226: Skiing down Mt Blanc, Hokkaido in Japan & Verbier Drug Dealers

The Ski Podcast

Today we find out what it’s like skiing down Mont Blanc, learn about skiing in Hokkaido in Japan, plus we cover a drugs bust in Verbier, a cable car crash in Val Thorens and get an update on the Alpine World Cup.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Floss Cockle, from FreeFlo Ski Coaching in Tignes and ski journalist and photographer, Mike Richards.
Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code
All podcast listeners 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

Mike last appeared reporting from the Northern Ski Show in Episode 224
Mike skied in Wales this month (3:30)
Listen to Mike talking about skiing in the Brecon Beacons in Episode 65 (4:30)
Alex Irwin from ‘150 Days of Winter’ reported from Tignes and Val Thorens (6:00)
We discussed drug dealers in ski resorts back in Episode 33 (8:00)
Police have arrested 15 dealers in Verbier (8:30)
The Cime de Caron cable car in VT was damaged in an accident (8:45)
Lyndsey Vonn has announced that she plans to return to the racing circuit (9:30)
Matt Garcka is host of the ‘Skiing is Believing’ podcast (10:00)
Mikaela Shiffrin is chasing down her 100th World Cup win (11:45)
Listen out for Iain’s interview with British half-pipe skier Zoe Atkin later this winter (13:00)
All of our equipment episodes are available on the Skipedia YouTube (13:45)
The winners of our listener survey competition are Oliver Rutman & Faye Morton (14:00)
Follow ‘The Ski Podcast’ on our WhatsApp channel (14:30)
Floss has 5000 followers on her YouTube channel (15:00)
In 2021, Floss climbed and skied down the North face of Mont Blanc (21:00)
Watch Floss’ playlist about the climb (31:45)
Mike told us about Rusutsu in Japan in Episode 170 (32:15)
Find out more about the JR Train Pass in Japan (35:00)
Mike suggests Hakodate as possible first base in Hokkaido (36:00)
Mike’s favourite base in Japan is Otaru (41:00)
Asahikawa in the centre of Hokkaido is another option (44:15)
Excellent article from Fall Line magazine about train travel in Japan
More info about Omo Hotels Asahikawa (45:00)
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 [e-mail]
Rob Smith: “Episode 225 was a great listen, really enjoyed it. I’m aiming for Austria with the kids, so that advice on skiing for families was great.”
Judy Matthews: “Thank you for continuing your fantastic podcast. Not a day goes by that I don't think about the mountains or skiing. Think I live in the wrong country.”
Ella Purvis: "I’ve been loving the podcast - it’s getting me hyped for the season ahead! I was just listening to the interview with Chemmy Alcott — it was such an inspiring, uplifting episode for women in snowsports, she is just incredible!”
RichB: “There's been some great content recently. The interview with Chemmy Alcott was really interesting, I didn't know her backstory. Wow what a woman!”

There are 236 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. 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