The Ski Podcast

• 234: Courmayeur, Ruanua Skiwear, Whitestorm Rental & Dave Ryding interview

  We finding out about driving to the Alps in an electric vehicle, discuss Courmayeur in Italy, plus we have an entrepreneur focus talking to the founders of two snowsports companies. We also have our regular snow reports, your feedback, news on more World Cup wins for Team GB plus an update from Dave Ryding ahead of the World Champs in Saalbach. Iain was joined by Erin Flynn, founder of the clothing company Ruanua and Simon Hooper, founder of Whitestorm, the ski hire company in Courchevel and Meribel.  Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Don’t forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter…all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com.  That applies to any ski hire booked in their massive network across France, Austria and Switzerland – that’s hundreds of resorts. You’ll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.  SHOW NOTES Iain was in Les 2 Alpes in April 2024 (1:30) Catherine Murphy reported on the new Jandri 3S lift in Episode 232 (2:30) Iain reported on snow conditions in Chamonix last weekend (4:30) Before that he was skiing in Courmayeur, Italy (5:00) Mike Richards reported from Erciyes in Turkey (5:30) Floss Cockle reported from Tignes (6:45) Mia Brookes won the Slopestyle at the Laax Open (8:00) Jasmin Taylor took a gold and silver in the Telemark World Cup (8:45) Dave Ryding was talking about the World Champs coming up in Saalbach (9:00) Regular listeners may recall I took the Flight Free UK pledge in 2024 Iain is taking the Flight Free Pledge again in 2025 (12:15) Iain founded Ski Flight Free in 2019 (12:00) Iain drove a BMW iX M60 electric vehicle to Courmayeur and Chamonix (13:00) For charging, Iain used the Ionity network all the way (15:00) For more advice on EVs in the Alps there’s an excellent page on SNO.co.uk website (16:00) Ruanua is a new resortwear brand (18:00) Erin worked as a ski instructor in Saalbach (19:30) Ruanua uses stock fabric which is already made and unused (22:45) Garments are made PFC-free with RDS certified Down (24:45) Ruanua launched in autumn 2024 (27:00) Simon founded Whitestorm in 2012 in Courchevel 1850 (30:00) He now employs 21 staff (33:00) The trend to ski rental as baggage fees have increased (34:45) Iain reported on the new Courchevel Saulire cable car in Episode 229 (36:30) Watch Iain’s video about the Skyway Monte Bianco lift in Courmayeur (37:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V055PF5enZA Join The Ski Podcast WhatsApp channel (41:00) Feedback   I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]  Jack Kelly: "Love the show!"   Kosta: "The equipment specials have been very good this year and Al communicates the nuances of design very well. The interviews also have been interesting and have shown the work that happens behind most people’s one week holiday. Keep up the good work" Helen Keast (Spotify): "Really enjoyed Episode 232 with Mark Smith” There are now 244 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up. There is so much to listen to in our previous episodes, 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 Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

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• 233: Mark Smith, 'The Man in Seat 61', on train travel to the Alps

  Today is a special interview with Mark Smith – the train travel expert also known as ‘The Man in Seat 61’.  We discuss his background; how he came to set up his website seat61.com; his views on the best routes to the Alps by train; the trend towards night trains; plus whether there will ever be competition for Eurostar on the cross-channel line.  Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code If you’re heading to the Alps this winter, then you 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 Seat61.com is a multiple award-winning website with more than 1m visitors per month (2:00) Why is it called ‘Seat 61’? (2:30) What prompted you to start the site in 2001? (4:15) Mark has worked full time on Seat61.com since 2007 (7:00) Iain took the ‘Flight Free Pledge’ to take no flights in 2024 (8:45) Why should people travel by train? (9:00) Come for the carbon savings, stay for the joy of travelling by train (9:15) “We're in danger of creating a world where every single journey is an identical non-experience at 30,000 feet and life's too short not to grab every experience when you get the chance.” (11:30) Listen to Iain’s report on the Eurostar Snow Train (13:00) Will Eurostar ever bring back that direct service? (13:30) Or that they might increase the number of rotations? (15:45) Will we see competition to Eurostar on the cross-channel HS1 line? (18:00) Virgin are interested in starting as a competitor to Eurostar (18:30) When will the line from Paris to Turin open again? (21:00) Taking the train to Italian ski resorts (23:00) Taking the train to Austria (24:00) Taking the train to Norway (25:00) The Caledonian Sleeper is ‘Best train in the UK’ according to Mark (26:00) Simon Calder and Mark raced to Edinburgh in a plane v. train race (27:30) Night trains are becoming more popular (28:30) OBB’s ‘Nightjet’ service is the biggest operator of night trains in Europe (29:30) The Nightjet to Innsbruck departs from Amsterdam (31:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper (31:30) Mark will be on the inaugural European Sleeper service (32:30) Boutique operators include Snälltåget and European Sleeper (33:30) How do you keep the costs of train travel down? (35:00) When is Interrail better value than point-to-point tickets? (37:00) Why do you have to wait to three months beforehand until you can book trains? (38:30) Iain will be travelling to Sicily on the only train ferry left in Europe (40:45) Is it possible to travel from Portugal to Singapore by train? (42:00) Take the plunge, you’ll love it! (44:00) “Collectively we are racing through spectacular landscapes, covering a mile every 40 seconds, using Victorian infrastructure to the full and causing minimal environment harm. The rail traveller is in touch with the world.” Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]    Dan Trapp: "Keep up the great work. And have a great season!"  Alex Nevill (BMAC): "Love this podcast, always gets me in the mood for the ski season" There are now 245 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and a whopping 202 of those were listened to in the last week. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to theskipodcast.com and have a look around - you’re bound to find something that sparks your 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 Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

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• 232: Montenegro, Tignes & European Gay Ski Week

  We find out about skiing in Montenegro and Tignes, what it’s like at European Gay Ski Week and we look at the new Jandri 3S lift in Les 2 Alpes. We also have our regular snow reports, your feedback and news on World Cup wins for Team GB. Host Iain Martin is joined by freelance journalist Mary Novakovich, Matt Ware from European Gay Ski Week and regular guest, Catherine Murphy.  Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code If you’re heading to the Alps this winter, then you 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 Catherine on the show in Episode 230 telling us about the WhamWalk in Saas Fee (2:00) Find out about slope safety in Episode 229 (3:45) Matt will be at Swiss Gay Ski Week in Arosa (4:45) Mike Greenland reported from Jahorina, Bosnia (6:00) Jen Tsang, That’s La Plagne, La Plagne, France (7:20) Andy Butterworth, Kaluma Ski, St Anton, Austria (10:00) There has been skiing in England at Weardale and the Lake District (13:00) https://x.com/skipedia/status/1877261678758318563 Mia Brookes took her 2nd win of the season at Klagenfurt (13:30) Txema Mazet-Brown came 9th at Klagenfurt and is one to watch out for (14:00) Dave Ryding was 10th in Madonna di Campiglio (14:45) The Team GB bobsleigh team won the Winterberg World Cup race (15:00) The Carrick Smith boys update us on training and recovery from injury (15:20) Iain used his Carv 2 for the first time in Tignes (19:45) Iain travelled to Tignes in a luxury splitter van from Vans for Bands (21:45) There was a lot of snow on the roof! (22:00) Iain ran across ‘le lac’ in Tignes (23:00) Catherine tried ice floating in Tignes (23:30) The ESF ‘Fleche’ race was great fun (24:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okczVRVdwtk Iain spoke with Olivier Duch, deputy mayor of Tignes (26:00) Find out more about sustainability in Tignes (27:00) The snow groomers in Tignes all run on HVO rather than diesel (27:30) The Mountain Shaker takes place from 08-14 March in Tignes (29:15) Tignes will host the Paralpine World Championships in 2027 (31:30) Read Mary’s article about skiing in Montenegro (34:00) Fly into Podgorica and stay in Kolasin (36:00) European Gay Ski Week takes place in Val Thorens from 22-29 March (42:00) Find out more about ‘Le Board’ in VT in Episode 165 (44:00) Packages start from €159 for event pass and accom sharing (46:30) Sharing options make it very affordable for solo travellers The Jandri 3S lift opened in December (48:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz0hrmQgVGg Find out about the ‘Last Ride Project’ in Episode 230 (55:30) We are the lookout for Ski Valentines...did you meet your partner on a ski holiday or doing a ski season, and do you fancy sharing your story? Drop me an email to [email protected] Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]  Joseph Childs: "Thank you for the podcast, I always look forward to the episodes!" plus book suggestion (Higher Love, Kit Deslauriers) Katie Waddington: “Enjoyed listening to the John Yates-Smith episode (233)” Ed Clapham: "I’m really enjoying the ski podcast. It’s got a great mix of guests and for someone who’s been skiing for nearly 40 years, I still find myself learning something new when listening to it." There are now 244 episodes of The Ski Podcast 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.  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

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• The Best Ski Touring Equipment for 2025 (including skis, boots & bindings)

  We focus on ski touring in this equipment special. Iain and Al look at the best skis and ski boots for people wanting an ‘all-rounder’ set up or a dedicated lightweight touring set up, as well as discussing layers and the different bindings available.   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 and you can buy online now. SHOW NOTES What is ski touring? (5:30) What are ‘skins’? (6:00) How are the bindings different? (7:30) Iain went ski touring in Morocco (9:30) How important is weight? (11:00) Al’s weight comparison example (11:45) A 95mm freeride ski will weigh upwards of 1,650g per ski in a 175cm length An equivalent touring ski would be 200-400g lighter per ski. In this case, we’ll use 300g per ski A regular freeride binding would be around 1,000g per binding An equivalent Kingpin is around 300g lighter per binding A regular Alpine boot is around 2,000g per boot (in a 26.5MP) An equivalent freeride touring boot can be 500g lighter per boot   For skis, binding and boots, a ‘lightweight’ set up could be 2.8kg lighter overall: equivalent to saving 14kg off your backpack The Best ‘All Round’ Touring Skis – Salomon QST98 - £550 (18:30) The Best ‘Lightweight’ Touring Skis – Atomic Backland 88 - £500 (20:30) What is a Split Board? (23:45) Buy your snowboard kit at The Snowboard Asylum The Best ‘All Round’ Touring Boots – K2 Mindbender BOA - £625 (26:00) The Best ‘All Round’ Lightweight’ Touring Boots - Scarpa Gea/Maestrale RS - £670 (29:00) How important are layers? (32:00) Listen to our ‘Best Ski Jackets of 2025’ episode (32:30) Montane have a range of ski touring layers (34:15) Iain uses Montane for his trail running races (35:00) Al uses the Rab Mythic G down jacket - £450 (36:00) How to use poles when ski touring (37:00) What sort of gloves should you take? (39:30) Helmets for ski touring (40:00) Listen to our ‘Best Ski Helmets of 2025’ episode Iain uses the Oakley Mod BC helmet (£220)  Eric Button is the founder of the Zoa Portable lift(41:45) Listen to Iain’s interview with Blair Aitken from British Backcountry Skiing (49:45) The Wild Ski Weekend is at the Glenmore Lodge in March 2025 (50:30) Iain used the Carv in Tignes (53:30) Al recommends Nunchucks as a good option for audio while wearing a helmet (54:30) ELLIS BRIGHAM’S CHOICE (47:15) Matt Brown works for Ellis Brigham in Aviemore 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]  Episode 231 with John Yates Smith produced a lot of comment:  Paul Bond: "Of all the topics that could be on the podcast, the choice of pellets for a shot gun wasn’t one I had on my bingo card!" David Bell: “Hi Iain, I must say I enjoyed your interview with John so much , what a great character with a great life story to tell, and a refreshingly honest outlook. I was laughing along with you.” Anthony Benson: “John you’re a legend! You taught me a lot about life working for you when I was 19 in Val and Corsica and also working for your brother Dick. They were the best years of my life and I remember the time the Corsicans tried to burn the Valinco down!” Quin R: “Absolutely loved the podcast with John Yates-Smith.”    David Lindsay: "Only just listened to the ski boot special. What an excellent podcast - Al really knows his stuff." If you like the podcast, there are thre 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 buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast We now have 243 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 might not end up listening to every episode, but you’re bound to find something of interest to you.    You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast

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• 231: John Yates-Smith, YSE Ski - 50 years in Val d'Isère

  This special episode of The Ski Podcast featuring Val d'Isère legend John Yates-Smith.  John is just starting his 50th winter in the resort. He started in the 70s in the early years of the British ski industry and went on to run Bladon Lines’ operations in Val d'Isère for a decade.  In 1991, he co-founded his own chalet company, YSE Ski, which has now been offering ski holidays in VDI for over 30 years.  SHOW NOTES Read Iain’s article about Bladon Lines (2:00) YSE is a Val d'Isère specialist founded in 1991 (2:45) “YSE is run by hyper-efficient ladies” (3:00) Fiona Easdale is the ‘E’ of ‘YSE’ “Brexit has been a nightmare for us” (4:00) John’s first ski season was with John Morgan in 1975/76 (8:00) “The best skiing in the world and a lot of very pretty chalet girls” (8:15) Is being a KP the best job in the Alps? (9:00) John’s brother opened ‘Dick’s Tea Bar’ (12:30) In 1982, John started working for Bladon Lines (16:00) The company was founded by Mark Lines and Simon Bladon in 1978 (16:30) Bladon Lines staff jackets were so colourful they became known as the ‘Parrots’ (18:00) “I hated my parrot jacket and refused to wear it!” (18:15) Telex was the typical mode of communication (21:00) Transfers before the Geneva-Albertville motorway could take up to 13 hours (26:00) In 1991 John started YSE with Fiona Easdale after Bladon Lines sacked her (33:00) In 1995, Inghams bought the brand for next to nothing (35:30) “I was absolutely delighted to see Bladon Lines go” (35:30) John set up the Bladon Lines summer operation in Corsica (37:00) The Hotel Valinco was built with sand from the beach (38:00) John had some attention from the Corsican mafia? (39:15) “There are no honest people in Corsica!” (39:45) John’s car was set on fire… (41:00) “What gun have you got?” (42:30) Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I’m always interested to hear what you think, so please do contact me on social @theskipodcast or by email [email protected]  Dave Mills: "Great podcast and adds to the excitement of another ski season" Adam Fisher: "Good work with the podcast. I really enjoyed the Japan and Joanna Lees episodes.” Mike Greenland: "Always entertaining!” There are now 241 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. 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.  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 Cover Photo courtesy of Felice Hardy, Action Packed Travel

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