172: The Haute Route, Off-Piste in Verbier & Les 3 Vallées Enduro

Iain was joined by Prue Stone (Hotelplan), Ceri Tinley (Consensio Chalets) and Al Judge (AliKats Mountain Holidays) - three ski companies all taking sustainability seriously by making significant changes to their operations and product. 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 Iain set up the lobbying campaign Ski Flight Free in 2019 (00:30) COP27 brings together world leaders to discuss and hopefully take action on climate change (01:00) Prue Stone is Sustainability Director at Hotelplan, which includes Inghams Ski (01:45) Listen to our interview with Joe Ponte CEO at Hotelplan, recorded in February 2021 (02:30) Find out more about train travel to the Alps at Ski Flight Free (05:45) Hotelplan’s goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 (06:30) Rachael from ecoski.co.uk appeared on Episode 57 of The Ski Podcast (09:45) You can watch our session ‘The Ski Podcast Live – ‘Off The Beaten Track’ recorded at the National Snow Show in Birmingham on YouTube (12:15) Ceri Tinley is the founder and MD at Consensio Chalets (14:45) You can read Consensio’s ‘Luxury Ski Insights Report’ here  Find out more about Protect Our Winters UK (16:45) Ecollective helps travel brands calculate and subsequently reduce their carbon footprint (17:00) Consensio’s goal is to reach Net Zero by 2035 (20:00) Coolbus have invested in new Mercedes Electric Minibuses for this winter (20:30) Snowdrone also offer transfers using electric vehicles (25:30) Al Judge is the owner of AliKats Mountains Holidays in Morzine (28:45) Find out about the Montagne Verte organisation in Morzine (29:15) Find out about bokashi composting (30:00) Listen to our special episode on Electric Vehicles in ski resorts (31:30) You can find out more about their sustainability policies on their website (32:00)  A hot tub uses 1500 lt of water & 200 kWh of electricity p/w to keep water at 37.5C in winter (34:30) Find out about their ‘Responsible Hot Tub Initiative’ here (35:30) AliKats use the Good Planet Foundation for any offsets they require (36:30)  Listen to our special episode when Iain interviewed Helen Coffey, the flight free travel journalist (37:30)

31 Okt 202240min

We discuss piste maps, skiing in Austria in October and look back at the National Snow Show. We also ask whether you should rent your snowboard in resort, rather than buying.   Iain was joined by Gethin James and Julie Slaughter, founder of Wipeout, as well as down the line by Chris Moran from Intersport Ski hire. 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 Gethin skied with his family in The Lecht in Scotland Julie’s hike was to the beautiful Lac Blanc in Chamonix Les 2 Alpes has confirmed it won’t open this autumn https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1583395200193679362 Iain presented about driving an electric car to the Alps at the National Snow Show https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1581631192943984640 Listen to our special episode about the 2022 National Snow Show here The women’s GS at Solden was cancelled, although the Men’s race did take place The Men’s Downhill races in Zermatt have also been cancelled Mia Brookes took 9th place in her World Cup Big Air debut https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1581951963658190849 Les 3 Vallees is the largest ski area in the world  Check out the Wipeout range on their website Listen to our snowboard special here:   https://audioboom.com/posts/8171940-157-snowboarding-special-how-to-choose-a-snowboard-renting-v-buying-splitboarding-more   Listen to our special episode with Chris Moran here You can book snowboards at www.intersportrent.com and ask questions via their Facebook page FEEDBACK Please do get in contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com Rachel Frisby: “The Ski Podcast is really good. I really enjoy listening to it” Nick Axten-Rice: “The Ski Podcast is really good” Sally: “An absolute must listen for anyone desperately waiting on the ski season to start!” John Greenwood: “Keep up the good work!” Matt Hayes: “Great review of the show, really enjoyed the day and the live episode of The Ski Podcast” Raymond Can: “I really enjoyed the podcast #96 re Chamonix and it got me excited about our February 2023 trip” Mark Davis: "Thank you for another great ski podcast. My children, who are 9 and 10 and I listened to it last night…they always enjoy the ski podcast, being slightly obsessed with the slopes. I always look forward to an episode and dream of the places we can go" If you'd like to do something to support the podcast, there are two things that would really help.  1) Review us on Apple Podcasts 2) If you're enjoying the podcast you can always buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Don’t forget we have 158 other episodes to catch up on – typically 75-100 get listened to every week.  You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast.  Thanks to Les 3 Vallees for sponsoring The Ski Podcast

24 Okt 202233min

This special episode of The Ski Podcast was recorded at The National Snow Show 2022, which took place at the Birmingham NEC this weekend. 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. In this episode, Iain speaks with the following people: Chemmy Alcott, BBC Ski Sunday Al Morgan, SkiKitInfo.com Jarrod Osbourne, Ski Olympic Will, Random Rental Luke Rees, AWE365.com Megan Hughes, National Geographic Traveller Doug Newman, Ski Weekend Graham Bell, BBC Ski Sunday Mia Brooks, GB Snowsports Snowboarder Sally Warren, Whoski Tony Burns, ecoski Stephen Morgan, Raccoon Events https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1581951963658190849 Additional Notes Graham Bell talked about his ‘Perfect Turns’ app in Episode 83 Find out more about Ski Weekend’s 35th Anniversary Chamonix Offers  https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1581373750762557441  Listen out for more about Snow Week 2023 in future episodes of The Ski Podcast.

17 Okt 202229min

We focus on snowboarding, including how to choose a snowboard, whether you should buy or rent and what split boarding is.   Iain was joined by journalist Sam Haddad (Guardian & Cooler Magazine) and Luke Rees, founder of adventure travel website AWE365.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 Check out Sam’s new ‘Climate & Board Sports’ Substack Listen to Felix Milns talk about his helicopter freefall jump over the Eiger in Episode 98 Sam was in La Rosiere in April Iain tested the Mont Valaisan ski area in La Rosiere in Episode 27 Luke travelled to North Macedonia The are 157 episodes of The Ski Podcast, so under our new numbering system, this is Episode 157 Les 3 Vallees sponsors The Ski Podcast The Alpine Ski World Championships will be held in Courchevel and Meribel from 06-19 February 2023 The National Snow Show takes place at the Birmingham NEC on 15-16 October Look out for ‘The Ski Podcast Live!’ on Saturday at 11.15am and Iain’s presentation on electric cars in ski resorts on Sunday at 12:00pm There are three main categories of snowboard: Freeride, Freestyle and All Mountain Sam is a big fan of splitboarding – read her article in The Guardian here For a UK-based splitboarding option, try Wandering Workshops in Scotland Burton’s ‘Step On’ snowboard bindings are a game-changer Nidecker’s ‘Supermatic’ is another ‘step’ in this direction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm_PyqvFoSo Al Judge is the owner of AliKats Mountains Holidays in Morzine Find out about the Montagne Verte organisation in Morzine Listen to our special episode on Electric Vehicles in ski resorts Find out about bokashi composting You can find out more about their sustainability policies on their website On average, a hot tub uses 1,500 litres of water and 200 kWh of electricity to keep the water at 37.5 degrees centigrade for a week in the winter Find out about their ‘Responsible Hot Tub Initiative’ here AliKats use the Good Planet Foundation for any offsets they require Listen to our special episode when Iain interviewed Helen Coffey, the flight free travel journalist FEEDBACK I enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do review us on Spotify/Apple, or get in contact on social or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com. Fogey58: "Always varied, well presented and for snowsports fans an essential hit" Guapo333: "Love this podcast. Really informative and superbly presented. Keep up the good work" Elaine Bunyon: "Wow…Greece is now on my bucket list!"   Thanks also to Fiachra Diskin and Dave Faller for their kind words.   Don’t forget we have 156 other episodes to catch up on – typically 75-100 get listened to every week.  You can follow The Ski Podcast on social media at @theskipodcast

10 Okt 202234min

We discuss skiing in Greece, ‘frontside’ skis and the ‘Parablack’. James Gambrill also joins us with news of the latest Ski Club of Great Britain survey. Iain is joined by journalist Gemma Bowes 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 ·       Gemma travelled to Val Cenis and Val Frejus last spring ·       Splitboard Fest will be held in La Norma in January 2023 ·       Skiing on the glacier in Zermatt restarted on Tue 20 September ·       Recent episodes have included Warren Smith, Helen Coffey, Speed Opening in Zermatt and, of course, our 100th Episode ·       Thanks to Julie for her comments on the taxonomy of the podcasts! ·       Les 3 Vallees - the largest ski area in the world - is now the main sponsor of The Ski Podcast ·       Read about the solar panels installed in Meribel this summer on the Saulire Express ·       Gemma skied in Parnassos in Greece  https://youtu.be/GtEc9RJU8cM ·       Listen to Iain’s report on his half-term family ski trip to the French Pyrenees in Episode 49 ·       ‘The Ski Podcast’ will be at the National Snow Show taking people ‘off the beaten track’ in our live episode covering Morocco, Turkey, Albania & Kazahkstan. It’s on at 12pm on Saturday 15th October.  ·       On Sunday 16th October, Iain will be presenting about driving EVs to and around the Alps.  ·       Iain curated the forum at ‘Ski Launch’ – an industry event in London on 13 September – and the sustainability panel at LISTEX, held at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead ·       James Gambrill is the General Manager of the Ski Club of Great Britain ·       Iain was reading these US ski reviews  ·       Mike Greenland asked us via Twitter: "Who remembers the Parablock from the 70s?” ·       A vaguely similar idea available now is the Edgie Wedgie  FEEDBACK You can give us feedback about the show, on social to @theskipodcast or  by email to theskipodcast@gmail.com  Rachel Frisby: "Loved episode about La Plagne (99). Love the resort so much.” Joe McHugh: “Great podcast again, as always! Regarding the Vanoise Express link to Les Arcs, if you stay in Montchavin, you can ski a full day in either La Plagne or Les Arcs. The village is one lift away in the morning and there are no extra lifts to be taken in the evening: you just ski back to the village. It’s a traditional village, quiet with limited night-life, but location makes it a great base to explore the whole Paradiski area.” Richard_Sideways: “Great special with Warren Smith”  BobinCH: “Great podcast with Warren! Didn’t know he filmed with Guido Perrini” Liam Major: “I just wanted to say I've been listening through the podcast series and I'm hooked, you and Iain do a really good job. I've only recently developed an interest in skiing and have started listening through all of your podcasts in anticipation for my first trip away. The magnitude of knowledge I've have learned from these podcasts is exceptional so I can't thank you enough.” Photo from https://www.facebook.com/OnParnassos

26 Sep 202236min

Episode 100 of The Ski Podcast is slightly different from usual as Iain looks at the story behind The Ski Podcast. We look at how the podcast started, celebrity guests, favourite features and reveal our new sponsor. 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 ‘Pilot’ episode of The Ski Podcast was published in October 2017, lamenting the cancellation of ‘The Jump’ ·       Early episodes covered anything that piqued our interest, from Ed Sheeran (Episode 4), Genepi (Episode 5) and Jim’s love of funiculars (Episode 7) ·       During the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018, we produced an episode every day ·       Chill Factore in Manchester were our first sponsor in September 2018  ·       One of Iain’s favourite interviews was Eddie the Eagle Edwards in Jan 2019 ·       Favourite early features include the number of wolves in the Alps (Episode 28) or theories about drug dealers in ski resorts (Episode 33) ·       Jim left the show in August 2020  ·       Back in 2017, when an interview went awry it was news, but with the rise of Zoom during Covid, this hardly seems out of the ordinary… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh4f9AYRCZY ·       CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a great resource for anyone suffering from mental health issues ·       Perhaps Iain’s favourite celebrity interview was with Roger Federer 😉 ·       Other favourites include Steve Cross, who man who built a chairlift in his garden during lockdown, Antoine Motillon, a paraplegic pistebasher driver in Courchevel, and the amazing story of the Aspen Ski Thief ·       Thanks go to Intersport and Battleface for supporting the show, but especially to Switzerland Tourism for being our main partner for the last three years  ·       Our new sponsor from Episode 101 onwards is the world's largest ski area Les 3 Vallées  ·       There are over 150 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with ·       Make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing now and join us for the next five years…

18 Sep 202223min

This bonus episode of The Ski Podcast focuses on the new ‘Speed Opening’ downhill races from Zermatt to Cervinia. Iain speaks to ‘Speed Opening’ director Christian Ziojian as well as legendary Swiss ski racer Pirmin Zurbriggen.  We discuss how this first ever cross-border race came into being, what the course is like, its place in the FIS calendar and what it will take to actually make it happen in the context of a summer of unprecedented temperatures. 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 ‘Speed Opening’ will be the first cross-border World Cup race In 2019 the Cervinia lift company came up with the initial idea  The ‘Alpine Crossing’ connecting Klein Matterhorn and Cervinia is due to open in spring 2023 The first European race of the World Cup calendar is a Giant Slalom in Solden in October The Wengen ‘Lauberhorn’ Downhill takes place in January The National Snow Snow takes places at the NEC in Birmingham on 15-16 October The course has been designed by the Swiss ex-downhill racer, Didier Défago, who won the gold medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYRvPJdlD9A The final layout of the course has not yet been confirmed, but it likely to include a larger finish jump The glacier in Zermatt closed in July 2022 due to lack of snow after a very warm summer and a dry winter The Beijing Winter Olympics took place on very little snow! The races are scheduled for 29/30 October (men’s races) and 05/06 November (women’s races) Pirmin Zurbriggen is one of the most successful racers ever, with four overall World Cup wins, Olympic downhill gold in 1988 and 9 world championship medal

12 Sep 202229min

In this bonus episode Iain talks with Helen Coffey, travel editor at ‘The Independent’ and author of the book ‘Zero Altitude: How I Learned to Fly Less and Travel More’. We discuss her background in skiing, time at Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Magazine and her decision in 2020 to give up flying completely – a significant decision for a travel journalist. 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 ·       Helen was on the show in Episode 80 ·       She learned to ski at Hemel Hempstead (2:15) ·       Her first ski season was in Les Arcs (4:00) ·       Listen to our interview with ski instructor Warren Smith here (4:45) ·       Helen worked as a transfer rep for Crystal Ski (6:45) ·       Younger listeners may be surprised to learn that ski passes used to require photos (9:30) ·       She started as a sub-editor at the Telegraph Ski and Snowboard Magazine before moving to the relatively new position of Online Editor (12:00) ·       She was schooled in ‘churnalism’ at the Daily Express (14:15) ·       During PyeongChang 2018 we produced a podcast every day (15:30) ·       Iain founded Ski Flight Free in 2019 (16:15) ·       Anna Hughes was on the podcast in our Train Travel Special episode (20:00)  ·       Following an interview with Anna Hughes at Flight Free UK, Helen decided to take the Flight Free pledge and to stop flying completely (20:45) ·       Tagsyrt is a Swedish word loosely meaning ‘train bragging’ (25:15) ·       If you’re paying £2 to offset your flight (say with Ryanair), it’s unlikely to be an effective scheme (29:30) ·       Iain uses MyClimate to offset emissions from flights (30:15) ·       Aviation fuel is not subject to taxation that other forms of transport are (32:00) ·       Research has shown that 1% of people cause half of global aviation emissions (34:00) ·       Look at Mark Smith’s excellent Seat61.com website for advice on flight free travel (37:00) ·       Helen travelled on the Travelski direct Eurostar service last winter to Les Arcs (38:30) ·       You can listen to our bonus episode about Iain’s experience on the TravelSki Express service here (39:30) ·       You can see Helen ‘in person’ at The Independent’s virtual event for advice on your next holiday, with Simon Calder on 22 September (41:30) ·       Helen’s book ‘Zero Altitude: How I Learned to Fly Less and Travel More’ is available in all good bookstores

5 Sep 202242min