Big Picture Skiing Podcast

Most skiers only think about their boots when something hurts.In this episode, I sit down with expert boot fitter Brent Armsbury to unpack the art and science of ski boot fitting — and why every skier should take more ownership of their setup.We talk about the mindset shift from “my boots don’t feel right” to actively experimenting and giving better feedback. Brent shares the most common issues he sees in the shop, why feeling disconnected from your boots doesn’t always mean you need a new pair, and how small adjustments can restore performance.We cover practical, mid-season tweaks including:• Padding and shimming the liner tongue and shin area• Using simple materials like neoprene, foam and even duct tape to fill voids• Spoilers, heel lifts and forward lean experiments• How to self diagnose fit issues starting from the front of the bootThe big takeaway: boot fitting is collaborative. The more you understand and experiment, the better the outcome.If you want to go deeper on technique, equipment setup and skiing performance, check out the Big Picture Skiing learning platform. https://bigpictureskiing.com/Podcast listeners can use the code PODCAST to take 20% off.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ski bindings are one of the most important — and least understood — parts of our equipment.In this episode, I talk with Phil Pugliese from SkiTalk.com to better understand how ski bindings work, where they came from, and how they balance performance with safety. Phil has spent decades reviewing and testing ski equipment, and his depth of knowledge really shows.We cover the evolution of bindings, the role of elasticity, DIN settings, race vs recreational designs, GripWalk compatibility, and why understanding your equipment matters more than most skiers realise.This conversation helped me make more informed decisions about bindings for myself and my family, and it’s one I think any skier who enjoys learning about their craft will appreciate.Want to see the bindings Phil is talking about check the YouTube version of the podcast https://youtu.be/JalwwxcNvtsWant to improve your skiing further?Check out Big Picture Skiing, my online coaching platform with a huge library of in-depth ski technique and equipment videos designed to help you ski better — and enjoy it more.Podcast listeners get a 25% off Discount Code. Use code PODCAST when you checkoutLearn more at bigpictureskiing.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I have to admit that one of my core beliefs about moguls was challenged during this most recent conversation with Olympic Moguls silver medalist Matt Graham. For a long time, I believed that more ski snow contact was the ultimate sign of a good bump skierl. But in this open and honest conversation, Matt explains why the opposite is true when you want speed and rhythm in a mogul course.I was working with Carv at Hintertux when I met up with him, and he talked me through the key ideas the best bump skiers in the world rely on plus a whole lot more 👇 The Mogul ParadoxOne of the biggest concepts he shares is something called bridging. It is the ability to absorb the terrain so well that the skis do not press unnecessarily into the bumps. By bridging at the right moment, the skier reduces friction, avoids braking, and keeps the ideal turn tempo flowing. Once Matt explained it, the whole approach made a lot more sense.The Boot Alignment BreakthroughMatt also speaks openly about the long journey he had getting his equipment right. He explains the exact alignment change that finally let him ski with more comfort and less fight. Hearing that from someone at his level shows how important the right setup really is.CarvWe also talk about Carv’s data in moguls. Matt tried CARV for the first time this November and currently he is the number 1 skier on the global Carv leaderboard. Yes higher than Ted Ligety and some of the best carvers in the world. It’s very cool because Carv now has separate Ski IQs for Moguls, Carving, Short Turns and Powder. We find out that elite mogul skiers have an insanely high tempo or rhythm of turns way above even expert skiers.A quick note about Big Picture SkiingIf you want help improving your skiing this season, I would love to guide you. The Big Picture Skiing learning platform gives you a clear, structured way to progress instead of trying to piece things together from random YouTube tips. You will find step by step skill progressions, deep dive videos on topics like hip position and outside ski balance, and a learning pathway built from my 20 years of coaching skiers at every level.Podcast listeners can use code PODCAST for 25 percent off any membership.Thanks for listening skiers. See you out on the slopes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is a remastered release (2018) of one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve ever had about skiing.Before I had proper mics or a real podcast setup, I sat down with Jurij Franko - the physicist, former racer, and engineer behind the original shaped-ski revolution at Elan. The audio is now cleaned up, and I’m thrilled to bring this episode back because it genuinely changed how I understand skis.Jurij’s story starts in the late 80s, when he became the first person to apply mathematics to ski design. His work validated the idea of sidecut and helped spark the carving era we now take for granted. In this episode, he explains the thinking and experiments that shifted skiing from tradition to science — and the breakthroughs that came from asking the questions no one else was asking.We dive into ski behaviour in a way few people can articulate:• why a ski carves vs. skids• how torsional stiffness and center of mass influence grip• the real physics behind vibration and “feel”• and why so many long-standing beliefs in skiing were never grounded in science.What I appreciate most is how Jurij connects design to human movement. He explains how great skiers adapt their body position, predict what the ski will do, and make thousands of small decisions based on feel and repetition. His way of cutting through jargon and simplifying the essentials is refreshing - especially for instructors.We also challenge a lot of myths: flex, vibration, “performance characteristics,” and the tendency to overteach. Jurij’s view is that skiing improves when people are given the space to explore, develop awareness, and feel how the ski interacts with the snow.This conversation blends physics, history, technique, and genuine passion. It’s a rare look inside the mind of someone who shaped the modern ski - and for me, it’s still one of the episodes that permanently shifted how I think about skiing. Enjoy.Improve your skiing with me as your coach. I own an online learning platform that will teach you to become a better skier It’s Called Big Picture Skiing and is my way of being able to share everything I have learnt about ski technique, equipment and becoming a better skier. There are over 250 videos sorted into categories for simple learning. If you’ve enjoyed my YouTube and podcast then I think you would get even more out of the BPS learning platformPodcast listeners can take 25% off any membership with code: PODCASTCHECK OUT BIG PICTURE SKIINGAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brent Amsbury, master boot fitter and owner of Park City Bootfit, explains ultra performance ski boots and why stiffer, closer-fitting designs are resurging. He covers how these boots differ from comfy recreational models. Short discussions cover fitting techniques like grinding and punching, brand trends around 96mm lasts, and practical issues such as GripWalk compatibility and the iterative fitting process.

Tom Gellie and Joe Dunn (Ski Dad TV) chat about their views on various topics taught in skiing:- The Float Phase Transition- Affordances as a concept to focus on with students - Equipment experiments. Binding ramp angle and boot canting- When do you teach technique vs skills?This was a great conversation that was sparked after Tom and Joe spent half a day skiing together in the Australian winter. Links:Ski Dad Tv Channelhttps://youtube.com/@skidadtvJoe reacts to Toms podcast with Phil Smith and Snow displacemnthttps://youtu.be/BNrYDrUgu0A?si=k2jppvf5cbVandFTC shaped turns Suck - Joe explains whyhttps://youtu.be/rnOQHItyts4?si=aKdRM2U5SQhjzAK4Ramp angle testing https://youtu.be/nKiXP7NGJBQ?si=SCZrYRa7chYSZ-jUThanks for listening. 25% off Discount code for the Big Picture Skiing learning platform for my Podcast listeners: PODCASThttps://bigpictureskiing.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

‘You can’t out-ski poor movement, bad sleep, and no prep. Kelly Starrett joins me to reveal what skiers really need to do to perform and feel better on snow — and it’s simpler than you think. No fads, no fluff, just clear, actionable steps to build a body that’s ready for skiing. This episode might just be the motivation you’ve been needing to start — and never look back.🔗 Resources Mentioned📘 Built to Move by Kelly & Juliet Starrett – https://www.amazon.com/Built-Move-Essential-Habits-Freely/dp/0593534808📗 Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett – https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Supple-Leopard-2nd-Performance/dp/1628600837🎿 Ready to Get Your Body Ski-Ready?If this episode fires you up to move better and ski stronger, check out Big Picture Skiing — your go-to resource for ski technique tutorials, preseason body prep workouts, and coaching designed to make this your best ski season yet.As a thank you for listening, you can use the code PODCAST for 25% off your membership.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Big Picture Skiing Podcast, I dive into the world of custom ski design with my friends Demelza Clay and Jason Simpson. We talk about how companies like Original Plus are creating skis built specifically around you — using details like your height, weight, skiing style, and even where you ski most.I share my own experience switching to custom skis and an interesting chat I had with Siggi Rumpfhuber, one of the founders of Original Plus, about the idea of the “perfect ski.” We unpack how flex patterns, torsional stiffness, and snow conditions all affect how a ski feels — and why the right ski might just be the one that’s designed for you.👀 If you were intrigued by the Original Plus concept and want a ski designed just for you checkout the Original Plus website here: https://www.original.plus/tomgellie🛟 Use code TGELLIE15 to take 15% off your ski! I may make a small commission on any sales so thank you for helping support a small company and a group of passionate skiers.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From the legendary Crazy Canucks to the evolution of chairlifts, skiing is full of stories and people who shaped the sport we know today. In this episode, I sit down with Blake (@oldbaldskier on instagram) — a passionate ski history enthusiast — to explore some of the most interesting moments and characters that left their mark on skiing.We talk about: • The rise of the Crazy Canucks and their impact on ski racing • How chairlifts changed skiing forever • The personalities and events that defined different eras • How Walt Disney helped shape the green circle to black diamond trail ratings we still use today • Fun facts and historical quirks every skier will enjoyIf you love skiing and want to understand the roots of the sport, this conversation will give you new appreciation for where skiing has come from and where it’s heading.👉 Improve your own skiing with my coaching platform: https://www.bigpictureskiing.comUse Code PODCAST to get 25% off any membership to Big Picture Skiing as a thanks for being a podcast listener.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Carv has been listening, and some big updates are on the way. In this episode, I catch up with the team to hear what they’ve been working on over summer — including smarter coaching tools, improved SkiIQ feedback, and new features that actually help you learn, not just track data. If you’re a Carv user or just into ski tech, this is a solid insight into where things are headed.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy