Episodes

Today we give retiring GB ski champion Dave Ryding a mention, applaud our firemen for their many and varied tasks and suggest booking a First Aid course with Jo Pollard. A Ferrari Rally were finishing with a 2 star Michelin lunch at Maison Benoit Vidal in Annecy. There are multiple road closures and irritations, including for a Rock Fall near Chamonix. Sadly 3 bodies are still lying under avalanche debris in Alaska, 6 months after they died. There is a call for Savoie to become independent…....

Lots to cover today. Uber helicopters, heliskiing in Canada, flights from Stanstead to Geneva and Grenoble. Surrey School Ski Championships in November. Precise Ski Academy - Surrey Schools Championships Some Russian athletes will be able to compete in the Winter Olympics in February. Then sadness. 2 Chamonix mountain guides died in a car crash. A man died on a via ferrata near Chambery. The outcry after the deaths of 3 elite Italian skiers in the last year – FIS are looking at ways to imp...

This episode discusses upcoming events and courses both in France and the UK. The St. Bernard Pass is closing for maintenance until spring. Snow Sport England offers various courses, including roller ski lessons and instructor training sessions across different locations. https://snowsportengland.sport80.com They have also started an Instagram channel dedicated to Alpine skiing. @snowsportengland_alpine Suggestions to book ski lessons and child care as soon as possible to avoid disappointm...

Exciting paragliding news – French school teacher, Constance Mettetal, from Annecy is now the World Champion. The episode also covers recent chairlift accidents in Russia, highlighting the importance of safety in mountainous regions. You are invited to buy tickets for the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony https://tickets.milanocortina2026.org/events/le-discipline-olimpiche-244/cerimonia-di-apertura-2461/?utm_campaign=public_news_new_opening_cerimony_tickets_september_en&utm_medium=public_news&...

A terrible chair lift accident in Russia. This episode tentatively airs the problem of building more buildings faced by the ski resorts. Tourism vs eco considerations. Tourist accommodation Vs sufficient good quality workers accommodation. Remember … more strikes tomorrow….if you can wait, don't try to travel. Return to last week’s thefts from huts on Mont Blanc. Arrests have been made. Don’t forget that the hunting season started on Sunday and continues until the beginning of March. We w...

Laura explores a range of topics starting with a tribute to Robert Redford. Renowned for his contributions to film and his love for skiing, Redford leaves a legacy at the Sundance resort. She also applauded people staying active on the mountain well into their 80’s and 90’s. 2 climbers died near Grenoble. Laura mentions the perils of paragliding, highlighting its high risks, and advise listeners to seek professional tandem flights for safety. Don’t forget the Northern Snow Show in October. ...

Laura will be navigating road closures en route to cooking mushrooms with Benoit Vidal this morning. She reminds you of the untamed challenges of La Grave, the world's largest lift-assisted off-piste area. Meanwhile, unevenly distributed prize money across different high level sports prompts reflection. An Italian skier died after a serious head injury when training in Chile. Champolouc in Italy will be hosting the SIGB Ski Test Event in January. The London Snow Show at Olympia is 18-19th O...

In this episode, you are taken on a journey through the world of roller and vintage skiing. Laura starts with a roller ski race in Austria, then invites you to join Sweden's longest 90 km classic event. She looks back in time to vintage skiing. L’Alpine Classique are starting a ski school. They have a date for your diary – 13-15th March 2026, Think leather boots, wooden skis and cable bindings. Vintage slalom, swing dances, and classic motor cars. This episode ends with essential ski tour...

This episode begins with a somber news from Chamonix where a mountain guide tragically fell to his death in front of his companions, and in a separate incident, a paraglider died when his wing caught fire. Moving to more positive news, the snowboarder who fell into a crevasse in Colorado has been discharged from the hospital. This is the link to a video shot during his rescue. https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/09/12/snowboarder-fell-off-glacier-rescue-colorado-video/86118411007/ ...

In this episode, Laura reminds us of the trials of travelling with skis. She also talks about Jannik Sinner – his early life as a ski racer and why he changed to tennis. His friend Lindsey Vonn was there to watch him win $5 million dollars at the US Open, but Lindsey and Laura both question why some sports are paid so much better than others. The 3-day eventer Ros Canter was included in this discussion. Returning to Mont Blanc, theft ! Travel tips include new unmarked cars that can capture yo...

In this episode, we cover a range of fascinating topics, including British ultrarunner Tom Evans' remarkable win at the Mont Blanc Ultra Trail. His adventure in challenging weather conditions demonstrates the spirit of sport and endurance. One of the women’s races was overshadowed by a disqualification for doping. We also discuss the upgrades in Tignes, promising an exciting winter for skiers. Additionally, listeners are reminded of the impending biometric border procedures post-Brexit, potent...

In this episode from Val d'Isère, we hear more about life in the quiet interseason. France has appointed a new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu - known for his loyalty to President Macron. As ski teams continue their training worldwide, French athletes in Argentina face injuries, while British and American skiers prepare in Austria and Chile. We are very excited by Welsh Gigi Gorringe’s form ! Tragic news - a 61-year-old climber fell to his death on Mont Blanc. Meanwhile, FIS officials have...

Strike day ! Both France and London. French shop owners prepare by boarding up shops and 7,000 police on standby. Better news, Marcel Hirscher is back on skis. Tongue-in-cheek Darwin Awards for the survival of the fittest. Quirky chairlift tales. A really big rockfall in Cirque du fer a Cheval.

This episode of the podcast delves into the world of winter sports as the racing season approaches. With the American ski team training in Chile and Team GB prepping in Austria, excitement is in the air. However, not all athletes join, as France's Ciprian Sarrazin recovers from a crash and GB's Charlotte Banks heals from surgery. The episode highlights road and traffic alerts around Val d’Isère including night closures and major works in the Ponserand tunnel in Moutiers. Listeners are reminded o...

So... who has lost a green digger ? The new bus station is pretty good ! At the moment there is a small display giving information about our bearded vultures. The daily newspaper, Le Dauphiné is celebrating 80 years since it first hit the streets. We are particularly fond of it as it published an article about Rozenn in June, and about Laura in August. The Foire Avaline, in August, went very well. The children impressed with their creativity. The tombola raised money for their art classes, an...

In this episode, the Laura shares an eventful day in Val d’Isère filled with unexpected setbacks. As she prepares to head to the Col, the highest mountain pass, for an Italian-French celebration with her doodle dogs, technical troubles thwart her plans: the 'Blue Monster' refuses to start, and a laptop shows no signs of life. However, we need to keep a perspective. Worse things happen in the mountains. A recent skiing accident in Thredbo gives us all food for thought. Lets revise mountain sa...

There was a rumble and crash of rocks behind Les Richardes yesterday. Laura continues to enjoy the peace of the interseason, comparing to the chaos of the tube strike next week in London. She tells a funny but true (except for names) anecdote about biking on Bellevarde. Laura recommends visiting Galerie Jane Griffiths during the winter. And gives a mini idea of all the work the STVI are doing this summer.

Laura has solved most of yesterdays technical problems & all the episodes are now on both Apple and Spotify. She reminds you that the bike tracks are staying open until the end of September, but as the lifts are closed you will have to also cycle to the top ! Unusually there was a traffic jam - a posse of porsche cars queuing for the petrol station ! Work continues on the road to Bourg so there will again be some night closures. Nothing as bad as the possibility of a rock fall in La Léchèr ...

Laura encourages you to keep sending your ideas and gives a brief outline for her ideas for future episodes, while dealing with the podcast-associated -tech, which is all a new experience for her but luckily has support from a podcast guru. She then tells you about meeting her art teacher, Rozenn, and how Santa Claus appeared while they were sketching in Le Fornet. And adds an anecdote about Christmas puddings ......

In this episode, the Laura reminisces about pre-COVID interseason times spent in bustling London, contrasting them with Val d’Isère's quiet interseason. She recounts a tense journey during the early days of COVID-19, racing against the clock to get two friends to Geneva airport, and the doodles dogs and herself back to Val d’Isère before the borders close. An unexpected traffic jam wrecked her carefully hatched plan.,,,, Laura reflects on how confusing those early COVID days were but how the ...

In this podcast episode, Laura reflects on her experience early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially planning to attend a friend's 60th birthday in North Wales, she cancelled the trip due to fears of quarantine. Instead, she experienced the shutdown firsthand in Val d’Isère, witnessing bustling businesses close and tourists tumble. With basic art supplies, the internet and inspiration from her one square kilometre, her 2D creativity was released. The narrative captures the chaotic early days ...

Join Laura M. in 'Doodles in the Snow,' a podcast exploring the natural beauty and vibrant community of Val d'Isère. As an artist inspired by the alpine landscape, Laura shares her insights and discoveries through art, storytelling, and skiing adventures. From her early days of learning to ski in the late 80s to honing her artistic skills during the pandemic, Laura provides listeners with delightful updates and entertaining anecdotes. In each episode, expect a mix of factual fun, local news, ...