Iain and Al reveal the ‘Best Ski Boots for 2025’, plus we also cover all the jargon you need to know about ski boots, including what Mondopoint and BOA mean, plus the differences between the shell, liner and last. 

We’ve already covered the best skis, and in later episodes, we’ll be covering the best ski jackets, helmets, goggles, gloves and socks, as well as a special episode focussing on ski touring equipment.
 
This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham.

Ellis Brigham are the winter sports specialists, with 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now.

SHOW NOTES

Don't buy to match your outfit (2:30)
The benefits of footbeds (5:00)
What is the ‘shell’? (7:00)
What is the ‘liner’? (8:00)
How to store your ski boots (10:30)
What is the ‘Last’? (11:30)
What is ‘Mondopoint’? (12:30)
Chat about buckles and BOA (14:00)
What is a ‘Powerstrap’? (18:00)
What is ‘Flex’? (19:00)
What is ‘GripWalk’? (21:00)
Find out about the new Phaenom boot range from Faction (26:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Bode Miller (49:00)

THE BEST SKI BOOTS OF 2025

Nordica Speed Machine 3 Boa 120 (28:00)
‘An excellent boot for advanced piste and all-mountain skiers’, £530
 
Head Edge 95 W HV GW (32:00)
‘Brilliant boot if you value comfort and ease of use’, £370 

K2 BFC 120 BOA GW (35:45)
‘Built For Comfort’ with enough power for advanced skiers’, £525

Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 105 GW (39:30)
Freeride Hybrid Women’s boot with ‘amazing downhill performance’, £590

Scarpa 4Quattro XT (45:15)
One of the best freeride boots on the market’, £700

ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE
Toby from Ellis Brigham in Covent Garden chose the Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 130 (49:00) at £700

Feedback (53:30)

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 [email protected] 

@rosbifsa660 (YouTube) asked about the thin edge on the Nordica Enforcer, included in our ‘Best Skis’ episode, which Al answers (54:00)

BigMountainBob (Instagram) asked about the Atomic Bents and DPS freeride skis and adds “The DPS Lotus 124 carbon is my all-time favourite pow ski.” (57:00)

James Rice: “Just finished the "Best Skis for 2025" episode. Like all your episodes, this one was outstanding. Al has an excellent command of the subject, and he explains the basic foundational factors that go in to ski selection in an enjoyable and understandable way.”

If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:
 
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – helps listeners find us
2) Subscribe, so you never miss an episode
3) Share with your friends

Ellis Brigham are the winter sports specialists, with 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now.

You can follow Iaiun @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

GB Snowsport CEO Vicky Gosling joins Iain for this special episode of The Ski Podcast. 

We go behind the scenes of British skiing and snowboarding to find out what goes into running an organisation like GB Snowsport and how a country with no mountains outperforms countries from across the world.

We also find out about Vicky’s background in the RAF, what it was like working alongside Prince Harry on the Invictus Games and the link between snowsports and surfing.

This episode is part of a series of podcasts we're publishing this winter focusing on women in the snowsports industry. 

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

In 2022/23 GB Snowsport recorded 50 World Cup, World Champs, X Games podiums
That included a podium in every single discipline (4:00)
Pat Sharples is Head Coach of the GB Snowsports (6:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Pat Sharples (33:15)
Vicky and Pat had to sleep in their car in St Moritz (8:30)
Vicky was a Group Captain in the RAF, deployed to the Gulf (10:30)
In 2014, she became Military Exec Lead for first Invictus Games in London (12:30)
Vicky was appointed CEO for the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando (14:00)
Herding Morgan Freeman and Michelle Obama at the opening ceremony (15:00)
Appointed CEO of GB Snowsport in 2018 (15:30)
‘British Ski and Snowboard’ was re-branded to ‘GB Snowsport’ (16:30)
The goal to become a top five snowsport nation by 2030 (18:00)
Funding from UK Sport went up after Pyeongchang, but was cut after Beijing (20:15)
Team GB won one medal at Sochi 2014 (Jenny Jones) and two at Pyeongchang 2018 (Billy Morgan & Izzy Atkin) (21:30)
Kirsty Muir was the highest-placed Briton on snow with 5th in Big Air (23:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty Muir in Episode 174
Listen to Iain’s interview with Dave Ryding in Episode 199 (29:30)
Dave shares his ring-fenced funding with Billy Major and Laurie Taylor (29:30)
Dave Ryding’s coach Tris Glasse-Davies has left to work for US skiing (30:00)
The Alpine Team ranked 6th in world in 2023/24, ahead of USA, Italy, Canada (31:30)
Jim Ratcliffe donated £11m to help fund new clubhouse for the Courchevel race club (32:00)
Mia Brookes is the youngest ever world champion (33:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zak Carrick-Smith in Episode 200 (33:15)
In 2022 Vicky became Chair of GB Surfing (35:45)
Skateboarding medallist Sky Brown just failed to qualify in surfing for the Paris Olympics (37:30)
The effect of Brexit on GB Snowsports (39:30)
Listen to Stu Brass talking in Episode 213 about how he first met Jenny Jones in Tignes (40:30)
Chamonix 2024 saw the first global warming determined slalom (41:00)
FIS are under pressure to change their schedule to reduce emissions (41:30)

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 [email protected] 

robsmith0179: "It was really interesting to listen to [Chemmy Alcott’s] determination and drive from such a young age. I thought I was brave at 10 years old setting off into the hills on my own on a mountain bike...never mind going to New Zealand training.”

Victoria Bushnell: “My new Sunday listening is The Ski Podcast hosted by Iain Martin”

mc2_woodwork: "I truly love skiing and you bring together so much amazing content and extremely helpful information. After holidays in Tignes the last two winters my 6-year-old is hooked too.” 

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 take this link

There are now 228 episodes of The Ski Podcast and 138 were listened to in the last week. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog - we have covered so many destinations and stories - just go to theskipodcast.com, search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest to you. 

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

Iain and Al reveal the ‘Best Skis for 2025’, including Piste skis, All Mountain skis and Freeride skis, plus we help you understand what length skis to buy, as well as what 'rocker' and 'side cut' mean.

In later episodes, we’ll be covering the best ski boots, jackets, helmets, goggles, gloves and socks, as well as a special episode focussing on ski touring equipment. 

This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham. 

Ellis Brigham are the winter sports specialists, with 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at ellis-brigham.com to buy online now.

SHOW NOTES

What are the different categories of skis? (2:40)
What’s the relevance of width? (4:30)
What do we mean by ‘side cut’? (6:00)
What is a ‘rocker? (7:30)
How long should your skis be? (9:25)
Sustainability trends in skis (12:30)
Find out more about ADN Skis (14:30)
The SIGB Ski Test took place in La Clusaz in January 2024 (16:20)
Al regularly does testing at the Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore
Listen to Iain’s experience in Scotland in Episode 203 (18:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Bode Miller (20:15)
The difference between men’s and women’s skis (20:45)

THE BEST SKIS OF WINTER 2024 (18:30)

Atomic Cloud C9 (19:00)
“For an intermediate skier this is a beautiful piste ski” 
£500 including bindings. Width 72mm. Length 143cm-164cm 

Salomon Addikt Pro 76 (22:00)
“The Addikt Pro 76 is a sensational piste ski for holiday skiers”
£780 including bindings. Width 76mm. Length 156cm-177cm

Blizzard Anomaly 88 (24:30)
“All Mountain skis that grip like piste skis and when you turn up the throttle, they are amazing” 
£660 excluding bindings. Width 88mm. Length 164cm-188cm

Nordica Enforcer 94 (26:30)
“So useable off-piste. Brilliant in the bumps, brilliant in variable terrain”
£610 excluding bindings. Width 94mm. Length 167cm-185cm
 
Volkl Secret 96 and Volkl M7 Mantra (29:30)
“Sensational freeride skis for off-piste or in powder”
£750 excluding bindings. Width 96mm. 149-177cm (Secret), 163-191cm (M7)

ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE 

Alex from Ellis Brigham in Milton Keynes has his say

Rossignol Arcade 84 (33:30)
“Probably one of the best skis on the market for that all mountain carving ski”
£700 including bindings. Width 84mm. Length 152cm-184cm

FEEDBACK (37:00)

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 [email protected]

Wayne Hall: "I’ve been a long-time listener of The Ski Podcast—I’ve been tuning in since before the pandemic—and I religiously listen to the pod, especially as I gear up for a ski trip. I really appreciate how you cover the latest in ski gear, travel, and sustainability."

David Faller: “Enjoyed the Ellis Brigham episode. Thank you.”

There are now 227 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest. 

If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:
  
1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it genuinely helps other listeners find us
2) Subscribe – so you never miss an episode

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

Today we look at skiing in Sweden and Hemsedal in Norway and we find out what it's like coaching your kids to be pro skiers. Plus we find out more about the European Sleeper service to Innsbruck and the Dolomites, as well as discovering what Crans Montana is like in September.

Iain Martin was joined by four-time Winter Olympian and ski coach Emma Carrick-Anderson and Ben Nyberg, Managing Director at skiScandinavia.

Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
If you’re starting to plan your skiing for this winter, then I am delighted to confirm that Intersport are sponsoring The Ski Podcast for a second winter. That means that all podcast listeners can 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
 
Emma was on the slopes in Saas Fee for our call (1:00)
Mike Goar was the Keynote Speaker at Ski Launch (3:15)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Mike in Episode 204
Our equipment episodes start next week…with the ‘Best New Skis of 2024/25’
Look out for Iain’s interview with Vicky Gosling, CEO GB Snowsport coming in October (4:00)
Mia Brookes took 2nd in the Snowboard Slopestyle at Cardrona, NZ (4:15)
Chris Engelsman is the co-founder of European Sleeper (4:45)
Find out how to travel to Crans Montana on Ski Flight Free (12:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egi96baRhjQ
Iain took part in the Wildstrubel UTMB trail race (13:00)
You can watch his race report here 
There was a lot of early snow on the mountains (14:00)
Crans Montana’s acquisition by Vail Resorts went through in May
Iain spoke with Pierre Henri Mainetti (14:30)
In 2027 Crans Montana will host the Alpine Ski World Championships (16:00)
In September 2025 the resort hosts the Mountain Bike World Championships (16:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zak Carrick-Smith in Episode 200 (18:15)
Emma took competed for Great Britain in four Olympics at Albertville, Lillehammer, Nagano and Salt Lake City (21:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Dave Ryding (22:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Lesley McKenna (24:30)
Find out about Alain Baxter’s non-bronze medal (25:00)
The Ski Podcast is going to be supporting the Carrick-Smith boys this winter (27:30)
Trysil in Norway featured in Episode 209 (32:00)
There is a new direct weekly flight from LHR to Scandinavian Mountain Airport (32:45)
Hundfjallet may be the shortest transfer in world at just 10 minutes (33:45)
Other Swedish resorts include Salen Stöten, Sälen Lindvallen, Kläppen (36:00)
Hemsedal in Norway is three hours from the airport (38:00)

Feedback (40:00)
 
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 [email protected] 

AD: "Great pod Iain. Thanks for keeping this going over the summer, when most other ski related podcasts stop…roll on the autumn!"

Camilla: “You are brilliant at drawing people out with great questions, creating really enjoyable podcasts.”

Mark Wakeling: “Really enjoyed the Chemmy interview. From an early age just wouldn’t take no for an answer and her infectious enthusiasm is inspiring.”

Jim: “I was listening to the podcast the other day while hiking up a mountain. You were talking about where to get second-hand skis. At the beginning of the season, a lot of resorts organise Braderies where the local shops pool ex-hire or last season kit to sell in one convenient place. Another great option is shops like Trocsport which sell secondhand skis on behalf of individuals. There are loads of small shops like this.”

There are now 226 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 121 of those were listened to in the last week. You can do that too, there is so much to listen to in our previous episode, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest. 

In that last week, 60% of our listeners were in the UK, 11% were in the States and everyone else spread as far and wide as Turkey, Greenland and Mexico.

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
 1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now
 2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

Chemmy Alcott is probably the most well-known woman in snowsports in the UK.  After a racing career that took her to four Winter Olympics, she now balances presenting Ski Sunday on the BBC, with bringing up her young family and coaching new aspiring racers. 

This special episode is part of an occasional set of podcasts I’m going to be publishing this winter focussing particularly on women in the snowsports industry. 

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’s given name is Chemine (2:45)
In Dec 2010 Chemmy suffered a double fracture of her right leg at Lake Louise (5:00)
Shortly after Chemmy learned her funding had been withdrawn by BSS (8:45)
Third Space helped Chemmy with funding (9:45)
Chemmy took part in ‘Dancing on Ice’ in 2012, finishing 5th (11:45)
BSS said Chemmy’s participation was an ‘acceptable’ risk (13:00)
Chemmy has broken over 40 bones in her career (16:00)
Injuries include a dislocated jaw, broken neck, broken back, broken ribs, groin tears, two ACLs, compound tibia/fibula fracture and a broken ankle
Chemmy learned to ski in Flaine and takes her family there now (22:00)
Her first race was when she was 3 years old (although she didn’t win!) (23:30)
Chemmy made her FIS debut at Coronet Peak in 1997 (27:30)
She won medals at the European Youth Olympics in 1999 in SuperG and GS (28:45)
In 2002 Chemmy beat Lyndsey Vonn in Junior Worlds and was 4th overall (29:00)
Chemmy took part in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics (29:45)
Chemmy competed in all five disciplines: Downhill, Super G, GS, slalom and combined
Alain Baxter ‘won’ the bronze in Slalom at Salt Lake (31:00)
Chemmy finished 11th in the Downhilll at the 2006 Turin Olympics (32:00)
At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Chemmy finished 11th in  the super-combined (37:00)
Chemmy broke her leg again in the summer of 2013 in Saas Fee (39:30)
Sochi in 2014 was Chemmy’s fourth Winter Olympics (43:00)
She finished 19th in the Downhill, which ‘felt like a gold’ (43:15)
Lady Gaga is an inspiration (44:00)
Chemmy retired in 2014 and started working on ‘Ski Sunday’ in 2015 (46:00)
Working on the 2018 Winter Olympics, Chemmy teamed up with Claire Balding (46:45)
In 2020 Chemmy joined Ed Leigh as one of the presenters of ‘Ski Sunday’ (47:15)
Listen to Iain’s in-depth interview with Chemmy while she was based in Laax (47:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Ed Leigh (49:00)
Why isn’t there more freestyle coverage on ‘Ski Sunday’? (51:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zac Carrick-Smith (52:30)
On how women take those decisions to find time for themselves (58:00)
Listen to Chemmy explaining about her downhill POV camera runs (59:30)

Leonardo Da Vinci: 

"Once you've tasted flight you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

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 [email protected] 

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 every episode will automatically be downloaded for you
 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or take this link

Today we find out what’s new at Banff Sunshine Village in Canada and we look into the history of one of the UK’s oldest snowsport retailers, Ellis Brigham. Plus, we have the latest gossip on which European destination Vail Resorts are planning to buy next.

Host Iain Martin was joined by Kendra Scurfield, VP Brand and Communications at Banff Sunshine Village ski resort and Mark Brigham, Marketing Director at Ellis Brigham. 

SHOW NOTES

Vail Resorts have been linked strongly with Laax (3:45)
Vail Resorts are ‘not buying Verbier’ (4:45)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GZD8jeQKjr8
POWDR are selling several resorts (4:45)
There have been serious floods in St Anton in Austria (6:30)
The new European Sleeper service from Brussels to Innsbruck & Bolzano (7:00)
Ellis Brigham is 90 years old and still family owned (8:30)
The business was founded in 1933 by Frederick Ellis Brigham (9:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awe-sKyNhm8
In Episode 218 Arcteryx told us about their ReBird programme (10:45)
Sons Bob & Ellis took over in the 1950s
The first store in Manchester and first catalog 'The Mountaineers Gadgeteer' (13:15)
The Ellis Brigham ‘White Book' first appeared in the 1980s (15:15)
The Snowboard Asylum was created in 1989 (16:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Stu Brass (19:30)
Ellis Brigham won ‘Outdoor retailer Of The Year‘ 2024 (21:00)
Our Equipment special episodes with Al Morgan start on 27 September
Banff Sunshine Village had snow in August (21:30)
There are just two snow cannons! (22:30)
Their new heated 6-person Poma chairlift will be the first in North America (23:30)
The Mountain Collective pass is a great option for a road trip in Canada (25:30)
Find out more about the Ikon Pass (26:30)
Ski Big 3 will be at the Ikon stand at London Show (27:30)

Feedback (28:30)
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 [email protected] 

Shazza: “Love these conversations to get us excited for the ski season! We went to the Dolomites with Inspired Italy last season. It was an amazing adventure; great terrain, food, and people."

Jay Roh: "Excellent interview with Bode Miller"
 
You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

Today we find out what it’s like skiing in Arctic circle in Svalbard and look into some of the great work that the clothing brand Arcteryx are doing on sustainability. Plus we report on Tignes' decision to split with Compagnie des Alpes.

Host Iain Martin was joined by Dominique Showers from Arcteryx Clothing and Verbier local and regular snow reporter Robin Shah. 

SHOW NOTES

Mt Seymour in BC is just 10 minutes from the Arcteryx offices (2:30)
Robin skied on Doufourspitze (3:00)
Missing the Olympics? It’s only 540 days to Milano-Cortina 2026 (3:45)
BikePark Wales are going to rewild 400 acres of Welsh mountainside (4:30)
Tignes is splitting from Compagnie des Alpes (5:00)
Verbier has denied that Vail Resorts is planning to buy them (5:15)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GZD8jeQKjr8
Tignes previously discussed building an indoor slope (6:30)
A new indoor slope has been proposed in Bosnia (6:30)
Dominique is VP of ReBIRD™ and Circular Planning at Arcteryx
Find out how the Acteryx logo came about? (8:00)
‘65% of the environmental impact of one of our jackets is caused by its creation’ (8:45)
Find out about the Arcteryx ReBird programme (‘Waste Less. By Design.’) (9:00)
ReCare is about educating consumer how to look after their kit (9:45)
What is DWR? (11:00)
Look out for the ReGear programme work coming to the UK (13:15)
https://youtu.be/9UgAteHZE9I
ReCut is Arcteryx’s commitment to upcycling (14:30)
The company has a net zero goal of 2050 (or earlier) (16:30)
Chris Howie joined us to talk Svalbard in Episode 94 (18:00)
Xavier de la Rue also spoke about his visit to the area in Episode 208 (18:15)
Svalbard is in the Arctic circle, east of Greenland and north of Norway (20:00)
Robin booked his trip with Arctic Guides
Take a look at Robin’s photos on his video on Instagram (26:00)

Feedback (31:00)
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 [email protected] 

Paul Langley: "Hope you are well, loving the podcasts, they’re getting me through until next season starts!" 

Paul asks if there’s somewhere to buy last year’s rental skis? Chris Moran from Intersport advises that this happens on a per shop basis and that Intersport’s rental skis are used for a max of 45 days before they’re sold on

ShakeyJack: "Episode 195 was a great pod: Really interesting to hear about what Les Arcs are up to with their green credentials" 

Susan Hurst: "Episode 192 was great, especially the piece on the Dolomites Ski Safari by Inspired Italy. I’ve been lucky enough to go on two and hoping to go again in 2025."

Katie Bamber: “Listening to the La Grave section with Sam in Episode 214. Super interesting.”

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) Buy Me A Coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com 

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

We find out about the ski resort of St Martin de Belleville in Les 3 Vallées, what it’s like driving an electric car up the 21 hairpin bends that take you to Alpe d’Huez, plus we look at a brilliant new initiative to raise funds for British skiers. 

Iain was joined by Vanessa Fisher and Simon McIntyre, MD at Igluski.com and down the line by Scott Dobson from Alpine 100.

SHOW NOTES

Vanessa shared what it’s like taking part in the Inferno Downhill race in Murren in Episode 70 (1:00)
We featured the London and Northern ski shows in Episodes 215 and 216 (3:45)
To get free tickets to the London show, use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ (4:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Dave Ryding (4:20)
Scott Dobson is one of the founders of the Alpine 100 project (4:30)
Find out more about the Alpine 100 project (9:30)
Visit the official website of St Martin de Belleville (10:00)
Jerusalem is one of many people’s favourite run in Les 3 Vallées (13:00)
‘La Belle Ville’ is a new sports centre with an outdoor pool (14:00)
Le Brelin is an award-winning piece of architecture (18:00)
Les Menuires holds a Yoga Festival every year (20:30)
Listen to Iain’s report from the Yoga Festival from 2019 (21:30)
Simon was previously in Episode 176, talking about driving an EV to Val d'Isère (22:00)
Ionity is one of the main suppliers of electric chargers in Europe (25:00)
Iain drove out to the Alps in a Tesla Y in 2022 (28:00)
Regenerative charging adds miles to your range when going downhill (31:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xthOeIsk3Mc 
Iglu’s survey shows being ‘snowsure’ is the most important factor in choosing a resort (32:45)
It also shows that 57% of people rent skis, but that 83% own their own boots (35:00)

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.

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 [email protected]
 
Jonny Richards: "Keep up the good work"

Zero_cool: "As always an amazing interview [with Paddy Graham]. I learnt so much from this episode that I completely missed from the early 2000’s, despite being there in it all."

David Lindsay: "Another great episode with Paddy Graham: what a star he is!"

Pablo: "It was great to hear about Scotland [in Episode 203]”

If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:
 
 1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
 2) Subscribing is a great idea. If you’re listening online now, just click that button now
 3) Buy me a coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/theskipodcast

You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

In this episode we focus on Courchevel, including an update on the Saulire cable car and how the resort is surviving without Russians, plus we discuss summer in Les 2 Alpes and find out about the new Northern Snow Show.

Iain was joined live by Alex Armand, from Tip Top Ski Coaching in Les 2 Alpes and YouTuber Alex Irwin from 150 Days of Winter as well as down the line by Ian Brown from Chill Factore, Manchester.

SHOW NOTES

Find out more about the new Jandri 3S lift in Les 2 Alpes in Episode 209 (3:45)
The Les 2 Alpes glacier has an excellent snow park (4:30)
Saharan sand has been regularly seen in France in recent years (8:00)
The snow is looking much better in Australia and New Zealand (9:00)
Ian Brown is MD at Chill Factore in Manchester (10:00)
Find out about the Northern Snow Snow here (12:45)
The village of La Berarde was severely damaged by floods (13:30)
The Mountain of Hell is a mountain biking event unlike any other! (20:00)
https://youtu.be/b8D8wrF8d0Q
Sam Haddad spoke about the new lift in La Grave in Episode 214 (21:30)
Alex Irwin runs the YouTube channel, 150 Days of Winter (22:00)
The Saulire cable car in Courchevel will reopen in December 2024 (24:00)
The cabins were damaged in testing in 2021 (25:00)
https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1446031205976186886
Watch Candide Thovex ski the Courchevel couloirs (27:30)
The 2023 Winter Olympics are coming to France (28:30)
Opposition to the Games is coming from the 'NoJo' campaign
Watch Alex’s video of the Val Thorens ice cave (30:30)
Is Courchevel collapsing now the Russians have left? (32:00)
Discover the gondola graveyard (33:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a884-2JgdsY
Listen to Iain’s interview with Peter Landsman from LiftBlog (34:45)
Alex volunteered to be a test subject for avalanche dogs (35:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyqgShN1z1I
You can buy Alex’s tshirts on his website

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 [email protected] 

I’d like to thank Sasha Ryazantsev for buying me a coffee: "Thanks for the podcasts. I always listen to them as they remind me of all the places we've skied and boarded over the years."

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 never miss an episode
3) Buy Me A Coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

We discuss the latest ski news from Australia, get an update on summer skiing in Tignes and Val d’Isere and find out about this autumn’s London Snow Show. 

We also look into how SBIT are lobbying for more trains to the Alps and the possible Youth Mobility Scheme, which would be great news for young people wanting to do a ski season.

Iain was joined by Australia specialist and founder of the Snowbest.com website, Rachael Oakes-Ash and Diane Palumbo, Sales and Marketing Director at Skiworld and down the line by Alex Irwin, John Yates-Smith and Lindsey Coleman.

SHOW NOTES

Rachael’s vote goes to Whitewater in Canada (2:20)
Diane is voting for Jackson Hole (2:45)
Check out Corbet’s Couloir (3:15)
Alex from the YouTube channel 150 Days of Winter was in Tignes (5:20)
John Yates Smith from YSE Ski is based in Val d'Isère (7:00)
There has been major flooding in Zermatt, which was cut off for 24 hours (8:00)
The village of Berarde, in the Ecrins National Park, was devastated by floods (8:15)
Lindsey Coleman is Event Director of the National Snow Show (9:15)
The show will take place at Excel in London from 19-20 October (10:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Bode Miller (10:45)
You can still secure free tickets using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’
Snow Travel Expo takes place in Sydney and Melbourne in May each year (14:00)
SBiT stands for Seasonal Businesses in Travel (15:45)
Find out more about train travel at Ski Flight Free (18:45)
Skiworld offer 68 catered chalets and employ 120 staff (20:45)
Why we have seen price inflation in UK ski holidays (22:00)
Listen to Episode 180 to find out more about how to get a ski job in a ski resort (23:00)
A Youth Mobility Scheme has been suggested within the EU (24:00)
Rachael was last on the show in Episode 97 (27:45)
For info about skiing in Australia check out Rachael’s website Snowsbest
Australia and New Zealand have seen fresh snowfall this week (30:30)
Listen to Iain’s episode about Perisher and Thredbo (32:00)
Thredbo have opened their new luge (32:30)
There’s also a new Olympic half-pipe (33:15)
Scotty James is an Olympic medal winning Australian snowboarder (34:00)
Perisher is owned by Vail Resorts (37:00)
Lift queue memes in Perisher (38:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Mike Goar from Vail Resorts (39:45)
Climate change is affecting Australian ski resorts (40:00)
The slow Aldi ski sale reflects the cost of living pressure on Australian skiing

Feedback (44:00)
 
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 [email protected] 

Lozza (Apple Podcasts): "Every episode is a little ski holiday" 

Richard Sideways (Snowheads): "Good interview with Stu Brass. I remember the old SCUK forum days.”

Alex Hayman: "Really enjoyed the chat with Paddy Graham last month."

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) Buy Me A Coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com 

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. 

There are 220 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest to you. 

We find out about the off-piste resort of La Grave and the state of the snowsports market in the USA, including ways to tackle climate change and bring newcomers to the sport.

Iain was joined by freelance journalist, Sam Haddad and Nick Sargent, President of the SIA (Snowsports Industries America).

SHOW NOTES

Utah offers ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’ (3:30)
Marcel Hirscher is coming out of retirement to compete for Netherlands (4:30)
LISTEX Luxury took place last week in London (5:15)
Research by The Ski Club of Great Britain showed that luxury ski trips represent 4% of the market by pax, 21% by trips and 50% by value (7:30)
The new Northern Snow Show will take place at Chill Factore in October (8:00)
Nick previously worked as a boot fitter on the World Cup race circuit, working with skiers such as Alberto Tomba (11:00)
Find out more about the SIA (Snowsports Industries America) (12:30)
The number of skier visits in the States went down 7.6% last winter (14:30)
https://x.com/skipedia/status/1803779843412160532
There are roughly 60m skier days in the States v. 2m active skiers in the UK (16:00)
The Share Winter campaign is bringing newcomers to skiing and snowboarding (19:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Stu Brass about the AIM series schools education (21:00)
“Climate change is the no.1 threat to the sport in the States” (21:00)
Find out about the SIA’s ‘Climate United’ initiative (22:00)
Iain spoke with Mike Goar from Vail Resorts Europe in Episode 204 (25:00
The importance of Epic/Ikon passes (28:00)
Epic revenue was up last winter
Sam was on the show discussing the impact of climate change in Episode 179 (29:00)
Sam’s blog is called ‘Climate and Board Sports’(29:30)
Find out about ‘NoJO’ (30:30)
The 2030 Winter Olympics are due to be held in the French Alps (31:00)
Link to the official La Grave website (33:00)
Read Sam’s article about La Grave on The Guardian (33:30)
Liste to Iain’s interviews with Peter Hardy and Arnie Wilson (37:30)
The top lift in La Grave is due to be replaced with a new cable car (39:30)
Find out about the new Jandri lift in Les 2 Alpes in Episode 209 (40:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz0hrmQgVGg 

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 [email protected] 

James Rice: "Episode 204 was another great episode. Love the podcast, thanks! "

Adam Fisher: "Episode 213 (with Stu Brass) was great"

Steve Holding: "Really love the podcast, especially the equipment episodes and the features on different resorts"

Bobnmillsy (Apple Podcasts): “Excellent podcast covering an incredible range of topics. The special episodes are particularly good giving fascinating insights into the worlds of the ski industry A list from a very well researched and skilled interviewer”

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) Buy Me A Coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com 

There are 219 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to www.theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest to you. 

You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast