The Ski Podcast

The Ski Podcast
  • 4.5 (15)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Biweekly

Want to more about the world of skiing? The Ski Podcast is an award-winning podcast with over 320 episodes, hosted by Iain Martin. We explore the people, places and issues shaping the world of skiing, featuring interviews with pro skiers and snowboarders, resort leaders, industry experts and personalities from across the snowsports community. Listen to our back catalog at www.theskipodcast.com The Ski Podcast was voted 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the 2021 Sports Podcast Awards and nominated for 'Best Broadcast Programme' in the 2023 Travel Media Awards. Iain is a freelance journalist specialising in snowsports. He is also the founder of Ski Flight Free - a campaign to encourage skiers to take the train or drive to their ski holiday.  Email: theskipodcast@gmail.com Music: www.purple-planet.com

  1. 6h ago

    325: Andrzej Bargiel, First Person to Ski Everest Without Oxygen

    In today’s special episode we meet Andrzej Bargiel, the first person to ski Everest without oxygen. In September 2025, Andrzej went viral, after Red Bull released footage of him summitting and then skiing down Everest – the world’s highest peak – without any extra oxygen.  To put his achievement into context, around 7500 people have summited Everest, but fewer than 200 have managed to do it without supplementary oxygen – and absolutely none of them have skied back down as well.  We discuss Andrzej’s journey from a tough childhood in Poland, via first skimo racing, and then high mountain adventures, to the how he became the only person to ski K2 from the summit and then the only person to summit and ski Everest without supplementary oxygen.  Andrzej spoke in his natives language of Polish, so in this conversation, you’ll hear his words translated by an actor. SHOW NOTESWatch the full 30-minute version of Andrzej’s historic descent (0:30) If you are really pushed for time, you could watch the one minute version   Andrzej is the ninth of 11 children (2:45) Swapping table tennis bats for skis (2:45) Getting into ski touring (4:15) The ‘Hic Sunt Leones’ (‘Here are lions’) project (6:00) Learning to function with little oxygen (7:30) Attitudes to risk (8:30) Previous attempts on Everest in 2019 and 2021 Why September? (11:00) Reaching the summit (14:00) Negotiating the Khumbu icefall (16:45) Equipment for Everest (18:30) Everest, K2 and Nanga Parbat - which was the hardest to climb and the hardest to ski? (19:45) FEEDBACKYou can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or you can drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp, where I release exclusive material ahead of each episode there. Look in the Show Notes for those links. Matt Hayes: “Thank you for the content over the summer, some truly inspiring interviews. Also, for the free ticket for the snow show. We got so much out of it last year and booked our hotel as soon as the dates came out, so the free ticket certainly helps.” Colin Tierney: “Episode 323 was very interesting: disabled skiers impress me so much.” Jake Roskoe: “I really enjoyed Episode 235, when you spoke with Nancy Shiel from Big Sky Resort in Montana” There are now 325 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest to listen to. If you enjoyed this episode of The Ski Podcast (which took around 10 hours to produce!), you are welcome to buy me a coffee too at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

    325: Andrzej Bargiel, First Person to Ski Everest Without Oxygen

  2. Aug 28

    324: Snowcamp’s Impact Retreat, Northern Snow Show & Australia/NZ Snow Updates

    We learn how a new retreat in Chamonix is creating opportunities for inner city young people, find out what’s going on at this year’s Northern Snow Show and we have the latest snow news from Australia and New Zealand.  Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Laura Marriot-Clarke, founder of the Chamonix company, Girl Powder Mountain Retreats and Morv Bett, Head of Snowsports and Futures at Snow Camp, and down the line by Matt Robinson, Head of Events at Snow Centre Manchester, Rachael Oakes-Ash from snowsbest.com and Guy Beatson in Whakapapa, NZ.  SHOW NOTESFind out more about the AJ Bell Three Valley Rally (3:30)Rachael Oakes-Ash from snowsbest.com is the ski expert on Australia & New Zealand (3:45) Guy Beatson is based at Whakapapa in New Zealand (6:00) Episode 312 is a special interview with Rachael (7:30) Iain spoke with Matt Robinson about the Northern Snow Show (7:45) Book a Premium Ticket for the show (10:00) The London Snow Show takes place at Olympia on 17 and 18 October (12:45)Take this link for your FREE Saturday tickets to the London Snow Show Take this link for your FREE Sunday tickets to the London Snow Show Snow Camp featured on the podcast most recently in Episode 249 (14:00) Iain fundraised for Snow Camp in 2025, visiting all five of the UK’s indoor snow centres in a single day (14:15) Amirra Blackwood discussed her journey in Episode 249, working for Ellis Brigham and SCGB (18:00) Girl Powder Mountain Retreats are based in Chamonix (20:00) The Snow Camp ‘Impact Retreat’ in Chamonix (24:45) Dates and Costs of the ‘Impact Retreat’ and how to book (30:00) Snowcamp was included in the list of Top SME Apprenticeship Employers in the country (31:30) Snowheads is a great online snowsports community (33:00) FeedbackYou can let us know your feedback by leaving a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or send an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp, where we release exclusive material ahead of each episode there.  Layne: “Just listened to Episode 322 - interesting as always”russ e: “Really enjoyed the interview with Stu Brass. I went on a few of trips with the chaps from the Snowboarding forum from which SCUK was born.”  ster: “I must take exception with Rob in Episode 318 who stated that the ‘main resort’ in the Aosta valley is Courmayeur”  There are now 324 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest.

    324: Snowcamp’s Impact Retreat, Northern Snow Show & Australia/NZ Snow Updates

  3. Aug 14

    323: Disability Snowsport, Team Carrick-Smith Update & Tartiflette v. Fondue

    We find out about the increasing options available for disabled skiers and snowboarders, plus we look at the results of a new survey full of revelations, including the increasing role of AI in choosing holidays and some controversial views on fondue! We also have a special update from New Zealand from Team Carrick Smith and news on summer in La Plagne.  Iain was joined in the studio by Virginia Anderson, CEO at Disability Snowsport UK and Simon McIntyre, Managing Director at Iglu Ski.SHOW NOTESSimon was last on the show in Episode 217 (1:00) Iain skied the last day of the season in Chamonix in May (3:00) The Ski Podcast sponsors Zak, Freddy and Luca Carrick Smith (3:30) They are currently based in Roundhill in New Zealand The summer ski areas in both Zermatt and Saas Fee have closed (5:50) The ice tunnel that leads from the Aiguille du Midi out to the arete closed last week  Iain reported from Les Arcs in summer in Episode 254 (7:00) Jen runs the website ‘That’s La Plagne’ (7:15) Barriers to skiing for disabled people (12:30) The new DSUK Hub at The Snow Centre Manchester (14:00) Recruiting and training adaptive instructors (15:00) Listen to Iain’s interview with paraplegic snow groomer Antoine Motillon in Episode 15 (18:30) What does a genuinely accessible ski resort look like? (20:00) What can resorts do to make a difference (21:30) Standout resorts doing a good job (22:45) In Episode 303, Alice Sainsbury from ‘un/para/ld’ on improving outdoor clothing for disabled people (25:00) Iglu helps raise funds for DSUK (27:00) Read the Iglu Ski Survey (30:30) 5% go long-haul (so USA, Canada, Japan) with most in Europe (31:30) There’s been a big jump in people using AI to research ski holidays (32:30) 20% of people book ‘at the last minute’ (35:00) 7% see their carbon footprint as being the most important factor in choosing how they travel (36:00) Find out more about train travel at skiflightfree.orgois (37:00) Apres-ski - clubbing at altitude v a hot tub and a sunny terrace (38:30) Toffee vodka v. Aperol spritz v. vin chaud v. beer v. wine (39:30) Tartiflette beats fondue (41:00) FeedbackYou can let us know what you’ve enjoyed this week or ideas for future features by leaving a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or you  can drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp. Ed Hopkins: “Such a good idea” [Soberski in Episode 322] Colin Tierney: “Maybe it’s due to the age I started skiing but I never drink on a skiing holiday. I’d rather be safe on my skis as I would be with driving, so no alcohol the night before.”Louise Cotter: "The knowledge I am gaining for listening to your podcast is phenomenal. I absolutely love Benjamin Coombes concept of soberski - this holiday sounds incredible. Well done on sharing his journey.”If you do enjoy the podcast, you are welcome to buy me a coffee too at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcastThere are now 323 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest.

  4. Jul 31

    322: Alcohol-Free Ski Holidays, Villards de Lans in Vercors & OZ/NZ Snow Reports

    We find out about Villards de Lans in the Vercors area of France and discuss alcohol-free ski holidays in Méribel. We also have ski show news and snow reports from Australia, New Zealand and Chile. Host Iain Martin was joined by freelance journalist Katja Gaskell and Soberski founder Ben Coombes.  SHOW NOTESKatja was last on the podcast in Episode 308 discussing Sundance Resort (0:45) Rachael Oakes-Ash from snowsbest.com is the ski expert on Australia & New Zealand (4:00) Guy Beatson is based at Whakapapa in New Zealand (9:00) Episode 312 is a special interview with Rachael (10:30) Portillo has had epic snowfall (10:45) Bartek Tyrpa from the pro-team at Carv reported from Valle Nevado in Chile (11:00) The Northern Snow Show takes place 03-04 October at The Snow Centre Manchester (12:30) Where is the Vercors? (13:30) The main ski area is Villards de Lans / Correncon en Vercors (14:45) Tony Parker is VERY famous in France It’s excellent for cross country skiing (20:00) Le Clarient is a self-sufficient restaurant (22:00) Soberski offers alcohol free ski holidays (24:00) Ben on why he quit alcohol (25:45) Why are skiing and drinking are so closely linked? (27:30) Starting Soberski (29:15) Soberski’s 2027 trip details (34:00) Katja reported on ice swimming in Samoens in Episode 166 (34:30)  The increase in alcohol-free options in bars (39:30) FeedbackIf you enjoyed this episode, or if you have any comments, please let me know. You can do that by leaving a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp.   Louise Cotter: “The night train ride [Episode 320] sounds like a lot of fun: my travel wish list is getting out of control thanks to The Ski Podcast.”Fiona Harvey-Jordan: “Fantastic episode as always!” There are now 322 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with at www.theskipodcast.com – have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest to listen to.  If you do enjoy the podcast and you want to help out you are very welcome to buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

    322: Alcohol-Free Ski Holidays, Villards de Lans in Vercors & OZ/NZ Snow Reports

  5. Jul 24

    321: Chamonix Stories #6 | Sam Haddad: “I looked down and there was just the abyss"

    In the sixth of our ‘Chamonix Stories’, we find out what it’s like to fall into a crevasse on the Vallée Blanche (don’t worry, this story has a happy ending!) Host Iain Martin speaks with freelance journalist Sam Haddad, about her first descent of the famous off-piste route – the Vallée Blanche.  SHOW NOTESListen to our special episode about Chamonix (0:30)Sam Haddad runs the Substack ‘Climate and Board Sports’ Sam was last on the podcast in Episode 251 (1:00) She spent a season in Chamonix in 2000 (2:00) She was on the Envers du Plan route (2:15) Jamie and the Magic Torch (3:15) Falling in to the crevasse (4:45) Being found in the crevasse (6:00) Being lifted out (6:30) Having to keep snowboarding (7:30) Getting a helicopter back to resort (9:00) Doing the Vallée Blanche again (9:45) FEEDBACKIf you enjoyed this episode you can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp.  Simon Burgess: “Really enjoyed Episode 319 about Ronin Skis. It’s nice to know there are manufacturers aiming for longevity not just another sale.”Colin Tierney: “I’m off to Landgraaf in November to enjoy the longer slope indoors and Pila in March…have you got access to my ski calendar?" There are now 321 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com and have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find an episode of interest to listen to. If you did enjoy this episode and you’d like to support the podcast, then you are very welcome to buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

    321: Chamonix Stories #6 | Sam Haddad: “I looked down and there was just the abyss"

  6. Jul 17

    320: Méribel Elections, Les 2 Alpes summer skiing and the Travelski Night Train

    We find out how a Brit got elected onto the Méribel town council, what summer skiing in Les 2 Alpes is like, and look at the Travelski night train to the Alps.  We also have snow reports from Australia and New Zealand and the latest news.  Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching and Richard Lett from Apres Ski Bands. SHOW NOTESRich spoke about apres-ski bands in the Alps in Episode 86 In Episode 180 he shared his insights into how to find a ski job post-Brexit Rachael Oakes-Ash from snowsbest.com is the ski expert on Australia & New Zealand (3:30) Episode 312 is a special interview with Rachael Guy Beatson is based at Whakapapa in New Zealand (5:30) Freeride Skiing will be included in the 2030 Olympics (6:30) Check out the Freeride World Tour channel on YouTube Cody Bramwell switched to the UK in 2021: "To be an Olympian would be the craziest dream ever" (7:30) British Olympians at Milan-Cortina are eligible for a €10000 grant from the IOC (8:30) Qualifying as an instructor (9:30) Summer skiing in Les 2 Alpes (13:00) Cycling around Mont Ventoux with Tip Top Bike Tours (17:00) Skiing on Mont Ventoux (17:30) Daniel Elkan runs the Snowcarbon website (19:00) Find out more about the Travelski Express night train Rich was one of the two first Brits to be elected to the Meribel council (28:00) Rich previously worked for Bladon Lines and the Brown Rock group (29:30) Rich runs Apres Ski Bands (30:45) Rich’s ‘commune’ is Méribel Les Allues (32:30) Responsibilities of the ‘commune’ (32:45) The new mayor of Méribel is Bernard Front (34:00) Getting on the mayoral ticket (34:30) ‘Agissons ensemble, transformons demain’: ‘Act together, transform tomorrow’ (35:00) In Episode 190 we covered the history of Méribel with David Lindsey (40:45) FeedbackIf you enjoyed this episode, or if you have any comments, please let me know. You can do that by leaving a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp.   Colin Tierney: “Great to hear from David Webster in Episode 317. I’ve used his videos before for Chamonix research.”Robbie Milne: “I went to Aosta and skied in Pila at Christmas and New Year. It’s underrated - a great little resort, lovely runs and it’s great to see more investment going in there.”If you do enjoy the podcast and you want to help out you are very welcome to buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcastLouise Cotter: “Binge listening to past episodes of The Ski Podcast has been my favourite way to cool down during the UK heatwave. Jonno from Ronin Skis’ commitment to sustainability is exceptionally impressive!”There are now 320 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with at www.theskipodcast.com – have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find something of interest to listen to.

    320: Méribel Elections, Les 2 Alpes summer skiing and the Travelski Night Train

  7. Jul 10

    319: Chamonix Stories #5 | Ronin Skis

    In the fifth in our series of ‘Chamonix Stories’, we Jonno Jacobs, founder of Ronin Skis – ‘exceptional lightweight touring and freeride skis for those who chart their own path’. Ronin is a passion project for Jonno: every ski is handmade and custom built for its owner, with a lot of thought put into making the skis as sustainable as possible.  SHOW NOTESUsing a fridge to make a pair of skis (3:00)Listen to Iain’s interview with Tom Greenall on how he became a pisteur (4:00) Where does the Ronin name come from? (4:15) The first order of Ronin Skis (6:00) Jono makes about 75 pairs per year (7:00) Approach to sustainability (7:30) Construction of Ronin Skis (9:45) Flax, not fibreglass (11:30) Learning the art of making skis (13:15) Range and costs (15:00) FEEDBACKIf you enjoyed this episode, or if you have any comments, please let me know. You can do that by leaving a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp - I release exclusive material ahead of each episode there.  Erik Jan Schutte: “I looked up OAK [Episode 316] and it looks cool. Keep up the good work.”Louise Cotter: “Episode 318 was fabulous. Chemmy Alcott is an inspiration for anybody to listen to.”There are now 319 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. Just go to theskipodcast.com and have a search around the tags and categories and you’re bound to find an episode of interest to listen to. If you did enjoy this episode and you’d like to support the podcast, then you are very welcome to buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

    319: Chamonix Stories #5 | Ronin Skis

  8. Jul 3

    318: Chemmy Alcott on Lindsey Vonn & Dave Ryding, Pila in Italy & Oz/NZ Snow Reports

    Today we go behind the scenes of the BBC’s Olympics coverage with Chemmy Alcott, hearing what it was like to be on location for Lindsey Vonn's awful accident, as well as Dave Ryding's final race, plus we find out about the ski resort of Pila in Italy.  We also have the latest from the start of the season Down Under in Australia and New Zealand and updates from GB Snowsport’s new generation of alpine racers, Luca, Zak and Freddy Carrick Smith.  Host Iain Martin was joined in the studio by four-time Winter Olympian and BBC Ski Sunday presenter, Chemmy Alcott, as well as freelance journalist, Rob Rees. SHOW NOTESRob was last on the show in in Episode 262 discussing the Skiwelt in Austria (2:00) Rachael Oakes-Ash runs the website snowsbest.com and the expert on Australia and New Zealand skiing (5:00) There has been fresh snow in Australia on Friday 03 July (5:30) Episode 312 is a special interview with Rachael (7:30) Guy Beatson is based in Whakapapa, NZ (8:00) Alex Irwin from the YouTube channel 150 Days of Winter skied last week in Tignes (10:00) Kendra Scurfield reports from Sunshine Village in Canada (12:00) “Too many of us life in our comfort zones” (13:45) Chemmy on Mia Brookes (14:15) Chemmy on Lindsey Vonn and her awful accident (16:30) Will Vonn ever ski again, or even race again? (23:15) Watching GB Snowsport win their first Gold medal (24:30)Dave Ryding’s last race…with champagne on ice (25:45)Dave gatecrashing Chemmy’s piece to camera? (26:15) Listen to Iain’s interview with Dave Ryding in Episode 199 (27:00) Recent FIS elections: Johan Eliasch beaten by Alexander Ospelt (27:15) GB Snowsports’ Vicky Gosling election to the FIS council (28:45) Luca Carrick-Smith (29:45) Freddy Carrick-Smith (31:45) Chemmy on what Luca, Zak and Freddy need to do to take it to the next level (32:45) In Episode 311, Katie Bamber discussed Champoluc in the Aosta Valley (35:15) Where is Pila and Aosta? (35:30) Staying in Aosta (36:30) Aosta’s Roman history (37:30) Staying in Pila (39:00) Pila’s new lift (40:15) Who is Pila suitable for? (42:15) Other resorts in the Aosta Valley (43:00) Which were the first rocker skis? (48:15) Feedback (47:00)You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop me an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com. We’re also on WhatsApp. Alastair Yule: "Loved listening to Victoria in Episode 309. Gotta have her back with her daughter Mila who has qualified for the Freeride World Tour" Colin Tierney: "Episode 314 about Zag Skis was really interesting.” Neil Landon: "Thoroughly enjoying your podcasts, especially Episode 313 on Chamonix. It’s nearly 40 years since I skied there and it brings back fond memories." There are now 318 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up. If you’d like to keep your snow fix going over the summer, then just go to theskipodcast.com, have a search around and you’re bound to find something you’ll find something you’ll enjoy listening to.  If you do enjoy the podcast and you want to help out you are very welcome to buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast

    318: Chemmy Alcott on Lindsey Vonn & Dave Ryding, Pila in Italy & Oz/NZ Snow Reports
See All (326)

Trailers

4.5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Want to more about the world of skiing? The Ski Podcast is an award-winning podcast with over 320 episodes, hosted by Iain Martin. We explore the people, places and issues shaping the world of skiing, featuring interviews with pro skiers and snowboarders, resort leaders, industry experts and personalities from across the snowsports community. Listen to our back catalog at www.theskipodcast.com The Ski Podcast was voted 'Best Wintersports Podcast' in the 2021 Sports Podcast Awards and nominated for 'Best Broadcast Programme' in the 2023 Travel Media Awards. Iain is a freelance journalist specialising in snowsports. He is also the founder of Ski Flight Free - a campaign to encourage skiers to take the train or drive to their ski holiday.  Email: theskipodcast@gmail.com Music: www.purple-planet.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Ski Podcast
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    326
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Iain Martin
  • Show Website
    The Ski Podcast

You Might Also Like