206: Verbier, Saalbach & the impact of climate change on ski resorts

Val Thorens in summer, how Australian ski resorts are dealing with lift queues and all about the latest campaign from Protect Our Winters. Iain was joined by Jen Tsang from ThatsLaPlagne.com, and Lindsey Dixon from Protect our Winters. 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 Lindsey was last on the show in Episode 168, talking about taking the train to Val d’Isere (1:00) Lindsey skied at Skieasy in Chiswick (3:00) Moving Mountains offers the same option in Sussex (4:30) Listen to Iain’s report on skiing in Australia in Episode 182 (6:00) Jen and her family took part in the VT Summit Games (8:45) It snowed while Jen was in Les 3 Vallees (9:30) https://twitter.com/3Vallees_france/status/1688461637164929024  Find out more about the new sports centre Le Board (11:00) The soft play at Le Board sounds great fun (14:45) Chez Pepe Nicholas is a wonderful mountain restaurant in Les Menuires (17:00) Jen was in Les Gets for the Tour de France (21:00) It's going to be WARM in the Alps this week (26:45) https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1692068589220626849  The ’Send It For Climate’ campaign from Protect Our Winters is due to launch very soon (28:00) Postcards and postboxes will be available from partners such as Ellis Brigham and Patagonia (31:00) It was the ninth warmest July in Australia (33:15) Perisher has had some tough getting criticism on social, especially TikTok (33:45) Thredbo have brought in a cap on lift pass sales (35:00) Australia has ‘Lodges’ that work very much like our chalets (39:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Helen Coffey, the non-flying travel editor of The Independent (42:00) Many offsetting projects have been discredited (42:30) Iain donated to an organisation called ‘Cool Earth’ (43:00) William MacAskill is the author of a book called ‘Doing Good Better’ and one of the founders of ‘Effective Altruism’ (43:30) 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 Doug: "Listened to #182 on a run and loved it." Simon Burgess: “I really enjoyed the Thredbo/Perisher episode. It brought back some really nice memories.” Bo Spanding: “Truly enjoying the podcast, but I'm wondering why you're never talking about Scandinavian ski resorts. There are a lot of good areas in those countries (except for Denmark of course).”  We featured Svalbard in Episode 94 and Norway in Episode 58, plus our special interview with cross country skiers Andrew Musgrave and Andrew Young, who are based in Norway (47:00) If you like the podcast, there are couple of things you can do to help: 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts 2) Buy me a coffee at BuymeaCoffee.com/theskipodcast You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

21 Elo 202349min

This is a special episode focusing on the ski resorts of Perisher (Australia’s largest ski resort) and Thredbo (Australia’s ‘Best Ski Resort’), plus we find out what it was like when the Tour de France passed through Les 3 Vallées last month. 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 Lucas Wilkinson has been skiing in Perisher for 34 years (1:30) Perisher Valley, Smiggins Hole, Blue Cow joined in 1995 to form ‘Perisher’ (2:30) Vail Resorts bought Perisher in 2015 (3:15) The Epic Pass covers Perisher as well as Victoria’s Fall Creek and Hotham ski resorts (4:30) Proposals to expand the resort have been under discussion for many years (7:00) The ‘Ski Tube’ links the valley floor with Perisher (8:45) Perisher has 165 snow cannons for 65km of pistes (10:30) The season in Australia typically runs from June to October (12:00) Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes are both training in Perisher in 2023 (13:00) Jen Mooney is the general manager of ‘The Man from Snowy River Hotel’ (15:30) The hotel opened in 1960 (17:00) ‘The Man from Snowy River’ is a poem by Banjo Patterson (19:30) Sunrise viewed from ‘The Man’ is pretty special (23:00) https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1681429482366959616  Ritchie Carroll is Brand and Marketing Manager at Thredbo (23:30) Sophie Leicester is PR and Content Manager at Thredbo Thredbo offers a special backcountry ski pass (25:15) It's the only resort in Australia to have a gold ‘Earth Check’ accreditation in Australia (27:00) The Thredbo Alpine Coaster is scheduled to open in 2024 (29:15) You can see Reggae Ellis’ snowreports at Snowatch (32:00) The Tour de France came to Les 3 Vallées on July 19 (38:45) Thanks to Alex from 150 Days of Winter and Rich from Lodge du Village for their reports FEEDBACK Finally, I enjoy all feedback about the show, I always like to know what you think, ideas for features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com I’d like to thank everyone who’s given us a review on Apple Podcasts. It does help people find the podcast, so it’s much appreciated. We are up to 102 reviews now – 84 of them are 5-star. ‘The Kribs’ (Apple Podcasts): "A very interesting and fun podcast to listen to, which is always the highlight of my day when I see a new episode land. A great selection of guests from all different ski and snowboard backgrounds. It always makes me feel like I’m in the mountains when I listen." ‘PipBigDogSeymour’ (Apple Podcasts): "Awesome podcast. Very varied topics and guests. Absolutely loved the last one with the lift fanatic. An absolute must listen if you love all things snowsports." Eric Wilson (Facebook): “I just listened to your episode with Peter: it was a fantastic show”  Andrew Dollery (email): “I just wanted to say great job on the podcast, I've listened religiously for the past couple of years. It’s very well put together and keeps me going through these barren summer months!” Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast. All cuppas are much appreciated. You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

3 Elo 202347min

A special interview with Peter Landsman, founder of the website liftblog.com. Peter has personally seen more than 3000 lifts in 720 resorts across North America.  Peter joined us from his home in Jackson Hole and we cover a wide range of topics including how his love for lifts started, his views on T-bars v. button lifts, what he though of skiing in Europe and quiz him on his favourite lifts. 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   ·       Peter has visited over 3000 lifts in 720 resorts ·       Listen to our interview with ski journalist Arnie Wilson ·       His first skiing was in Snowqualmie Pass near Seattle ·       Peter currently works in Jackson Hole as a lift supervisor ·       www.liftblog.com launched in 2015 ·       The site includes entire lists of new lifts by season ·       Mt Eyak in Alaska was one of the hardest to visit ·       Peter went to the Interalpin trade fair in Innsbruck in 2023 ·       In Europe Peter rode the Galzigbahn in St Anton, Austria ·       Button lifts are known as ‘platter lifts’ in North America  ·       T-bars or button lifts are known as ‘surface lifts’ in the States ·       Look out for the upside down chairlift in Big Snow indoor slope in New Jersey ·       A moose walked by Peter’s apartment while we were recording! ·       The Kumme lift in Zermatt is an unmanned station ·       Peter’s recommendations of lifts you must try include the Peak to Peak in Whistler Blackcomb, and the Love Peak tram in Big Sky Montana ·       You can follow Peter’s LiftBlog on Instagram Feedback  I enjoy all feedback about the show. You can contact us via social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Henry J (Apple Podcasts): ‘Definitely worth a listen’ Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. And if you enjoy the pod, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast   You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast Thank to Les 3 Vallées for sponsoring the show

13 Heinä 202341min

A Ski Jobs special, all about working in ski resorts. We find out what jobs are available, how to find them, when to apply, what you can expect and look at the effect of Brexit.   Iain was joined by four experts in ski recruitment: Steph Davidson from Le Ski, Jenny Greenwood, HR manager at Skiworld, Richard Lett from Après-Ski Bands and Charlie Owen, MD of SBiT (Seasonal Businesses in Travel). 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 Ella from Après-Ski Bands told us about the best après-Ski venues in Episode 178 (1:50) Rich was dialling in from the Lodge du Village in Méribel Village The Ski Podcast is sponsored by Les 3 Vallees - the largest ski area in the world (7:00) We discussed mountain biking in Episode 178 (7:00) In mid-July, the Tour de France will be passing through Courchevel Le Praz, La Tania, Méribel Village, over the Col de la Loze at 2304m, and down to the finish at Courchevel altiport Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported on the build up to the Tour's arrival (7:30) Read about Iain’s journey on the overnight train to Nice on Ski Flight Free (12:30) Iain will be taking part in the Ultraks Sky Race in Zermatt in August SBiT’s most recent report shows the impact of Brexit on seasonal jobs (16:30) The number of UK workers in the EU has gone down 69% since Brexit What ski jobs are on offer? (22:30) Le Ski offer 31 chalets and employ 70 staff (23:15) Skiworld employ 170 staff (27:00) When should you apply for a ski job? (27:45) When do interviews happen? (30:30) In 22/23, Skiworld had 5000 applications for 170 jobs (31:15) When do staff travel out to resort? (36:00) Iain founded the Season Workers’ website, Natives.co.uk  Bar jobs in ski resorts (38:30) Charlie recruits 60-70 staff for European Pubs (39:00) How can musicians work in the Alps (41:00) Does an EU passport help you find a ski job? (43:00) How does an employer secure a visa for you? (45:00) What about ski jobs in Austria? (52:00) Is there a 35-hour week? (57:00) What is the Youth Mobility Scheme? (59:30) 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   Richard Bond: "Really enjoying the podcast, bucket list now overflowing!”    Richard Sideways: "I really enjoyed #178 - I'd never thought of Bosnia as a winter destination before but it sounds interesting." You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

30 Kesä 20231h 6min

We discuss skiing in the Aosta Valley in Italy and the effect of the climate crisis on board sports. Iain was joined by guests Sam Haddad and Rob Rees. 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 Sam was last on the show in Episode 157, our snowboard special (0:30) Rob reported from the Bergisel Ski Jumping comp in Austria in Episode 167 Val d'Isere opened for summer skiing last weekend (4:45) Alex Armand from Tip Tip Ski Coaching reported from Les 2 Alpes (5:00) Steve Angus reported from Val d'Isère (5:45) For more on skiing in Australia & NZ, listen to Episode 97 – the ‘Down Under’ special (9:00) LISTEX Luxury took place in London in June 2023 (9:30) Rob visited the Aosta Valley (10:00) Resorts in the Aosta Valley include Courmayeur, La Thuile, Cervinia, Aosta/Pila, Champoluc and Monterosa Rob stayed in Champoluc (15:00) He then moved on to Cervinia (16:00) Rob also skied in Pila, based in Aosta (17:00) There are Roman ruins in Aosta (18:30) Read about the possible Champoluc-Cervinia lift here (21:15) Find out about the Alpine Green Experience offer (22:00) Sam’s new Substack is called 'Climate and Board Sports' (25:00) Lauren MacCallum from POW was on Episode 168 (27:15) Al Judge from Montagne Verte was on our sustainability special (28:00) Read Sam’s interview with Just Stop Oil protestors at a FIS event in Norway (28:30) FIS athletes have been lobbying the organisation (32:00) FIS have been accused of greenwashing (33:00) The number of steps from the Mer de Glace has increased over the years (35:00) Feedback (37:00) 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 Adrian Cheeseman: "Love the podcast. Keeps me going, even listened to it while doing the Great North run last year."   If you like the podcast, there are couple of things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts   2) Buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast   You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. Thanks to Les 3 Vallées for sponsoring the show

16 Kesä 202340min

We find out about trends in après-ski, skiing in Bosnia and mountain biking in the French Alps.   Iain was joined by Ella Robinson from Apres Ski Bands, plus regular guests Mike Richards (last on show in E170 talking about Rusutsu in Japan) and Chris Moran (last on in the action camera special in E171). 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 last skied in the Brecon Beacons National Park in April (2:00) Find out more about skiing in Wales in Episode 65 (2:30) Iain caught up with Chemmy Alcott, Graham Bell, Babsi Lapwood, Steve Morgan and Jasmin Taylor at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead (5:00) Dan Keeley has completed his 1100 mile run from London to Rome (5:30) The Ski Podcast is sponsored by Les 3 Vallees - the largest ski area in the world (6:30) Chris spends a lot of time on his MTB in Méribel (8:00) Find out about BikeParkWales (11:45) Méribel has several Enduro trails (14:30) The new Bozel lift is getting close to being greenlit (15:00) Après Ski Bands booked at over 80 venues last winter (19:30) Top après venues in Les 3 Vallées include the Rond Point and Jacks in Méribel, Lodge du Village in Méribel Village and The Ski Lodge in La Tania (28:30) The Feeling played at Lodge du Village in April 2023 (31:00) Back in the early 2000s they were a popular Alpine covers band known as ‘Superfly’ and regularly played at Natives parties (31:30) Mike travelled to Bosnia with Crystal Holidays (38:30) Mike was based in Jahorina (41:45) Check out Mike’s Instagram photos Mike will be joining Iain for ‘The Ski Podcast Live’ at the National Snow Show at the Birmingham NEC in October (47:00) You can get a free ticket for the show by using the code 'SKIPODCAST' (47:45) We will publish the full interview with Peter Landsman from liftblog.com in July (48:00) 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 Padster: "Great interview with Chemmy” Wiigman: "Loved Episode 176 about National Snow Week” Richard Sideways: "Great interview with Tim Warwood in Episode 177" Dave of the Marmottes: "[Episode 177] was a good insight into the accidental career of professional snowballers!" Our three most listened to episodes of all time (50:45) 161: The Ski Boot Special (How to choose ski boots, custom insoles (Nov 2022) 86: Travel Bans, Olympic Tips & Stöckli skis (Jan 2022) 44: Gstaad, Val Thorens, Verbier, and your dream ski job! (Dec 2019)   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

5 Kesä 202353min

Iain is joined by Tim Warwood: BBC snowboarding, skateboarding, BMX reporter, and generally ‘very loud voice’ (his words). We discuss how snowboarding took him from Tamworth to Colorado to commentating around the world on the sport.  Among the many stories Tim shares, he tells us how he persuaded Bill Nighy to lipsync to Kim Wilde, what’s it’s like being a “professional snowballer” and the truth behind that infamous moment when Jenny Jones won bronze at Sochi. 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 is not 50 years old, despite what it says on FamousBirthdays.com He started snowboarding at Britain’s first indoor snow centre, the Tamworth Snowdome (6:00) Tim’s first season was in Winter Park in Colarado (8:45) Listen to Iain’s interview with Pat Sharples, GB Snowsports Head Coach (9:00) Listen to our interview with pioneer snowboarder Chris Moran (14:20) He did definitely finish 3rd in the Banked Slalom at the 2023 Brits (14:50) Tim may or may not be current British snowboard slalom champion… (15:00) The Brits took place in Aviemore in April 2023 (16:00) Tim was working in Vail when he started making snowboard movies (19:00) Adam Gendle is Tim’s long-time film-making partner (21:30) Jeremy Sladen at the Snowboard Asylum sponsored the first set of movies that Tim and Adam produced (23:00) Titles includes ‘Proper’, ‘Big Ass Big Airs’, ‘Show Offs’ and ‘Terminal Ferocity’ (23:45) Check out Tim’s 2006 Brits Video (25:00) Watch the movie ‘Chalet Girl’ (26:45) And definitely watch the closing credits… (28:30) Tim presented ‘Freesports on 4’ (31:30) Iain interviewed Ski Sunday’s Ed Leigh in Episode 169 It featured events the Xbox (Gumby’s) Big Day Out (33:00) The London Freeze took place at Battersea Power Station (34:00) In 2014, Tim was asked to join the BBC Sport team to cover the Sochi Winter Olympics (35:00) Who wouldn’t want to be a “professional snowballer” (36:20) Jenny Jones won Team GB’s first ever Olympic medal on snow in the snowboard slopestyle (37:45) Ed Leigh, Aimee Fuller and Tim got rather excited… (38:30) The ‘Daily Mail’ described the commentary team as  “Immature idiots” (39:20) Tim was a reporter for the BBC at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021 (43:00) Being a reporter is more than just an “eyes and teeth” role (47:00) Tim also reported from the Commonwealth Games for the BBC (50:00) Beijing was a different experience as Tim was located in Manchester (52:00) Tim filmed a feature on splitboarding for Ski Sunday in Scotland (55:00) Look out for the hare when Tim went snowboarding in Weardale (59:15) Find out about Yad Moss in Episode 88 of The Ski Podcast (1:00:00) Enjoy ‘Gravity Grandma’ on YouTube (1:01:45) Catch up with more of Tim’s work on ‘The Indestructibles‘ (1:03:00) Watch ‘The Nearly Men’ with Marc Webber (01:03:45) Find out more about Tim’s ‘Famous First Words’ game show tour (01:05:00) Read White Lines’ defence of the infamous Jenny Jones commentary   “Riding switch is like writing left-handed while wearing a chip hat and being attacked by seagulls” (01:08:30)

19 Touko 20231h 10min

We find out about National Snow Week, train travel to Austria and driving in an EV to Val d'Isère. Iain was joined live by Babsi Lapwood from the Mountain Trade Network and Stephen Morgan from Raccoon Events, organisers of the National Snow Week and ‘down the line’ by Hannah Zajic from the Austrian Tourist Board and Simon McIntyre from Iglu Ski. 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 Babsi skied in Banff, Sunshine Village and Panorama in Canada (1:30) The Ski Podcast is sponsored by Les 3 Vallées - the largest ski area in the world Skiing continues in Val Thorens until La Grand Derniere on 08 May (05:00) Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported from Val Thorens (5:30) The Tour de France comes to Les 3 Vallées in July Dan Keeley from Snowcamp is running from the UK to Rome to raise funds for CALM (7:00) Find out about Dan's run at hometorome.com (7:30) The Ski Podcast was shortlisted in the 'Wilderness' category at the Sports Podcast Awards (8:00) Doug Newman from Ski Weekend interviewed Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards (8:30) LISTEX Luxury is a B2B event in London in July National Snow Week is a consumer event taking place this October (11:15) Steve was last on the show when Iain spoke to him at the NEC in Episode 158 (13:00) The last London Ski Show was held at Battersea Evolution in 2019. We reported from there in Episode 42 (14:30) The Ski Podcast did offer to become the new sponsors of the O2-Excel cable car (16:45) The London Snow Show will take place at the Excel centre on 21/22 October (18:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Mia Brookes in Episode 158 (19:30) The 13th edition of annual trade event LISTEX will also take place at Excel (24:45) You can get free tickets to National Snow Week by using the code 'SKIPODCAST' at https://nationalsnowweek.com (26:30) Iain will be at both the London and Bham Shows presenting ‘The Ski Podcast Live’ Hannah Zajic is from the Austrian National Tourist Office in London (27:00) Yvonne Rosentstatter from Salzburgerland joined us in Episode 90 (27:45) OBB's Nightjet service connects 25 European cities (28:00) Accessible resorts from the Innsbruck train include Kuhtai & Solden, as well as St Johann and Mayrhofen with an earlier exit at Worgl (31:00) Fares start at €49 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in 4-berth, €89 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself (34:00) Iain has driven to the Alps in an EV several times (39:00) Simon McIntyre from Iglu Ski travelled to Val d'Isère in a Mercedes with a ‘real range’ of 220-230 miles Find out more about low-carbon travel options at Ski Flight Free (48:00) 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 Allen Foster: "Very much enjoy your podcast"  Lynsey: "Episode 173 was a great podcast once again" Joe: "Thanks very much for the interesting feature on action cameras" There are over 170 episodes to catch up with and 117 were listened to in the last week. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. And if you enjoy the pod, you can Buy Me A Coffee. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

5 Touko 202351min