Over the course of the last year, we’ve often found ourselves with more time on our hands due to so many parts of our lives currently restricted. One big restriction of course, was the 2020/21 ski season being effectively cancelled; yes, pass the tissues round!
So, with this newfound time, at The Chalet Company we’ve been thinking of ways to ease those Méribel ski holiday withdrawal symptoms. Snowboard and ski podcasts are a great way of supplying us with that much-needed injection of ski chat. With many of us taking up walking and running, why not plug in and transport yourself to bright blue skies, sparkling snow and cosy Méribel chalets…
They might not exactly replicate the experience of a chalet in Méribel (who are we kidding!). Nevertheless, here is a list of our favourite ski/snowboard podcasts to whisk you away:
And if these ski-related recommendations don’t whet your podcast appetite then have a look at some of our other favourites…
Hopefully some of these help to immerse you, once again, in the wonderful world of snow/sunshine/skiing, food/family/fun and renew that ski-holiday craving. We can help with that too! If you’d like the real life Méribel ski chalet experience, our chalets’ availability is currently up on the website. If you’d like any help, we are as happy to give you advice on our chalets as we are podcasts! Happy listening… and booking… go on, do it!
The Ski Podcast
Our first recommendation is The Ski Podcast, which is a little like a 24-hour snow industry news channel / chat show for your ears! Presented by Iain Martin, a veteran of the ski industry, he is the ultimate reporter of the snow-sport world. He discusses all aspects from resorts to racing, Ski Sunday to slush, and is always joined by an industry insider. Being UK based, The Ski Podcast tends to focus on European resorts and chalet-based holidays. Being the catered-chalet-life lovers that we are, it makes this podcast very relatable to our own ski holiday experiences. This podcast is informative and conversational but, refreshingly, avoids drifting off into longwinded, rambling anecdotes! https://theskipodcast.comBackcountry Magazine Podcast
In contrast to The Ski Podcast, The Backcountry Magazine podcast is the kind of easy listening that makes you feel you’re alongside presenter Adam Howard and his guest in front of a roaring fire! The Backcountry Magazine is a well-established US publication within its field and maintains an expert eye on the goings-on inside the snow sport domain. With industry guests every episode, the podcast delves deeply through discussion and stories covering all aspects of the winter world. Get lost in the soft gravely tones of host Adam in his friendly, interesting conversation and cosy up on thesofa with a beer! https://backcountrymagazine.com
The Ski Instructor Podcast
As the name suggests, this podcast focuses on the snow sport instructor industry. And who better to host it than the expert-insider voice of Dave Burrows, director and owner of Snowpros Ski School in Switzerland. As Dave lives in Switzerland the podcast reveals his real-time experiences, which is enough to make you properly envious when he’s reviewing the sunny slopes, making you long for that Méribel ski chalet even more! The podcast boasts interviews with interesting and innovative ski instructors and ski school directors, often live from European ski resorts. They are genuinely fascinating and insightful, especially if you have young children who go to ski school or an older child interested in qualifying as an instructor. https://theskiinstructorpodcast.podbean.comLooking Sideways Podcast
The Looking Sideways Podcast radiates chill, ‘cool dude’ vibes. It's led by Matt Barr, a journalist who worked in the action sport industry for over 20 years. Matt set up the podcast with the intention of uncovering the best stories and viewpoints in action sports. It discusses everything from snowboarding to surfing, skateboarding to climbing. There is an easy-going, mellow nature to the podcast, alluring to any snowboarder! But the podcast isn’t exclusive to snowboarders so don’t be put off if you’re more of a Méribel catered chalet type! Matt brings a maturity to the ‘snowboarding vibe’ and with his journalistic background he is an articulate and insightful host. https://wearelookingsideways.comGirls on the Piste Podcast
Another great listen if you’re missing the stunning Alps and cosy Méribel chalets, is the Girls on the Piste podcast. This upbeat, fun and chatty ski podcast is hosted by Emma Woodward and Bella Syme, who both work in the ski business and have done for most of their careers. They really have their fingers on the pulse of current activity within the ski industry. The girls chat with industry insiders such as Graham Bell and Chemmy Alcott and talk about everything skiing, from new chalet recommendations to après ski and the top resorts. https://www.instagram.com/girlsonthepiste/ (Instagram account)Work Hard, Play Hard, Ski Hard Podcast
A final recommendation is the Work Hard, Play Hard, Ski Hard podcast. This informal podcast is about what life is like in a ski resort. From their kitchen table, hosts Carla Smith and Alex Williamson talk with guests on what it’s like to be a part of the well-oiled ski resort machine. Unfortunately, our longing for the Méribel ski holiday will only increase after listening to this podcast, as it's recorded from Méribel-les-Allues itself! Alex and Carla are the ultimate ‘season life’ insiders and open listeners eyes and ears to an industry that is relatively un-talked about making it a truly interesting listen! https://www.instagram.com/workhardskihardplayhard/?hl=en (Instagram Account)
And if these ski-related recommendations don’t whet your podcast appetite then have a look at some of our other favourites…
Travel podcasts:
The Travel Diaries
Escape lockdown to explore the world with journalist Holly Rubenstein as she chats to special guests about their travel adventures and their life’s travel diary.Armchair Explorer
This podcast goes straight to the action. Done in a documentary style to create an immersive storytelling experience, listen to amazing adventurers tell stories of their travels.Overheard at the National Geographic
Listen to some truly fascinating and weird conversations overheard at National Geographic’s headquarters, from explorers, photographers and scientists who’ve travelled to the far corners of our planet.Food podcasts:
Off Menu
Join comedy duo Ed Gamble and James Acaster as they talk favourite meals with special guests. This podcast will have you laughing out loud and leave your mouth watering!Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner
For amusing anecdotes, great chat and killer cooking, go to lunch with top food critic Jay Rayner, alongside big names like Derren Brown, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Paloma Faith. We’d love to have Jay round the dinner table at one of our catered chalets!Family / Lifestyle Podcasts:
Table Manners with Jessie Ware
Join Jessie Ware and ‘chef extraordinaire’ mum, Lennie, at the dinner table as they discuss food, family and life, while spiralling off at tangents in the true spirit of chat! We have no doubt Lennie would settle for only the most luxury chalet in Méribel!Sh**ged Married Annoyed
This hilarious, bubbly podcast by comedian Chris Ramsey and wife Rosie Ramsey is a top favourite. They talk relationships, arguments, parenting and everything in between! This relatable podcast is definitely one to listen and giggle to with your other half!Confessions of a Modern Parent
Loose Women’s Nadia Sawlha and husband Mark sit down to try and untangle the minefield that is modern parenting. This amusing, upbeat podcast discusses all the worrying, scary things of parenting and make them feel slightly less worrying and scary!
Hopefully some of these help to immerse you, once again, in the wonderful world of snow/sunshine/skiing, food/family/fun and renew that ski-holiday craving. We can help with that too! If you’d like the real life Méribel ski chalet experience, our chalets’ availability is currently up on the website. If you’d like any help, we are as happy to give you advice on our chalets as we are podcasts! Happy listening… and booking… go on, do it!