The Ski Podcast

In our fifth of this winter’s equipment specials, Iain is joined by equipment expert Al Morgan to look at two vital areas of your winter wardrobe – ski gloves and socks. Previous episodes in this series have included the Best Skis, Ski Boots, Jackets and Helmets and Goggles for winter 2025.  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 where you can buy online now. SHOW NOTES Try before you buy (3:00) If you’re a skier, go grab a ski pole (4:30) Glove v. mitt v. lobster claw (6:00) How does sizing work for gloves? (8:30) Will my glove work with a touch screen? (9:30) Will wearing a liner keep your hands warm? (10:45) What is a ‘Shell mitt’? (12:00) What is the little strip of fabric across the back of one finger on each glove for? Wool is sustainable, natural and works (15:00) Smartwool are collecting old socks and reclaiming yarn (15:30) For snowboarding gloves, head to The Snowboard Asylum (16:30) Tube socks! (32:30) Do thicker socks keep your feet warmer? (34:00) Is natural better than synthetic fibres? (35:15) THE BEST SKI GLOVES FOR 2025 (17:00) Therm-ic Heat Boot Boost Glove (men and women), £300 (18:00) The ultimate in warmth Black Diamond Guide Gore-Tex glove, £160 (19:45) If you want the best in foul weather protection for big powder days, the Guide is hard to beat Hestra Fall Line Women’s Glove, £120 (22:16) The white women’s glove looks stunning Reusch Storm R-Tex XT Men’s Glove, £100 (23:45) Traditional racing-inspired ski glove aesthetic with foam knuckle and finger protection Salomon Propeller Gore-Tex gloves, £75 (25:00) A superb unisex glove with a clean aesthetic, for piste and all-mountain skiing The North Face Montana Kids Ski Gloves, £45 (26:00) Gives kids superb hand protection and features you often don’t get on kids’ gloves Ellis Brigham’s Choice (28:30) Harry Cavill is Ellis Brigham’s Glove buyer. She chose the Men’s Hestra Army Leather GTX Glove and the Women’s Reusch Cozy Down Mitt. THE BEST SKI SOCKS FOR 2025 (36:30) Therm-ic Powersocks Set - Heat Fusion+ S-pack 1400 BT - £280 (36:45) If you suffer from cold feet, these are a total blessing Smartwool Targeted Cushion Women's Ski Socks - £28 (39:30) Padding where you want a little extra protection, but still thin, so they work in well-fitted, snug boots. Sidas SUREfit Ski Sock - £25 (40:15) Padding for the shin, toes and heel, in a specific right and left anatomy.   Ellis Brigham Wintersport Ski Socks - Twin Pack - £20 (41:00) Two pairs of socks for less than one of the others above. Outstanding value. This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has very kindly 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 at ellis-brigham.com where you can buy online now. 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 Matthews: "Love the podcast. Many thanks for all the content! I’ve especially enjoyed episodes with Al about kit." Colin: “Goggles and Helmets was another great podcast. I use Zeiss anti-fog spray for my glasses to stop them fogging up while skiing." 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) Or you can Buy Me A Coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Andrew Brannan: "Through your podcast I blagged a Snow Show ticket for my daughter who is studying down in London. She met Dave Ryding, our household hero. Unbelievable, really can't thank you enough.” Paul Bond: “Thanks for the Helmet & Googles episode with Al’s expert reviews. I went to Ellis Brigham, good service. Got home to a comment of ‘What? More ski kit?’ We now have 235 episodes to catch up with. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to 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 

In this episode we discuss how to get more families skiing and how resorts can help parents, plus we look at what’s coming up on the World Cup ski racing circuit this winter.    We have our first snow report of the season and there’s an update from the Carrick-Smith boys as their first race of the season gets closer.  Host Iain Martin was joined by Nicole Feliciano from the Ski Moms podcast and Matt Garcka, host of the Skiing is Believing podcast. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code 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 Nicole was in Aleyska in Alaska in April (3:00) Matt was skiing at the Chill Factore in Manchester (5:00) White Stuff – sold for £40m (6:00) La Plagne and Courchevel feature in the 2025 Tour de France (6:30) Our Equipment Episodes for the best skis, boots, jackets, helmets and goggles are now available as podcasts or on YouTube (7:00) The survey has now closed and the winners will be announced in Episode 226 (7:30) Dave Burrows from SnowPros Ski School reported from Glacier 3000, Switzerland (8:20) Nicole set up momtrends.com in 2007 (11:30) “Our site is the girlfriend you always look forward to bumping into at yoga class; she always makes you feel better about yourself” Nicole published the inaugural Ski Moms 'Happiness Survey' earlier this year (13:15) The median age of US skiers is 35 (15:00) 94% would have skied/boarded more often with better access to affordable kids lessons (16:00) There’s a need for more on-mountain childcare and space for children (18:00) "We don’t need more high-speed lifts. We need toilets that are close to the learning areas" The survey shows only 44% of moms thinks the industry cares about supporting families (21:00) Matt is host of the Skiing is Believing podcast (26:15) The first slalom races of the World Cup season take place in Levi this weekend (27:45) How will British skiers Dave Ryding, Billy Major and Laurie Taylor get on? (29:00) Will Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathan podium this year? (30:00) Marc Giradelli was recently on Matt’s podcast (32:00) The Ski Podcast and the Skiing is Believing podcast are teaming up to form ‘The Ski Podcast Network’ (33:45) Carrick-Smith Boys update (34:00) Listen to our episode focussing on Killington (38:00) Feedback (39:30)   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 theskipodcast@gmail.com Sebastian Forsberg: "I wanted to send some feedback from Sweden. I've listened to all your episodes and love the show! You have some great conversations and features, especially during the off season. I love that in Episode 221 you spoke about skiing in Sweden. We got some great ski resorts here, so there’s plenty more to cover. Keep up the good work.”   Billy Mohan: “Amazing work Iain, you’ve had some epic guests recently!”   Chris Howie: “I think you do a fabulous job - your enthusiasm and drive is to be applauded!” Sarah Lewis: "May I commend you on your podcast; I’ve listened to most of the episodes and really enjoy the variety of interviews" There are now 234 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up. 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 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

In the fourth of this winter’s equipment specials, Iain is joined by Al Morgan to look at two really important areas of your winter wardrobe – helmets and goggles.  Previous episodes in this series have included the Best Skis, Best Ski Boots and Best Ski Jackets for winter 2025.   This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham. They 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 where you can buy online now.’ SHOW NOTES ‘Fit is King’  Safety Standards (6:00)  ‘Multi norm’ helmets (6:30)   EPS foam (8:45)  MIPS (9:30)  Fidlock buckle (11:45)  Venting (12:00)  Visor Helmets (14:15)  Sustainability features (16:00)  UV Protection (28:45)  Fogging (29:45)  How to use a lens cloth (30:45)  When to change your lens (32:30)  Photochromic lenses (33:45)  Colour handling (34:30) The Best Ski and Snowboard Helmets for 2025  ·       Giro Tor Spherical Helmet, £250 (17:45) ·       Atomic Savor Visor Helmet, £180 (19:15) ·       Bern Watts 2.0 MIPS, £160 (21:15) ·       Salomon Brigade Index Helmet, £110 (23:15) ·       Oakley Mod1 Helmet, £85 (24:30)   ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE (26:30) Chrissy from Ellis Brigham in Braehead Garden chose the Smith Method Pro MIPS helmet  The Best Ski and Snowboard Goggles for 2025 ·       Julbo Launcher Reactiv, £280 (36:30)  ·       Oakley Line Miner Pro, £259 (39:30) ·       100% Snowcraft, £179 (41:30) ·       Smith Squad S, £125 (42:45) ·       Bloc Boa Recycle, £48 (44:30) ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE (45:30) Chrissy from Ellis Brigham in Braehead chose the Dragon DX3 Plus  Feedback (48:15) Please contact us on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com   James Rice: "Just listened to the Ski Boot episode: excellent, as always. Keep up the great work" Colin: "I got all excited after the ski boot episode and bought my first pair of ski boots: a pair Nordica Speedmachine 3s" David Faller: "Enjoyed Episode 219 about the history of Ellis Brigham"  Andrew Greenwood: "Great show guys, very informative about Ski jackets" Try the Picture Organic Naikoon for as a men’s version of the Haakon Stephen Street: “I can’t believe that the subject of ‘pit zips’ were not brought up in the description of these jackets! They are one of the most important ways of controlling heat!”   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) Listen to our back catalog, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you’re bound to find something of interest to you You can also view these equipment specials on the Skipedia YouTube channel   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

In this special episode Iain and Al look at the best ski jackets for 2025. It’s the third in our series of looking at the best snowsports equipment available for winter 2025.  In our first two episodes, we looked at the best skis and the ski boots. In later episodes, we’ll look at the best helmets, goggles, gloves and socks, plus there will be a special episode focusing 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 and you can buy online now. SHOW NOTES Waterproofing (3:00) Taping (7:30) Breathability (8:30) MVTR (9:30) Gore-Tex (10:15) 3-layer (shell) v. 2-layer jackets (11:00) Membranes and Insulation eg PrimaLoft, Thinsulate (13:00) What is a ‘powder skirt’? (15:15) What is ‘Recco’? (16:45) What is DWR? (19:40) Gore-tex EPe (20:00) Mono-material garments (20:30) Find out more about the danger of PFCs (21:00) Iain visited the Arc’teryx repair shop in Covent Garden (22:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Arc’teryx in Episode 218 Al recommends NikWax for cleaning your technical clothing Find out more about Patagonia’s donations to fight climate change (35:30) Listen to Iain’s interview with Picture Organic Clothing (37:45)   THE BEST SKI JACKETS OF 2025 (25:00)  Descente Women’s Welded Down Jacket, £789 (25:45)   The North Face Men’s Summit Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket, £630 (28:00)   Henri Duvillard Women’s Alicia Ski Jacket, £539 (30:15)   Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket, £449 (32:45, available for men & women)   Picture Women’s Haakon Jacket, £350 (36:30) ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE (38:00) Harry Cavill is Ellis Brigham’s skiwear buyer. Her choice for the Best Ski Jacket of the year is the Goldberg Women’s Porter Jacket, £530 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 at ellis-brigham.com where you can buy online now. FEEDBACK (42:30) 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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  Chalets Direct:“Very good overview of the design and material technology of the latest skis and how they perform on the mountain. Fun to listen too.” n-da-bunka2650: “Custom bootfitters sometimes focus on what they have in stock rather than a boot the client may have been interested in.”  chrisbristol: “Thanks Iain, enjoying the podcast” If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 2) Subscribe, so you never miss an episode 3) Share with your friends You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

This episode is a Snow Show special, including interviews with Dave Ryding, Chemmy Alcott and others at the 2024 London Snow Show, Northern Snow Show and the industry event LISTEX.  We discuss the upcoming World Cup season, the Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach, the growth of the Magic Pass and there’s big news about the future of the London Snow Show itself. Plus we have a new competition where you can win some great prizes. Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Jamie Grant – the founder of Carv.  Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code If you are heading to the snow, listener, then don’t forget that you can save money when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com and use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’  You’ll get a guaranteed discount for ski hire in France, Austria and Switzerland and to make it even simpler you don’t even need to use the code, just take this link and your basket will automatically be reduced. SHOW NOTES Jamie was first on the podcast in Episode 193 (1:00) The Carv team were testing the Carv 2 in Valle Nevado, Chile in September (1:30) Glencoe is planning a new £26 million gondola (3:00) Listen to Iain’s report from Glencoe earlier this year in Episode 203 GB Snowsport athlete Mia Brookes came 5th in the Snowboard Big Air at Chur (3:30) The new GB Alpine Foundation has already raised over £160,000 (4:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with GB Snowsport CEO Vicky Gosling in Episode 222 Dave Ryding chat (5:15) Dave has moved to Head Skis (6:00) Chemmy Alcott chat (7:00) Marcel Hirscher is back representing the Netherlands (8:15) Could Lindsey Vonn make a comeback (8:45) Ski Sunday schedule for 2025 (9:00) Neil McQuoid, Racer Ready Magazine (11:00) Julia Eder, Salzburgerland (13:45) The World Champs will take place from 04-16 February in Saalbach (14:15) The Ski Podcast sponsors the Carrick-Smith brothers – Zak, Freddy and Luca (16:15) Zak Carrick-Smith (16:30) Luca Carrick-Smith with Phil Smith (18:30) Freddy Carrick-Smith (21:20) Iain presented at the London Show about ‘How to Ski Flight Free' (22:15) Iain has taken a Flight Free Pledge for 2024 (22:30) Dom Winter, Protect Our Winters (23:00) Find out about POW’s Carbon Literacy Courses (25:00) Inghams are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year Helen Taylor, Inghams (25:30) Listen to Iain’s special interview with Lesley McKenna Lesley McKenna, Wandering Workshops, Aviemore (27:45) Mike Richards reported from the new Northern Snow Show (31:00) LISTEX is a B2B event that took just before show, organised by MTN (32:30) Iain moderated a panel on how the industry can help skiers make better choices (33:00) The Mountain Travel Network is taking over the London Snow Show (33:15) James Gambrill from MTN (33:45) Jamie Grant, founder of Carv (37:00) Carv 2 launched on 14 October (37:15) Buddy Passes mean that the Carv can now be shared with friends (41:45) Carv uses data from over 500 million turns (43:00) The algorithm for 24/25 is 6% more accurate than last year (45:45) Ski IQ is now different values for different terrains (46:30) Carv 2 is available at £159 until 28 October (51:00) Sebastien Travelletti, Vice President at Magic Pass (52:00)        COMPETITION – WIN A CARV 2 and more (57:45) Simply complete our short survey to be included in the draw to win prizes including a Carv 2, Vallon Aviator Sunglasses, Wild Caper underlayer, Atomic Atom Hydrogen water bottle, Verbier beanie, Val d'Isère Opinel and more. The survey is open until the end of November, so just take this to get your name in the draw. Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show so please contact us on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Ed Parkinson: "Thanks for the pod. I find it brilliant and very informative. I’m an avid skier and I love gear." Rachel: "Great podcast, thanks guys! Just moved to Revelstoke from the UK for my first season and now feel way more prepped to go buy my first pair of skis’" 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 Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

Joanna Yellowlees-Bound joins Iain for this special episode as we cover her 40-year career in the ski industry, graduating from resort rep to managing director of Erna Low - one of the oldest ski companies in the UK.   Joanna is one of the most experienced professionals in the UK ski industry, with a career that spans the first halcyon days of the ski business in the 80s to our post-Brexit world today, including a key role in the development of Arc 1950. We also discuss her new role working with her husband, Mensun Bound, the marine archaeologist who discovered the wreck of Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ under the Antarctic ice. 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  Currency restrictions applied on foreign holidays (2:30) Club Med beads are back! (3:00) Joanna started working for Erna Low in 1982 (7:00) It was the days of the Telex (12:45) Erna Low’s original advert appeared in The Times in 1932 (15:00) Erna Low represented La Plagne in the UK market in the 1980s (21:00) Joanna became MD of the company in 1996 (23:30) The ERM collapse led to large currency losses (24:30) Joanna took over ownership of Erna Low in 2002 (27:00) In 2003, Joanna founded Erna Low Property (27:30) The Arc 1950 project was developed by Intrawest (29:45) In 2023, Joanna sold Erna Low Property to Francois Marchand in a MBO (31:00) 2012 was the 80th anniversary of Erna Low (31:30) Listen to our special podcast episode on Erna Low with Mark Frary (31:45) Take a look at some of Erna Low's vintage film footage (34:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5B02thqhkQ In 2019, Joanna sold Erna Low Travel to NUCO Travel (35:30) Mensun is a marine archaeologist who found the ‘Endurance’ in March 2022 (37:30) Look out for ‘Endurance’ coming out on Disney+ later this year (39:15) Mensun’s book is called ‘The Ship Beneath The Ice’ (39:45) Feedback (41:30) 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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  robsmith0179 (IG): “Listened to Episode 217 this morning...I’m now adding St Martin to my visit list!” mattmglx: “I finally got round to clicking 5 stars on Spotify! Thanks for keeping me sane on my commute to work” Pat from Ireland (BMAC): “I really enjoy the podcasts. I mix current episodes with those from your back catalogue. As someone who found skiing in middle age I am completely hooked. Keep up the brilliant work and here's to winter.” 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 230 episodes of The Ski Podcast. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog: just go to theskipodcast.com and search the tags and categories. Our equipment specials are being published on the Skipedia YouTube channel. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  @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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  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 theskipodcast@gmail.com 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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  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 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) 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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  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 theskipodcast@gmail.com   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 theskipodcast@gmail.com  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