DOM: welcome to the fourth edition of the summer version of the white out podcast, my name is Dom Killinger and of course I’m here with my co-host, Rod Stewart…how are you Rob?
ROB: did you say Rod Dom?
DOM: oh sorry maybe I did. It’s easily done, you must get that all the time?
ROB: true, but I don’t want to talk about it.
DOM: ah very good, I see what you did there. Well Rob, I’d say some guys get all the luck, it certainly applies to you.
ROB: ah that’s nice of you! Have I told you lately that I love you Dom?
DOM: ha! Why, do you think I’m sexy?
ROB: ha ha, actually I was only joking. Get it?
DOM: ummm, right come on, what has all this chat got to do with mountains Rob?
ROB: I don’t know but perhaps my namesake is a skier...
DOM: yes well ‘I am skiing’ would definitely have a nice ring about it. We could formally invite Sir Rodney onto the show to tell us what his favourite ski resort is, I’m sure he’s got one.
ROB: probably not going to happen but my good friend Maggie May…boom boom, sorry we can’t have a Rod Stewart themed chat without mentioning that song!
DOM: it’s incredible how we get onto this musical theme every week Rob…amazing, but let’s crack on with the news shall we?
ROB: absolutely…
NEWS:
ROB: obviously summer is well on the way now but it hasn’t been a completely straightforward start to the season in the Alps with significant amounts of snow above 2,500 metres and fresh falls still coming, although things are warming up now.
DOM: yep, places such as the Stelvio pass in Italy have had snow this past week and obviously some of the higher walking paths are still snow covered too.
ROB: which means glaciers are in good condition and I was recently in contact with the Carrick Smith boys and Molly Butler, all young British team ski racers that have headed to Norway for summer training at the Galdhopiggen summer ski centre where apparently conditions are amazing.
DOM: and talking about racing, the new FIS Alpine ski world cup calendar is now out and there’s a few interesting additions this year…
ROB: yep, so the season kicks off as usual in Sölden with the mens and womens GS races, then Levi slalom but men and women too, then Gurgle with more mens and womens slalom. And that’s all before the end of November.
DOM: Right I can see it’s all change to North America for a few weeks with Killington, Beaver Creek and Tremblant – of course no attempt to run the Cervinia downhills, which just didn’t work out.
ROB: yes tough one that but there’s a few interesting new additions to the calendar anyway.
DOM: that’s right including a new men's downhill in Crans Montana which will be the test course for the 2027 Alpine skiing world championships.
ROB: and then it looks like Sun Valley Idaho is hosting the world cup finals at the end of March which I believe is the first time a US resort has done so. Plus of course we do have the 2025 Alpine world skiing championships taking place in Saalbach – that’s the 4th to 16th February.
DOM: and did you know Rob that the grass skiing world cup is taking place in Predklasteri (check republic) over this weekend?
ROB: no I did not! Blimey I mean I’ll cancel my Glastonbury tickets for that one next year.
DOM: ha ha, ok let’s move on from ski racing, there just seems to be so much winter related news around right now Rob, bang in the middle of summer.
ROB: Yes true. A new ski teaching training an exam organisation has just launched called Professional Ski Instructors of Europe or PSIE. It’s set up as a business and they say they provide: “Borderless certification which is very new for our industry allowing instructors to train and qualify with the PSIC (which is the Canadian organisation they are affiliated with) and PSIE across the globe”. It’s also possible to gain equivalent certification with say a BASI qualification. Check it out online at psie.pro
DOM: one of the big stories right now is the injection of cash into ski travel agent Heidi. The company has just secured 5.6 million pounds and it’s currently the 63rd fastest growing business in the UK according to The Sunday Times. It’s now the UK’s third largest ski operator and last season it carried 34,000 customers. Check them out at Heidi.com
ROB: Interesting stuff. Right I do tend to get lots of press releases even at this time of the year and you know Dom, I like to highlight some of the pointless and head scratching ones that I receive sometimes and this week was no exception – I won’t mention any names but this particular one was about travelling to countries with adult toys from a company that sells used clothing – and used other things by the looks of it. Anyway, the press release highlighted the countries where it might be tricky to bring in your adult toys. Such as Saudi Arabia, or Qatar. I mean firstly, this is not a news story and it’s also not really about skiing – the ‘press release’ concluded with the words…while the idea of bringing your favourite dildo on your travels might sound fun, it's essential to be aware of the local laws and customs to avoid any unnecessary trouble. Really!? I would have never have thought…
DOM: ha ha, I wonder whether ski poles would apply in this case! I’ve also spotted a funny story this week Rob but it is to do with skiing, kind of. Yes so apparently according to Günther Aloys from Ischgl in Austria, we need to start looking at viable alternatives to skiing due to climate change – so Gunther has come up with the idea of ‘Hovering’ down the mountain attached to balloons. Yes, that’s right, attached to floating balloons we will all hover down the mountainside. What do you think Rob?
ROB: ummm, well I appreciate the innovation, but perhaps just a good old hike is fine for me. I also saw this story and noticed that Gunther said: “a feasibility study to address remaining questions about Slope Gliding, such as the balloon’s behaviour in strong winds is needed’. Well I think I can just inform Gunther that the balloon is going to get blown away with you attached to it, there’s your feasibility study.
DOM: It does all seem a bit April fools doesn’t it? But seriously Rob, it could be fun and we might all be ballooning down the slope in a few years’ time.
ROB: yep I’ll be ballooning in a few years’ time, but only down to the Swiss cheese I’ll be consuming in my retirement thanks very much…right any more news?
DOM: just a quick one about the skiing technology company CARV who has just announced a huge upgrade to its software and you can sign up on their website getcarv.com, although at this point they are keeping their upgrade details close to their chest. We did speak to them recently and it genuinely sounds like this is going to be huge, so will be interesting to see the launch in the autumn but worth signing up on the waiting list now to get the news first.
ROB: great okay that’s a lot of winter news and it does seem that the attention has shifted back to winter again in the last week or two but of course this is still our summer podcast season and we have our activity focus section to cover as always.
DOM: yes this week we’re going to get wet and hit the water with two activities that are sort of closely connected, Canyoning and white water rafting.
ROB: yes both great fun Dom and certainly rafting is widely available across the Alps these days, as well as North America, New Zealand and basically any mountain tourist region. Canyoning has grown but it’s less accessible that rafting because it is more challenging. Many many years ago I worked a summer as an assistant canyoning guide, it was a lot of fun but it can be scary and I would just advise anyone to go with a reputable guiding company if you decide to hike up a fast flowing river canyon.
DOM: well let’s start with rafting which involves navigating a river's rapids in an inflatable raft which typically can seat between 6 and 12 people including a guide. It does combine the excitement of navigating fast flowing river currents with at times being able to take in the scenery though slower sections of the water. You’re always equipped with a paddle and safety gear like life jackets and helmets and everyone works together to steer through the water which can be pretty fast and bumpy depending on the conditions.
Rivers are usually classified from Class I (easy) to Class VI (extreme), indicating the level of difficulty and danger of the rapids. This means white water rafting can cater to both beginners and more experienced adrenaline junkies.
ROB: yes it’s great fun actually – so let’s take a look at where and how you can actually do this. couple of summers back I took my daughter rafting in Chamonix, which was great fun and the rafts literally depart from the town centre and then you get driven back from the finishing point downriver which is pretty normal for rafting operations.
DOM: you’ve also got the Aosta Valley region and the Dora Baltea river and then over in Austria’s Tirol, the 66km Ötztaler Ache river. Zell am See is also a great spot for rafting. Then down in the southern French alps you’ve got the Ubaye River close to Embrun that flows into the huge Lac Serre-Poncon. Then a final alps one, the Vorderrhein River that flows through what’s known as Switzerland’s grand canyon and is one of the main tributaries of the Rhine itself.
ROB: yes other further away destinations include the Colorado River in the United States, the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, and the Ganges in India, as well as the likes of the Shotover River in New Zealand. Couple of websites to check out to book rafting include Manawa.com and awe365.com
DOM: what about canyoning then Rob, what’s the crack?
ROB: ha ha yes the crack, very good because it is basically heading up – or down – those big cracks in the cliffs known as canyons or gorges.
It involved a number of techniques such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling (rappelling), and swimming. You can explore remote and rugged landscapes that are often inaccessible by other means. Canyons typically feature narrow gorges, waterfalls, and natural rock formations.
DOM: yes and you need the right kit too – so we are talking wetsuits, helmets, harnesses, and really sturdy footwear designed to withstand wet and rocky terrain. Guides, often experienced in rock climbing and water safety, lead groups through the canyon, ensuring people’s safety but also making it fun.
ROB: yes it can be fun, I remember swimming into underwater caves in the French Alps. Looking back we definitely pushed the boundaries of risk back then, not with our clients of course but when we went out to recce stuff ourselves. Stuff I would never dream about doing now.
DOM: yes canyoning definitely combines physical challenges with the thrill of exploring natural environments and a bit like rafting the locations are found across the Alps, the canyons of Utah, the Blue Mountains in Australia, and the Azores in Portugal but there’s also a number of places in the UK where you can experience canyoning and there’s an organisation called the UK Canyoning association which has a great website with a lot of information on called ukcanyoning.org
ROB: you can also take courses through them and become a leader and instructor too. The obviously places for canyoning in the UK are Wales and Scotland, with a bit in the Lake District and Dartmoor too. right Dom, onto our destination feature and we are back in France again and clearly there’s a lot of worldwide destinations for mountain travel but from the UK it’s hard to leave out or ignore the Portes du Soleil area that includes the towns of Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz and Chatel on the French side and Champéry, Morgins and Les Crosets on the Swiss side.
DOM: that’s true Rob and many skiers know the region in the winter for its huge network of lifts and ski runs, but perhaps don’t realise that during the summer, it’s a buzzing centre of activity, especially when it comes to both mountain biking and road cycling.
ROB: yes it really is. so let’s look at the overall landscape here when it comes to mountain biking because it really is the European mecca for lift serviced downhill mountain biking, mainly because it was one of the first and then certainly the largest and still one of the largest with the trail network connected by the ski lifts from Les Gets to Morzine, up to Avoriaz, across to Chalet and also linking up with the Swiss side too.
DOM: there’s also a huge amount of terrain for all levels too. Mountain biking in the Alps can be intimidating for the first time but there’s easy trails to get stuck into, but of course some really extreme ones too, with huge jumps and steep, rocky terrain. It literally has it all.
ROB: yep and it’s easy to hire bikes too, so many rental shops in Morzine and Les Gets. There’s also a really cool enduro trail that loops the entire PdS area that combines some uphill climbing with the lifts – it’s a full day out but a real experience. If you’re pretty fit then a normal trail bike or enduro bike is ideal – not a pure downhill bike, or you could take an e-bike to make it a bit easier.
DOM: then there’s all the road cycling options of course. The tour du France often comes through this area and there’s some classic cols or mountain passes that can be experienced by keen road cyclists such as the Col de la Ramaz, col du Joux plan and the col de la Joux Verte.
ROB: yes so they aren’t easy to tackle but just as an example I have done two of those cols and I’m not an experienced road cyclist at all and I’d say I’m moderately fit but not like marathon running fit. It’s just about taking your time but it’s really fun to do that. Again you can easily hire road bikes and guides, I’d recommend Joe and Amelia from Buzz based in Morzine, they are fantastic and have a lovely café and bike centre too. Also will give a shout out to my old friend and ski instructor colleague Tim Jackson who owns Torico bikes in Morzine where you can rent both road and mountain bikes. Right sorry about that, what else can we say about this area Dom…
DOM: well a lot really – you’ve got the lakes like the smaller one in Les Gets and the large one in Montriond, where you can swim, there’s the large sports centre in Morzine with an indoor ice rink, fantastic outdoor tennis courts, huge outdoor swimming pools a skate park and then the Parc des Derêches down there too with walks along the river but tons of activities to do along the way including a tree rope centre.
ROB: yes that’s a great area – obviously you’ve got the hiking too and for pedestrians the price of a lift ticket if bought through an accommodation partner is super cheap at 3 euros per day and that is called the multi pass and also includes 70 different activities and access to the sports centre too. It’s amazing value and if you’re not staying with a partner accommodation provider it is 14 euros per day which is a lot more but still good value.
DOM: yes the fact it covers all the mountain lifts across the region is amazing, it’s worth noting that the mountain bike lift ticket does cost more – the full price is 39 euros per day for the whole PdS area, but if you buy online it’s a bit cheaper and you can also restrict it to the local bike park such as Morzine or Les Gets.
ROB: I think it’s fair to say that it’s also worth having a car during the summer too. one of the things we like to do if we’re staying in Les Gets for example is drive up to Les Prodains and get the cable car to Avoriaz, then there’s a nice hike that takes you to Lindarets via a waterfall, grab a nice lunch, check out the goat village if you have kids with you because they love that, and then hop on the chairlift back to Avoriaz and down the cable car again. There’s also some really special restaurants on the mountain that are really only accessible by vehicle or bike, two favourites are Les Chevrelles on Mont Caly above Les Gets and a restaurant by the Lac de Mines d’or just up from Morzine which I believe has just changed hands and is now called Resto des Bulles, with a flashy website and everything…hope it’s as good as it was before!
DOM: that sort of relaxing nature of being in the mountains is what it’s all about for sure. it’s very chilled but at the same time you can also be super active – both of those things can be really nice to combine. There’s also some great little bars to check out too right?
ROB: definitely, yep it’s certainly a good area for that. A few favourites again include Après Ski in Les gets, great bands outside right at the bottom of the mountain bike trails in town, then similar in Morzine, The Tremplin which is currently being renovated and should open really soon. It’s now owned by the Timpson retailer family. Another British owned bar close by is the Bec Jaune run by Chrigl who we know well, really cool place and staying with British owned again, the Ibex brewery and tap room down by Montriond – you can walk it from Morzine, is fantastic. we had some of it at the ski test Dom.
DOM: you wouldn’t get any work done if you lived there Rob, I mean biking, tennis, food, beer, music – that’s a lot of distractions.
ROB: ha ha yes you’re right, not easy to hang out there and get anything productive done that’s for sure. what about accommodation Dom…
DOM: yep well in Morzine let’s mention our friend Mark Nathan who owns Chalets1066 the largest chalet operator in the area with over 55 properties and summer prices are of course much cheaper than winter. Then there’s Elevation Alps in Morzine, really lovely high end chalets and apartments there, again much lower cost in summer.
ROB: yes good shouts Dom. Okay so getting there, pretty easy from Geneva, just over an hour to Les Gets and then a bit more for Morzine and the other resorts in the area. Driving from the UK, it is one of the closest alpine resort areas to get to. You could get a train to Cluses too which is around a 20 minute drive from Les Gets.
DOM: there is a website called portesdusoleil.com which is very useful for information and then each resort also has its own websites. You can book accommodation direct with the providers and some tour operators also put summer packages together. Peak Retreats do offer summer packages in Morzine, Chatel and Les Gets, check out peakretreats.co.uk/summer
Rob: yes hopefully will make it out that way during the summer again soon but not it’s onto our Bucket List experience of the week which is a journey to the Everest base camp. Let’s face it Dom, for anyone that loves the mountains, getting the Everest has to be a major goal…
DOM: yes embarking on a bucket list adventure trip to Everest Base Camp (AKA EBC) should be an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Himalayas, offering not just a physical challenge but also a real cultural experience too. Here’s a guide to help you plan a trip….
ROB: okay so first up is the Route to Everest Base Camp itself.
The journey to Everest Base Camp typically begins with a flight into Lukla Airport also known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport. This is a small mountain town and considered one of the world's most dangerous airports due to its short runway and challenging terrain. From Lukla, trekkers follow the legendary trail known as the Everest Base Camp Trek, which winds through picturesque Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and rugged mountain landscapes.
DOM: that airport looks horrendous – okay the next stage is Lukla to Namche Bazaar: The first leg of the trek takes you from Lukla (2,860 meters) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters), the busy hub of the Khumbu region. This stretch involves crossing suspension bridges over rivers, ascending stone staircases, and passing through dense forests of rhododendron and pine.
ROB: sounds pretty cool. Now it’s time for a bit of Acclimatization though: Proper acclimatization is crucial due to the high altitude. After Namche Bazaar, acclimatization stops are planned at strategic points such as Namche itself and Tengboche (3,860 meters), where trekkers visit the famous Tengboche Monastery, soaking in panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
Dom: next stage is Tengboche to Dingboche and Lobuche: Continuing northward, the trail passes through higher altitudes with thinner air. Trekkers reach Dingboche (4,410 meters) and then Lobuche (4,910 meters), where the terrain becomes more rugged and barren, but you do get some amazing views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
ROB: right so we are nearing the end now and the Lobuche onwards section is the final leg to Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters) and involves navigating glacial moraines and rocky terrain. The base camp itself is a temporary settlement used by climbers during the climbing season, offering dramatic views of the Khumbu Icefall and the towering Everest summit. Shall we take a look at some of the kit you might need?
DOM: yep packing the right equipment is essential – first is Clothing: Layering is key due to the varying temperatures. Essentials include moisture-wicking base layers, insulated mid-layers, a windproof and waterproof jacket, thermal underwear, and durable hiking pants.
ROB: and of course Footwear: Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support and waterproofing are vital. Bring extra pairs of moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
DOM: and really crucial is a comfortable and durable backpack (30-40 litres) for carrying essentials, trekking poles for stability on uneven terrain, a quality sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures, and a headlamp with spare batteries for early morning starts and evening hikes.
ROB: Health and Safety is obviously pretty key too: High-altitude trekking requires a first aid kit with medications for altitude sickness, blisters, and common ailments. Sun protection, including sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 30+), and lip balm with UV protection, is crucial due to intense UV rays at higher altitudes.
DOM: and worth bringing Portable water purification systems or purification tablets for safe drinking water along the trail, toiletries, and personal items such as camera gear and extra batteries for capturing stunning Himalayan vistas.
DOM: what other things should we be considering Rob?
ROB: well Fitness Preparation to start with: Physical fitness is essential for the trek's demands. Regular aerobic exercise such as hiking, running, or cycling, combined with strength training for leg muscles, helps prepare for long days of trekking and altitude gains.
DOM: absolutely and also Permits and Guides are needed: Obtain necessary permits (e.g., Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, TIMS card) before starting the trek. Hiring a local guide or joining a guided tour enhances safety, provides cultural insights, and supports the local economy.
ROB: let’s consider the Weather and the Seasons: The best times to trek to Everest Base Camp are during the pre-monsoon (spring) season (March to May) and post-monsoon (autumn) season (September to November) when weather conditions are generally stable, skies are clear, and temperatures are moderate.
DOM: and Responsible Tourism has to be taken seriously: Respect local customs and traditions, minimize environmental impact by adhering to "Leave No Trace" principles, and support local businesses by purchasing goods and services along the trekking route.
ROB: bucket list it really is and a journey to Everest Base Camp is not merely a physical challenge but often a transformative experience for those that do it and certainly people I have known that have done it would say that.
DOM: yes the trek offers incredible natural beauty, cultural immersion, and personal achievement. The key is to plan meticulously, pack wisely, and respect the environment around you and local communities and traditions.
Well that’s it for this week’s podcast Rob, we better start planning for Everest.
ROB: another mountain to climb Dom, I think I’ve got enough on my plate this week thinking about the next ski season.
DOM: ummm better to go down mountains than up them then Rob
ROB: definitely, and with that in mind, I’m going to slope off for one of those Ibex beers I brought back from Morzine
DOM: enjoy Rob…
