The Ski Podcast

In Episode 82, we discuss avalanche safety, what a ‘rocker’ is and have interviews with Olympic medal winners Billy Morgan and Izzy Atkin.  There are snow reports from Italy, Switzerland and…the Netherlands, plus you can find out how to win a copy of Billy Morgan’s new book, ‘Drop in!’ Iain was joined by Henry Schniewind from the eponymous Henry's Avalanche Talk, plus Megan Hughes, Deputy Editor at InTheSnow Magazine, as well as regular equipment expert Al Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com 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 Find out about e-quad biking in Andermatt Iain reported on his ski touring in Andermatt in Episode 52 Battleface offer travel insurance for skiing regardless of FCO rules on travel The PCR Day 2 test for fully vaccinated travellers was replaced with an antigen lateral flow test on 24 October The NHS Covid Pass is now accepted across Europe For children this winter, it looks like regular tests in resort will be required in Italy & Austria, although it’s less likely in France and Switzerland Covid boosters may be required for travel https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1457233120965521408                 Dave Burrows from The Ski Instructor Podcast reported from Cervinia  Simon Burgess was in Landgraaf in the Netherlands  Listen to Simon’s report from the Lake District in Episode 73  Rob Rees was reporting from Switzerland  The early November snow has been very good so far  https://twitter.com/FrenchMountains/status/1455941744210624519 Listen to our 'How to become a Pisteur' Special with Tom Greenall Caroline Elliot talked about avalanche rescue dogs in Episode 47 You can catch up with Avalanche Safety Special Episode with Jim and Dave Burrows Find out about Henry’s UK ‘Off Piste Awareness’ Tour on his website Iain regularly contributes video snow reports to InTheSnow https://www.facebook.com/inthesnow/videos/134822691302566 This is a useful graphic from Wagner Skis on rockers Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Tony McWilliam, founder of Faction Skis Billy Morgan won Bronze in the Snowboard Big Air at PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Graystone Action Sports is a superb training facility in Manchester GB Snowsport have a huge airbag in Livigno, Italy for practising on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cJoU0kV3rg To win a copy of his book all you have to do to go in the draw is tell us why you listen to The Ski Podcast You can enter on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (just make sure you tag us) or by dropping us an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com and I'll pick a winner at the end of November https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1457259032218116097   Izzy Atkin won Olympic Bronze in the Ski Slopestyle at PyeongChang  Younger sister Zoe competes in Ski Big Air Listen to the full interview in our Special Episode coming soon   Reviews  Leon Butler: “It was cool to watch 'The Ski Podcast Live' Al Morgan (LinkedIn): "Superb episode of The Ski Podcast" sofatoslopes (Instagram): "Fab morning endurance training while listening to The Ski Podcast"   Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. This episode I'd like to thank Kimberley Kay and Mike Greenland, who also said: "Love the podcast. I have skied at least twice a year ever since 1970. Started on wooden skis and lace up leather boots. Things have changed...missed my first season this year due to covid but hope to keep the calendar annual record going as I am off in Dec” I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com & if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts   We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, pls drop us an email or contact us via social with your address.

8 Nov 202158min

In Episode 81, we find out about Disability Snowsport UK is changing lives, plus we have the story of how one company in the Alps has survived both Brexit and Covid.  We find out how the National Snow Show in Birmingham went and answer the question “How long should my skis be?" plus much more. Iain was joined by Rachel Davies, Head of Snowsport from Disability Snowsport UK, and Noel Miles who tells us his DSUK story. From Bourg St Maurice in the French Alps, Tania Casey from Huski joined us, as well as regular equipment expert Al Morgan. 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 ·    Battleface offer travel insurance for skiing regardless of FCO rules on travel ·    The PCR Day 2 test for fully vaccinated travellers was replaced with an antigen lateral flow test on 24 October ·    For children this winter, it looks like regular tests in resort will be required in Italy & Austria, although it’s less likely in France and Switzerland ·    We recommend you create your 'Travel Folder of Dreams' by printing out all documents, in case this happens ·    Jenny Nicholls from Inghams Ski reported from Hintertux, Austria ·    Tania Casey from Huski was on the glacier in Tignes ·    Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching skied in Les 2 Alpes this weekend ·    The National Snow Show took place at the Birmingham NEC last weekend. The dates for 2022 are 15-16 October ·    Iain was joined by Mike Richards and Simon Burgess for ‘The Ski Podcast Live’ https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1452530423154757632 ·    Rachel Davies is Head of Snowsport from Disability Snowsport UK ·    You can help raise funds for DSUK by joining in with the Alpine Lunch and find out about other ways to give here  ·    Huski is a food & drink delivery company operating in the French Alps Tania’s favourite meal on offer is the ‘Lapin a la moutarde’ ·    Our equipment expert Al Morgan is from SkiKitInfo where you can read reviews of all the latest skis and boots ·    Neil McQuoid is editor of Racer Ready Magazine You can read his interview with Alex Tilley here. ·    Alex Tilley finished in an equal best 13th place in the GS in Solden Reviews Keith Webb: "Really enjoy the show, I listened to old episodes for 10 hours one day....yeah, I know pretty intense but I was driving Chatel to Zell am See and needed to stay awake." I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes it helps other people find us. Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, please drop us an email or contact us via social with your postal address. The Ski Podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism For full Show Notes, please go to www.theskipodcast.com

26 Okt 202154min

This episode was recorded in September 2021 at the 'Ski Launch' event in London. Iain hosted this special panel with Olympians Graham Bell and Emily Sarsfield. Please note that the sound quality on this broadcast is not ideal. This is not typical of The Ski Podcast (have a listen to our other 100+ episodes), but having played a clip in Episode 80, listeners asked to hear more - hence this 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. Topics discussed include: - What snow conditions can athletes expect at Beijing 2022? - What will the Covid regulations be? - How does that compare to Tokyo 2020 and what was the experience of working there a a broadcaster like? - What impact will all the changes have on the athlete experience? - How do athletes deal with adversity, such as when they are injured? - How are Team GB persuading athletes from other countries (such as Charlotte Bankes and Gus Kenworthy) to join the team? - What other athletes are crossing over from other sports to join?

18 Okt 202121min

We have lots of ski-related chat in this episode, including a St Anton update, how to find the right ski boot for you, Graham Bell on Beijing 2022, the latest update on Covid rules and whether it's possible to take all your holidays flight free. Iain was joined by Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel, first time guest Helen Coffey, travel editor at The Independent, as well as regulars Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance and equipment expert Al Morgan. 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   ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed in Murren, Switzerland The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant was the location for Blofeld's base in 1969 Find out more about James Bond in Switzerland  Listen to our special episode focussing on the Inferno downhill race Andy hopes to ski in Hintertux, following their fresh snow last week https://twitter.com/Chaletline/status/1446030206603571201    Helen skied in Sierra Nevada  Iain was joined by Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance   There is no pre-return test required for double vaccinated travellers from 04 October  The Day 2 PCR test will be replaced by a Lateral Flow test by the end of this month  Travel to the USA should start again soon  It looks like the Pass Sanitaire will not be required to ski in France this winter  The situation for children in Austria is less clear  Find out about 'Trav-min'  Helen recently took a mega-trip to Morocco by train, having signed the Flight Free UK pledge  Iain is a signatory to Tourism Declares and founded the Ski Flight Free campaign Find out about The Independent's policy on travel coverage  Google are now including carbon emissions totals for flights:  https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1446387406618386445   Ruka ski resort is in Finland Listen to our Travelski interview in Episode 79 Andy is based in St Anton Kaluma Ski are facing some challenges of recruiting post-Brexit  Iain hosted the Olympics sessions at the recent Ski Launch event in London. Please let us know if you’d like to hear more of this by emailing me at theskipodcast@gmail.com Non-vaccinated athletes will have to quarantine for 21 days to compete at Beijing Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Jon-Allan Butterworth about his conversion to snowboarding and his time on The Jump The Jump was our lead story in Episode 1 of The Ski Podcast four years ago in 2017 Beth Tweddle is sueing the show.  Read and watch more equipment reviews from Al Morgan at SkiKitInfo.com Al mentioned the Lange XT3 Tour ski boot I spoke to author Kimberley Kay about her new book: Ski A-Z: An Illustrated Guide to Skiing  Alex Irwin reported from Courchevel on the damaged Saulire cable car https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1446031205976186886   Reviews Joe McHugh: "Thanks Ian for keeping the skiing vibe on life-support during Covid times" Inside Morzine: "Well worth a listen.. Iain’s #podcast are ALWAYS essential listening" Greg Hilton: . Thanks also to Mike Greenland, who pointed out Lauterbrunnen is part of Jungfrau (I was confusing it with Adelboden) I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes it helps other people find us. Don't forget you can listen to The Ski Podcast on Spotify as well, and if you know someone else who's getting excited about the ski season then please do share it. Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated.    We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, please drop us an email or contact us via social @theskipodcast with your postal address.   Thanks again to Switzerland Tourism for sponsoring The Ski Podcast.  XGHWeR2fMsQjvfoQn8Ae

11 Okt 202158min

In this Ski Podcast Special, Iain speaks with Paralympian Jon-allan Butterworth. A four-time Paralympic medallist, Jon-allan recently joined GB Snowsport’s Para Snowsport World Class Programme following his retirement from Britain’s professional cycling programme in December 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. SHOW NOTES Jon-allan won three silver and one gold medal at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and will represent Team GB in the Para Snowboard discipline in the Banked Slalom and Boarder Cross events. https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1438080356087894023 Jon-allan’s first event will be at SnowWorld Landgraaf in the Netherlands You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special with GB Snowsports Team Manager, Pat Sharples Jayne Kavanagh is GB Snowsport's Head of Culture and Para Operations  Prior to his sporting career, Butterworth was a member of the RAF and served in Afghanistan, in 2005, and in Iraq before losing his left arm below the elbow in a rocket attack in August 2007.  In 2015, Jon-allan Butterworth took part in Channel 4's 'The Jump': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXztu1dT3qI

26 Sep 202121min

In Episode 79, we discuss the latest testing & travel rules, reveal how the new direct snow train will operate and listen to industry experts’ predictions for season. We also find out about Dynastar's new 21/22 skis, meet the latest member of GB Snowsports squad and find out if you can still work overseas in a post-Brexit world.    Iain was joined by Alyn Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com and Christa Jackson, LDA resident and Area Manager for Eurocamp. 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 You can ski right now in Saas Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland Al was testing skis at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead Christa last skied in Lauterbrunnen, Swizerland PCR tests are being replaced for the fully vaccinated  A Covid certificate may be required to ski in Switzerland, and possibly in Italy as well The Pass Sanitaire will apply to children in France from 30 September, so children's vaccinations in UK may become even more relevant https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1439844825822638090 Austria have extended the max duration since full vaccination to 12 months from 270 days According to figures from the NHS, less than 1.5% of red and amber list arrivals tested positive in the week between Aug 26 and Sep 01  https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1438119171922046981   Iain spoke to the following contributors at the Ski Launch event in London about their predictions for this winter season: Cathy Rankin (P&V), Nick Morgan (Le Ski), James Gambrill (Ski Club of Great Britain), Doug Newman (Ski Weekend), Jane Bolton (Erna Low), Hannah Zajic (Austrian Tourist Board) Listen to our Ski Podcast Special about Erna Low here   Find out more about the ‘Travelski Express’ in this blog post at Ski Flight Free  Charlie Owen from SBiT has been on the podcast previously discussing post-Brexit recruitment in Episodes 8 and 20  We featured Al’s review of Faction Dictator 3.0 in Episode 78 and discussed the Elan Voyager ski in Episode 71  Read more about Dynastar’s range of skis for this winter on the SkiKitInfo website  Jon-allan Butterworth is a multiple Paralympic medal winner in cycling Listen to our Pat Sharples Ski Podcast Special here He took part in ‘The Jump’ in 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXztu1dT3qI   Reviews Thanks to Andy (aka ‘sailormissingsnow’) for his 5* review on Apple Podcasts We really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or whatever platform you listen on, then that would be great, as it helps other people find us. Don't forget you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated.

20 Sep 202149min

In Episode 78, we discuss the new National Snow Show coming up next month, summer activities in the mountains like e-biking, mountaineering and trail running, plus we talk to Tony McWilliam, founder of Faction Skis. Iain was joined by Stephen Morgan, MD at Raccoon Events, and mountaineer Olivia Jane, with contributions from Alyn Morgan at SkiKitInfo and Katie Crowe from Battleface Travel Insurance. 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 Steve skied in Glencoe. Listen to our interview with Andy Meldrum, owner of Glencoe, in Episode 75 There is now no quarantine for British arrivals into Italy Austria, Norway, Switzerland and Canada have all been added to the ‘Green List’ But Austria are applying a 270 day limit on their double vaccination rules for travellers  The cost of tests remains an issue, as Battleface have identified in their previous research  Iain used the Britanny Ferries discount for Randox tests  Helen Coffey’s article in The Independent about ‘Trav-min’ is spot on  We interviewed James Wilcox from Untamed Borders in our Special Episode about 'skiing in Afghanistan'  Find out more about their campaign to support local guides here The National Snow Show is on at the NEC on 23-24 October Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Benjamin Alexander – Jamaican Alpine Skier The mystery speaker turned out to be Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards. Listen to our Ski Podcast Special interview with Eddie here.  We spoke to Mount Noire in Episode 61 of The Ski Podcast You can buy tickets to the National Snow Show here You can watch The Ski Podcast Live at the show at midday on Sunday 24 October Iain will be joined by Podcast regular Mike Richards as well as Simon Burgess, who told us about his experience skiing in the Lake District in Episode 73 2021 is the 150th anniversary of Lucy Walker’s first female ascent of the Matterhorn Olivia Jane is part of the Mammut team Iain reported from Zermatt in Episode 76   https://www.instagram.com/p/CSW0BAIjQjI/  Listen to Iain’s interview with Martin Anthamatten in Episode 77 Iain took part in the Eiger Trail 51 race in Grindelwald, Switzerland Read Iain’s article ‘Five Tips for Fast Packing the Tour du Mont Blanc’ The UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) is a 171km race with 10050m of climbing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyvVhgPp4p0   Read Iain’s race report from the UTMB here Listen to Iain’s interview with Claire Burnet from the Chamonix Tourist Office in Episode 73 The ‘Village Vacances Grandeur Nature’ offer in Chamonix meant visitors could enjoy free activities in July and August Jim went surfing at Alaia Bay and reported on that in Episode 76 and tried VTT in Crans Montana Iain spoke to Faction Skis founder Tony McWilliam about the early years of the company. You can listen to the full interview in our Ski Podcast Special Listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Jim Adlington Verbier holds an ebike Festival every year https://www.instagram.com/p/CQEGEx8D3J3/    We're still waiting to get hold of Faction's new range, but Alyn Morgan (previously on the show in Episode 71) reviews the Faction Dictator 3.0 freeride here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6-nqtJb9Y0 REVIEWS I'd like to thank everyone who bought me a coffee since our last podcast, it's very kind of you. Also thanks to these guys for their feedback and reviews: Tom Brownlee: “Keeping me going during this ski-less time!"   Matt Hayes: "fantastic pods as ever"   Andrew Brannan: “Two episodes to keep me going during August - Cheers for that!”   Peter S: "An excellent discussion about the prospects for ski holidays this winter and a good report from Switzerland. Must listen to more of your podcasts now. Keep up the excellent work"   Roddy MacDonald: "Enjoy the podcast, keeping the faith for the upcoming season both abroad and here in Scotland" Jon White: "I am enjoying your chats with everyone from ‘back in the day’ when I was in the industry"   I really do appreciate reading all feedback about the show, so please do email me theskipodcast@gmail.com and if you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you listen on, then that would be great, as it helps other people find us. And if you do enjoy listening to The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast and all cuppas are much appreciated. We also have a few stickers left, so if you'd like some for your skis, board, helmet or phone, please drop us an email or contact us via social with your postal address. COMING UP As we get nearer the season, we are going to be finding out more about equipment and all the changes and developments for the coming season. We'll keep our eye on the travel rules and the snow forecast. Please do email theskipodcast@gmail.com if you've got any questions or suggestions for items you'd like to listen to on the show.

6 Sep 202157min

In this Ski Podcast Special, we meet Tony McWilliam, founder of one of the world's leading snowsports brands - Faction Skis. We find out what inspired him to start the company and how it took it to become one of the most famous freestyle ski brands in the world. 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 Tony designed my first brochure for my first business, Natives.co.uk You can listen to our Ski Podcast Special with Pat Sharples here Faction skis started in 2003 BoardX took place in Battersea for several years You can listen to our Ski Podcast with Jim Adlington here Other key contacts for Tony in the early years were Phil Martin, Gordy Hughes and Matt Reardon He worked closely with Peter Bauer, founder of Amplid The first range of Faction skis had a waist of 80-110mm Initially the skis were made in Annecy before production moved to Austria Skis like the Seth Pistol were an inspiration Jamie Strachan's designs for Volkl were another influence The first run of Faction skis was just 44 pairs - they now sell 35,000 pairs every year globally Sam Smoothy is a NZ freeride skier Ski Service in Verbier was the first store to stock Faction Skis Tony first met Candide Thovex as a 16-year-old rider in Les Arcs Check out Candide in China here (he took 27 pairs of skis with him for that shoot!) Tony launched an eco-friendly outerwear brand, GHOSTS, on Kickstarter in 2019 He also worked with Eric Pollard - ex-Line Skis - on the launch of the new ski and snowboard range Season Eqpt Find out about Candide's outerwear brand

16 Aug 202135min