The Whiteout Ski Podcast

E77 - Austria’s Hidden Ski Gems, Ski Park City, Ski Gear Guide with Ellis Brigham & Where is Best to Ski Now

Rob Ski Journalist and Dom Publisher InTheSnow Magazine Season 5 Episode 77

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0:00 | 59:55

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INTRO

Rob clocks Dom’s Skoggles.
“What on earth are you wearing?”

SPONSOR PRE-ROLL

Thanks to Ski Independence, tailor-made ski holidays built by people who actually ski the places they sell.

NEWS ROUND UP

Rhydycar West Snow Centre moves closer, £300m, 400m indoor slope, 800+ jobs, final call sits with council 2026.

Avalanche hit Stubai, Slope 9 shut, 250+ rescue team, 8 skiers caught, all recovered alive, four minor injuries, two to hospital.

Kirsty Muir wins Big Air World Cup in China, 174.50 points, first Big Air victory. Troy Podmilsak takes men’s win with 185.50.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is back. 24th in Super-G, 1.25 seconds off Odermatt, and that start gate moment was the real headline.

SNOW & WEATHER

Alps opening early, 100+ areas already spinning lifts.
France high wins up top (Val Thorens, Tignes, Les 2 Alpes).
Austria/Switzerland both open inside and outside glacier zones.
Italy warming then topping up.
Scandi open on tamer terrain, holding with cold nights.
North America Banff solid, USA turning colder with snow ahead.
Hokkaido looking tasty, Japan Sea side forecast above average.

GEAR TIME (brought to you by Ellis Brigham)

Nordica Multipista incoming.
Atomic Maverick 88 CTi & Maven 88 CTi remain chargers.
Salomon QST 100 still the do-it-all pick.

Dual BOA spreading. Head Kaliber 110 worth a look.
K2 Cortex, Nordica Sportmachine, Tecnica Mach1 LV getting dials.
ZipFit and ZipFit liners: heel hold heroes without new shells.

Helly Hansen keeps the Ski Free deal live.
Descente, Roarsome, POC, Dragon all tweaking fit, magnets, MIPS, comms, heat.

Thermic insoles still king of warm feet. Cardo comms keep the gang talking or vibing.

DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

Park City tease: 41 lifts, 331 runs, 3k+ elevation, 355 inches snow a year.
Shannon Happe joins

Dom is buzzing for winter there. Rob happily agrees, it’s Utah, it’s vast, it’s memory-making.

OUTRO

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To contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com 

INTRO (to adapt each time)

Dom to wear skoggles on entry and rob to ask what they are that gets them covered

ROB: what on earth are you wearing Dom?

DOM: Skoggle

Chat about it and ask questions

ROB: you’re just jealous aren't you because i am actually here in the mountains…

DOM: don’t worry, it will soon be the other way around trust me

ROB: i see, right what’s in store this week…

Dom: firstly Hello, listeners and Welcome to The Whiteout Podcast, brought to you in partnership with Ski Independence. I’m Dom from InTheSnow magazine and of course I am here with my co-host - If ski gossip were a sport, he’d be the best - its Rob Stewart from Ski Press.

ROB: ha, maybe, although there’s plenty of people in this industry that would take the gold medal away from me in that department.

DOM: oh yeah, like whom?

ROB: well, did you hear about what ‘what’s her name’ did the other week?

DOM: what’s her name?

ROB: well i can’t say her name can i - anyway, top class gossiper.

DOM: what did ‘the one you can’t name’ do

ROB: well i can’t possibly say!

DOM: well that’s useless, what sort of gossiper are you?

ROB: exactly

DOM: but you do like a gossip

ROB: well i dont ramble on a podcast for nothing. Seriously though, i am on a what’s app group with 850 travel PR’s - that’s public relations professionals you know.

DOM: 850!

ROB: yes, it’s basically a gossip fest about everyone in the travel media industry

DOM: oh go on then what’s the current gossip?

ROB: trust me i don’t have time to keep up with that - and chatham house rules apply.

DOM: so you can tell me about what happens but not who said it?

ROB: yes basically, but honestly, it’s just gossip.

DOM: right well what’s the gossip in the world of skiing Rob…

ROB: ah now that i like the sound of, but first here’s a quick word from our sponsor

DOM Ski Independence

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Need ski school, lift passes, or equipment hire? No problem. They'll give advice on the best lessons and rental choices that work for everyone in your group. And for many resorts, you’ll also get your lift tickets in advance - so you can skip the queue and head straight to the slopes.

 

And because the specialists at Ski Independence have skied everywhere they sell, their advice is spot on – no guesswork, just genuine insight from people who know what makes a ski trip truly first-class.

 

Their Feefo reviews say it all – world-class service, from first enquiry to final run.

 

Enquire now for this winter at ski-i.com – that’s S-K-I hyphen I dot com.

Ski Independence. Tailor-made ski holidays. Built around you.


ROB: great stuff, just wanted to kick things off with a press release i got this week from Ski resort.info - titled the world’s best ski resorts 


DOM: oh  no not another rant 


ROB: no actually not at all, it’s an interesting one and yes they have crunched the data but i think they also use their own knowledge to tweak it - i might not totally agree with the results but at least it makes sense.


DOM: okay so what’s the verdict then?


ROB: thing is they are Munich based and i do feel there’s a bit of a heavy Austrian influence here - not taking away from those fantastic ski resorts but i feel they feature a little more


DOM: what’s the number one rated resort then?


ROB: KitzSki, basically the Kitzbuhel ski area


DOM: okay, based on what criteria?


ROB: well good question - maybe it is because that’s where they ski the most! But look it’s fine, it’s a great ski area and they base that on 18 different sets of criteria - including size, range of slopes and snow reliability, but also family friendliness, snow parks, the location of accommodation on the slopes and environmental friendliness.


DOM: what is…say the top ten then?


ROB: yep so in running order from there, IIschgl, SkiWelt, Serfus-Fiss-Ladis, St Anton, Kaltenbach, which is basically Zillertal Valley…


DOM: hang on so the top 6 are all in Austria?


ROB: yes, correct - then we have Arosa, Switzerland of course, Madonna di Campiglio, Zillertal Arena and then Maryhofen 


DOM: so in the top 10 we have 8 Austrian resorts, 1 Swiss and 1 Italian?


ROB: yes…I guess they don’t make it over to France very often. Obviously their results are heavily data driven but then i also reckon their ratings are based on people that generally go to these resorts more often because they are more German based.


DOM: Interesting, so it is a little like anything, you see what you want to see


ROB: yes i think so - i mean we won’t take anything away from the fantastic ski resorts that have been mentioned although i could quite happily debate the placing of Kaltenbach over let’s say, Zermatt or Courchevel, for example. But to be fair, they do say that there’s very little space in between some of these resorts, but you need to scroll down 15 places before you hit any French resort which is Tignes/Val d’Isere and then Les 3 Vallees.


DOM: I suppose this is why ski resorts are so subjective in many ways. There’s so many places i would put on my top 10 list that don’t even feature in there, but obviously I haven't quite been everywhere, yet.


ROB: yeah that’s right and we won’t all agree with the data that’s for sure. What these guys do really well is break it all down into different categories so for example, The best indoor ski hall can be found at Alpenpark Neuss in North Rhine-Westphalia, the best black run (Piculin) is at Kronplatz, and the best glacier ski area is at Kitzsteinhorn. The best new lift – from Doppelmayr – is at the Big Sky Resort in Montana USA. The most breathtaking panorama is promised by the Aletsch Arena with its view of the Aletsch Glacier. The best ski circuit is the Sellaronda in the Dolomites. And the best ski valley is the Zillertal.


DOM: right based on ratings and I guess the fact they ski alot in the Zillertal!!


ROB: yes exactly. But anyway, it’s interesting and all these things can be debated. I get asked a lot what my favourite ski resort is and it’s generally the place where i have the most memories over the years, i just wish i was as cool as Glen Plake when asked the same question.


DOM: oh yeah what’s his favourite ski resort then


ROB: “wherever i am that day, man”


DOM: which if you said that in your normal voice you’d just sound like a right wally


ROB: thanks for saying i don’t sound like a wally - great word - when i say it in a Californian accent.


DOM: that was a Californian accent?!


ROB: right moving on….you can check out The Worlds best ski resorts according to Oliver and Peter (and of course their data) at skiresort.info/best-ski-resorts


So before we get into this week's news we have the first of our destination spotlights for the week…


DESTINATION GUIDE

Next up, it’s time for our Destination Guide — always one of our favourites. Each week we shine a light on a different ski spot: sometimes a hidden gem, sometimes a big-name classic, sometimes the place your mates won’t stop banging on about. We break down what makes it special, what to expect on the mountain, and why it might just deserve a place on your shortlist this season. If you’re planning a trip — or just dreaming of one — this is your insider’s guide to your next great ski adventure.


And this week our first one (theres a clue which means we have another great destination coming up later in the show) firstly we have 

The HIDDEN GEMS of AUSTRIA

ROB: yes indeed Today we’re diving into Austria’s hidden gems - are there such things i hear you ask! You know, the quieter regions with a big personality. 

DOM: That’s a bit of you that is…

ROB: well quieter regions maybe - yes, These are the places that give you that classic Austrian Lebensgefühl, great skiing, warm hospitality, amazing food, and scenery that completely blows you away.

DOM: And the beauty of these areas is that they’re incredibly authentic - often an overused word but you know what we mean, proper Austrian villages with real people.

ROB: village people?

DOM: No fancy headdresses here, just places you go when you want fewer crowds, a little more charm, and that proper cosy alpine feel.


ALTENMARKT–ZAUCHENSEE
(Led by Rob)

ROB: Let’s start in Altenmarkt–Zauchensee in Salzburger Sportwelt region. Zauchensee is one of the most snow-reliable areas in the Alps, while Altenmarkt has that relaxed valley village vibe. Together they offer 62 km of groomed pistes, 23 lifts, and three ski schools, all linked into the Ski amadé network.


They’ve invested heavily too. This winter brings a brand new 10-seater Schwarzwand gondola, making your first lift of the day faster and more comfortable.


The area splits nicely: Zauchensee–Flachauwinkl is the high alpine part with 45 km of pistes, freeride routes, the World Cup piste, and loads of variety. Radstadt–Altenmarkt is the calmer side, perfect for beginners, cruisers, families, and anyone who loves those wide, confidence-building runs with big Dachstein views.


Off the slopes, there’s tons to do: 49 km of winter hikes, 30 km of cross-country trails, snowshoeing around places like the Moon Path, and four toboggan runs including floodlit night sledging.


Food-wise, you’re spoiled, proper Kaiserschmarrn, incredible goat’s cheese from Rosi Unteregger, and loads of classic mountain dishes. Plus there are great offers like Ladies Week, Best Ager Week, and free kids’ ski passes at Easter.


DOM: And Rob, the sustainability stuff there is really impressive, right?


ROB: Yeah, they’ve gone big on renewable energy, meltwater reservoirs, biomass heating saving 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ a year, and free public transport with the Guest Mobility Ticket. It’s a region that’s really thinking ahead.

I’ve spent a bit of time there over the years, it’s where the Atomic factory is based and the area is steeped in alpine ski racing history. Love staying down in Altenmarkt 


HOCHKÖNIG
(Led by Dom — moved directly after Altenmarkt–Zauchensee, both in SalzburgerLand & covered by the Guest Mobility Card)

DOM: Next up, Hochkönig in SalzburgerLand. Three villages, Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach. It’s a very snow-sure region with 120 km of pistes and 34 lifts, all part of Ski amadé.


This is one of Austria’s great family regions, seven ski schools, winter playgrounds, indoor zones for little ones, and huge amounts of well-linked intermediate terrain.


For more advanced skiers, the Königstour is the signature area, 35 km, six peaks, 7,500 vertical metres, and epic panoramic views of the Hochkönig massif. A proper big-day-out circuit.


The Culinary King’s Tours elevate it, themed food routes from classic Austrian fare to vegan menus across the mountain huts. Freestyle fans get parks, cross-country skiers get 40 km of trails, and ski tourers can head to the Arthurhaus high alpine routes, including twilight tours.


Off the slopes there’s 85 km of winter hiking, sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice skating, all the wholesome Alpine classics.


Dining is a standout, rustic huts, stylish lodges, and even a gondola dinner. And this year the Pink Ribbon Tour is raising money for breast cancer causes with special dishes in selected huts.


ROB: And travel is straightforward?


DOM: Very, Salzburg Airport about 40 km away, Munich around 140 km, and great rail connections via Salzburg or Saalfelden.


CARINTHIA
(Led by Dom, with direct flights from London added & rail links removed)

DOM: Moving south, Carinthia, right down in the sunny south of Austria. This region gets over 100 extra hours of winter sunshine compared to areas north of the main Alpine ridge, and you can feel that difference the moment you arrive.


There are 24 ski areas to dip into, from powder in Katschberg to family-friendly laps in Turrach, but what really makes Carinthia special is the atmosphere. Golden light, wide-open pistes, and terrace lunches that feel almost Mediterranean.

And honestly, the lakes here are stunning in winter. You’ve got glass-front saunas looking out over Lake Millstatt or Wörthersee, and thermal spas like Kärnten Therme if you want a proper wellness day. Loads of hotels even have heated lake pools outdoors, magical at sunset.

For ski tourers, the Nockberge Trail is the star. Five linked areas, up to six hours of touring a day, luggage shuttles, and wellness hotels at each stop. Challenging but accessible for intermediate tourers.


Then there’s Weissensee, Europe’s largest frozen natural ice surface. Everything from casual laps to 200 km endurance routes and the legendary Dutch ice marathon.


ROB: And it’s all pretty accessible travel-wise, isn’t it?


DOM: Yes, with direct flights from London into Klagenfurt, and accommodation ranging from lakeside luxury to rustic chalets. A really easy region to build a whole holiday around.


HOLIDAY REGION TIROLWEST
(Led by dom, name corrected in first sentence)

ROB: Moving west to the Holiday Region TirolWest, a small but brilliantly placed region. Their local mountain, Venet, has 12 km of pistes and a gorgeous panoramic summit at 2,212 m. Perfect for families or a warm-up day.


But the real clever bit is the €10 ski safari shuttle. Every day it’ll take you to a different big-name resort, Ischgl, St Anton, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, all easily reachable. So you stay somewhere quiet and authentic, but ski some of the biggest terrain in the Alps.


Off the slopes, it’s wonderfully varied, snowshoeing, tobogganing, husky hikes, gorge walks in the Zammer Lochputz, ice bathing, or something gentler like alpaca trekking.


Cross-country fans get around 15 km of tracks, and there’s proper cultural depth too, Rauhnächte traditions, the Scheibenschlagen fire festival, museums, and the TirolWest Card, which gives free bus travel across the whole district.


Food is excellent, mountain huts like Zammer Alm, toboggan-accessed Gogles Alm, and the famous Tiroler Edle chocolate made from Alpine grey cattle milk.


DOM: And accommodation is mostly family-run, right?


ROB: Exactly, loads of warmth and personality. And its position makes it ideal for both families and adventurous skiers chasing a different area each day.

ROB: So those are four Austrian regions with serious charm, quieter, more soulful, and full of that Austrian Lebensgefühl.


DOM: If you’re looking for somewhere with a bit more space, personality, and authenticity this winter, these hidden gems are absolutely worth a look.

 

NEWS

Dom

Now its time for our news roundup — your weekly rundown of what’s happening across the world of snow, skiing and the mountains. From new lifts to resort upgrades and everything in between, here’s what’s been making headlines this week

Rob

Rhydycar West Snow Centre Plans Move Closer to Approval

We have this before, but…A major step forward for Wales this week as the long-running Rhydycar West indoor snow centre project in Merthyr Tydfil edges closer to approval. The Welsh Government has confirmed it will not call in the planning application, meaning the final decision now sits entirely with Merthyr Tydfil Council, expected early next year.

This £300 million development has been more than a decade in the making. First proposed in the early 2010s, the scheme includes what would be the UK’s largest indoor snow facility — a 400-metre slope built to international competition standards — along with a waterpark, adventure activities, hotels, woodland lodges, and a conference centre.

It’s a project that’s faced repeated delays, revisions, and environmental scrutiny, particularly around local woodland and a nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest. Despite that, councillors backed the plans earlier this year, arguing the economic benefits outweighed concerns.

Developers say the latest decision is a major breakthrough, projecting more than 800 permanent jobs and an annual economic contribution of around £38 million. Snowsport Cymru Wales has also welcomed the move, calling the centre a significant boost for talent development and participation in Wales.

If the council signs it off in 2026, Rhydycar West would become a flagship destination for indoor skiing in the UK and a major new hub for snowsports in Wales.

****

Avalanche hits the piste in Stubai

A significant avalanche hit the Stubai Glacier in Austria on 27 November. It released above the Daunscharte area, outside the marked ski runs, but the slide travelled far enough to reach a lower section of the resort and overlap part of Slope 9, which was closed immediately.

More than 250 rescue personnel were deployed, including helicopter teams and avalanche dogs. Eight skiers were caught. All were recovered alive. Four had minor injuries and two were flown to hospital for assessment.

Authorities say the group likely triggered the slide while moving across steep, loaded terrain after a spell of heavy early-season snowfall. The incident highlights how unstable the snowpack remains across parts of the Alps and how an off-piste avalanche can still impact in-bounds areas.

Resorts in Austria and Switzerland continue to warn skiers to take extra care, particularly early in the season and on glacier terrain.

*****

Scotland’s Kirsty Muir has opened the new freeski Big Air season with a win at the World Cup event in China’s Secret Garden Snow Park. She put down three strong jumps, including a left double-cork 1440 and a right double-cork 1080 mute, earning a total of 174.50 points and taking her first Big Air World Cup victory.

Canada’s Naomi Urness finished second on 165.75, the first World Cup podium of her career, while China’s Liu Mengting took third with 165.25.

In the men’s event, American Troy Podmilsak claimed the win with a switch-right triple 1980 and a right triple 2160, scoring 185.50.

A strong start for both Muir and Podmilsak, and an early marker as the Big Air tour builds through the first part of the winter.

*****

After nearly two years off following a serious crash in Wengen in January 2024, Norwegian ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde made his return competing in the World Cup super‑G at Copper Mountain, Colorado. 

Crossing the line 1.25 seconds behind winner Marco Odermatt, Kilde tied for 24th spot. As notable as the result is the fact he even took the start gate again. For him, being back on course was “a win.” 

His return was the culmination of a challenging recovery — surgery after a nasty leg and shoulder injury, followed by months of rehab and setbacks. 

Watching from the finish area was Mikaela Shiffrin, visibly emotional as Kilde completed his run. That reaction captured what this comeback means beyond times and rankings. 

With the 2026 Winter Olympics looming, this return raises hopes — for Kilde personally, and for the men’s speed circuit as a whole.

SNOW AND WEATHER

DOM: Right, time for the weather — the one thing none of us can control…or can they?  Are we looking at bluebird days or stormy spells? Let’s take a look at what’s coming our way.

DOM: It has been one of the best starts to the winter season in many years across the Alps from France to Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Several ski resorts are opening earlier than planned and the north western French Alps and parts of Austria have fared particularly well.

ROB: I’m on a what’s app group with the staff of SkiWeekends who have all been in Avoriaz for pre season training and the pictures of snow are amazing - huge dumps there. 

DOM: There’s well over 100 ski areas now open across the Alps with good conditions and more snow in the forecast. 

ROB: yes it’s pretty solid, with a good base now - i would say this week the powder snow has consolidated but with more on the way at altitude, i think we could see some of the best pre Christmas skiing conditions for many years.

DOM: here’s a breakdown of the different countries and the snow situation right now.

ROB: let’s start with France

Open resorts: Val Thorens and Tignes opened around 22 November. 

Also Les Deux Alpes opened 29 November. 

This past week saw heavy snowfall in parts of the French Alps — for example around resorts such as Chamonix / La Clusaz reportedly received around a full metre over a short period. 

As a result, some valley floors got snow or snow-dusting, but the bulk of good snow remains at altitude — so high-altitude & glacier-backed resorts like Val Thorens, Tignes and Les Deux Alpes are your best bet for now. 

DOM: and the forecast is looking pretty good…

As snow cover is already decent up high and many resorts have snow-making facilities, expect reasonable coverage to hold — provided cold overnight temperatures continue.

There’s plenty of top up snow falls expected through the weekend and although temperatures are set rise, this should just further consolidate what is already a solid base. 

ROB: Switzerland & Austria

Several Swiss and Austrian resorts are already open, thanks to recent snow and cold temperatures. 

In Austria open areas include glacial resorts such as Sölden, Stubai Glacier, Hintertux Glacier, plus others like Kitzsteinhorn, Kaprun – Maiskogel/Kitzsteinhorn, and Pitztal Glacier. But many of the non glacier resorts have been operating too. 

In Switzerland it’s the same story - plenty of early openings and good skiing across the country 

The Forecast is a little mixed and seems to be changing alot…

With current cold spells and stable conditions at altitude, expect good skiable terrain to hold — especially on glacier/high-altitude resorts.

DOM: Italy

The Italian Alps have started to open too: after fresh snow in late November — especially in the northwest — some resorts are operating already. 

That said, timing and snow depth likely remain variable — snow cover will hold better at altitude; lower-altitude resorts are fine and relying on good artificial snow too.

The forecast is similar to the rest of the Alps with temperatures rising a little through next week bringing almost spring like conditions before things cool down again with further snow forecast. 

ROB: Scandinavia

Some ski areas in Scandinavia have begun operations — often using snow-farming/artificial snow when natural snowfall is limited. 

For example resorts in Finland such as Levi and Ruka are open; as are some lower-terrain resorts elsewhere, though terrain remains limited. 

As long as temperatures stay below freezing, snow-making and occasional natural flurries should allow limited terrain to remain skiable.

The temperature around the Lillehammer area is hovering around the zero degree mark but snow is forecast there going forward. 

DOM: North America (Canada & USA)

Canada: The season is underway. Banff Sunshine Village opened unusually early and is now the largest open resort in North America in terms of open terrain and snow cover. 

Other resorts, including Lake Louise Ski Resort, Nakiska, Mount Norquay, and Marmot Basin are also opening or about to open. 

USA: Mixed picture. Some early-season snowfall reported in parts of the West and a few coastal/North-West resorts, but many major areas remain a little on dry side, however if we look at somewhere like Vail, overnight temperatures are low and there’s snow in the forecast ahead, so good news there. 

In Canada: snowpack and cold weather support a good base in many resorts; conditions should remain stable over the next week if freezing levels stay low, which it looks like they will.

ROB: Japan

On the island of Hokkaido, resorts in the group Niseko United (and neighbouring resorts like Kiroro, Rusutsu Resort) are included among areas listed for snowfall forecast over the next 7 days. 

According to the official seasonal forecast, snowfall is expected to be above average this winter on the Japan Sea side of Hokkaido — meaning strong early-season snowpack building may continue. 

Over the next week, several resorts (Niseko, Kiroro, Rusutsu among them) are expecting measurable snow accumulation — good prospects for powder and early-season skiing. 

If temperatures hold and fresh snow arrives, expect good snow cover building quickly — especially on Hokkaido’s favourites.

DOM: so right now, the Alps is looking in very good shape for Christmas and New Year, with north america certainly looking solid too

ROB: yep i think everywhere is safe that’s for sure, you might not find deep powder snow but right now the on-piste skiing across the Alps is very good for the time of year. 

******

GEAR

ROB: Right, its gear time!!!!  brought to you by Ellis Brigham, the mountain sports specialists. We’ve picked four standout bits of kit this week: smarter tech, better protection, and upgrades that actually make a difference on the mountain. Let’s dive in

First up, skis.

DOM: Nordica is expanding its line-up with the new Multipista, a piste ski built for grip and stability on firmer snow. On the all-mountain side, Atomic’s Maverick 88 CTi and the women’s Maven 88 CTi continue to be solid options with that metal-reinforced build that handles a mix of conditions. Freeriders still have the Salomon QST 100 as a versatile unisex choice, and the Candide Area 91 remains a lightweight option for anyone who prefers a more playful freestyle ski.

ROB: On to boots, and Dual BOA keeps spreading across the market. Head’s new Kaliber 110 is interesting because it’s one of the only 110-flex men’s boots using the dual-dial system. We’re also seeing BOA appear on the new K2 Cortex, Nordica’s updated Sportmachine, and Tecnica’s latest Mach1 LV. Armada has launched the AR ONE series, and Atomic has updates with the Redster TX and Remedy. On top of all that, ZipFit liners continue to grow in popularity as people look for better heel hold without swapping shells.

DOM: In outerwear, Helly Hansen is in the spotlight again — partly for its technical kit, and partly because the Ski Free programme is continuing. Buy selected Helly Hansen jackets or pants and you get a free day’s skiing at one of their partner resorts. For families, kids’ brand Roarsome has added more technical pieces for younger skiers, while Descente has updated its adult range with new designs across both insulated and stretch outerwear.

ROB: Goggles and helmets next.

POC is rolling out updated versions of its helmets with improved MIPS integration and small tweaks to the fit system. Dragon has expanded its goggle line with more magnetic-lens options, making it easier to switch lenses when the light changes. Both brands continue to offer a mix of cylindrical and toric lenses, depending on what you prefer.

DOM: Winter gloves and mittens.

This season, heated gloves remain a top pick, with Thermic leading the way for both performance and comfort. New insulated mittens from brands like Hestra and Black Diamond are also gaining attention, offering dexterity and warmth for all-day wear on the slopes.

ROB: Accessories.

Thermic’s heated insoles are still going strong, and Cardo’s helmet-mounted communication systems are increasingly popular, perfect for keeping groups connected or just enjoying music while riding.

DOM: Kids’ clothing.

Roarsome is expanding its winter collection, adding more technical and performance-focused jackets and pants for younger skiers. More families are investing in high-quality kids’ gear, making it easier for children to stay warm, dry, and comfortable on the slopes.

That’s your gear round-up for this week. 

******

DOM

So next up we continue our destination spotlight of the week, so If i was to say to you The Largest Ski Resort in the U.S. 41 lifts 331 runs, over 3k metre elevation, and 355 inches of snowfall per year - where would you be saying…

ROB:

Crikey thats some stats, im guessing somewhere utah

Dom

Youre dead right, From its historic mining town charm to epic powder runs and après-ski vibes, today we uncover Park City - a must-visit destination for skiers and snowboarders alike today weve got the expert of experts shes the female version of glenn plake, pink hair the lot,   two Olympic medals, World Cup wins, business ventures, and a young family… grew up in Palisades Lake Tahoe and spent so many years training in Park City that she ended up living there Lets welcome to the show Shannon Happe

Well thats been fantastic what a place, what a vibe what terrain…crikey rob im so excited to be going out there this winter what you think

Yep well im sure that wont be the last we hear about park city because you know what m like when im heading somewhere ! ha ha

Anyway shannons  3 words for park city were  welcoming: magic: olympic 

I thought id look that up on what 3 words and actually its not a million miles away from park city, i mean well not in global terms its not, it was actually on the southern tip of greenland just in the labrador sea 

That’s it for today’s episode — thanks so much for tuning in! 

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We’ve got loads more ski stories, gear talk, and destination inspiration coming your way this season, so stay tuned — and as always, see you on the mountain! 


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