250: Is Ski Ballet back? Plus Perisher, Cardrona & Australia/NZ news

Lesley Mckenna is a legendary snowboarder in the UK scene. She was the first British snowboarder to compete at the Winter Olympics and the first to win a World Cup Half-Pipe. She went on to become coach of the most successful GB Park and Pipe team ever, plus she’s a filmmaker, ski tourer and much more. 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 Lesley’s parents were both ski instructors (4:00) Her grandfather was one of the original Scottish pioneers of skiing (5:30) Lesley’s cousins are Alain and Noel Baxter, who both skied slalom for Team GB (8:00) First ski season in Jackson Hole (8:30) Racing on pair of 224cm skis (13:30) Moving on to Breckenridge (16:00) Kirsteen McGibbon tragically died during a training run in 1996 (17:45) H&R Insurance were the main sponsors of Lesley’s early career (18:30) Becci Malthouse helped Lesley’s transition to snowboarding (18:45) The 1996 Brits took place in Meribel Lesley started off racing slalom before moving onto freestyle (23:30) The challenges of funding (28:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Bode Miller (30:30) What was it like being with Alain Baxter when he won his Olympic medal (31:00) Coaching at the British Ski Academy and for Roxy (35:00) Lesley Worked through the 2014 & 2018 cycles as a coach (36:30) Listen to Iain’s interview with Pat Sharples (38:00) Jenny Jones won Britain’s first ever medal on snow at Sochi (39:00) Billy Morgan won bronze in the Big Air at PyeongChang (40:00) Wandering Workshops (43:30) The Kendal Film Festival takes place from 16-19 November (46:00) Patagonia’s film ‘Thrawn’ is about the cultural significance of snowsports in the Cairngorms (46:30) Is haggis the Scottish version of ‘hygge’? (48:00) The 2023 Brits took place in Scotland (50:30) Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty Muir (51:30) Watch ‘Dropstitch’ on YouTube (52:15) Lesley won Sport Scotland Coach Developer of the Year (53:00) If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help: 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 2) Subscribe, so you don’t miss another episode 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or by taking this link   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

16 Nov 202355min

We explore the history of Méribel and discover Banff Sunshine Village in Canada and Killington in the States.  Host Iain Martin was joined by Kendra Scurfield (Banff Sunshine Village), Kristel Killary (Killington) and David Lindsay (ESF Méribel and son of the resort’s founder Sir Peter Lindsay).  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 Killington opened on 03 November (1:30) Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski is in St Anton (5:00) Robin Shah has already been skiing in Verbier (8:45) Jen Tsang is from That’s La Plagne (9:30) Save money this winter when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com and use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ (11:30) The first ever cross-border Alpine World Cup races take place this weekend in Zermatt and Cervinia (13:00) You can read more about the debate about use of diggers on the course (13:15) Sir Peter Lindsay is recognised as the founder of Méribel (14:30) Jean-Marie Choffel is author of the book ‘Méribel since 1938’ (15:45)~ Lindsay’s business partner was the French Count, Jean Gaillard de la Valdenne (17:45) In 1936 Lindsay and two guides climbed La Saulire on skins and skied down to Brides-les-Bains (21:00) ESF Méribel are launching their ‘Master Classes’ for January 2024 (26:00) Iain tested the Carv in Episode 171 (29:45) Kendra has her own podcast: 'For The Love of Winter' (30:00) Ski Big 3 is a joint venture between Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay (34:00) Find out about Banff Sunshine Village (35:00) Kendra skied with Robin Williams at Sunshine Village (39:00) Killington is the largest resort in Eastern North America (41:00) Killington’s partner is Pico Mountain (42:00) Listen to Iain’s report on skiing in Australia in Episode 182  Over Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov 25/26) Killington is hosting the Women's World Cup (47:30) Discover Cow Power in Killington (48:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQlsLiDjc_4 Feedback Amy Stewart: "I’ve been a long time listener and got to listen to Episode 182 about Perisher and Thredbo. I love it, as a long time instructor over here it's awesome to finally hear about this unique ski area on an international level. This podcast was great through the pandemic when I was over here to keep me in touch with the winter season back in Europe!" Oli: "It was great to meet you at London Snow Show. Great talk. Looking forward to listening to more episodes this winter!" James: "I really enjoy the podcast, with the wide range of topics. Keep up the good work." Hans Weeren: "I just started listening to your podcast. Nice work!" Miranda Slater: "Very big congrats on being honoured with a finalist position. Keep up the good work as you are a great channel." Matt Hayes: "Congratulations on a great achievement for the pod. Hopefully it serves as some compensation and recognition of the time, dedication and quality that you put in." If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:    1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify  2) Subscribe, so you don’t miss another episode  3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or by taking this link   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

10 Nov 202352min

Bode Miller is the most successful male American alpine ski racer of all time: an Olympic and World Championship gold medallist, he is also a two-time overall World Cup champion and one of just five men to win World Cup events in all five disciplines.  Iain spoke to Bode about his unique career as a racer and about Peak Skis – the new range of skis that he has designed and is launching for sale in Europe. 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 Alcott told me “Bode is unique: he’s an icon, because he doesn’t fit any mould” (3:30) Bode learned to ski at Cannon Mountain ski area in New Hampshire (4:00) At Carrabasset Valley Academy Bode had to snowmobile 6 miles and hitch 18 miles each day (5:45) Bode initially showed promise as a snowboarder (8:00) He cut a snowboard in half and put bindings on them (9:15) He started racing pro at 18 and by 1998 was at the Nagano Winter Olympics (10:00) Bode’s first podium was in 2000 at Val d’Isere (10:30) Bode won two silver medals at Salt Lake in 2002 (12:30)   “It's the Olympics. If I had backed off and I came in fifth or sixth place, I think I would have been really disappointed.” Bode’s autobiography is called ‘Go Fast, Be Good, Have Fun’ “We should tell our kids to just have fun, participate and not get bent on winning or losing”  Bode lived in a 9-metre long RV for much of his time on the circuit (16:00) Bode’s training was unconventional and included a 700-lb squat machine built by his uncle (17:00) Other sessions included 15-minute runs through the streams (21:00) Watch the famous ‘60 Minutes’ interview (26:00) At Vancouver in 2010 he became the first American to win Olympic medal in downhill since 1994 (30:30) In 2014 Bode became the oldest Olympic medalist in alpine ski history, winning bronze in super-G (34:00)      “Miller is skiing's mad scientist. There couldn't possibly be anyone who has thought more about what it takes to win a ski race” The Guardian, 2006 Bode set up Peak Skis in 2022 (38:00) Race skis in Bode’s day looked ‘like a toothpick’ in comparison to today’s race skis (39:00) Peak Skis use ‘Keyhole Technology’ (40:00) Bode on ‘cooking’ skis to see how they are constructed (41:30) View the full range of Peak Skis here (44:45) Bode on ski radius (46:30) Bode on ‘women’s skis’ (48:00) Loc8 means Peak Skis can be tracked if lost (49:00) Peak Skis are now on sale in Europe direct from the website (50:00) Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, so please let me what you thought via social @theskipodcast or email theskipodcast@gmail.com  If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 2) Buy me a coffee at BMAC/theskipodcast 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

31 Okt 202353min

This National Snow Week Special is packed full of interviews, including Mia Brookes, Ed Leigh, Chemmy Alcott, Charlotte Bankes, Warren Smith and more, all recorded at the consumer shows in Birmingham and London, and at trade networking event LISTEX. 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 Ski Podcast was a finalist in the ‘Best Broadcast Programme’ category at the 2023 Travel Media Awards (1:00) Sam Haddad featured in our snowboard special episode (1:30) Sam won the Travel Media award for ‘Best Sustainability Feature’ (1:40) Save money when you book your ski hire with Intersport by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ (1:45) Listen to Iain’s interview with Tim Warwood (2:45) Mia Brookes became world champion in snowboard slopestyle earlier this year (4:45) Charlotte Bankes won the mixed team Snowboard Cross with teammate Huw Nightingale (8:00) Iain interviewed Charlotte when she first joined Team GB Colin Martin appeared in our Ski Boot Special podcast (13:30) Al Morgan discussed the BOA Fit System for ski boots in Episode 187 Listen to Iain’s interview with BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh, recorded in Feb 2023 (18:30) Tord Nilson is on the SIGB board (22:00) Guy Fowles works at Wasteland Travel, specialists in ski trips for student and young professionals (25:15) Ian Brown from The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead (27:15) James Gambrill from The Ski Club of Great Britain, who are bringing back Ski Club reps to France (29:30) Dan Keeley is from the charity Snowcamp (33:30) Iain reported on his trip to Roccaraso in Abruzzo in Episode 170 (36:15) Graeme is the owner of Ski Abruzzo (37:45) Aaron is the founder of OOSC Clothing (39:00) Iain led panels about train travel at both shows (41:00) Krissie Roe from Inghams talked about their new train travel product in Episode 184 (44:00) Listen to Iain’s ‘Behind the Scenes at Ski Sunday’ interview with Chemmy Alcott (44:15) Richard Sinclair is MD at ski travel agency SNO Holidays (44:30) SNO are reporting an increase in demand for train travel (45:00) Richard appeared on our electric vehicle special podcast (49:00) SNO has a page about electric car travel to the Alps in their website Warren Smith has been taking the POW Carbon Literacy courses (49:45) In Episode 183 we discussed the POW ‘Send It for Climate’ campaign (52:00) Dom Winter is Head of Programmes for Protect Our Winters UK Nathalie Davies is MD of Raccoon Media Group (54:00) The 2024 London Snow Show will take place on 19-20 October at ExCel in London (55:00) Iain was joined for The Ski Podcast Live by Mike Richards, Katie Bamber, James Wilcox, Catherine Murphy and Tristan Kennedy (speaking about Japan, Turkey, Iraq, Pays de Gex, Uzbekistan and Abruzzo respectively) Feedback (57:00)  We have some great feedback from ‘Snowheads’ (57:30)   Fixx: "The Ski Podcast panel with Iain re. train travel to the slopes was very interesting" wiigman: "The Ski Podcast panel stuff excellent and thought-provoking" elzP: "I also really enjoyed the train travel session" Tim: "I recently discovered The Ski Podcast and I have been binge listening! I'm impressed by the engaging content and captivating discussions on all things skiing and snow sports" Inside Morzine: "We can’t wait for the new season to kick off but first there a little matter of the National Snow Show and meet someone who has not only got us through the pandemic but the all the months in between: Iain Martin from The Ski Podcast - a total legend!" Andrea Dalton: "Just managed to catch up with this latest episode and fab to hear from Al always love listening to what he has to say." If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help: 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify  2) Buy me a coffee at BuyMeaCoffee.com/theskipodcast (thanks David) 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ You can follow Iain on social @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

25 Okt 202359min

We find out about Copper Mountain in Colorado and look at look at this season’s equipment trends, including BOA ski boots, the Rossignol ‘Essential’ ski, the new Lange ‘Shadow’ innovation and look at clothing rental. Iain was joined by Maria Fox, Director of Marketing at Copper Mountain, and podcast regular, 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 Copper Mountain stayed open to 28 May last winter (2:00) Intersport Rent is the new main partner of The Ski Podcast (3:45) Use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com (4:00) National Snow Week takes place between 14 and 22 October (5:00) The shows are at the Birmingham NEC (14-15 Oct) and the London Excel (21-22 Oct) Listeners can get a free ticket by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ (5:30) LISTEX takes place at London Excel from 17-19 October (6:00) The Ski Podcast is a finalist as ‘Best Broadcast Programme’ in the Travel Media Awards (6:15) SNCF trains are now on sale for journeys up to 09 January (6:30) Listen to Episode 185 for more info on Inghams train options (6:45) Go to Ski Flight Free for all the info you need about train travel this winter The Telegraph’s Bucket List poll showed 26% of people have a US Road Trip on their list (7:00) Snowmaking started in Copper Mountain on 02 October (7:30) Check all the facts about Copper here (9:00) Downhill race training is on offer in Copper from 20 October (10:00) Copper Mountain bills itself as the 'Athlete's Mountain' (12:30) Copper is the Official Training Centre for the US Ski and Snowboard team The Woodward Terrain Parks in Copper are a key feature (14:45) Copper hosts the Colorado Special Olympics Winter Games (17:00) Employees at Copper Mountain are also eligible for Athlete Sponsorship (18:00) Find out more about the BOA binding system for ski boots (24:00) https://youtu.be/fMCQuZvNm8U Find out more about the Lange ‘Shadow’ system (29:00) The Rossignol ‘Essential’ ski is the ‘most sustainable ski’ Al has ever seen (33:00) Planks is very upfront that "We are not eco-friendly" (35:15) Clothing rental trend is evident with Hurr, John Lewis, ecoski, Selfridges all offering ski clothing rental (36:00) Feedback (39:00) I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, so please contact me via social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Ian: “Just catching up on a few eps of the podcast. That 3 Valleys hike in Episode 184 sounds awesome!” David: “Thanks so much for the podcast: my wife and I are keen listeners”  James Hawkins: “I love listening to every episode so keep up the good work. I enjoyed the conversation about golf in Episode 186 and wanted to mention the Kitzbuhel Golf Festival…they transform “The Streif” into a golf course for the day. The first tee shot is taken from the actual Hahnenkamm starting gate and you play the exact race track.” Tom Kelly: “I've enjoyed listening to your podcasts. I also do a skiing pod, the Last Chair, for Ski Utah. The episode on rail travel to the Alps made me jealous that we really don't have that here in the USA.” If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help: 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts (104 ratings) or Spotify (31 ratings)  2) Buy me a coffee at BMAC/theskipodcast (thanks David) 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

13 Okt 202342min

We discuss autumn glacier skiing in Austria, what’s new in Aspen and whether golf is easier in the mountains. Iain was joined by Rana Dershowitz, VP at Aspen Snowmass and journalist Rob Rees. 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 Rob was last on the show in Episode 179 discussing the Aosta Valley (1:15) National Snow Week takes place from 14-22 October (3:30) The Ski Podcast Live will feature at the shows on each Sunday at 1pm (3:45) Secure a free ticket to the show using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ (4:15) The Ski Podcast is a finalists at the Travel Media Awards (4:45) Iain skied in Zermatt in August Gethin James told us about skiing in Solden in October in Episode 159 (5:50) Stubai above Neustift is one of Rob’s favourites (6:45) Find out more about the Intersport Schneetage (7:45) Rob shared a lift with Hermann Maier in Pitztal Iain spoke with Dave Ryding in Saas Fee in Episode 57 (11:30)            Find out about the ‘White 5’ lift pass (13:15) Check out the lifts designed by Zara Hadid if you travel to Innsbruck (14:00) Ski Launch took place in September 2023 (16:00) The European Masters Golf takes place in Crans Montana (18:00) The new ‘Hero’s’ terrain expansion is the biggest in Aspen for 40 years (21:00) The Ikon Pass includes Aspen Snowmass and more than 50 other resorts (26:30) Aspen hosts the Winter X Games (28:00) The Mountain Collective pass is another option for multiple resort skiing (32:00) Find out about the 'Give A Flake' advocacy campaign (34:00) Aspen’s Environment Foundation is a great campaign (36:45) Take a look at the melting gondola sculpture (37:30) Feedback (39:45)   I enjoy all feedback about the show, so if you have any thoughts or ideas for features please contact me via social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Paul: "[Your] hard work and imagination is being rewarded"   Heather Hannam: "Still loving listening to your Podcasts with my daughter. Congratulations on your nomination by the way, we should be ably to buy you a glass of something fizzy, rather than just a coffee"    Paul Sonn: "I live in the US and really enjoy your podcast."    If you like the podcast, there are couple of things you can do to help:  1) Review us on Apple Podcasts (103 ratings) or Spotify (30 ratings)    2) Buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Podcast Stats - 51% of listeners catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts and 34% on Spotify - Listens are up 20% over the last year. - There are 186 episodes to catch up with and 115 were listened to in the last week.  - For the first time that more than half of our listeners were from outside the UK - 21% of our listeners were in the USA You can follow Iain at @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

29 Sep 202342min

We discuss new ways to take the train to the Alps and what it’s like skiing to the North Pole.  Iain was joined by Krissy Roe, Sustainability Manager at Inghams Ski and adventurer Sue Stockdale. 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 Listen to our special about skiing in Thredbo and Perisher, Australia (2:00) The Ski Podcast has been shortlisted as one of the finalists in the ‘Broadcast Programme of the Year’ category in the 2023 Travel Media Awards (5:00)  ‘Ski Launch’ took place in early September (6:00) Sandra Picard is Brand and Communications Director for Compagnie des Alpes (6:30) You can view Sandra’s slidedeck here and CdA’s commitments here (8:45) You can look at Iain’s slides about AI here (9:00) A new survey by Le Ski shows the snowsports market is expected to grow by 14% (9:15) Nick Morgan is MD at Le Ski Chalets You can find out more about ski jobs in ski resorts in our special episode (11:30) National Snow Week will see ski shows at the Birmingham NEC and London Excel (13:30) Listeners can get free entry using the discount code ‘SKIPODCAST’ before 01 October (13:45) In winter 2008/09, over 30,000 people travelled by Eurostar on their ski holiday (20:45) Find out about the new Eurostar Snow Train service to France at Ski Flight Free (22:00) Listen to Iain’s review of the inaugural ‘old’ Eurostar ski train service from 2021 (23:00) The Inghams train product is now on sale on their website (25:00) Their packages are the same price in most cases as travelling by plane (29:30) Listen to Prue Stone from Hotelplan discussing their commitment to sustainability in our special episode (31:30) You can listen to Sue’s TED Talk here (33:30) Sue is the first woman from the UK to ski to the Magnetic North Pole in 1996 (34:00) Listen to our special about ski touring on the Haute Route (44:30) Panache Cruises offer cruises including ski touring (46:00) Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, ideas for features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  BobinCH (snowheads): “I enjoyed Episode 182 that as it brought back fond memories of those gum trees in the Thredbo backcountry!” Max Martin (Apple podcasts): “A year round fortnightly roundup of interviews and reports on all aspects of skiing and snowboarding. Always interesting and informative, The Ski Podcast keeps me in touch with the sport and lifestyle.” Nick D (BuyMeACoffee): “Well deserved getting to the award finals. Keep up the great work. I was in Roccarasso the same week you visited and enjoyed the podcast on your trip.” You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

18 Sep 202351min

We find out what it's like hiking across Les 3 Vallées, about the new Alpine Crossing in Zermatt and an environmentally-focussed ski school in Méribel. Iain was joined by Estelle Roy from the Les Menuires Tourist Office and Ollie Scott from the ski school Rhythm to Ride in Méribel. 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 zero isotherme went as high as 5300m in the Alps (01:00) There has been new snow down to 2300m (2:00) Ollie ski toured to La Grande Casse in May (3:00) Iain skied in Zermatt last week (4:00) https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1695071076483477691 In recent episodes, we’ve heard about mountain biking, road cycling and family activities in Les 3 Vallées (5:00) The Lac de Rosière is spectacular (5:45) Florent Hazucka works for the Courchevel Tourist Office (6:15) There are the remains of a plane, which crashed at Breche Portetta in 1969 (9:00) Iain stayed at the Refuge du Grand Plan (11:00) There’s also a refuge at Lac Merlet, both are in the Vanoise National Park (12:00) Listen to Iain’s report on staying the night at the Refuge du Saut last winter (14:00) Iain stayed on his second night at Refuge du Lac du Lou (15:45) Listen to Iain’s experience of ski touring to the Refuge at night (19:30) You can try ice diving in Les Menuires in winter (19:45) Katya reported on ice swimming in Samoens in Episode 166 (23:00) It's an easy walk from Chez Pepe Nicolas to Lac du Lou (23:30) You can book the refuge via their website (24:30) The Matterhorn Ultraks trail running weekend includes 5 different races (26:00) Marc Lagger is Communications Manager for Zermatt Bergbahnen (27:00) Read Iain’s article for Fall Line Magazine This year’s races will take place on the weekends of 18/19 and 25/26 November (30:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with the organiser of the Speed Opening Downhill races, recorded in September 2022 (35:00) Ollie Scott is a co-founder of Rhythm to Ride ski school in Méribel (35:45) Any hours booked with Rhythm to Ride lead to seeds being planted in Africa (39:00) Rhythm to Ride set up the the CarPool Tool (40:30) They donate 3% of their income to Protect Our Winters (46:00) Find out more about the new train services to the Alps at Ski Flight Free (47:00) We discussed Thredbo’s lift pass cap in Episode 183 (48:00) Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, ideas for features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Joe Childs: “New Ski Podcast day is always a great day!” Hocenski Hoc Dalibor: “Nice podcast” Peter: “I've started listening to your podcast two days ago and am slowly listening to most of your old episodes. I am currently at Episode 24.”  If you like the podcast, there are couple of things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts  2) Buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast There are 184 episodes to catch up with and 134 were listened to in the last week. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

1 Sep 202353min