Thoughts on Snowsports

Iain Martin, The Ski Podcast

The sad demise of the catered chalet ski holiday
Ideas / Tour Operators

The sad demise of the catered chalet ski holiday

by iain on Sep 25, 2023 • 8 Comments
Looking through a recent survey from Le Ski, I was struck by one stat in particular. While it was encouraging to read that the number of UK skiers and snowboarders is predicted to grow by 14% in winter 2023/24, the fact that only 13% stay in catered chalets highlighted how...
Will ChatGPT make ‘ski experts’ redundant?  
Ideas

Will ChatGPT make ‘ski experts’ redundant?  

by iain on May 11, 2023 • No Comments
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is changing fast. A few years ago, it was just the name of one of Steven Spielberg’s less good movies, but in 2023 AI has moved from the world of ‘futurologists’ into the mainstream. The chances are that even if you haven’t tried ChatGPT (or Google’s ‘Bard’),...
'Parrots in the Snow: the rise and fall of Bladon Lines' - article in 'Ski+Board' magazine
Iain / Ideas / Tour Operators

‘Parrots in the Snow: the rise and fall of Bladon Lines’ – article in ‘Ski+Board’ magazine

by iain on Mar 8, 2023 • 3 Comments
Iain’s article ‘Parrots in the Snow: the rise and fall of Bladon Lines‘ has now been published in ‘Ski+Board’ magazine. It’s also now available as a special episode of The Ski Podcast My first experience of working in the ski industry came 35 years ago when I went to Chatel...
Ski Touring in Morocco: A Photo Essay
Iain / Resorts

Ski Touring in Morocco: A Photo Essay

by iain on Feb 8, 2019 • No Comments
Iain from Skipedia recently went ski touring in Morocco. Flying into Marrakech, and then travelling to Imlil (1740m), Iain then spent three nights at the Refuge des Mouflons (3207m), ski touring to different 4000m peaks. Ski hire was from Braemar Mountain Sports, guiding and logistics were organised by Toubkal Guide. You...
'I'm a modern-day Batman' says anti-ESF campaigner
Resorts / Tour Operators

‘I’m a modern-day Batman’ says anti-ESF campaigner

by iain on Nov 2, 2014 • No Comments
These are difficult days for the ESF in the UK. The current legal cases against Simon Butler and Le Ski have stirred up plenty of negative sentiment within the British market against the ESF. Both cases – which deal with different aspects of the law – are currently at different...
Why do chalet girls bake a cake every day?
Tour Operators

Why do chalet girls bake a cake every day?

by iain on Aug 13, 2011 • 2 Comments
Okay, not strictly anything to do with marketing, but just for fun… So why do chalet girls bake a cake every day? As far as I know chalets have always left out a cake for their guests to tuck into for ‘afternoon tea’. After a long day on the slopes,...
Latest entries
How to turn a bubble lift into art...
Resorts

How to turn a bubble lift into art…

by iain on Jan 31, 2012 • No Comments
Courchevel 1850 has always been a stylish resort and in recent years works of art have been popping up around the mountain. Last year it was replicas of famous sculptures positioned around resort.  This year they have turned the Verdons bubble lift into a moving art gallery, with contemporary artists invited to dress the telecabines....
Facebook launches News Feed ads
Social Media

Facebook launches News Feed ads

by iain on Jan 30, 2012 • 1 Comment
With an IPO coming up later this year, Facebook is shifting its focus from acquiring users to working out how to make money from them. One of the first steps they have taken is to introduce ads in Facebook users’ News Feeds. The launch has been staggered,  so if you haven’t seen it yet, it...
The oldest ski brochure in town?
Tour Operators

The oldest ski brochure in town?

by iain on Jan 25, 2012 • 1 Comment
After our recent post about the ski companies of 1984, Graeme Spratley from Spiral Marketing very kindly sent us this photo. Here is the slightly tatty front cover of Swans 1979/80. The brochure is a fascinating read for ski nerds. ‘Supersave’ holidays were available from £59. I wonder what that would be in today’s money....
Interview with Lake Annecy Ski Resorts about their recent rebranding [Video]
Resorts

Interview with Lake Annecy Ski Resorts about their recent rebranding [Video]

by iain on Jan 22, 2012 • No Comments
During Grand Ski 2012 in Annecy, Skipedia asked Stephanie Poillet from Lake Annecy Ski Resorts to tell us more about the recent rebranding of the Massif des Aravis area. Skipedia (www.skipedia.co.uk) is a blog full of fresh ideas about social media and snowsports.
Interview with Tignes about the new Tignespace development [Video]
Resorts

Interview with Tignes about the new Tignespace development [Video]

by iain on Jan 22, 2012 • No Comments
During Grand Ski 2012 in Annecy, Skipedia asked Catherine Breiller from Tignes Promotion about the new Tignespace sports and conference centre. Skipedia (www.skipedia.co.uk) is a blog full of fresh ideas about social media and snowsports. By Iain Martin
'Special Offer' resort advertising in France
Advertising / Resorts

‘Special Offer’ resort advertising in France

by iain on Jan 20, 2012 • No Comments
France can count on the second highest number of skier days in the world, at 55.2m after the United States with 60.0m. There was optimism last year that the number one spot might be possible, but when the country fell short again it was put down to the ‘faible enneigement’ of last season. There’s no...

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The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. Please feel free to support or disagree with me in the comments section of each blog entry.