Episode 28: Wolves in the Alps, How Cows Prevent Avalanches, Ski Sunday Returns & more

In this episode Jim and Iain discuss the increase in the number of wolves in the Alps, we find out how cows prevent avalanches and Jim tests a new eco-friendly boot dryer.

Jim brings us up to date on life in La Clusaz, we celebrate the return of Ski Sunday and Dave Ryding’s successes and Chemmy Alcott discusses skiing after pregnancy.

There’s all that and much more in this 28th episode of The Ski Podcast. Don’t forget that all pod listeners can claim a 10% discount a the north west’s premier ski and snow centre Chill Factore using the code (‘SKIPOD10’).

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Show Notes:

• Your lift pass discount code to use at Chill Factore is ‘SKIPOD10’

• Iain was in Val d’Isère reviewing the new La Daille gondola (1:45). You can read his article published on InTheSnow.com here and watch his video below:

https://www.facebook.com/inthesnow/videos/vl.221588788750187/738392363195217/?type=1

• Iain’s journey back was hindered as Gatwick was closed to the possible presence of drones (2:00)
• Jim has moved to La Clusaz in the Aravis range of the French Alps (4:00)
• The ‘miracle’ avalanche rescue in La Plagne took place on Boxing Day. The survivor was found after 53 minutes under 70cm of snow, by which time the chances of survival are negligible (7:15)
• Iain and Jim discussed ‘A Wall of White’ in our Ski Book Group in Episode 25 (8:00)
• This is Gétro and Sergeant Raphaël C from the rescue services who found the boy (8:30)
• Iain went to Alagna with James Orr Heliski (and Graham Bell) in March 2018 (9:30)

• This is the petition to save the Télésiège du Glacier in Val Thorens (10:30)
• This is the new zipwire in Val Thorens (13:30)
• Compagnie des Alpes owns many ski resorts including Les Deux Alpes, Tignes, Les Arcs and Serre Chevalier. They also own amusement parks such as Parc Asterix and Futuroscope (14:00)
• Let us know if anyone else is unhappy about the chairlift changes on the glacier at Les 2 Alpes (15:00)

• Ski Sunday is back on our screens (17:00). You can view it on iPlayer here. In Episode 24 we interviewed Graham Bell about their broadcast plans for the forthcoming season
• Dave Ryding is having a great season with two podiums already making him the most successful British skier of all time (17:30)

https://www.facebook.com/skipedia/photos/a.178908528825764/1956654431051156

• The Women’s Downhill in St Anton was cancelled due to excessive snow (19:00)
• Watch Ed Leigh’s Money Saving Ski Tips on Facebook (20:30)
• Iain went to Grand Tourmalet (mentioned by Graham Bell on Ski Sunday) in January 2018. Listen to his thoughts on the French Pyrénées in Episode 9
• Send us your views on the ‘Best Value Ski Resort’ (21:45)
• Chemmy Alcott is pregnant with her second child who is due imminently. We also interviewed Chemmy about the gender gap in skiing back in Episode 25 and about her dual slalom race against Graham Bell in Episode 24 (22:00)
• Our Valais Prive maths suggests that each return flight will cost at least £622 – £1000 annual membership fee + £120 per month monthly fee + £9000 for a minimum 36 flights (25:45). We discussed the non-airline Powdair back in Episode 5
• Jim referred to the book ‘White Fang‘ by Jack London (28:45)
• Watch the BBC programme on Alpine wolves here: ‘The Snow Wolf: A Winter’s Tale‘ (29:00)
• We previously discussed wolves in Episode 7 when they were seen in Méribel. Coincidentally they were sighted again there this week:
  

• This photo in Le Dauphine purportedly shows a pack of 13 wolves (33:00)

• Thanks to Michael, Mike and Ian for your reviews. Please do submit your own review on iTunes, via Twitter or on Facebook (34:00)

• Jim reviewed the eco-friendly boot dryer by Drysure (36:30)

• Iain spoke to Julien Ottobon, a ski instructor who is also a dairy farmer making Beaufort cheese (41:00). This interview took place when Iain was in La Rosière testing the new Mont Valaisan lift (listen to Episode 27 to hear this)
• Jim thinks that Iain hates cowbells due to his comments in Episode 23 (50:00)

• Both Dave Ryding and Charlotte Bankes scored World Cup podiums since our last podcast (50:45). We interviewed Charlotte Bankes about her switch from France to Team GB in Episode 25
• The 15 year old Austrian-based British ski jumper than Iain referred to is Manie Cooper. You can read more in this report in The Times (51:45)
• Dave Ryding was on the front of The Times as well (53:00)
• Jim interviewed Disability Snowsports UK (DSUK) at the Chill Factore (54:00). You can listen to previous ‘Behind The Scenes’ interviews at The Chill Factore in Episodes 22, Episode 24 and Episode 26
• You can find out more about DSUK fundraising here (1:00:00)
• Watch out for our next episode arriving into your podcast app on or around 28 January.  Features should include an interview with Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, ski servicing tips and report from the new Folie Douce in Chamonix (1:02:00)
• Don’t forget you can request your own The Ski Podcast stickers. And do send us your photos of where you’ve put them. Can you beat this effort in Val d’Isère? (1:03:00)

Thanks for listening everyone!