Podcasts don’t just have to be about finance and politics. Source:: iTunes

Mountainwatch | Matt Wiseman

For the most part an Australian’s ‘local ski hill’ isn’t exactly local… Living in Sydney means getting to Thredbo or Perisher can take up to 7 hours of driving depending on traffic and how many times you stop to refuel yourself and the car.

Whilst ‘Eye Spy’ is a staple in any long and remotely scenic journey, I think we can all agree its appeal wears thin pretty quickly. And though much can be said for the dedicated ski pump-up playlist, there’s another audio medium that can get you equally, if not more excited to hit the slopes and will make the M5 turn into the Alpine Way in no time.

Enter, the Podcast.

Below we have compiled the very best Wintry podcasts for your listening pleasure. Who knows, you might enjoy them so much you won’t even want to get out of your car at the skitube carpark.

Skiing

Sponsored: The Stories Behind The Skiers

As the name suggests, the sponsored podcast will give you in-depth access to the lives of your favourite skiers. Host Mike Powell, spent no less than 18 years managing athletes at k2 skis – think Pep Fujas, Sean Pettit etc. It follows that he isn’t afraid to ask the big names some big questions, and paints an engaging picture of how they got to where they are today.

Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers

In his fourth season and with 89 episodes under his belt, host Mike Warner knows a thing or two about podcasting and a thing or two about skiing. The result, is perhaps the most well-rounded ski podcast out there. From such athletes as Mike Douglas, Chris Bentchetler and Cody Townsend to the film wizards behind Sherpas Cinema to our very own Oscar and Watkin McLennan, Warner, a self-dubbed “ski-ist” will have you more stoked on the sport than you thought possible.

Chillfactor Recommends: Episode #66 – Watkin and Oscar McLennan – RV Ski Trip. “I met Oscar and Watkin McLennan where I meet most people I know. On the Mountain. The brothers from Australia were in Canada collecting content for Chillfactor Magazine and Mountainwatch.com which both have their fingers on the pulse of Australian skiing.” – Mike Warner

Powder 8 Podcast

Hosted by triple threat, skier, ultra-runner and photographer Kt Miller, Powder 8 is your go to for everything backcountry.

Nausicaa Cast

If anyone was to present a podcast on hard charging female skiers, it had to be TGR athlete Hadley Hammer. “Instead of comparisons, pejorative campaigns, and female-focused questions-we want to know about each individual as humans.” – Hadley Hammer

The Storytellers

If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when it comes to making a ski magazine, this one’s for you. As the name suggests, “The Storytellers’ tells the stories of the the writers, photographers and editors of Powder, the so called “Skier’s Magazine”.

Wintry Mix

An insider’s look at what we consider to be the best industry in the world – the ski industry. Host Alex Kaufman takes a holistic approach, interviewing resort owners, meteorologists, gear makers and everyday skiers. One of the shorter podcasts in this list, you should be able to get through all 45, twenty odd minute podcasts by the time you get back to Sydney after your weekend mission!

Totally Deep

Although the backcountry is a serious place, the hosts of Totally Deep, Doug Stenclick and Randy Young present it in a humourous and easily digestible manner. In other words, these guys are hilarious. If they weren’t saying words like carbon fibre and skin track etiquette, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d accidentally downloaded a stand up comedy podcast.

Snowboarding

Looking Sideways Podcast

Presented by journalist Matt Barr, who’s written for the likes of Times Magazine to Transworld Snowboarding, the looking sideways podcast has been called “essential listening” by one itunes pundit. Guests include BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh, legendary freerider Xavier de le Rue and Tom Burt one of snowboarding’s founding fathers.

The Not Snowboarding Podcast

Don’t let the name deceive you, this one features all your favourite snowboarders. However, it also accepts that there’s more to the sport than face shots and triple corks. From business ventures, health and wellness aspects, diet and exercise regimens and altruistic initiatives to the types of stories only exchanged at the bar after several beers. Snowboarders are people too.

Eddie’s Wall

Hosted by former professional snowboarder Eddie Wall, who famously climbed up the pro ranks while working as a night janitor at Mammoth Mountain, the Transworld Snowboarding podcast began life as a live facebook interview. Initially grappling such topics as ‘who’s the most iconic snowboarder?’ and ‘what’s your favourite grab?’ the series has since transitioned into interviewing the likes of Jeremy Jones, Mark McMorris and Travis Rice.

Everything

The Powell Movement

Aforementioned host of the Sponsored podcast, Mike Powell’s podcasting has been so popular he’s now bringing weekly doses of action sports to your ear drums. From skiers and snowboarders to skaters and wakeboarders, this one does a good job of covering all action sports.

Slide: The Avalanche Podcast

By far the most educational of all the podcasts here, the Slide delivers a difficult subject in a witty and easily digestible manner. The healthy mix of case studies and snowpack data alongside segments like ‘story time’ and analysis of human behaviour in the backcountry make each episode seem like a quick avy course refresher. Whilst you should always think twice before entering avalanche terrain, you shouldn’t think twice about listening to this podcast.