206: Verbier, Saalbach & the impact of climate change on ski resorts
The Ski Podcast22 Mars 2024

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

In this episode, we discuss Verbier, Saalbach Hinterglemm and the impact of climate change on ski resorts. Plus we have a lot of feedback on Vail Resorts and the Epic Pass, which we covered in Episode 204.

Iain was joined by freelance journalist and regular guest Catherine Murphy and David George, founder of the PisteHors.com website

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

Catherine was last on the show in Episode 173, when she was telling us about Pays de Gex
Jen Tsang from ‘That’s La Plagne’ reported from…La Plagne (3:00)
Betony reports on the latest conditions in the Mont Blanc valley (5:45)
Alex from 150 Days of Winter covered the latest conditions in Courchevel (7:15)
Iain rented skis from Philippe Roux Intersport on his Verbier trip (8:45)
Charlotte Bankes has taken 5 consecutive podiums in World Cup Snowboard Cross (9:00)
Dave Ryding finished 7th overall in the World Cup slalom rankings
Jasmin Taylor picked up 3 more podiums in Telemark and goes into the Finals in 1st place (9:15)
Catherine was in Saalbach Hinterglemm
Saalbach will host the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2025 (10:15)
Read the case study on train travel to Saalbach on Ski Flight Free (14:00)
Iain’s guides in Verbier were Anthony Voute from European Snowsport and Bertrand Lovey from ski school La Fantastique (18:00)
Try the ‘Canadian Trees’ in the Bruson sector of Verbier (18:15)
Verbier has so many backcountry options off the back of Mont Fort (19:30)
Victor de la Rue clinched the snowboard Freeride World Tour title for the third time (20:30)
Iain spoke with older brother and three-time champion Xavier de la Rue (21:00)
Iain travelled by train to Verbier – a very straightforward journey (21:30)
Protect Our Winters research shows that ski kit represents 12% of the carbon footprint of a ski holiday (22:00)
Cirkel Supply is a new ski clothing rental company, founded by Anders Bergenstrand (22:45)
Anna Smoothy has done some research that shows renting clothing has a 76% smaller carbon footprint than buying
Josh Speller is the founder of Verbier Green (30:00)
David founded PisteHors.com in 2004 (34:00)
You can read David’s blog about the effect of climate change on ski resorts here (44:00)
66% of the carbon footprint of a ski holiday comes from the your flight (45:30)
Find out more about low-carbon ski holidays at Ski Flight Free (46:00)
More than half of American skiers buy an Epic or Ikon pass (49:00)
The Magic Pass has seen a 9% increase in sales this winter (49:00)
Laurent Vauchet, CEO of Televerbier, is equivocal that Vail Resorts is not buying Verbier (49:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Mike Goar, MD of Andermatt in Episode 204 (51:00)
Find out more about the Ikon Pass (52:00)

Feedback
I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com

Adam Horsfield: "I have been an avid listener of the ski podcast since 2018. After 6 years of listening, I’ve finally taken the decision to take the train to the Alps and am very much looking forward to it."

Episode 204 about Vail Resorts prompted a LOT of feedback:

Simon Burgess: "Really enjoyed the last episode on the Epic Pass. As someone who has used it a lot it’s exciting what’s on offer and what could develop. I still think some of the partner agreements are a rip off with special lodging needed to get a pass, but for Andermatt, 3 Valleys and the Dolomites it’s been brilliant. It was fantastic in Andermatt: show the Epic Pass and they give you a season pass which I’m pretty sure is sold for more”

Andrew Brannan: "Eye watering ticket prices, all the top management jobs taken out of resort, all teh restaurants and hotels, shops and even estate agents bought up by the same monopoly, aggressive property development, workers forced to live down the valley"

Chris Howie: "It feels as if Vail Resorts are trying to wring every last penny out of resorts while providing the very minimum in return. In most of the Vail Resorts-owned resorts prices have gone sky high so only the rich can ski. Ski passes are almost three times the price of a European ski resort. Lift lines are unbelievably long. The local staff are removed to bring in centralised American staff, ripping the heart out of the resort. I will do my best to never ski at a resort owned by the Vail Resort organisation"

Jane Henderson: “You should've given him a bit of a grilling on the negative impact of Epic/Ikon passes”

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:

1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
2) Subscribe
3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

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32: Japow, McSki, Chill Factore & Ski Val go bust

32: Japow, McSki, Chill Factore & Ski Val go bust

In this episode, Jim finds out about the legendary Ja-powder in Japan, while Iain takes a first slide at the Chill Factore in Manchester. We find out about how to buy property in the Alps, discuss whether you should eat chips in a cable car and mourn the sad loss of chalet industry stalwarts Ski Val. There's also a new selection for our ski book group. All that and much more in this 32nd episode of The Ski Podcast. Remember all pod listeners can claim a 10% discount a the north west’s premier ski and snow centre Chill Factore using the code (‘SKIPOD10’).

19 Mars 201951min

31: Telemark Skiing, Plane Crashes, Avalanches, Moon Boots & more

31: Telemark Skiing, Plane Crashes, Avalanches, Moon Boots & more

Woah... this is a snow-packed episode. In this edition of the podcast Iain and Jim discuss the quality of Moon-Boots, Jim goes Telemarking for the first time and they talk about Lyndsey Vonn retiring to become a cow farmer. There is also interviews with Bethany from Globalshots about her 'Beyond the Pistes' film & Linley Lewis from Ticket To Ride about the new chalet regulations. Check out the full list of what is in the pod... Show Notes - Ski suit or ski gear? Jim favours the ski suit… - There was a fatal avalanche in Crans Montana, Switzerland on 19 February - If you missed it, then this is a video of the plane crash at Courchevel altiport - Lyndsey Vonn retired second to Ingemar Stenmark with 82 World Cup wins to his 86 in the all-time list of Alpine Ski World Cup wins - Vonn started her own herd of livestock after choosing a cow (“because she was really cute”) as a prize over a $5,000 check after a World Cup win in Val d’Isere. The cow, Olympe, turned out to be pregnant and Vonn now owns a family of them. - Moon Boots: genuinely not too bad (as long as you don’t get them out of a rubbish in like Jim) - Iain interviewed Bethany from Globalshots about her 'Beyond the Pistes' film - The new TV programme about the ski patrol in Val Thorens is being filmed this season and will be broadcast later in the year - Val Thorens has introduced an autonomous bus service - If you would like to sponsor or partner with the ski podcast then please contact iain@theskipodcast.com - Jim interviewed Linley Lewis from Ticket To Ride about the new chalet regulations and controls in place in France - Please do review us on iTunes or email or Tweet us your feedback (but if you do leave us a 1-star review, don’t be shy, tell us why – we might be able to change things!) - Iain reviewed the Eckster smart wallet: 'Designed for people who tend to lose their belongings'. Save 20% off any order by using the code ‘SKIPOD-EKSTER’ - Jim was coached on the art of telemark skiing by Wendy Holland in La Clusaz - Team GB telemarker Jasmin Taylor now had more podiums than any other British skier - Jim’s Ski Servicing interview was with Simon from Wax Off

6 Mars 20191h 4min

30: Ski Touring in Morocco, Powder Technique & Eddie The Eagle Pt2

30: Ski Touring in Morocco, Powder Technique & Eddie The Eagle Pt2

In this episode Iain and Jim find out how to ski powder and service skis, discover you can do a GCSE in skiing, rejoice in Team GB success (and how Eddie 'The Eagle' feels about it). There's ski touring in Morocco and more bad news for 'The Jump'.

12 Feb 20191h

29: Eddie The Eagle, La Clusaz, Folie Douce in Cham

29: Eddie The Eagle, La Clusaz, Folie Douce in Cham

n this episode Iain chats to Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards about how life has changed since the movie, Jim reviews La Clusaz and finds out more about how to service skis properly. We discuss the best value ski resorts, cheese vending machines, ski touring in Courchevel and the new Folie Douce hotel in Chamonix. There’s all that and much more in this 29th episode of The Ski Podcast. Don’t forget that all pod listeners can claim a 10% discount a the north west’s premier ski and snow centre Chill Factore using the code (‘SKIPOD10’).

29 Jan 20191h 9min

28: Wolves in the Alps, How Cows Prevent Avalanches & Ski Sunday Returns

28: Wolves in the Alps, How Cows Prevent Avalanches & Ski Sunday Returns

In this episode Jim and Iain discuss the increase in the number of wolves in the Alps, we find out how cows prevent avalanches and Jim tests a new eco-friendly boot dryer. Jim brings us up to date on life in La Clusaz, we celebrate the return of Ski Sunday and Dave Ryding's successes and Chemmy Alcott discusses skiing after pregnancy. There's all that and much more in this 29th episode of The Ski Podcast. Don't forget that all pod listeners can claim a 10% discount a the north west's premier ski and snow centre Chill Factore using the code ('SKIPOD10').

14 Jan 20191h 5min

27: La Rosiere, St Anton, Chamonix & La Clusaz

27: La Rosiere, St Anton, Chamonix & La Clusaz

In this episode Jim and Iain swap Secret Santa presents, we have updates from Betony in Chamonix and Becky in St Anton. Jim prepares for his move to La Clusaz and Iain reports live from La Rosière. The boys discuss the new Graystone training facility in Manchester, touch on Brexit and reminisce about classic apres-ski bands in the Alps.

26 Dec 201856min

26: Skiing in Scotland, Swindon & Méribel

26: Skiing in Scotland, Swindon & Méribel

In this episode skiing we find out how to ski in Scotland all year round, get the latest news from Méribel and discuss the new snow centre in Swindon. Jim and Iain also reveal who described the pod as 'a pretty good listen', find out how you train for snowboard cross and discuss whether cancelling events in a ski resort guarantee bad PR.

12 Dec 201857min

25: St Anton, Charlotte Bankes & Billy Morgan's favourite resort

25: St Anton, Charlotte Bankes & Billy Morgan's favourite resort

This episode Iain and Jim discuss the lack of snow in (most of) the Alps, Iain asks new GB snowboardcross athlete Charlotte Bankes why she defected from the French team and Billy Morgan reveals his favourite ski resort. Andy reports with the latest news from St Anton, Dave shows Jim how to turn and possibly we feature Steve from Val d'Isere talking about Tignes.

28 Nov 20181h 1min

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