101: Skiing in Greece, 'Frontside' skis & the 'Parablack'

In Episode 88, special guest Chemmy Alcott takes us behind the scenes of ‘Ski Sunday’ and the BBC’s Beijing Olympics coverage. We also discuss Grindelwald, Yad Moss, how to choose a ski helmet and there’s our usual round up of snow reports from across Europe. Iain was joined by 4-time Olympian & BBC Ski Sunday presenter, Chemmy Alcott and industry expert Rob Stewart, as well as regulars, Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance and equipment guru Al Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com.  Thanks to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring the podcast. Switzerland remains the simplest country to go to if you have kids in tow, with no extra rules in place for the u16s and no tests required (for fully vaccinated passengers) on arrival. 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 Chemmy last joined us in a year ago in Episode 67 Rob joined us last in Episode 51 Did you know that the Dutch call drag lifts 'pancake lifts'? The Day 2 return test on its way out for double-vaccinated skiers from February 11, although children are still required to take it The NHS pass is now available for 12-15 year olds Check the Battleface Travel website for current restrictions and for your ski insurance Vanessa Fisher reported from the Dolomites in Italy Stephen Spiers was in Verbier Switzerland Elena tells us about fresh snow in the Tirol in Austria You can order Caroline Eliot’s book ‘Fjord’s Mission’ here and listen to our interview with Caroline in Episode 82 Iain was in Les Arcs. You can watch his video snow report here.  Iain travelled by train on the inaugural Travelski Express Ski Train Listen to our Bonus Episode all about the Ski Train  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oScG28dQkQ Iain spoke with Peter Stockton about Yad Moss Ski Club  https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1489177129132642305 Dave Ryding became the first Briton to win a World Cup Alpine ski race Watch Marcus Eder's incredible run on YouTube here You can catch up with all the ‘Ski Sunday’ episodes on the BBC iPlayer This is Chemmy’s great quote:  "Skiing is a perfect sport for this type of personal growth: everyone falls; it is the picking oneself up & trying again that is the win" Rob was in Grindelwald where he tried out the new Eiger Express We intereviewed Remo Kaser from the Jungfrau region about the lift in Episode 61   You can read Al’s review of the season’s best new ski helmets here Reviews and comments are always welcome, whether on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, social media or by email.  Paul Bond: “Your podcast is a danger to my pocket, it makes me book more trips than I sensibly should, great stuff!”The Ski Podcast has been nominated as Best Wintersports Podcast. It’s very easy to vote - just go to www.sportspodcastawards.com. We would really appreciate it and would like to thank the many people who have voted for us already.   I also enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do email. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. Thanks again to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring the show. In our next episode we'll be discussing Crans Montana and Gstaad.

4 Feb 202259min

This bonus episode of The Ski Podcast is all about the new Travelski Express Ski Train – which goes direct and non-stop from London to the Alps. Iain travelled on the inaugural service on 28 January and reports on that and the background behind how and why the new service started in this short special 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 ·       Eurostar took the decision to stop running their direct ski train service to the French Alps in April 2020 ·       Iain founded the Ski Flight Free campaign in 2019, with the goal of encouraging more skiers and snowboarders to travel to the Alps by train (or in a full car) instead of flying ·       Changing trains in Paris isn’t that difficult – this video might be helpful ·       The lobbying group ‘Save The Ski Train’ was formed in autumn 2020. It was created by train expert Daniel Elkan from Snowcarbon, working with Iain and representatives from the environmental organisation Protect Our Winters. ·       In September 2021, the French travel company Travelski confirmed that would be reviving the service. You can listen to Iain’s full interview with Guillaume de Marcillac, the Travelski CEO, in Episode 79 of The Ski Podcast ·       Six resorts were initially offered by Travelski: Meribel, Les Menuires, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes and Val d’Isere with packages including accommodation, train travel, transfers to resort and lift passes. ·       France introduced a travel ban on UK citizens on 18 December 2021 ·       The inaugural service of the Travelski Express took place on Friday 28 January.  ·       Iain travelled to Bourg St Maurice, from where he took the funicular to Les Arcs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKjUGLZAuLA Watch Iain’s video report on the train here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oScG28dQkQ&feature=youtu.be

30 Jan 202217min

In Episode 87 we discuss the Swiss Magic Pass, the best new kit for next winter, plus we find out about skiing from Allenheads in England to the Aosta Valley in Italy.  Iain was joined by Simon Burgess and Martina Diez, from The-Ski-Guru.com as well as regulars Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance and equipment guru Al 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 ·       Dave Ryding become the first British skier to win an Alpine World Cup race ·       Listen to our interview with Dave Ryding from May 2020 ·       Thanks to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring the podcast ·       Switzerland remains the simplest country to go to if you have children, with no extra rules in place for the u16s ·       Try this great 'Bucket List' of experiences you can try in Switzerland ·       The Ski Podcast has been nominated as 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the Sports Podcast Awards ·       Katie Crowe joined us from Battleface Travel Insurance for the travel update ·       The Day 2 return travel test looks like it will end on February 11 ·       The French travel ban ended on 14 January ·       Italy now requires a ‘Super Green Pass’ to go skiing ·       Abi Butcher was nominated in the TravMedia awards for her exclusive on the Verbier fiasco last year. You can listen to Abi talking about that story in E66 ·       Dave Burrows from SnowPros Ski School reported from the Jura mountains in Switzerland ·       Babsi Lapwood from the Mountain Trade Network was in Serfaus ·       Jim Duncombe is based in La Clusaz ·       Nigel Sanger spoke on behalf of the Allenheads Ski Club  ·       Simon Burgess spoke to us from Vercorinin the Val d’Anniviers region ·       Find out more about the Swiss Magic Pass ·       Simon stayed in Anzere ·       Simon previously told us about the Raise ski area in the Lake District in Episode 73 ·       Iain went trail running in Zinal in July 2021, reporting in Episode 76 ·       Iain was ski touring in Crans Montana in December 2020 (Episode 65) ·       Martina has skied throughout the Aosta Valley, including in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila ·       Interski specialise in school ski trips to Pila ·       Both Martina and Simon have skied in Bariloche in Argentina ·       Listen to Rob’s report on the Stockli factory in Episode 86 ·       Artilect were one of the award winners ·       Smartwool offer plant-based dye on their Merino underlayers ·       Find out about Intersport’s BootDoc service in Episode 86 ·       There's been some great success at the Paralympic World Champs ·       Iain previously interviewed Jon-allan Butterworth who represented GB for the first time ·       Charlotte Bankes too a Double 1st in Snowboard Cross at Krasnoyarsk ·       Katie Ormerod was 4th in Snowboard Slopestyle in Mammoth ·       Kirsty Muir took 5th in Ski Slopestyle at the same event ·       Charlie Guest took a career best 13th in the Slalom in Schladming Slalom  ·       Team GB athletes have been given 'burner phones' to avoid being spied on Reviews Doug Newman: 'Great podcasting' Janet Barnett: "Have been listening since The 2018 Olympics and still very much enjoying every episode"   Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast. All cuppas are much appreciated. Coral (BMAC): "The only thing to cure a pining for the mountains when you can't otherwise be on them!” Paul Sonn (BMAC): "I've been enjoying your really useful program” I mentioned earlier that TSP has been nominated as BWP. Very easy to vote - just go to www.sportspodcastawards.com. Would really appreciate and would like to thank the many people who have voted for us already, including Fran Lambert and Martin Constable. I also enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. Thanks go to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring the podcast.

24 Jan 20221h 1min

Welcome to this special 'Good News' episode of The Ski Podcast. Regular listeners will know that in our 'normal' episodes we cover the latest travel rules and so it is absolutely a pleasure to report on some good news for a change. I know it's been possible to travel to Switzerland, Austria, Italy and other ski nations - albeit with various restrictions - but more British skiers travel to France every winter than any other country and for that reason the travel ban that's been in place since December 18th has been hugely depressing. It affected many family ski holidays (let alone family reunions that would have taken place) over Christmas and New Year and businesses as diverse as large tour operators to cafes, restaurants and even individual ski instructors. But here's the good news - the travel ban will be lifted on Friday 14 January. You'll have to pass through the now usual hoops of vaccination and testing, but French ski holidays are now back on. https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1481553508063141891 Was there ever any justification for the ban in the first place? Probably about as much as when the UK created the 'Amber+' category for France last summer. Undoubted 'tit for tat' policking, but from this weekend, it's over and let's hope it stays that way to the end of the season. And here's your bonus good news - it may not mean as much to you as it does to me, but I'm so pleased to let you know that The Ski Podcast has been nominated for 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in The Sports Podcast Awards. The Ski Podcast has grown to become my full-time, part-time job and, quite frankly, got me through last winter when we couldn't ski at all. My mental health was a mess, but the podcast kept me, more than anything, connected, in a winter that never happened. There's now 134 episodes available and I love the fact that around 100 get listened to every week, all around the world. I'd like to sign off this good news special by asking that if you've enjoyed listening to The Ski Podcast, whether it's just this episode or since we first started over four years ago, that you consider voting for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. It's very easy and only takes a minute: simply to go sportspodcastawards.com, register, go to the 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the Categories, click the 'Vote for your favourite' button and vote for 'The Ski Podcast'. Thank you so much, I really do appreciate it.  Our next regular episode will be out on 24 January, so until then, thank you for your time and goodbye. -----   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.

13 Jan 20223min

In Episode 86 of The Ski Podcast we discuss when the French travel ban might end, favourite apres-ski bands, Team GB’s prospects for Beijing 2022 and we go inside a ski factory.  Iain was joined by Richard Lett from ApresSkiBands and regular guest and Olympian Emily Sarsfield.   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 next announcement from the French government is due on 05 January Steve Angus is a private ski instructor based in Val d’Isere. Find him on social at @SteveAngusSnow For access to Austria, you now need to be triple-vaccinated with a PCR test within 48 hours Some holidaymakers were denied entry at Innsbruck airport due to the new rules on PCR tests  Italy will require a ‘Super Green Pass’ from 10 January for access to many areas/services   You can listen to snow reports from all of the following in our special episode https://audioboom.com/posts/8005740-latest-snow-news-from-the-alps-31-dec-21 This episode features: Simon Burgess - Saas Fee, Switzerland Dave Burrows - Villars, Switzerland Andy Butterworth – St Anton, Austria Keith Webb - Kaprun, Austria Alex – Les 2 Alpes, France Steve – Val d’isere, France Betony - Chamonix, France Alex – Courchevel, France Find out more about Apres Ski Bands on their website Iain’s favourite Alpine band was Superfly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sJ3MDPITQI Dan Gillespie Sells was lead singer of Superfly and wrote the hit musical ‘Everyone’s Talking About Jamie’ Emily’s favourite Alpine band was ‘Bring Your Sisters’ Rich’s tips of bands to watch out for this winter includes Coco and the Butterfields; The Dominos and The Trends  Emily’s Top 3 Tips for Medals at Beijing: Charlotte Bankes, Izzy Atkin, Kirsty Muir Kirsty Muir took at 7th at the Dew Tour   Listen to Iain’s interview with Izzy and Zoe Atkin: https://audioboom.com/posts/7980266-izzy-zoe-atkin-freestyle-skiers-bonus-episode-22 Ollie Davies is competing in Skier Cross Katie Ormerod has a great chance in the Snowboard Big Air Zoe Atkin picked up 6th place in Calgary in the Skier Halfpipe https://twitter.com/GBSnowsport/status/1477564363955396608 Andrew Musgrave took a superb 4th at the weekend  You can listen to Iain’s interview with Andrew Musgrave and Andrew Young here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7995551-andrew-musgrave-andrew-young-cross-country-skiers-bonus-episode-23 Laurie Taylor took his best ever World Cup result of 25th last week Reece Bell is Martin Bell’s daughter and Graham Bell’s niece and finished 43rd in her first ever World Cup Ski Sunday starts on…Sunday 02 January Jamie Barrow is attempting to beat the snowboard speed record  Jamie previously told us about his trip to North Korea a long time ago in Episode 6 He also told us about his snowboard speed record in Episode 49 Most Intersport stores have a BootDoc in the shop (watch this video) Rob Rees reported from the Stöckli ski factory near Lucerne Emily skied on Stöckli at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics    Reviews UnboundedContext: "Definitely the best ski & snowboard podcast i've come across"   The Snowboard Instructor Podcast: "Such a great podcast to listen to"   Ben Davies: “I just found your podcast. I was a part of the UK ski and snowboard industry back in the late 1990's early 2000's (iglu.com, St Anton, Mottaret, never summer snowboards) & your chat with Tony McWilliam reminded me of those times.  Thanks for the memories and your hard work, it's great to listen to the UK perspective from here in BC. Still in the ski industry, now ski patrolling (12 years!) and managing a small hotel in the middle of some of the best skiing in the world.”  Thanks to Simon Edgington for buying me a coffee. Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast. All cuppas are much appreciated.  I also enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do email to theskipodcast@gmail.com  Don’t forget that we have 132 episodes of TSP and 88 were listened to in the last week. You can listen on your smart speaker (try ‘Play The Ski Podcast’) or Spotify (where you can rate us now as well).  And we are listened to around the world, so if you’re one of listeners in Latvia, Barbados, Iceland or Singapore then thank you for joining us.

3 Jan 202257min

Our last podcast of 2021 is a snow report special. Our contributors bring you the latest snow and resort news from across the Alps.  This is our 37th episode of 2021 and our 132nd overall – make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing now.  Thanks to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring The Ski Podcast – we couldn’t produce our podcasts without their support. SHOW NOTES Simon Burgess reported from the Saas valley in Switzerland Find out about the Magic Pass here Dave Burrows is from SnoPros Ski School, based in Switzerland Andy Butterworth owns Kaluma Ski and is based in St Anton, Austria Keith Webb was in Kaprun, Austria. Find out more about his apartments on Instagram Alex Armand runs Tip Top Ski Coaching in Les 2 Alpes, France Steve Angus is a private instructor in Val d’isere, France. Find him on social at @SteveAngusSnow Betony Garner was in Plaine Joux, France Alex Irwin is presenter of the YouTube channel 150 Days of Winter and is based in Courchevel, France

31 Des 202118min

This episode is a 'Resorts' special: we're going to be looking at Crans Montana, Courchevel & Les Menuires, plus we discuss how to choose your hire skis and talk to more Olympians.   Iain's guests for this episode were journalist Katy Dartford and Alex Irwin, host of the YT channel 150 Days of Winter, as well as regulars Katie Crowe Battleface Travel Insurance and equipment expert Al 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 Switzerland has the best railways in the world according to Midnight Trains Try the Wham Walk! in Saas Fee France has introduced a travel ban on non-essential travel for UK citizens The lockdown in Austria ended on 12 December New entry rules for Austria – PCR required if no booster The ‘Pass Sanitaire’ is being checked in Les 3 Vallees https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1471114320205467648 Check out Battleface for your travel insurance Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel reported from St Anton Stephen Speirs was in Alpe d’Huez Simon is using the Magic Pass and was in Leysin. Follow his travels on his website Katy was skiing powder in Crans Montana, where she tried out the trampolines at the Alaia Chalet Katy also reported on Crans for Euronews Jim reported on surfing at the Alaia Bay in Episode 76 Iain was in Crans Montana in December 2020 – Listen to his report in Episode 65 Iain travelled to Les Menuires by train https://www.facebook.com/skiflightfree/posts/673423427364768 Find out more about train travel at Ski Flight Free The new La Masse gondola is the fastest in France, taking just 8 minutes [Video] Iain stayed at ho36 in Les Menuires The highlight was ski touring at night to the Refuge du Lac du Lou https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1471767336537538563 Iain was lucky enough to see the sunrise the following morning The Saulire cable car was damaged in testing in October https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1446031205976186886  https://twitter.com/candidethovex/status/1313522412156325893 The new Ineos Club des Sports was paid for by UK billionaire Jim Ratcliffe    The Eclipse is the new downhill run in Courchevel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkoDuADWKNQ There is a new beginners area in La Tania [Video]  Intersport Ski Hire offers ski hire in France, Austria and Switzerland  Alex and Al are fans of the original K2 Seth Pistol https://twitter.com/150dow/status/1470774894916947968   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFZjxGBounM  Charlotte Bankes took 1st in the Snowboard Cross at Montafon, Austria Katie Ormerod was 5th in the Big Air in Steamboat Dave Ryding finished 5th in the Slalom in Val d'Isère Andrew Young and James Clugnet came 6th in the team XC in Dresden Zoe Atkin was 8th in the Half Pipe at Copper Mountain Listen to our Bonus Episode with freestyle skiers and sisters Zoe and Izzy Atkin You can listen to our special interview with cross country skiers Andrew Young and Andrew Musgrave here Reviews    Robsski1: “My #1 podcast of 2021. Thank you for keeping me company on @Spotify all year long!"  https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1467061118984142848 Pierre-Henri: “Again a great podcast.” Dave Moore: "Good fun and rapport" (in our Bonus Episode with the Andrews) Sam Woodhouse: "I'm enjoying The Ski Podcast very much!" Tom Hunter: “Great content" Gareth Harvey: "I’ve loved listening to the podcast for a number of years. Thank you for the podcast and for bringing the Magic Pass to my attention. Although I’m based in the UK, I have lots of meetings in Geneva. For some reason, these often turn into long weekends. Buying the Magic Pass has caused me to explore a lot of the smaller resorts I’d never have considered. You wouldn’t visit them for a week's holiday, but for a long w/e or even just a Saturday it’s great."  Andie Dalton: "I love your podcast, I’ve not long ago found it and I’m trying to get through them all but not listening to them in order which was probably a mistake. I always find a little gold nugget of information. Keep up the great work." Ruslan: "My name is Ruslan, born in Latvia living in UK. I’ve been an avid listener of the ski podcast for about 2 years since I first discovered it. I love the updates from resorts & it was awesome to get info on MTB in the summer as well"  Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast. All cuppas are much appreciated.  I also enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do email theskipodcast@gmail.com

20 Des 202156min

A Ski Podcast Special: Andrew Musgrave & Andrew Young, Cross Country Skiers In this Ski Podcast Special, Iain spoke to Andrew Musgrave (‘Muzzie’) and Andrew Young (‘Youngie’). Both represent Great Britain at cross country skiing and will be heading to the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022 – their third Olympic games. 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 ·       Both learned the cross country skiing at the Huntly Nordic Ski Club in Scotland ·       Huntly has all weather cross country and roller ski tracks ·       Watch out for the reality show about these two British underdogs…if you speak Norwegian ·       Andrew Young fractured his fibula but was racing again in just four weeks ·       ‘Youngie’ has 4 World Cup podiums and ‘Muzzie’ has 3 podiums ·       Andrew Musgrave finished 7th in the 30km race at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics ·       Iain interviewed freestyle skiers Izzy and Zoe Atkin in this Ski Podcast Special Keep up with all the latest Beijing news by subscribing to The Ski Podcast and never miss an episode

12 Des 202126min