94: Skiing in Svalbard & Narvik, Jasmin Taylor interview & LISTEX

In this special episode of The Ski Podcast, we interview Benjamin Alexander.  'Benji' is aiming to be the first alpine skier to represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics. Benjamin tells us how he segued from DJ-ing around the world to skiing and then on to racing, as he seems to bring his FIS points to Olympic qualification levels.  He has the full support of the Jamaican Olympic Committee, is extremely fit and very determined, so why not listen now to hear about 'Cool Runnings 2020'. 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. If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

15 Sep 202027min

In Episode 58, Iain is joined by the super-experienced Mike Richards. We discuss skiing in Scotland and Norway, plus the latest news on how apres ski might look this winter in the Alps after both Ischgl and Mayrhofen announce plans to scale back partying. There’s ski show chat, both virtual and physical, and an interview about LISTEX 2020 and we wonder if a drone could ever tow a skier? 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 has previously featured on the pod, talking about his experiences in Georgia (Episode 37), Montenegro (Episode 39) and Japan (Episode 41) Mike was skiing in Scotland in March at Glencoe and the Nevis Range Do you have memories of skiing in Switzerland back in the day? Switzerland Tourism want to hear about them… You can find out more about the Telegraph’s ‘Test4Travel’ campaign here – we strongly encourage you to follow and share as much as you can Mayrhofen have announced that ski boots will be banned after 8pm and apres-ski will be scaled down Ischgl are also scaling down their apres-ski for this winter (understandably) Amazon have applied for a patent for a Drone Ski Tow The ‘World’s Largest Ski Show’ – a new virtual ski show – has shifted its dates from October to November There is a new ski show scheduled for October 2021 for the NEC in Birmingham LISTEX will be taking place at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead in October Mike Smith asked why we’ve had no coverage of skiing in Norway? Mike visited Narvik and Stranda in Norway Thanks to Mike Smith for his review: “I am very much enjoying the podcast. Keep at it!” Also to Loobzy and Bramski Please do give us a review on iTunes, or contact us via Twitter or Facebook Coming up Watch out for our Train Travel special in conjunction with Ski Flight Free coming up soon In Episode 59 we’ll be discussing new technology including predictions from the 1980s If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

7 Sep 20201h 4min

Just a short episode as we are mid-holidays and/or quarantine time, but we have news of our next episode, plus we say goodbye and thanks to Jim.

14 Aug 20203min

In Episode 57, Iain reports on skiing in the ‘new normal’ on his trip to Saas Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland - including an exclusive interview with Dave Ryding. Jim and Iain interview Rachael Westbrook from new sustainable ski clothing retailer EcoSki  Jim reveals the challenges set for him by Dave Burrows and we wonder if anything has changed in the world of ski since 1988. 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 says goodbye as he moves on from The Ski Podcast. Thanks Jim - it won't be the same without you! Jonny Goldsbrough is "gutted" Ged Ainsworth wonders "What will happen to this essential listening for all snowsports enthusiasts?" (The good news Ged, is that it's going to keep going!) Jim reported on summer skiing in the 'new normal' in Les 2 Alpes in Episode 56  Iain travelled by train to Saas Fee where he reported on skiing in the new normal for In The Snow Magazine He also went to Zermatt, where he went ski touring up Breithorn Resorts in Victoria are closed, but other Australian resorts are open New Zealand resorts are open for kiwis only and have been very busy Rachael Westbrook is the founder of new sustainable ski clothing business EcoSki Jim was set three challenges by friend of the show Dave Burrows Iain met Dave Ryding in Saas Fee where he is training on the glacier. We previously interviewed Dave in Episode 54 Thanks to everyone who has reviewed us on iTunes Ged Ainsworth said: "Just to hear the title music puts me in eager anticipation  of sliding on snow again! " Andrew Brennan was looking at an 1988 ski magazine and realised that much is the same as the podcast now, with Graham Bell, Eddie the Eagle, climate change and people travelling by train all featuring! Amy Moore told us she's never heard of the Magic Pass and asked if we know of any other Alps season passes? We discussed both Snow Pass and the Magic Pass in Episode 35 You can find out more about 'Ski A La Carte' here: www.skialacarte.fr Other big area passes include the Ikon Pass and the Epic Pass   Coming up We're going to have a short break through August, with Episode 58 going live on or around 08 September. Have a great summer and you can hear from us again then!  The Ski Podcast would like to thank Switzerland Tourism for their continued support.

5 Aug 20201h 2min

In Episode 56 Iain interviews Rachael Oakes-Ash, founder of the Australian website, Snowsbest.com. Jim reports on skiing in the 'new normal' from Les 2 Alpes and we wonder if bears do that thing in the Arosa woods.  There’s news on a new virtual Ski Show and Iain looks forward to a visit to Saas Fee. 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 was summer skiing in Les 2 Alpes Why not visit the bears in Arosa? Iain is going to visit Saas Fee and Zermatt to test out skiing in the 'new normal' in Switzerland The 'World's Largest Ski Show' will be taking place virtually in October There may be some similarity between the WLLS logo and the Chamonix logo You can sign the petition to restore the ski train here Rachael Oakes-Ash is better known as MissSnowItAll and runs the website Snowsbest.com, focusing on the Australian and NZ markets Thredbo and Perisher had huge problems trying to pre-sell lift passes when their websites crashed Mt Hutt opened last month with no social distancing restrictions Coronet Peak experienced one of their busiest night ski sessions ever, despite the current lack of a 'Trans Tasman bubble' You can watch the brilliant 'Iso' videos from MissSnowItAll on her Facebook page Yes, it's true. Jim is leaving the podcast. Episode 57 will be his final episode!

15 Jul 20201h 1min

In this one off special, Jim and Iain were joined by BBC Ski Sunday presenter Graham Bell. Questions were sent in advance or submitted live by our community and included: - Have you ever snowboarded? (Keith Webb)  - Is there any country you see joining traditional powerhouses on the World Cup circuit in the future? (Steve Whitaker) - Will we ever see a Chinese skier on a downhill podium? (Iain) - Who is the best skier you have ever skied with or raced against? (Keith Webb) -  I would love to know how you filmed opening titles for Ski Sunday - it never ceases to amaze me (Helena Taylor) - Will Ski Sunday include more mogul skiing next season, as the GB mogul team was very successful last year? (Kay Bates) You can watch the Q&A on our Facebook page here. 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.

23 Jun 20201h

In Episode 55 Jim and Iain chat to UK slalom skier Laurie Taylor and ski journalist Megan Hughes about how to get into the industry. There’s an update from Andermatt, news on the end of lockdown in Zermatt and we find out more about this autumn’s possible London ski show. We finish off with Dave (Burrows) and Jim debating what makes the perfect ski run – have a listen and let us know if you agree. 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 has been mountain biking and hiking in La Clusaz Lars updates us from Andermatt, where he works at the Radisson Blu hotel Iain interviewed Lars about the history of Andermatt in Episode 52 This photo shows how Zermatt looks almost ‘normal The Portes du Soleil offered a limited number of season passes at half-price The website for this autumn’s London Ski Show is now live and is scheduled for The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead in late-Sep Megan Hughes is Social & Digital Content Manager at InTheSnow.com Laurie Taylor scored his first World Cup points at Kitzbuhel You can view Laurie’s YouTube channel here. ‘What makes the perfect ski run?’ – let us know what you think  Jim and Dave recorded this in Anzere, previously featured in Episode 49 and also the location for our Avalanche Special Thanks to Ster, Mike Pow and Primrose&Blue for your reviews on Snowheads Coming Up Keep tuned to our Facebook page for details of our oncoming Live Q&A with Graham Bell.

2 Jun 20201h

We would like to thank Switzerland Tourism for their continued support Find out more about the Escape to Valais challenge here The recent industry survey by Skipedia had some worrying results On a more positive note Chamonix is preparing to open lifts from May 16 And there is already skiing in Austria Iain interviewed Steve Cross, responsible for creating the super-viral 'garden chairlift'  Thanks to Pablo Rodriguez and Leon Rossi for their reviews via our Facebook page and Mike for his via Snowheads Pedro Davidenko didn't agree, but 93% of our iTunes reviews are 4* or 5* - why not have your say and give us a review or send us some feedback Thanks Andrew for your question about gay ski weeks. We'll put this on the list for next season Dave Ryding is the UK's top Alpine skier with two World Cup podium finishes and four Olympics under his belt already

13 Mai 20201h 6min