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 NOTES

Simon 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)

Feedback
You 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/theskipodcast

There 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.