206: Verbier, Saalbach & the impact of climate change on ski resorts

In this episode we discuss skiing in Wales, the 'Great Escape' from Verbier, the challenges of cross-country skiing, ski touring in Crans Montana and plenty more. Iain was joined by guests Betony Garner in the Chamonix valley and regular 'friend of the pod' Mike Richards in Wales, as well as down the line by Alex Moore in Wengen and Dom Turner in Morzine. 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 finished 10th in Alta Badia Andrew Young took 2nd in the Cross Country at Dresden Mia Brookes took a podium on her debut in Snowboard Slopestyle in the Europa Cup Reece Bell is the daughter of Martin Bell and niece of Graham Bell The Brexit ‘deal’ has been done  Passports must be at least six months in date SBIT will let us know the impact on British workers soon Did Brits really escape from Verbier? This article by Abi Butcher looks at the facts Alex Moore has been reporting on quarantine in Switzerland for The Telegraph  The French have been stopped from skiing at border Iain visited the ‘Rando Parc’ in Crans Montana Iain travelled to Crans Montana by train Adam Bonvin is the owner and founder of the Alaia Chalet Find out more about the Hotel Pass in Crans Montana Iain tried cross country with his guide Christian on the Plaine Morte glacier in Crans Montana You have two options for cross country: Classic or Skating Betony bought the Haute Savoie Nordic Pass Mike skis in the Brecon Beacons area of Wales Check out some of his recent great pics  You can follow Mike on Instagram at @mikethesnow  Evidently word has got out already… Iain interviewed Dom Turner from Skiology We noticed his Christmas story in an email from Montagne Verte Les Arcs have been awarded the Flocon Vert label Reviews Janet Barnett   “A big thank you for your very informative and entertaining ski podcast which I look forward to every few weeks” Andrew Brannan   “Thanks for another great podcast. Red Mountain...top of my list too!” Terry   “I was delighted not only to find the podcast. They have a good mix of interviews, friendly banter, background info and general chit chat and ski news. It's been great to get an insight, through the many interviews, of people's backgrounds, their passions for the sport and how they got to where they are.” Please complete our survey here and tell us what you’d like more of and less of in The Ski Podcast and you could win this great prize Matt Hayes recommends ‘Alpine Cooking’ by Meredith Erickson, especially the Herdsman macaroni and tartiflette (“The best I've ever come across”) If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

31 Dec 20201h 5min

In this special pre-Christmas mini-podcast, listen to updates from friends of the show around the Alps, including: - Alex Irwin in Courchevel - Steve Angus in Val d'Isère - Mark Seaton in Chamonix - Katy Dartford, reporting from the Jura mountains - Ed Mannix in Zermatt Matterhorn - Charlie Rees, reporting from Andermatt Merry Christmas everyone. We look forward to sharing more ski chat with you you in 2021! If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

23 Dec 202012min

In Episode 64, Iain was joined by Jane Peel (Chief Reporter, Planetski.eu) and Alf Alderson (author and freelance journalist). We discuss the latest on resort openings, have snow reports from Courchevel and Engelberg, and we talk favourite ski areas. Graham Bell updates us on his preparations for 'Dancing on Ice', while the Chalet Shop team tell us what it was like working for Richard Branson. Plus we have Xmas pressie recommendations and there's even more in this episode of The Ski Podcast. 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 Jane last skied in Les Menuires (before injuring her ACL) Alf last skied at Castle Mountain in Alberta It was suggested today that Brits might not be able to travel to the EU The town hall in Chatel has added Swiss flags There have been demonstrations across French ski resorts against the lift closures It's been suggested that the Chamonix border could move slightly to allow lifts to open There are limits on the French going to ski in other countries (but will it be enforceable?) Switzerland is currently open but are there restrictions on the way?   Social distancing was not being observed on Verbier's first day Austria skiing will open from 24 Dec, but for locals only  Jasna in Slovakia is planning to open Ski Amis ceased trading (adding to VIPSki, overed in Episode 63) Alpine Elements have gone into pre-pack administration You can read Jane's interview with James Hardiman here 'Test & Release' starts on 15 Dec, reducing quarantine on return to UK to 5 days Alex Irwin reported on ski touring in Courchevel Alex previously appeared in Episode 61 Charlie Rees reported from Engelberg in Switzerland Listen to Charlie's previous reports from Andermatt (E61) and Engelberg (E62) Craig Glennie reported from Lake Louise Mark Frary talked about 'Aiming High: The Life of Ski Pioneer Erna Low' in this special episode We talked to Jon Trigell, about his book Cham in Episode 20 Alf has written 'Ultimate Skiing Adventures' - 100 Epic Adventures in the Snow'. There is a 30% discount for podcast listeners with code 'SKIBK' if you buy before 31.3.21    Jane's favourite resort is Tavascan in the Spanish Pyrenees Alf's favourite resort is Red Mountain, BC Star Wars-loving ski younglings will enjoy this Mandolorian onesie from Columbia for Christmas Graham Bell told us about his Housenkamm viral video from Lockdown 1 in Episode 52 Graham is taking part in the new season of 'Dancing on Ice', which will start in January 2021 You can find out more about Chalet Shop on their website Sally and Hannah first job was kitting out Richard Branson's property in Verbier Intersport Ski Hire offer a free Cancellation guarantee on all bookings Podcast listeners can save an extra 10% using the Discount Code 'WINTER2020' (France only) Coming Up Our next episode will be out towards the end of December - in the meantime there are over 80 episodes you can catch up with over the festive season.  And please do give us a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts as it helps people find us. Thanks to Switzerland Tourism and Intersport Ski Hire for their support. If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

14 Dec 20201h

In conjunction with Ski Flight Free, this is a Ski Podcast Special all about Electric Vehicles in ski resorts. Find out more about driving to the Alps and in ski resorts from four EV owners in the ski industry. Iain was joined by Richard Sinclair (Sno.co.uk), Rob Forbes (CoolBus.co.uk), Al Judge (AliKats) and down the line by author Jonathan Trigell. - Find out more about the Ski Flight Free campaign - Up to 75% of the greenhouse gas emissions generated from a ski holiday come from your journey to resort - According to the Ski Club of Great Britain 35% of skiers plan to drive to their ski holiday this winter (twice the numbers for last year) - There are now 164,000 EVs in the UK - Registrations for pure-EVs in 2020 to date are up 158% YOY - You can find out more about Tesla vehicles here - AliKats have a Renault Kangoo Z.E. - Jon owns a Renault Twizy (and previously appeared in Episode 20) - This page on the Sno website has some great advice about driving an EV to the Alps - You can see the full Tesla charging map here - Montagne Verte is an excellent community environmental organisation in Morzine - President Macron has pledged green subsidies for France - Excellent options for a family EV are the Hyundai Kona and Kia eNero - Have a look at EV-Pow.com for fitting charging points in France (a great idea for a tour operator looking for a competitive advantage) Enjoy your skiing this winter and if you do want to reduce your emissions, please remember to Ski Flight Free If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee… 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.

8 Dec 202052min

Iain’s guests for Episode 63 of The Ski Podcast are Vanessa Fisher and Steve Angus. We discuss reduced quarantine and a dramatic week for French ski resorts. When will we get to ski this winter? There are snow reports from Verbier and Crans Montana, plus we talk electric cars and have another suggestion for Ski Book Group. 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 Vanessa made her debut as a dalek in Episode 7, told us about her downhill racing experiences in Episode 23 Regular listeners will know Steve from Episode 6, 25 & Episode 43  Steve is a Ski instructor at TDC in Val d'Isère You can book lessons in Val d’Isere with Steve at Clareangus.co.uk or by emailing him at steveangus@yours.com   Quarantine has been reduced to 5 days (with a negative test) Could quarantine even be reduced to zero?  Intersport's survey showed that 58% of skiers were more likely to travel now You can read Ski Weekend's survey here Will French/European resorts open after Macron's speech  You can read Iain's blog on Skipedia about France's dramatic week here La Clusaz is 'not an amusement park' #jesuisunestation There is a petition with over 20,000 signatures Note that ski touring is NOT banned in France in December Italy want resorts closed over Christmas Zermatt has allegedly seen overcrowding, but Switzerland is still open  VIPski has gone out of business Hotelplan have confirmed they will run no chalets this winter You can listen to our review of Bankso in Episode 48 There is going to be a Brexit staffing issue after 31 December Testing has been set up in Courchevel and in Val Thorens   Sam from Altitude Ski School reported from Verbier Pierre-Henri Mainetti reported from Crans Montana There will be no World Cup racing in Val d'Isere No dancing on the tables at the Folie Douce this winter Ischgl has scaled down apres ski  Vanessa reported on her experiences at the Inferno in in Episode 23 Intersport Ski Hire is offering free and easy cancellation on all bookings 81% of their customers hire so they don't have to haul their skis around 33% are hiring because it's cheaper than ski carriage on flights Podcast listeners can get an additional 10% by using the code 'WINTER2020' Our 'Electric Vehicles in ski resorts' special was recorded last week and will come out as a Podcast Special Episode on 08 December Would you like one of these for Christmas? Iain has some new sunnies from Messy Weekend Listen to our Ski Podcast Special about 'Aiming High': the life of Erna Low We covered 'A Whole Life' in Ski Book Group in Episode 61  Vanessa recommended 'Beneath a Scarlet Sky'  Chris Howie suggested getting the sleeper to Scotland...I'm working on it, Chris! Nicola Sturgeon notwithstanding - can you even travel between England & Scotland? You can listen to our Train Travel Special here Reviews Dodshuz (via twitter):  Nice to listen to people talking about skiing and managing to stay positive about the up & coming season. Good job well doneSally Ingham Love The Ski Podcast and listen to you often while I am working from home  Mark Wilson (via Facebook): I listen to the podcasts everywhere, especially in the garden with my headphones on whilst messing about. my skis are ready to go.... just waiting for something to happen, and we’re away!Chris Howie Really excellent to see you continuing to make great podcasts even with COVID descending. Loving your podcasts, keep up the great work!  Coming Up If you missed our Facebook Live, our Ski Podcast Special on Electric Vehicles in Ski Resorts will be live on 08 Dec as a podcast. Episode 64 will be out on 15 December. Thanks to Switzerland Tourism and Intersport Ski Hire for supporting the podcast. If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

1 Dec 202058min

In this special podcast, Iain interviews Mark Frary, author of 'Aiming High', the biography of ski pioneer Erna Low and Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, former CEO of Erna Low.  We discuss the background and history of the eponymous founder of Erna Low Holidays, who advertised her first ski holiday as early as 1932.  Joanna Yellowlees-Bound explains why she commissioned Mark to write the book and we look at how he made his way through the reams of archive material available.  We learn how back in the early days all skiers travelled by train and had to go ski touring (as there were no lifts); how Miss Low overcame early challenges and how she helped introduce French ski resorts to the British public.  If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, please do share it on social and tag us at @theskipodcast  www.facebook.com/theskipodcast www.twitter.com/theskipodcast www.theskipodcast.com If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee… 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.

24 Nov 202051min

In Episode 62, Iain is joined by guests Ed Drake (Olympian and presenter of Ski Racing Podcast) and Katy Dartford (Freelance ski journalist based in Lyons). We discuss ski touring in Chamonix, how the World Cup is going to look in the 'new normal' and skiing in Scotland. Plus we have snow reports from Andermatt and Tignes. 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. Thank all of our listeners as we have just passed 100,000 total listens If this is your first, we have 88 great episodes to catch up with in lockdown! Ed last went skiing in Bormio Cervinia shut down on 24 November just after opening The French lockdown is scheduled to end in early-November Currently you can still ski now in Switzerland (and there's no quarantine on arrival)   The UK's 'Global Travel Task Force' are still to report There is progress on testing in resort?   Charlie Rees reported on the skiing in Andermatt Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter reported from Tignes    The World Cup in Lech has been postponed for two weeks All World Cup races will be behind closed doors  Resorts in France are hoping 'confinement' will end before their World Cup races in December We interviewed Dave Ryding in Saas Fee in Episode 57 and also in Episode 54 Mark Seaton is a UIAGM Mountain Guide in Chamonix You can book ski touring with Mark via Ski Weekend for this winter Steve Wells, Ellis Brigham Ski Hardware Buyer, confirmed that ski touring equipment sales have increased in the last few years Trafford Wilson is CEO of Snowsport Scotland Capacity has been limited in resorts in North America The Lecht will be doing temperature checks on their gondola Thanks to Lucy Edwards for her review of 'A Whole Life' You can support the crowdfunder for Fjord Mountain Mission here Caroline and Fjord previously featured in Episode 47 Reviews Thanks for Mike Pow from Snowheads: "Another great listen" And to Andrew Brannan: "Really enjoyed most recent podcast" Don't forget to subscribe, share and contact us on Twitter or Facebook You can follow Iain at @skipedia on Twitter or Facebook Watch out for Episode 63 arriving in early-December If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

10 Nov 20201h 1min

In this Ski Podcast Special, Iain interviews Florian Palluel, Sustainability and Transparency Manager at Picture Organic Clothing. Sustainability in the clothing industry has never been more important, with research showing it is responsible for up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 20% of all global wastewater.  During this interview we discuss many topics including:  ·       the history of the company ·       their supply chain and how they source their materials ·       why they choose to manufacture in Turkey & China and not France ·       what steps they are taking to reduce packaging ·       how they are making their new offices as sustainable as possible ·       whether in the future a zero-emission ski jacket might be possible We also mention this survey by consultancy McKinsey about consumer views on sustainable fashion.  If you’d like to find out more, you may find these two links useful: https://www.picture-organic-clothing.com/en/taking-a-step-back/ https://www.picture-organic-clothing.com/sustainability/index-en.html  If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, please do share it on social and tag us at @theskipodcast  www.facebook.com/theskipodcast www.twitter.com/theskipodcast If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you always can buy us a coffee…

3 Nov 202027min