The Ski Podcast

Today we find out about La Tzoumaz in Switzerland and Jasna in Slovakia, plus we preview the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics including interviews with Vicky Gosling, CEO of GB Snowsports and Zak, Luca and Freddy Carrick Smith. 
We also have our regular snow reports and share our downloadable schedule for all the skiing and snowboarding events at Milan-Cortina.
Iain was joined in the studio by Irish ski journalist, Catherine Murphy and Slovakia resident, Richard Patey.
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Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we’re are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl’ – that you’ll find there.
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SHOW NOTES

Dave Burrows from Snowpros Ski School reported from Morgins (3:45)
James Cove from planetski.eu reports from Revelstoke and Kicking Horse in Canada (5:00)
Guy Beatson has been in Furano in Japan (6:00)
The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics start on 06 February (7:30)
Download the skiing and snowboarding schedule (8:00)
Team GB athletes picked up a stunning five medals at the X Games in Aspen (8:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty Muir (9:15)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zoe Atkin (9:15)
Mia Brookes spoke to Iain in Episode 188 (9:15)
Vicky Gosling is CEO of GB Snowsport (9:30)
Watch the documentary ‘She Who Dares’ on Discovery+ (16:00)
Watch the Carrick-Smith documentary ‘Beyond the Gate’ on Amazon Prime or YouTube (20:30)
Catherine shared her knowledge of Innsbruck in Episode 257 (21:00)
Find out more about La Tzoumaz in Switzerland (21:15)
The name comes from Valaisan dialect (21:45)
How to get there (22:15)
Catherine stayed at the Hotel Papillon (27:45)
We featured Slovakia on the podcast once before, back in Episode 243 covering ‘Going East’ (29:00)
Where is Slovakia? (29:30)
Read Richard’s blog post about the transformation going  on in the High Tatras (31:00)
‘Slovakia is entering its “Austria-in-the-90s” phase’
Jasna is the biggest resort (33:30)
Richard (and the ‘Going East’ crew’ skied at Stary Smokovec (35:00)
The GoPass  covers all resorts as well as other benefits (36:30)
Tatranska Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso are also in Slovakia
Follow Richard on Instagram

Feedback
If you’ve enjoyed this episode – or even if you didn’t like it – I would love to know. You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected] 
You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 
David Flynn: “I’m an Irish/French listener, love the podcast. It's become a stable diet in my household and are a life-saver for the walks with the dogs on the beach”

Gavin Marsden: “I love each and every episode.”

Andrew Wilson: "I am a regular listener. I only took up skiing at the age of 50, 4 years ago and love it."

Andrew Brannan: “Iain, your podcast is excellent. Thank you for going to the trouble and not just reading out the latest press releases from Crystal.”

 There are now 292 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 149 of those were listened to in the last week. If you’d like to get some insight on a particular destination or the latest kit, just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll find interesting to listen to. 
If you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:
 
   -          you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
   -          you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
   -          And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied

In this episode, we learn more about the resorts of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis in the Tirol region of Austria, how Swedish clothing brand, Peak Performance, design their garments and check in on the new Chenus lift in Courchevel. 
Host Iain Martin was joined by freelance journalist, Simon Miller and Ski Designer at Peak Performance, Marie Andersson
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Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we’re are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl’ – that you’ll find there.
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SHOW NOTES

Simon has been skiing across Les 3 Vallees (2:45)
Iain reported from Val Garden in Episode 242 (3:45)
Marie will be skiing in Are, Sweden (4:45)
Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel is in St Anton (6:15)
James from Sauze Online was in Bardoneccia (7:50)
Chris from Freeride Republic is in Meribel (9:30)
Why we are renumbering the podcasts (11:00)
The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics start on 04 February (12:00)
The Winter XGames take place in Aspen this weekend (12:30)
Simlon was in Serfaus, staying at the Hotel Cervosa (13:15)
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is known as a family friendly resort (15:00)
‘We are Family’ (15:10)
Find out about the Serfaus subway (17:00)
Safe skiing and slow skiing was discussed in Episode 270 (18:45)
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is actually three separate villages
The ski area has 214km of pistes and 69 lifts (20:00)
Simon enjoyed the spectacular night show (22:30)
Simon also tried the toboggan runs (23:30)
Try the Schalber Alm for Kaiserscharnn (24:30)
Simon also recommends the SkiHütte Masner (25:00)
How to get there (25:45)
The Apres-Ski in Serfaus is also excellent (27:00)
Try the Patschi Bar or George’s Bar (27:30)
Iain spoke with Philippe Mottier, General Manager of 3SV – the Courchevel lift company – about the new Chenus lift (29:45)
Marion Guillemot from the Courchevel Tourist Office acted as translator
Read Iain’s article on the Chenus lift on welove2ski.com (34:15)
Marie’s journey into design (34:45)
Working for Peak Perforrmance (36:00)
How does the process of design work (36:45)
What is the lead time for products (37:15)
The R&D Helium Loop Anorak recently won an award at ISPO (38:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUeSelbRyb0
What is ISPO?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hTZS_gae84
Peak Performance published their sustainability report last year (41:00)
FLO stands for ‘fabric leftovers’ (41:15)
Iain upgraded to a Vislight shell jacket this year (44:00)
Feedback
If you’ve enjoyed this episode – or even if you didn’t like it – I would love to know. You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected] 
You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 
Lara Rosenbaum: “I hope you’re feeling better after your fracture. I admire your spirit and love the podcast!”

Claire Harrison [Mentioned last week had asked about Zillertal]: “A great piece on the Zillertal, thank you! Particularly looking forward to the Tirolean cuisine! Thank you for a great podcast: it’s endlessly interesting.  I loved 267 the episode on gloves and socks and bought a pair of the Level Iris glove on Al's recommendation”
 
Ed Hopkins: “Absolutely loved episode 270 on St Anton, Lech, sustainability and slow skiing. So interesting and learnt a lot!”

Ross: “I just discovered The Ski Podcast - really enjoying the insights on snowsports!”
 
There are now 291 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’d like to find out more about a particular destination, would like to listen to an interview with an athlete, or get advice on what kit to buy, just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something that will tick that box. 
if you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:
 
   -          you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
   -          you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
   -          And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied

We find all about the Zillertal region in the Austrian Tirol, as well as the new expansion in Deer Valley, Utah. 
We also hear how Val d’Isere are helping skiers to feel safer, and have snow reports from Japan, La Plagne and…Wales!
Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Katie Seiringer, owner of Kate Seiringer International Language Service in Mayrhofen and Emily Summers from Deer Valley Ski Resort.
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Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we’re are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl’ – that you’ll find there.
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SHOW NOTES

Robin Shah reported from Japan (5:15)
Robin is staying at Yukiumi House
Jen Tsang runs the website That’sLaPlagne (7:00)
Mike Richards is the UK’s Wales ski expert (9:15)
It is now three weeks until the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics start (12:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Kirsty Muir (13:00)
Kirsty won her second event of the season at the Slopestyle in Aspen
https://x.com/skipedia/status/2009716157398548971
Zoe Atkin came second in the ski halfpipe, also in Aspen (13:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Zoe in Episode 238 (13:45)
Visit the official Zillertal website (14:30)
The Zillertal ski area consists of Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach and Tux-Finkenberg (18:30)
All 548km of pists and 180 lifts are covered on the Zillertal Superskipass (19:00)
The Hintertux glacier is open from October to early summer (19:45)
For non-skiers there are 460km of winter hiking trails, 113km cross-country trails and 48 km toboggan runs (21:15)
Find out more about ‘Snowbombing’ (22:45)
Mayrhofen hosts ‘The Brits’ - British Snowboard & Freeski Championships in March (23:00)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Brits’ organiser Stu Brass in Episode 245
Try the Tristenbachalm mountain hut (24:00)
Kate also recommends the Bichlalm in Tux (25:00)
She also suggests you try the Holzknechtkrapfen
Utah has ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’ (26:30)
The average snowfall at Deer Valley is 762cm/300 inches (27:00)
Find out more about the new lift expansion (29:45)
Coming up with the names of new runs (34:00)
The new East Village Express gondola is designed by Doppelmayr (37:00)
Deer Valley East Village will have seven luxury hotels (39:00)
Deer Valley is on the Ikon Pass (39:50)
The 2034 Winter Olympics will be hosted in Utah (40:20)
Nicole Feliciano spoke about the ‘Slow Skiers Club’ in Episode 270 (41:30)
Cecile Ferrando from Val d’isere speaks about their new ‘Ski Tranquille’ zones (41:45)
Feedback (47:30)
You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected]. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 
Colin Tierney: “Episode 270 was interesting: I always go at a speed that I feel safe with for me and people around me”

Stuart Campbell: “The podcasts are brilliant, and I've enjoyed the range of topics. The ability to pull so many different people from different countries together is what makes it brilliant. I've just found your piece on St Anton by train so hoping to repeat something similar if I make it out in the spring.”

Robert Fogg: “Been catching up on all the podcasts I have missed. Thanks from a wet Cairns in Australia”

Jim Duncombe: “I was on the cable car in La Clusaz this morning, and ended up chatting with a Norwegian who lives in Annecy. Turns out he is a fan of the podcast.”

There are now 290 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’d like to get some insight on a particular destination or the latest kit, just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll find interesting to listen to. 
if you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:
 
   -          you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
   -          you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
   -          And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied

Today is a special interview with Kirsty Muir – the World Cup winning British slopestyle and Big Air freestyle skier.

Host Iain Martin spoke with Kirsty about her comeback from ACL and shoulder surgery to her first World Cup win last winter. We also discuss her journey from a dry ski slope in Aberdeen to becoming Britain’s youngest competitor at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 and look forward to the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. 

This episode is the latest in a series of interviews with high-achieving women in the world of snowsports. 

Previous episodes in this series have included interviews with Vicky Gosling, CEO of GB Snowsport, BBC Ski Sunday’s Chemmy Alcott, Kit DesLauriers – first person to ski the Seven Summits - as well as fellow Team GB freestyle skier Zoe Atkin.

SHOW NOTES

Listen to Iain’s previous interview with Kirsty in Episode 174 (2:00)
Kirsty was on the show in Episode 242 after her slopestyle win in Tignes (2:30)
Kirsty tore her ACL in Dec 2023 at the Big Air at Copper Mountain (3:15) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9yJucQDxfUQ
Coming back from injury (5:45)
Using the Red Bull recovery centres (8:15)
The psychological side of recovery (10:30)
Training again after coming back from injury (12:30)
Kirsty was Britain's youngest competitor at Beijing Olympics  at just 17 (14:30)
Starting skiing at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre (14:45)
Discovering freestyle skiing (15:30)
Being mentor to Sandra Caune – winner of the Big Air at THE European Youth Olympics (16:45)
Competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics (18:00)
Taking part at Milano-Cortina (19:15)
The coaching team (20:15)
Learning new tricks (22:15)
Training in the gym (23:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Reece Bell (25:00)
Plans for this season (26:00)
Do you keep your high-value tricks hidden? (26:30)

Feedback
You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected]

You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 

There are now 289 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, then go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find plenty more to listen to.

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

-          you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
-          you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
-          And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you save money on your ski hire with an additional discount by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com. Simply take this link in the show notes for your discount to be automatically applied.

Today we find out more about the Arlberg ski area in Tirol, Austria – focussing on St Anton and Lech – plus we look at the rise of the ‘Slow Skiing’ movement. 

Austria for sponsoring The Ski Podcast and making this winter’s episodes possible.  If this is your first time listening, you’ve already missed out on some great conversations about Tirol. 

Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Nicole Feliciano, founder of Ski Moms.
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 Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we’re are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl’ – that you’ll find there.
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SHOW NOTES

Nicole skied at Catamount in New England (2:00)
Tim Hudson from Inspired Italy reported from the Dolomites, Italy (5:15)
Jen Tsang from That’s La Plagne reported from La Plagne (6:45)
Floss Cockle, aka FreeFloFloss on YouTube, reported from Tignes (8:30)
Next week’s episode will be an interview with GB freestyle skier Kirsty Muir (10:15)
Iain revealed in Episode 269 that he broke his scapula while skiing in St Anton (10:45)
Find out more about the museum in St Anton (11:45)
Yannick Rumler works for the St Anton Tourist Office
Hannes Schneider founded the first ski school in the world (14:30)
Find out about St Anton’s annual race ‘The Weisse Rausche’ (16:15)
Gerhard Eichhorn is Sustainability Officer at the St. Anton Tourism Board (17:30)
Iain travelled to St Anton by train (18:30)
Lech is actually in the Vorarlberg region of Austria, but both resorts are part of the huge Arlberg ski area (21:30)
Iain stayed in the family run Hotel Stafeli (22:15)
The Stafeli is part of the ChangeMaker network of hotels
Julia Fenneberg is from the Lech-Zurs tourist office (23:00)
The annual ‘White Ring’ race (24:30)
Discover the amazing Lech Skyspace (26:30)
Iain spoke with Angelika Kaufmann about avalanche blasting (28:00)~
Iain tried Kaiserschmarn at the Sennhutte in St Anton (34:00)
He also has a superb Gröstl at the magnificent Verwallestube at the top of the Galzigbahn (34:30)
In Episode 225 Nicole shared the results of your ‘Ski Moms Happiness Survey’(36:30)
Earlier this year Nicole founded the ‘Slow Skiers Club’ (36:45)
Nicole’s Instagram post launching the club went viral (38:30)
Why does slow skiing matter? (39:00)
Nicole conducted a survey to find out more (43:00)
Listen to Episode 229  Kimberley Kay & Carol Porter discuss ‘The Fear Project’ (46:00)
Nicole spoke to Chemmy Alcott on her SkiMoms podcast
The First Rule of Slow Skiers Club (49:00)

Feedback
If you’ve enjoyed this episode – or even if you didn’t like it – I would love to know. You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to [email protected] 

You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.

Judy Matthews: “Thank you for all your wonderful work, been really enjoying your pod.”

Colin: “267 was another great episode: I’ve been considering a trip to Sauze and Livigno was already on my wish list”

Chris Weer: “Thanks for the podcast. Wishing you a speedy recovery!”

There are now 288 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up. If you’d like to get some insight on a particular destination or the latest kit, just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll find interesting to listen to. 

if you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:
 
   -          you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
   -          you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
   -          And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied