The White Out Podcast – season 5, episode: 79 January 9

INTRO (to adapt each time)

Dom: Hello, listeners and Welcome to The Whiteout Podcast, brought to you in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays. I’m Dom from InTheSnow magazine and of course I am here with my co-host, Rob Stewart from Ski Press.

Mention:

> Slide (then cut into our talk there)

> Ski test

> Olympics

> Snow 

NEWS

It’s news time — your weekly round-up of everything happening in the world of snow, skiing, and the mountains, new lifts, expansion and modernisation of resorts.... Let’s see what’s been making headlines this week.

ROB: well it’s something i am not looking forward to talking about but our thoughts go out to everyone involved in the recent horrific fire in Crans-Montana - a place very close to my heart and a special destination for many people. 

DOM: such a devastating tragedy and just difficult to get your head around. It’s going to be long road for the people involved and the town.

ROB: yes, i’ll be going there soon for the world cup ski races at the end of January. There’s enough news about this in the wider media but i know you feel the same way as me Dom, just very sad and our sympathies are with all the people involved.

DOM: Indeed…onto other news

DOM: Crowdfunding Relaunches The World’s Most Comprehensive Ski Area Ranking

After six years offline, one of the most respected ski data projects is back. The Skiresort Report – the definitive list of the world’s largest ski resorts – is being relaunched through a crowdfunding campaign.

Created by ski-area analyst Christoph Schrahe, it’s long been the only fully independent, verifiable way to compare resorts worldwide. And it’s not just about piste kilometres.

At the heart of the report is the Skimeilen metric. It combines ten factors – from vertical drop to skiable area and slope length – into a single, experience-based measure of what skiing actually feels like. Traditional stats are included too, but Skimeilen gives a realistic picture of terrain and scale.

The database covers around 6,000 ski areas globally, with over 1,000 major resorts precisely measured, 600 of them in person. The new edition will re-measure the world’s leading ski regions and introduce the Skimeilen standard. Resorts benefit too, with traceable measurements, benchmarking tools, and a “Certified Slope Length” label.

Anyone can support the relaunch at 1000x1000.at/skiresortreport. Packages range from digital and printed reports to benchmarking tools, and supporters are entered into prize draws for ski passes at Les Trois Vallées, Saalbach, and more.

ROB: Salomon Winter Movie Night by Ellis Brigham

If you’re not heading to the slopes this season (or even if you are), there’s a way to bring the mountains to you. The Salomon Winter Movie Night, hosted by Ellis Brigham, is coming to London on Thursday, January 22.

For two hours, you’ll be transported to snowy peaks across Japan, Austria, Whistler, and Norway, all from the cosy seat of the RSA. The programme features a mix of exclusive films celebrating different stories, styles, athletes, and some incredible freeride skiing. Highlights include Cold Calls, a 24-minute film built from conversations and memories across storms in Whistler, deep days in Japan, Norway’s big terrain, and even rare sunshine in Alaska. Shometsu Zekkei, shot in Hokkaido, follows local rider Tenra Katsuno.

There’s also Where The Soul Remains, a sneak peek from a work-in-progress exploring hidden resorts in the Swiss Valais, and the feature-length Edge Of Reason. This 52-minute film sees two veteran skiers and a fearless newcomer take on Norway’s Lyngen Alps, navigating steep lines, risk, and redemption, with Cody Townsend among the cast.

Tickets are £5 and the event runs from 7 to 9 pm GMT at the Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ. Popcorn included. It’s a perfect way to experience mountains, adventure, and ski culture without leaving the city.

tickets available at...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/salomon-winter-movie-night-tickets-1978592960808?aff=oddtdtcreator

DOM: Swiss Mountain Rescue with Chemmy

Skiing and snowboarding isn’t just about technique right – it’s about preparation and recovery. And no one knows that better than Winter Olympian Chemmy Alcott. Years of elite training, plus recovering from serious injuries, have taught her that feeling strong, confident, and injury-free starts long before you clip into your skis.

That’s why Chemmy helped inspire the Ski Performance Kit from Swiss Mountain Rescue. It’s compact, travel-friendly, and designed to boost energy, reduce fatigue, support recovery, and keep you performing at your best, whether you’re on long descents or skiing at altitude.

Inside, you’ll find a muscle rub for sore joints, energy gels for stamina, electrolyte tablets for quick hydration, sleep gummies for deeper rest, and a 5-HTP oral spray to support confidence and resilience when the day gets tough.

“Performance in the mountains isn’t just about skill,” Chemmy says. “It’s about how you feel, how well you prepare physically and mentally, and how quickly you recover – so you can enjoy every moment on and off the slopes.”

At £99, the Ski Performance Kit is a simple, science-led way to ski stronger, recover faster, and make the most of every run and après moment.

For more information, and to get your kit before your next trip, visit Swiss Mountain Rescue online.

ROB: Ski racing rising stars need your help

Let's take a look at what is coming up for the Carrick Smith boys, Britain's rising ski stars... Luca, 21, and 18-year-old twins Freddy and Zak are all racing in World and Europa Cups this season. But as self-funded athletes, just getting to the start gate is a massive challenge.

Their mum, four-time Winter Olympian Emma Carrick-Anderson, explains that ski racing is expensive – especially with three racers in the family. Travel, accommodation, lift passes, race entries – even when equipment is sponsored – it all adds up. A recent trip to Levi, Finland, cost £12,000, even on a strict budget.

Emma and her husband Phil now dedicate themselves full-time to coaching and ski prep. Between training, video analysis, ski maintenance and logistics, it’s a full-on family operation.

The good news is there’s a way to help. The Carrick-Smiths have a GoFundMe page, where donations of any size make a real difference. Every contribution helps cover trips, training, and race entry fees, giving Luca, Freddy, and Zak the chance to compete at the highest level.

If you want to support these rising stars and help British ski racing thrive, head to gofund.me/carrick-smith. With your support, they can keep chasing World Cup and Olympic success and make the most of this big season.

******

Let’s take a look at this great initiative from Crystal for complete beginners - maybe most of our listeners are more experienced, but if you know a friend that wants to take up skiing or snowboarding then this is for them…

Crystal Slope Starters

Dom

Crystal’s Slope Starters programme is designed specifically for people who are completely new to skiing. It’s a proper all-in package – flights, transfers, accommodation, lift pass, equipment hire and beginner lessons all included – so there’s no guesswork and no awkward first-day logistics.

Rob

Exactly. And that structure matters in week one. You’re not worrying about whether you’ve booked the right lift pass or if your boots are wrong. You just turn up and ski. Crystal runs this in several destinations, but the one I’d really point people towards is Beitostølen in Norway.

Dom

Yeah, that’s an interesting choice, because it’s not a huge, high-profile Alpine resort.

Rob

And that’s the point. Beitostølen is calm, compact and very beginner-focused. The slopes are wide and forgiving, with gentle gradients that let people find their balance without feeling rushed or intimidated. You’re not sharing space with fast skiers blasting through, and the lifts are simple and easy to use.

Dom

Which is a big deal when you’ve never clipped into skis before.

Rob

Massive. The learning area is right in the village, so everything feels close and manageable. Add to that Norway’s approach to ski instruction, which tends to be patient and methodical, and it’s a really supportive environment for first-timers.

Dom

And there’s something about the atmosphere as well. It feels relaxed.

Rob

Totally. There’s less pressure, less noise, and more space. For beginners, that translates into confidence, and confidence is what helps people actually enjoy skiing, not just survive

Dom

So if you’re listening to this and thinking this might finally be the year you try skiing, Crystal’s Slope Starters is a really straightforward way to do it.

Rob

And if Beitostølen sounds like your kind of place, booking is simple. Head to crystalski.co.uk and search for Slope Starters, then look for Beitostølen in Norway. You can choose your dates, flights and accommodation all in one place, with lessons, lift pass and equipment already included.

Dom

Everything sorted before you even leave the UK.

Rob

Exactly. crystalski.co.uk is the place to start, and it’s a solid way to make your first ski week a good one.

SNOW AND WEATHER

Now it’s time for the weather - will it be chocks away or hideaway, will we be whistling tunes or having bad moods - let’s take a look at the one big thing none of us have any control over, unless you’re a conspiracy theorist…drum role please.

• A major snowfall is now underway across the northern and western Alps, with a powerful storm system moving in. 
• Forecasts suggest parts of the north-west Alps could see more than 1 m / 3.3 ft of new snow by Monday.
• The Austrian Alps picked up up to 35 cm / 14 inches in a 48-hour period last weekend.
• next week looks a little milder and mixed with snow showers and sunshine across the alps but basically, we are in good shape as we go into the middle of January/ 
• California continues to see heavy snowfall, with some areas recording over 2 m / 6.5 ft since Christmas.
• After a slow start to the season, Utah has finally seen significant snowfall, bringing widespread powder conditions.
• In Scotland, several ski centres have begun opening terrain beyond their all-weather snow areas as natural snow builds.

GEAR

So next up we are talking all things gear, and this season gear buyers guide is brought to you in association with Ellis Brigham - the mountain sports specialists

Here we aim to  feature the best hardware and apparel, accessories and equipment from all the top brands in the world of skiing, we dive into the latest gear, the smartest tech, and the kit that actually makes a difference when you’re out on the mountain. 

Today, we’re taking a look at four standout products that are making waves this winter — from boots and helmets to jackets and goggles — all designed to make your day on snow smoother, safer, and a whole lot more fun.

refer to slide takes

DESTINATION GUIDE

Next up, it’s time for our Destination Guide — one of our favourite parts of the show. Each week, we dive into a different ski spot to tempt your wanderlust — maybe it’s a hidden gem you’ve never heard of, maybe it’s somewhere familiar but still on your wish list, or perhaps it’s that resort your friends keep raving about but you’ve yet to experience for yourself. Wherever it is, we’ll give you the inside scoop to help you plan your next great ski adventure.

ROB:
…and today we’re heading to the Home of Lässig – which, let’s be honest, might be the coolest tagline and the coolest ski region in the Alps – Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.

DOM:
Yeah, this isn’t just “big ski area, many kilometres, thank you and goodnight.” This is full-on vibe. “Home of Lässig” is that laid-back, stylish, slightly cheeky way of doing the mountains – big days, big smiles, a bit of mischief, but absolutely zero stress.

ROB: just explain what Lassig means

DOM: it just means cool basically - probably tricky to translate but yes, cool, relaxed, effortless…

ROB: right, makes sense. I’ve skied here several times over the years and i get that!

Let’s set the scene a little…

ROB:
Right, let’s stick it on the map before we get carried away. We’re in Austria, spread over 3 villages. You’ve got Saalbach Hinterglemm and just over the ridge you’ve got Leogang,  and Fieberbrunn. Salzburg on one side, Tyrol on the other – all stitched together into one giant playground.

DOM:
And when we say “giant”, we mean: pack your big legs. Around 270 kilometres of pistes, about 70 modern lifts – that’s a lot of options for “just one more run.” You’ve got easy blues, cruisy reds, and a few blacks that will definitely remind you you’ve got quads.

ROB:
Plus, if you’re one of those people who hears “270 kilometres” and says, “Is that it?” – first of all, calm down – but also, your lift pass is the Ski ALPIN CARD, so you can link in with Zell am See and Kaprun as well. Suddenly you’re looking at over 400 kilometres of skiing. That’s not a holiday, that’s an expedition.

Why it works for everyone

DOM:
So why are people so obsessed with this place? For me, it’s because it genuinely works for everyone. It’s not one of those resorts where the kids are happy but the freeriders are bored, or the mileage hunters love it but beginners are terrified. Skicircus somehow ticks all the boxes.

ROB:
Yeah, let’s start with families. Across the area you’ve got kids’ zones, learn-to-ride parks, those magic carpets that save tiny legs, themed trails, little snow parks for beginners – the whole thing feels like an adventure playground in ski boots.

DOM:
And that’s the key, isn’t it? If the kids feel like they’re on an adventure, not stuck in “lesson time”, everyone’s happier. Parents can actually grab a coffee, enjoy the views, maybe sneak off for a couple of cheeky laps while the kids are fully entertained.

ROB:
Or, if you’re like me, you pretend you picked it strategically and really you just booked the place with the best photos.

Freeride & parks – the playful side of Lässig

DOM:
Speaking of Fieberbrunn – we have to talk freeride. This place is a stop on the Freeride World Tour, which straight away tells you the terrain is the real deal.

ROB:
Yeah, that Wildseeloder North Face… you’ve seen it on the broadcasts – those huge faces, steep pitches, the pros dropping big lines and making it look way too easy. Watching it in person is amazing. You suddenly realise how big those mountains really are.

DOM:
Now, don’t panic – you don’t have to throw a backflip off a cliff to enjoy the freeride here. There are lots of marked freeride routes, plus guides who’ll take you into bowls, trees and couloirs that give you that proper off-piste feeling, but matched to your level rather than a world-tour athlete.

ROB:
And for the freestyle crew – or anyone who just likes a good whoop section – Leogang and Hinterglemm come in strong with snowparks and boardercross zones. Nitro Snowpark in Leogang, Nightpark in Hinterglemm, little jumps, rails, side-hits everywhere… it’s basically a natural playground with a lift pass.

DOM:
It’s one of those places where even if you think you’re “not a park person”, you’ll find yourself popping off side hits and pretending you are.

Huts, food & après – the good stuff

ROB:
Alright, let’s talk about the really important part of any ski day: the bit where you sit down, take your boots off a notch, and someone brings you food.

DOM:
Priorities! Skicircus has more than 60 mountain huts scattered around the area. Old, cosy wooden huts with steaming bowls of goulash, plus super-stylish modern spots with big sun terraces and music. You can absolutely build your whole ski day as a hut-to-hut tour if you want.

ROB:
Picture this: you’re outside on a terrace, big panoramic views, plate of Kaiserschmarrn in front of you, maybe a glass of something local, and you’re watching people come off THE CHALLENGE circuit looking like they definitely earned their lunch.

DOM:
Then down in the villages you’ve got a proper range of bars and restaurants, from chilled places where you can have a quiet drink to full-send après with music, dancing, and that moment at 7pm where you realise you’re still in ski boots and slightly regretting your footwear choices.

THE CHALLENGE and big circuits

DOM:
Let’s talk missions. If you like turning your ski day into a bit of a game, THE CHALLENGE is going to be your thing.

ROB:
This is the big one: around 65 kilometres of skiing in a day, about 12,400 metres of vertical. That’s basically like skiing down Mount Everest… and then skiing down it again… and then going, “Yeah, I could do one more.”

DOM:
It’s all about seeing how much you can cover in one big loop – ticking off valleys, lifts, viewpoints. It’s a fun little badge of honour. You definitely feel it in your legs, but you also feel very smug at dinner.

ROB:
And it’s not just that one circuit – there are a bunch of themed routes and loops that let you structure your day. You can do a full “tour of the region”, or pick a smaller loop if you’re mixing things up with family time or extended hut-stops.

DOM:
The whole thing really shows off how well connected the area is. You’re not stuck lapping one side of the mountain all week – you’re properly travelling through a ski region.

Events & atmosphere

ROB:
As if the everyday vibe wasn’t enough, Skicircus also knows how to throw an event.

DOM:
Yeah, Fieberbrunn during the Freeride World Tour is like a natural stadium. You’ve got spectators on the opposite slope, watching these insane lines come down the face. Even if you’re just there as a tourist, it’s such a buzz.

ROB:
Then there’s Chasing Slopes for the performance-minded, and White Pearl Mountain Days – which is basically “spring skiing meets beach club”. Think DJs, live acts, good food, yoga sessions, a bit of wellness up on the mountain… but you’re in ski gear with snow under your feet.

DOM:
Skiing in the morning, dancing in the afternoon, hot tub in the evening – that’s a pretty strong day, to be fair.

Beginners, progression & non-ski days

ROB:
Now, if you’re newer to skiing and thinking, “That all sounds great, but is this place going to be too hardcore for me?” – the answer is no, you’re good.

DOM:
Absolutely. There are beginner zones in the main villages, plus family areas with gentle slopes, easy lifts, and plenty of patient ski schools. Places like Leos Kinderland in Leogang or Timok’s Wild World in Fieberbrunn are designed so that kids and beginners feel safe, entertained, and actually excited to go back out the next day.

ROB:
And once you’ve done a few days and you’re feeling more confident, you can start linking those beginner areas into the bigger network – maybe taking a blue down into a new valley, then hopping on a gondola back. It’s very progression-friendly.

DOM:
And crucially, if not everyone in your group skis – or you just fancy a day off – you’re not stuck. There’s tobogganing, cross-country, winter walking and snowshoeing with big views, plus spa and wellness options for maximum “I’m on holiday” energy.

ROB:
And you’ve also got the option of day trips – Salzburg isn’t that far away, so you can do your culture day, see some sights, then come back to the mountains. It works really well as a full winter holiday, not just a ski-only trip.

Key takeaways & how to find out more

DOM:
Alright, let’s wrap this up with the main takeaways. If you’re thinking about Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, remember this:

1. It’s the Home of Lässig – that relaxed, playful, stylish side of the Alps where skiing is fun, not serious.
2. It’s one of the coolest, most complete ski regions out there – big mileage, huge variety, and loads of character in each valley.
3. It genuinely works for everyone – families, freeriders, park rats, mileage hunters, beginners, and people who are basically there for mountain lunches and après.

ROB:
If this has got you plotting your next trip – maybe mentally packing your skis already – then head to saalbach.com. That’s your starting point for all things Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.

DOM:
And if you want a bit of everyday mountain escapism in your feed, give them a follow on Instagram: @home_of_laessig. Expect a lot of blue skies, fresh snow, and the odd shot that makes you seriously question why you’re currently at your desk.

ROB:
We’ll also pop a link in the show notes to the full InTheSnow feature on Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, so you can dive into more detail, check out the maps, and maybe start planning which circuits and huts you’re going to hit first.

DOM:
That’s it from us for this episode of The Whiteout with InTheSnow – thanks for listening, and here’s to big turns, big smiles, and maybe a little bit of Lässig in your next ski trip.

ROB:
Take care, and we’ll catch you next time!

INTERVIEW:

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

If you enjoyed the show, make sure you hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. And if you want to watch the full video version, head over to our YouTube channel — just search for The Whiteout Podcast.

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!