308: Ski Mountaineering 101 in Chamonix, Sundance and the Best Refuges in the World

311: Heliskiing in Albania, Champoluc & Chamonix’s Closing Day

We find out what it’s like heliskiing in Albania, learn about the ski resort of Champoluc in Italy, and hear about the last ski day of the season in Chamonix. We also have snow reports from Cervinia in Italy and Les 2 Alpes and Tignes in France. Host Iain Martin was joined by freelance journalist Katie Bamber and Editor of Snow Magazine, Tris Kennedy.  SHOW NOTES Katie previously shared her experience of touring the Alps in a camper van (in Episode 167 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/meribel/167-van-life-off-the-grid-in-meribel-innsbruck-ski-jumping/]), the Haute Route (in Episode 172 [https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/172-the-haute-route-off-piste-in-verbier-les-3-vallees-enduro/]) and Geilo in Norway in Episode 204 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/crans-montana/204-vail-resorts-acquisition-of-andermatt-crans-montana-plus-geilo-in-norway/] (1:30) She recently skied on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Austria (2:45) Tris skied at Passo Tonale, which stays open until 03 May (4:15) Iain was at the Grands Montets for the closing day party (6:00) Check out the Pond Skim event video (7:00) Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching [https://tiptopskicoaching.com/] is in Les 2 Alpes (7:45) Floss Cockle from the YouTube channel FreeFloFloss [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTn-FmyezDlmkd2s-xiGFQ] is in Tignes (8:30) Dave Burrows from SnoPros Ski School [https://www.snow-pros.ski/] was in Cervinia (10:30) Samuel Equy & Mathéo Jacquemoud set a new ski FKT for Chamonix to the top of Mont Blanc and back (13:30) You can watch their video here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaH-_-sajQA] Jaquemoud set a time of of 13h27m49s for the Haute Route [https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/snow-ski-skimountaineering/haute-route-chamonix-zermatt-william-boffelli-matheo-jacquemoud-set-new-fkt.html] earlier in April (14:00) Where is Champoluc? (16:45) What’s the ski area like? (19:00) Ski 2 went out of business [https://planetski.eu/2021/09/01/ski2-goes-out-of-business-with-a-heavy-heart/] in 2021 (23:00) Al Morgan reported from the SIGB ski test in Champoluc in Episode 303 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/isola-2000/303-isola-2000-nice-stoten-in-sweden-un-para-ld/] (23:30) Tris travelled with Heliski Albania [https://www.heliskialbania.com/] (26:00) Where is Albania? (26:30) Who is Norman Wisdom [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Wisdom]? (28:00) How to get there? (29:00) Pristina has statues of Tony Blair and Bill Clinton (29:00) Valbona is in the ‘Accursed Mountains’ (31:00) You don’t (normally) need to jump out of the helicopter (32:00) What’s the terrain like? (33:30) Best time to go (35:30) Check Tris’s article in National Geographic [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/this-winter-try-heli-skiing-in-albania-accursed-mountains] (37:00) Feedback You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com [theskipodcast@gmail.com]. We’re also on WhatsApp [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasYegQBfxoC8rtBi21w] Anon (Spotify): "309 was another fabulous episode [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/verbier/309-la-clusaz-candide-thovexs-skis-verbiers-ski-patrol/] bringing the mountains ever closer to all of us. Despite living in a ski resort myself [Morgins] I never fail to learn something new about life in my own backyard." Lucy Kings: "I’ve been an avid listener for some time. I’m particularly interested in your commitment to sustainable travel, championing the female voice and above all I love that The Ski Podcast has highlighted the issues of disability and improving access to skiing for young people by fundraising for Snow Camp." Antonia Simpson: "I was delighted to see Vars and Risoul featured in Episode 310 [https://theskipodcast.com/london-ski-show/310-risoul-vars-x3-triathlon-in-courchevel-ski-mindset-coaching/]. We’ve been going to the area for years. It’s a massively underrated region and it’s brilliant.” There are now 311 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with in our back catalog – all available at theskipodcast.com [http://theskipodcast.com]. Just have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll find something of interest to get you through until next winter. You can buy Iain a coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com [https://buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast]

310: Risoul & Vars, X3 Triathlon in Courchevel & Ski Mindset Coaching

Today we find out about the ski resorts of Risoul and Vars in France, report from the Dynastar X3 Triathlon in Courchevel and look at how you can improve your ski mindset.  Host Iain Martin was joined by ski mindset coach, Lou Pode, and COO of The Ski Club of Great Britain and organiser of the London Snow Show, James Gambrill.   SHOW NOTES Iain recently skied in Verbier (5:30) Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching [https://tiptopskicoaching.com/] is in Les 2 Alpes (6:30) Floss Cockle from the YouTube channel FreeFloFloss [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTn-FmyezDlmkd2s-xiGFQ] has been skiing in Val Thorens (7:00) Jen Tsang runs the website ThatsLaPlagne.com [https://thatslaplagne.com/] (9:30) Iain took part in the Dynastar X3 Triathlon [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wYeCTfccjY] in Courchevel (11:30) Lou learned to ski using the ski évolutif system [https://parallelskiing.com/publications/Graduated-Length-Method-Better-For-Teaching-Beginner-Skiers] in Les Arcs (15:00) Listen to Episode 229 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/meribel/229-the-piste-x-code-slope-safety-and-skiing-without-fear/] for further discussion about female participation in skiing (18:00) Find out about Lou’s Ski Mindset Coaching [https://www.louisepode.com/coaching/#ski-coaching] (19:30) Lou can prepare you before their holiday [https://www.louisepode.com/courses-and-retreats/power-hour/] (20:00) How to get there (26:00) Iain skied in Roccaraso [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/la-plagne/170-roccaraso-alto-sangro-rusutsu-japan-la-plagne/], flying out to Naples (26:45) Size of the ski area (28:45) Who is it suitable for (33:00) James has been skiing twice this winter in Risoul and Vars [https://en.risoul.com/hiver] (33:30) The Fashion Show is back at the London Snow Show for 2026 (35:00) There are also plans for to make Sunday a ‘Legends’ day (37:30) Find out more about the London Snow Show on their website [https://londonsnowshow.com/] (40:00)  Feedback If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com [theskipodcast@gmail.com]  You can also join our WhatsApp channel [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasYegQBfxoC8rtBi21w] for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast Helen Keast: "I just wanted to say how much I’ve been enjoying the podcast — I’ve listened to every episode and look forward to each new one. I especially love the features on different resorts, and I really enjoyed the equipment reviews at the start of the season and the Olympic coverage!" Emily Ruth Givens: "Love the podcast" Colin Tierney: "Gausta is another area in Norway I am looking at didn’t realise that was the area heavy water was made." Anna: "Thank you for the podcast! Just discovered and binged it driving across Newfoundland for a ski at Marble Mountain. I love the ski safari idea in Episode 307. [https://theskipodcast.com/dolomites/307-sainte-foy-dolomiti-ski-safari-ski-touring-in-carinthia/]" Jan Claeren: "Thank you for the podcast - it's great to listen to and to travel with you and your guests" There are now 310 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 [http://theskipodcast.com], have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll find something of interest to get you through until next winter. Please do subscribe – it helps other people find us and you’ll never miss an episode. If you enjoy the podcast, you can always buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast [https://buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast]

309: La Clusaz, Candide Thovex's Skis & Verbier’s Ski Patrol

We visit La Clusaz and find out about local freeride skier Candide Thovex’s new range of skis. We also go to Verbier to learn what it was like to become the first woman to work on their ski patrol. We have snow reports from Flaine in France, Via Lattea in Italy and St Anton in Austria, news on the class action lawsuit going on in the States and there’s a Team GB update as well.  Host Iain Martin was joined by Victoria Jamieson, the first woman to join the Verbier ski patrol, and Tony McWilliam, the founder of Faction Skis and designer of Candide Thovex’s new line of skis.  --------- Tirol in Austria [https://www.tyrol.com/] 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. ---------  SHOW NOTES Tony McWilliam is the founder of Faction Skis (2:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with Tony about his story [https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/tony-mcwilliam-founder-faction-skis/] Simon Burgess reports from Flaine (5:00) James and Sinead from Sauze Online [https://sauzeonline.com/] are in the Via Lattea (7:00) Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Travel [https://kalumaski.com/] is in St Anton (8:30) A class action lawsuit has been filed [https://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/0/21539/class-action-lawsuit-filed-vail-resorts-alterra.page] against Vail Resorts and Alterra (11:00) Read the excellent analysis by Stuart Winchester from the Storm Skiing Podcast [https://www.stormskiing.com/p/the-class-action-lawsuit-against] (11:15) Kirsty Muir, Charlotte Bankes & Zoe Atkin won Crystal Globes in Ski Slopestyle, Snowboard Cross and Ski Halfpipe (12:00) Jim Duncombe lives in La Clusaz and was co-founder of The Ski Podcast (12:30) The new black run is named after home town hero Candide Thovex [https://www.laclusaz.com/en/le-mag/actualites-en/a-new-slope-in-tribute-to-the-skiing-legend-candide-thovex/] (16:20) Check out Candide on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CandideThovexChannel]… (16:30) Candide has said that La Balme taught him everything and shaped his skiing [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQKHNPRCP1C/] (16:45) Philippine Bories works for the La Clusaz tourist office (18:00) Listen to Iain’s previous interview [https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/tony-mcwilliam-founder-faction-skis/] with Tony (22:30) Tony first met Candide when he was 16 and signed him to Faction Skis later (23:30) Faction supplied him with 27 sets of skis for his epic ‘Ski The World’  video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHrwcQQ38bA] (25:00) Tony worked with Candide on his own range of skis [https://www.candideskis.co/] (27:00) The design of the top sheets are very minimalist (29:00) Only 100 of the limited edition La Clusaz 101 [https://www.candideskis.co/pages/la-clusaz-101] were made (29:30) The construction of the skis (30:00) Tony now runs Forward Outdoor [https://forwardoutdoor.co/] (32:30) Angelika Kaufmann spoke about her job blasting avalanches in Lech in Episode 270 [https://audioboom.com/posts/8825516-270-st-anton-lech-and-the-rise-of-the-slow-skiing-movement] (33:00) Victoria was the first woman to join the Verbier ski patrol in 2008 (34:00) The exams or qualifications required (37:00) Why blasting avalanches is so important (38:30) Feedback You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop Iain an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com [theskipodcast@gmail.com]. You can also follow us on our WhatsApp channel [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasYegQBfxoC8rtBi21w]. andrewdickson: "Great interview with Tim Wall [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/la-tania/299-tim-wall-pub-le-ski-lodge-la-tania/] (Episode 299). I love the Ski Lodge and all the bands that have played there over the years. We will be back for our 21st visit next year.”  James Rice: "Just downloaded Episode 308 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/chamonix/308-ski-mountaineering-101-in-chamonix-sundance-and-the-best-refuges-in-the-world/] (about Chamonix). Really looking forward to it." Sean Burton: “I just wanted to reiterate how much I enjoy the podcast.I discovered it after my first ski trip in January 2024 and have been listening avidly ever since.” There are now 309 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 [http://theskipodcast.com], have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something you’ll find something of interest. If you enjoy the podcast, you can always buy Iain a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast [https://buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast]

308: Ski Mountaineering 101 in Chamonix, Sundance and the Best Refuges in the World

We go on a ski touring adventure in Chamonix, staying an unmanned refuge at 3000m, and also take a closer look at some of the most spectacular Alpine refuges in the world. Plus we find out about the ski resort synonymous with Robert Redford – Sundance in Utah. We also learn of a post-Olympic spike in visitors to the UK’s snow centres, plus we have snow reports from Madesimo, Gausta and Les 2 Alpes, plus your feedback. ---------  Tirol in Austria [https://www.tyrol.com/] 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. ---------  SHOW NOTES Katja Gaskell was last on the show in Episode 242 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/murren/242-selva-val-gardena-saint-gervais-the-worlds-steepest-cable-car/] when she reported on Saint Gervais (1:30) Aaron Rolph is founder of the British Adventure Collective [https://www.britishadventurecollective.com/] (1:45) Aaron skied on the Dome de Miage (4:00) Claire Harrison reported from Madesimo in Italy (5:30) Mike Richards was in Gausta in Norway (6:45) Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching [https://tiptopskicoaching.com/] is in Les 2 Alpes (9:00) The new Entry/Exit System EES with the EU will scale up to 100% on 10 April (09:15) Freddy Carrick Smith picked up the silver in the slalom at the Junior World Championships (9:30) Ian Brown, MD of The Snow Centre, reports on a bump in traffic in both Hemel Hempstead & Manchester (10:00) Iain was guided by Brad Carlson on a ski mountaineering 101 trip (14:30) Iain stayed in the Bivouac de l'Envers des Dorées [https://www.refuges.info/point/3596/cabane-non-gardee/bivouac-de-l-Envers-des-Dorees-ou-des-Plines/#C21238] (17:30) Brad was on the podcast in Episode 240 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/chamonix/240-montagne-verte-patagonias-announcement-the-mer-de-glace-in-chamonix/] discussing the impact of global warming on the Mer de Glace (18:30) The kit you need for ski mountaineering adventure (20:45) Aaron’s book [https://www.instagram.com/p/DRrEEVyjb4Z/?img_index=11]is ‘Alpine Refuges: The Architecture and Culture of Mountain Shelters’ (25:45) What is a bothy in Scotland? (26:45) What is an Alpine refuge? (28:30) Choosing the 30 refuges featured in the book (29:20) The Bivacco Gervasutti [https://www.seechamonix.com/accommodation/huts/refuge-gervasutti-massif-du-mont-blanc] is one of Aaron’s favourites (31:00) The Hannibal Bivouac [https://www.valcenis.com/en/hebergement-collectif/bivouac-hannibal-val-cenis-2/] (32:00) Aaron has visited around 60 refuges (34:00) Aaron is the founder of the British Adventure Collective (34:30) European refuges v. North America (35:30) Sundance [https://www.sundanceresort.com/] is famous for the film festival (38:00) Films that launched at Sundance include Reservoir Dogs, The Blair Witch Project, Get Out and Memento (39:00) Robert Redford bought it in 1968 (39:40) There is a focus on conservation [https://www.sundanceresort.com/explore/conserve/] (41:00) Redford felt it should be ‘“developed a little, preserved a lot” (41:30) The skiing [https://www.sundanceresort.com/activities/skiing-snowboarding/] (42:00) His ownership meant it developed as a hub for the arts (44:00) Who is Sundance suitable for? (47:00) Feedback You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com [theskipodcast@gmail.com]  You can also follow us on WhatsApp [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasYegQBfxoC8rtBi21w] for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.  Martyn Crawshaw: “I'm currently skiing in Champery, Switzerland which can be reached by rail direct via a funicular from the mainline station at Aigle”   seanski: "It’s such a great podcast and look forward to it every week, I've been particularly inspired by your series on the Tirol, and as I write I'm en route by train to Landeck" Linley Lewis: "Just wanted to drop you a line let you know I greatly enjoyed your Ste Foy episode [https://theskipodcast.com/dolomites/307-sainte-foy-dolomiti-ski-safari-ski-touring-in-carinthia/]. Ste Foy has become an annual pilgrimage for my family. It's an absolute gem and I think you summed up its joy perfectly." Claire: "We have just returned from a week in Fugen in the Zillertal after listening to your feature in Episode 272. We were very impressed with the ski area: the efficiency of the transport, range of slopes, wonderful mountain "hutte" and friendly hospitality everywhere. We will be back for sure!" Colin Tierney: “I love skiing in Austria: you could do a different resort every winter without ever having to repeat.” There are now 308 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 187 of those have been listened to in the last week, including interviews with Winter Olympians such as Andrew Musgrave, Eddie The Eagle, Dave Ryding, Graham Bell, both Izzy and Zoe Atkin, Chemmy Alcott, Bode Miller and Kirsty Muir.  If you’d like to listen to an interview with an athlete, get some insight on a particular destination, or find out about the latest kit, just go to theskipodcast.com [http://theskipodcast.com], have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest to listen to.  If you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:    -          follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode    -          give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify    -          save yourself some money by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book using this link [https://www.intersportrent.com/skirent?partid=f47aea1aa40943b6b52efcf58f0be09e]

307: Sainte-Foy, Dolomiti Ski Safari & Ski Touring in Carinthia

Today we cover three countries: in France, we find out about Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise; we hear about a ski safari across the Dolomites in Italy; and about a ‘ski touring for softies’ adventure in Austria. Iain was joined in the studio by Ireland’s leading ski specialist, Catherine Murphy and freelance journalist, Simon Miller. --------- Tirol in Austria [https://www.tyrol.com/] 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. ---------  SHOW NOTES Simon spoke about Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis in Episode 291 [https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/courchevel/291-serfaus-fiss-ladis-peak-performance-design-new-lifts-in-courchevel/] We featured Deer Valley in the podcast in Episode 272 [https://theskipodcast.com/winter-olympics/272-zillertal-in-tirol-deer-valley-safe-skiing-in-val-disere/] (2:20) Iain reported on his stay in Brides-les-Bains in Episode 306 [https://theskipodcast.com/winter-olympics/306-kitzbuhel-cat-skiing-in-georgia-brides-les-bains-chemmy-alcotts-olympics/] (3:30) Betony Garner reported from St Gervais (5:45) Jen Tsang runs the website ThatsLaPlagne.com [https://thatslaplagne.com/] (7:00) Dave Burrows from SnoPros Ski School [https://www.snow-pros.ski/] was in Lélex Crozet, France (8:50) Floss Cockle from the YouTube channel FreeFloFloss [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTn-FmyezDlmkd2s-xiGFQ] reported from Tignes (11:10) Neil Simpson has picked up [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/10/neil-simpson-first-great-britain-medal-winter-paralympics] Silver in the Men’s VI combined at the Paralympics (13:00) Zak Carrick-Smith made his World Cup debut in the slalom in Kranjska Gora (13:15) Iain visited Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise by train (14:00) Iain is writing an article about backcountry skiing for Fall Line Magazine (14:15) The British chalet company, Premiere Neige [https://www.premiere-neige.com/] is a Sainte Foy specialist (14:40) Fiona Harvey-Jordan is the founder of Premiere Neige (15:00) Iain’s guide in Sainte-Foy was Nicholas Barel (24:00) Rachel Pilkington is the owner of Llama Llama in Sainte Foy [https://www.instagram.com/lamallamastefoy/] (24:20) The backcountry in Sainte-Foy is amazing (27:15) Catherine went on the Specialismo [https://inspireditaly.com/adventures/%f0%9f%a5%87-specialissimo-dolomites-ski-safari/] Ski Safari with Inspired Italy (27:45) The route was Ortisei-Val Gardena-Passo San Pellegrino-Civetta-Lagazuoi-Alta Badia-Marmolada-Colfosco-Ortisei (29:00) Italian Rifugio are very different from what some people might think of when they think of refuges (29:45) The Dolomiti Superski pass is included in the Ikon Pass (31:30) Who’s it suitable for? (34:15) Simon was ski touring on the ‘Nockberge Trail’ [https://nockberge-trail.com/] in Carinthia, Austria (37:15) Travel was in and out of Graz (37:45) ‘Ski touring as if it was designed by people [https://planetski.eu/2026/02/11/the-nockberge-trail-ski-touring-for-softies/] who dream up aromatherapy marketing material’ (38:15) Simon’s trip was organised by Trail Angels [https://www.trail-angels.com/en/] (38:45) It could be described as ‘ski touring for softies’ (41:45) Feedback (46:00) You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com [theskipodcast@gmail.com]. You can also follow us on WhatsApp [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasYegQBfxoC8rtBi21w] for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. Paul Bond: "Winter Olympics pods were great. Games were fantastic. Great stuff from Team GB with much future promise." Poppy Porteus: "I really want to be an Olympic champ and love listening to your podcast" Nicolas: “Loved your recent episode about cat skiing in Georgia. It brought back great memories of previous cat skiing adventures.” There are now 307 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. If you’d like to get some insight on a particular destination, listen to an interview with an athlete or find out about the latest kit, just go to theskipodcast.com [http://theskipodcast.com], have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest to listen to.  And don’t forget you can save yourself some money on ski hire if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you when you book at intersportrent.com [http://intersportrent.com/].