218: Arcteryx's 'ReBIRD' project, Skiing in Svalbard & Tignes leave Compagnie des Alpes

Today we find out what it’s like skiing in Arctic circle in Svalbard and look into some of the great work that the clothing brand Arcteryx are doing on sustainability. Plus we report on Tignes' decision to split with Compagnie des Alpes.

Host Iain Martin was joined by Dominique Showers from Arcteryx Clothing and Verbier local and regular snow reporter Robin Shah.

SHOW NOTES

Mt Seymour in BC is just 10 minutes from the Arcteryx offices (2:30)
Robin skied on Doufourspitze (3:00)
Missing the Olympics? It’s only 540 days to Milano-Cortina 2026 (3:45)
BikePark Wales are going to rewild 400 acres of Welsh mountainside (4:30)
Tignes is splitting from Compagnie des Alpes (5:00)
Verbier has denied that Vail Resorts is planning to buy them (5:15)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GZD8jeQKjr8
Tignes previously discussed building an indoor slope (6:30)
A new indoor slope has been proposed in Bosnia (6:30)
Dominique is VP of ReBIRD™ and Circular Planning at Arcteryx
Find out how the Acteryx logo came about? (8:00)
‘65% of the environmental impact of one of our jackets is caused by its creation’ (8:45)
Find out about the Arcteryx ReBird programme (‘Waste Less. By Design.’) (9:00)
ReCare is about educating consumer how to look after their kit (9:45)
What is DWR? (11:00)
Look out for the ReGear programme work coming to the UK (13:15)
https://youtu.be/9UgAteHZE9I
ReCut is Arcteryx’s commitment to upcycling (14:30)
The company has a net zero goal of 2050 (or earlier) (16:30)
Chris Howie joined us to talk Svalbard in Episode 94 (18:00)
Xavier de la Rue also spoke about his visit to the area in Episode 208 (18:15)
Svalbard is in the Arctic circle, east of Greenland and north of Norway (20:00)
Robin booked his trip with Arctic Guides
Take a look at Robin’s photos on his video on Instagram (26:00)

Feedback (31:00)
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com

Paul Langley: "Hope you are well, loving the podcasts, they’re getting me through until next season starts!"

Paul asks if there’s somewhere to buy last year’s rental skis? Chris Moran from Intersport advises that this happens on a per shop basis and that Intersport’s rental skis are used for a max of 45 days before they’re sold on

ShakeyJack: "Episode 195 was a great pod: Really interesting to hear about what Les Arcs are up to with their green credentials"

Susan Hurst: "Episode 192 was great, especially the piece on the Dolomites Ski Safari by Inspired Italy. I’ve been lucky enough to go on two and hoping to go again in 2025."

Katie Bamber: “Listening to the La Grave section with Sam in Episode 214. Super interesting.”

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