summit Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket (men and women), £629 (19:15) A technical 3-layer shell for freeride type skiing. The face fabric is 100% recycled polyester and your your foul-weather protection is provided by the Gore-Tex membrane.  Schöffel Misurina Women’s jacket, £500 (21:00) A flattering cut with removeable hood and powder skirt, which uses a stretchy Venturi waterproof/breathable membrane and has Responsible Down Standard down insulation paired with recycled PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation with a 45% recycled material content.  Patagonia Women's Snowdrifter Jacket, £400 (23:00) This 3-layer jacket uses Patagonia’s H2NO membrane and is completely PFC free, made using 100% recycled polyester fabric in a mono-material. You get a Recco reflector, fixed powder skirt, large helmet compatible hood and a range of pockets. If you want a technical shell but want to focus on being environmentally friendly it’s hard to beat. Picture Men’s Stone Printed Jacket, £350 (26:00) This uses Picture’s DryPlay membrane, a PFC-free DWR treatment, and recycled materials. It’s fully taped and has the same waterproof and breathability ratings as jackets costing around twice as much.  There are links above to all the boots we mentioned here today, all of which are available at Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists. They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now – however, please note that we do not recommend you buy ski boots online. Please do go to a store and get fitted properly.  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 two things you can do to help:    1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it genuinely helps other listeners find us 2) Subscribe – so you never miss an episode   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

29 Joulu 202332min

There’s a sustainability focus this week as we look at the new Eurostar Snow Train, find out what Les Arcs is doing that sets them apart, plus Chemmy Alcott tells us about her experience of driving an electric car 5000 miles across the Alps. Iain was joined by Helen Coffey, Travel Editor at The Independent. 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 Watch Iain’s snow report from Les Arcs (2:00) Elena reported from Tirol in Austria (3:30) Vanessa Fisher was in Les Menuires in France (5:00) Dave Burrows from Snow Pros Ski School was skiing in Villars (6:00) Was last weekend the best ever in British snowsport history? (8:30) Mia Brookes won the  Snowboard Big Air Crystal Globe and was voted BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Jasmin Taylor took first place at the Telemark Sprint in Pinzolo Andrew Musgrave was second in the Cross Country in Trondheim – a career-best result Listen to Iain’s interviews with Andrew, Jasmin and also Kirsty Muir and Zoe Atkin Read more about the ski slope in the desert in Saudi Arabia (10:30) Read Iain’s review of the new Eurostar Snow Train on The Telegraph (11:30) Iain has also written up a review on Ski Flight Free Seats had been set aside on Eurostar for baggage (14:00) Buy tickets on the Eurostar Snow Train here (16:00) The funicular to Les Arcs connects directly from the station in Bourg St Maurice (17:00) Flying represents 50-80% of the carbon cost of a ski holiday (23:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Helen Coffey in this special episode (23:30) Iain is taking the Flight Free Challenge in 2024 (24:00) Anna Hughes founded Flight Free UK (24:30) Helen is author of the book “Zero Altitude: How I Learned to Fly Less and Travel More” (27:00) Les Arcs have recently been accredited as a B Corp company (28:00) Les Arcs was one of the first resorts in France to be given ‘Flocon Vert’ accreditation (29:20) Find out about the Mountain Animal Museum in Les Arcs (31:45) Marie Clemence Vallier is Head of Quality, Safety & Environment at ADS (32:30) Chemmy Alcott travelled 5000 miles last winter in her Skoda Enyaq EV (37:30) At Easter, Iain will be travelling to the Alps in a van from ‘Vans for Bands’ (45:00) 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  Neil Howlett: "Thanks for the pod, really enjoying the content and we have a shared passion for trains" APNorthfields: "Loving the frequent podcast drops as we enter the new season! Keep up the great work" wiigman: "Loved 192. You don't get quality chat regarding coach chassis lengths, and the best Italian rifugios anywhere else!" Peter S: "Great interview with Lou about the Dolomites (in 192). She certainly knows her stuff." Mike Greenland: "Always a good show" Peter Til: "Thank you for the podcast. It has gotten me more and more excited for my first trip" Martin Walliman: "I only recently discovered The Ski Podcast and really love it! I've been working my way slowly through the older 180+ episodes in the last few weeks and it’s such a pleasure on my daily commutes." If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it genuinely helps listeners find us 2) Subscribe, so you never miss an episode 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or taking this link You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast.

22 Joulu 202351min

Iain and Al pick the best new ski boots for winter 2024, plus we explain the difference between the cuff, shell and liner, demystify ‘Flex’, powerstraps and GripWalk, and cover why you shouldn’t buy ski boots to match your outfit!   This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists.   They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now. SHOW NOTES Listen to our Ski Boot Special Episode with Al and Colin Martin (2:00) Don't buy to match your outfit (“They’re tools not jewels”) Work with a bootfitter “Like a wand in Harry Potter, the ski boot chooses your foot" (3:00) What is the difference between the cuff and the shell? (3:45) What is the liner? (4:30) Why is a footbed important (5:00) How important are the buckles and what is BOA? (7:00) Find out more about the BOA system in Episode 187 (7:30) What is a powerstrap? (9:00) What is ‘walk mode’? (10:00) What is ‘Gripwalk’? (11:00) What is ‘Flex’? (12:00) Sustainability trends in ski boots (13:45) How are men’s and women’s ski boots designed differently? (19:15) What is a hybrid ski boot? (33:00) THE BEST SKI BOOTS OF WINTER 2024 Nordica Speedmachine 3 85 GW (18:00) A women’s boot with excellent technical features for just £320. A perfect first boot for an aspiring skier. Nordica HF 110 GW (20:00) Nordica have nailed with this ‘rear entry’ boot, making it so easy to get in and out of (the HF stands for ‘hands free’), but without compromising on performance. £430 Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 95 (23:30) Al’s pick as the ‘best looking ski boot out there’, but using the new BOA cable system to cinch your feet in place perfectly. £430 K2 Recon 120 BOA GW (25:30) K2 ‘puts a lot of fun into skiing’, according to Al. The positioning of the BOA has made a big difference, making this a great option for advanced skiers. £550 Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120 (29:00) The ultimate option for ski touring. £700 There are links above to all the boots we mentioned here today, all of which are available at Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists. They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now – however, please note that we do not recommend you buy ski boots online. Please do go to a store and get fitted properly.  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 two things you can do to help:    1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it genuinely helps other listeners find us 2) Subscribe – so you never miss an episode   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

15 Joulu 202337min

Discovering Innsbruck in the Tirol, Austria, plus is heliskiing in Chile the ultimate bucket list trip?  Host Iain Martin was joined by Elena Protopopow (Tirol Tourist Board) and Lucy Aspden-Kean (Ski editor, The Telegraph) for this episode. 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 We covered skiing in the Lake District in Episode 73 (3:00) Tim (Inspired Italy) reports from the Dolomites, Italy (5:30) Andy Butterworth (Kaluma Ski) reports from St Anton, Austria (7:00) Alex Armand (Tip Top Ski Coaching) reports from Cervinia, Italy (9:45) You’d need a Ski IQ of 153 to top the Carv Leaderboard in Italy this week ( Iain spoke to Charlotte Bankes about her World Championships win with Huw Nightingale in Episode 188 (11:45) Kirsty Muir was 2nd in the Big Air in Beijing Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty in Episode 174 Iain interviewed XC skiers Andrew Musgrave & Andrew Young in December 2021 (12:25)              Vail Resorts are buying Crans Montana (13:00) Lucy travelled to Chile with Eleven Experience (16:00) Heliskiing is not like this (from Ski Sunday) (29:30) Take a look at the beautiful Zaha Hadid station designs in Innsbruck (32:00) The Bergisil Ski Jump hosts the ‘Four Hills Ski Jumping’ competition in January (34:00) Ski above Innsbruck at Nordkette, or nearby at Kuhtai, Stubai or Seefeld (36:00) Listen to Hannah talking about the NightJet train via Amsterdam in Episode 176 (39:00) The Ski Plus City Pass covers all 13 resorts around Innsbruck plus local attractions (42:00) 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  Lou Pode: "You do really innovative, interesting podcasts!" Andrew Dollery: "I just wanted to compliment you on recent episodes: you're on fine form!" Andy A: "Really enjoying your podcasts over the last month and so looking forward to this winter." Tim Raglan: "As an avid listener I wanted to thank you for the work you do. It was your podcast that gave me the push to work in Verbier last winter and it was one of the best decisions of my life!" If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:    1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify  2) Subscribe so you never miss a podcast  3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link There are now 195 episodes to catch up with: just go to www.theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest.  You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

8 Joulu 202345min

Iain and Al pick the best new skis for winter 2024, plus help you understand what length skis to buy, what 'rocker' and 'side cut' mean and why lighter bindings aren't always better.  This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists. They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now. SHOW NOTES What’s the difference between different types of skis? (2:00) Skis like the Line Blade, Black Crows Mirus Cor and Salomon Addikt Pro are bringing the fun back to ‘Piste’ skis (2:15) What’s the difference between Big Mountain and Freeride skis? (3:00)  How important is the width under your foot? (3:45) What are ‘All Mountain’ skis? (4:30) What is a ‘rocker? (6:00) What is ‘side cut’? (7:15) How long should your skis be? (8:30) ‘Nose to forehead’ level is a good guideline for length (10:15) What are the latest sustainability initiatives in skis (11:00) Is the Rossignol Essential the most sustainable ski ever produced? (14:00)  Only 8% of a traditionally ski can be recycled, but the Essential is 77% recyclable and it is made from 34% recycled materials (14:15) Al tested these skis at the SIGB Ski Test in February 2023 (17:15) How much are bindings? (25:15) Why lighter touring skis aren’t always the best option (33:30) THE BEST SKIS OF WINTER 2024 Salomon Addikt Pro (19:00) A ‘Piste’ ski for upper intermediates to experts. £780 including bindings. Nordica Belle 75 (21:30) A ‘Piste’ ski for women, ideal to those just getting into skiing and for intermediates. £385 including bindings K2 Mindbender 90 C W (23:45) An ‘All Mountain’ women’s ski that’s perfect for performance on the groomers, but with a freeride feel.  Great for intermediates wanting to go off the side up to more advanced and expert skiers. £455 without a binding. Scott Pure Mission 98 Ti (26:15) A true do-it-all ‘Freeride' ski that suits advanced and expert skiers. £580 without a binding. Elan Ripstick Tour 104 Glen Plake (30:00) A ‘Touring’ ski that’s 104mm underfoot but works on piste. £720 without a binding. All of these skis are available at Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists. They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now. Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, ideas for features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it genuinely helps other listeners find us 2) Subscribe – so you never miss an episode

4 Joulu 202336min

A special interview with Jamie Grant - the founder of a great British skiing success story: the Carv device. We discuss how Jamie took his original idea of a ‘digital ski coach’ via China, some help from Dave Ryding and a record Kickstarter campaign to an award-winning multi-million dollar business with a database of over 340 million turns. And it all started with a poster on a wall in Imperial College asking for help with coding... 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 Iain interviewed Tony McWilliam, founder of Faction Skis Iain interviewed Jim Adlington, founder of Planks Clothing Iain reviewed the Carv in Episode 171 Carv has over 20,000 members across 58 countries (0:40) Jamie was studying for a PhD at Imperial PhD (3:00) Only 8% of skiers take a lesson in any year (6:00) The first version of Carv was trialled with students on Varsity ski trip (8:00) In 2015 Jamie moved to China to join an incubator fund (11:00) Dave Ryding helped test the prototype (12:45) The 2016 Carv Kickstarter was the biggest in sports to date, raising US$275,000 (16:00) Carv was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2021 (17:45) The Carv insole uses a magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope and over 30 pressure sensors, measuring data 20 times per second (20:00) Iain had custom insoles and the Carv fitted at the same time at Profeet in Fulham, London in Episode 161 (22:00) Metrics recorded include Edge Similarity, Pressure Smoothness and Edge Angle (24:45) Carv has a database of 348 million turns to work with (26:45) The gamification means you can look at the Leaderboard at any time (28:00) The Carv costs £200 for the hardware and then £179pa subscription David Lindsay in Episode 190 spoke of using the Carv in his Masterclasses (33:30) Off-piste measurement is coming to the Carv this winter (36:00) FEEDBACK If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:    1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it genuinely helps other listeners find us  2) Subscribe – so you never miss an episode  3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link There are now 193 episodes to catch up with and 134 were listened to in the last week. There is so much to listen to in our back catalogue, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around - you’re bound to find something of interest.  You can follow Iain on social media @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

1 Joulu 202342min