210: Baqueira Beret in Spain & the growth of skiing in China

The Ski Podcast

We discuss Baqueira Beret in Spain and finding out about skiing in China – the fastest growing ski market in the world.
Iain was joined by freelance journalist, Gabriella Le Breton and Justin Downes, President of Axis Leisure, who specialise in resort development in China.
SHOW NOTES
Gaby last skied in Andermatt (1:30)
Listen to Iain’s interview with Mike Goar, CEO of Vail Resorts in Andermatt (2:00)
[Video] Things Americans find shocking about skiing in Europe! (3:30)
Justin was last on snow at the indoor slope in Wuhan, China (4:15)
Andy Butterworth from Kaluma Ski skied in St Anton and Ischgl (5:00)
The Black Eyed Peas are playing at Ischgl’s closing party (6:45)
Susie Burt reported from Chamonix (8:00)
Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching is in Les 2 Alpes (9:45)
Listen to Iain’s interview in Episode 209 about the new Jandri 3S lift (11:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz0hrmQgVGg
Les 2 Alpes will remain open until 07 July
Huge thank you to Messy Weekend for replacing the ski goggles I lost in Verbier (14:30)
Take a look at the Vallon vizors here (15:15)
Gaby visited Baqueira Beret in the Spanish Pyrénées (16:14)
Heliskiing is possible in Baqueira (25:00)
Gaby stayed with Emerald Stay on her trip
Justin previously worked at Whistler and Kicking Horse in Canada (28:00)
He then managed Hotham in Australia (30:00)
Justin is now President of Axis Leisure (31:45)
China has more indoor snowdomes than the rest of the world combined (32:15)
There were around 30m skier days in China in 23/24, compared with around 50m in the USA (33:30)
Justin expects China will become the biggest snowsports market in the world in 2025 (34:15)
Eileen Gu and Su Yuming are huge influences on the growth of Chinese skiing (43:15)
Feedback
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Oliver Rutman: "Really great episode with Xavier De La Rue"
Quin Rescigno: "I found your podcast recently and have enjoyed listening."
Darren Jer: "Congrats on getting the new Vail Resorts executive of Andermatt on your show."
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