264: Tirol West plus the Best Ski Helmets & Goggles in 2026
Nov 21, 11:31 AM
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Today we find out about the Tirol West region in Austria, plus we look at the best new ski helmets and goggles this winter.
We also have an update from the Sheffield Ski Festival, news from Madonna di Campiglio and we hear about a best-ever British performance in the World Cup slalom in Levi.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Simone Zangerl from Tirol West Tourism and ski equipment expert Al Morgan.
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Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we’re are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl’ – that you’ll find there.
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SHOW NOTES
Dave Ryding finished 7th in the slalom at the World Cup in Levi, Finland (4:30)
Laurie Taylor recorded the fastest second run to finish in 4th place, just 4/100th of a second off the podium (5:00)
Iain spoke with Andrea Busignani about the plan to cap skier numbers in Madonna di Campiglio (6:20)
Sam Croft is from the Revive Sheffield Ski Village campaign (9:00)
The Sheffield Ski Festival took place on 14-15 November
Visit the Tirol West website (10:00)
You can travel by train via Zurich to Landeck (10:45)
How to travel to Tirol West (11:00)
Tirol West includes the towns and villages of Landeck, Zams, Fliess, Tobadill, Grins and Stanz (11:30)
Venet is the Tirol West ‘house’ resort (12:15)
Tirol West is great for ski touring (13:00)
You can book a €10 for a return bus transfer to any of St Anton, Lech/Zurs, Ischgl, Serfaus Fiss Ladis and the Kaunertaler Glacier (14:00)
There are plenty of walking trails and snow shoeing (16:30)
Try ice bathing at Tramser Weiher (17:00)
You can enjoy a lot of free activities with the free TirolWest card (17:45)
Simone recommends a Tyrolean Groestl (21:00)
You can also try the Tiroler Edle local chocolate (21:30)
Ski Helmets: ‘Fit is Key’ (23:00)
For more details on all of the key terms and jargon for helmets, listen to last year’s episode (23:30)
What does ‘MIPS’ mean? (24:00)
“If you’ve got a cheap head, buy a cheap helmet” (30:30)
Listen to last year’s goggles episode for a breakdown of the key terminology (31:00)
What does S1, S2 or S3 lenses mean? (31:15)
The Best Skis for Winter 2026 (39:30)
The Best Ski Boots for Winter 2026 (39:30)
Smith Vantage 2, £235 (26:00)
Available in a range of colours, especially the matte black, ultraviolet and Emerald City options. This is a hybrid construction with Koroyd inside, improving shock absorbency, strength and lightweight. These hollow tubes allow a mass of airflow, complemented by the huge number of vents. Add in Mips, the magnetic buckle, Smith’s superb AirEvac system, BOA fit adjustment, anti-microbe lining and audio ready earpads, and you’re onto a winner.
Atomic Revent AMID, £160 (27:30)
This series of helmets has a far more contemporary aesthetic than Atomic helmets of recent seasons. It has an in-mold dual shell, so is light with active venting. It has a removable and washable merino and 3m X-Static liner so doesn’t develop the smell some helmets can. It has audio ready earpads and the new AMID (Atomic Multi-directional Impact Deflector) tech, combined with a Holo Core EPS liner for enhanced safety.
Bollé Keystone Mips, £120 (29:30)
The Keystone is a new model, available in several colours. The minimalist aesthetic looks fab, and in testing we found it very comfortable. It doesn’t have loads of vents, but at £120 it’s great value. It’s available without Mips for £90, but we recommend the added safety of Mips for £30 more.
Oakley Flow Scape L Snow Goggles, £325 (32:30)
The Flow Scape has a new conical lens shape giving a dramatically increased field of view (FOV). The lens tilts in towards the face at the base, and is wider and further away from the face at the top. They’ve even changed the design of the Switchlock lens quick-release system, removing the need for magnets which would have encroached on the FOV. The Vision Rapt face foam is an ultra-memory foam, giving incredible comfort. Even the sliders on the strap have been tweaked to reduce their profile. Each Flow Scape comes with two lenses, one for brighter conditions and the second is the Prizm Iced Iridium, which is one of the best lenses you can get for flat light or stormy conditions. The only downside with this goggle, apart from the cost, is that it will be too large for some.
Head Neves Sunscreen, £330 (34:20)
Wow. When we first tried this, we were blown away. The lens tech is next-level. This tint-changing tech covers categories S1-S3 and is solar powered. The solar panel generates a voltage, activating a microprocessor which controls the LCD to darken the lens. It changes tint almost instantly as you move from shade to light and back again.
Scott Ambit LS, £135 (36:00)
Ambit is a new goggle design from Scott, including this medium to large fit, as well as the Ambit Compact, which suits smaller face shapes. Scott sells more photochromic lenses, as they cover a range of conditions, saving the hassle of swapping lenses. This Amplifier lens tech provides superb clarity and definition, and we’ve tested it in stinking, and stellar, conditions, and it always delivers.
Bliz G001, £79 (37:!5)
The Bliz Scandinavian minimalist design, married with affordable quality, has impressed us. The G001 and G002 goggles are new for this season, available in adult and small sizes, and the lens is magnetic, for quick swaps. The G001’s full frame construction looks almost frameless, whilst the G002 is more traditional, with a chunkier frame. The Smoke S3 lens is a fab choice when the sun’s out and looks sensational in this black on white colourway. Mega comfy and excellent value.
Feedback
If you’ve enjoyed this episode – or even if you didn’t like it – then we'd love to hear from you. You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop Iain an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com
You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.
Antonia Simpson: “I first came across the Ski Podcast at the Snow Show - really enjoyed hearing about Mount Etna! Since then I have listened to lots of episodes: Bladon Lines (252) and James Cove (261) being my favourites. I love your focus on train travel, and in fact will be getting the train in a couple of weeks to Embrun.”
Colin Tierney: “I enjoyed episode 263 about Ischgl”
Richard Birlton: "I listen to every podcast and can’t wait for it to drop every week"
If you’re excited about winter, why not visit theskipodcast.com – we have episodes on so many different subjects, interviews with so many people and reviews of so many resorts.
If you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:
- you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
- you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
- And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied
We also have an update from the Sheffield Ski Festival, news from Madonna di Campiglio and we hear about a best-ever British performance in the World Cup slalom in Levi.
Host Iain Martin was joined by Simone Zangerl from Tirol West Tourism and ski equipment expert Al Morgan.
---------
Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means this winter we’re are finding out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the Austrian way of life: ‘Lebensgefühl’ – that you’ll find there.
---------
SHOW NOTES
Dave Ryding finished 7th in the slalom at the World Cup in Levi, Finland (4:30)
Laurie Taylor recorded the fastest second run to finish in 4th place, just 4/100th of a second off the podium (5:00)
Iain spoke with Andrea Busignani about the plan to cap skier numbers in Madonna di Campiglio (6:20)
Sam Croft is from the Revive Sheffield Ski Village campaign (9:00)
The Sheffield Ski Festival took place on 14-15 November
Visit the Tirol West website (10:00)
You can travel by train via Zurich to Landeck (10:45)
How to travel to Tirol West (11:00)
Tirol West includes the towns and villages of Landeck, Zams, Fliess, Tobadill, Grins and Stanz (11:30)
Venet is the Tirol West ‘house’ resort (12:15)
Tirol West is great for ski touring (13:00)
You can book a €10 for a return bus transfer to any of St Anton, Lech/Zurs, Ischgl, Serfaus Fiss Ladis and the Kaunertaler Glacier (14:00)
There are plenty of walking trails and snow shoeing (16:30)
Try ice bathing at Tramser Weiher (17:00)
You can enjoy a lot of free activities with the free TirolWest card (17:45)
Simone recommends a Tyrolean Groestl (21:00)
You can also try the Tiroler Edle local chocolate (21:30)
Ski Helmets: ‘Fit is Key’ (23:00)
For more details on all of the key terms and jargon for helmets, listen to last year’s episode (23:30)
What does ‘MIPS’ mean? (24:00)
“If you’ve got a cheap head, buy a cheap helmet” (30:30)
Listen to last year’s goggles episode for a breakdown of the key terminology (31:00)
What does S1, S2 or S3 lenses mean? (31:15)
The Best Skis for Winter 2026 (39:30)
The Best Ski Boots for Winter 2026 (39:30)
Smith Vantage 2, £235 (26:00)
Available in a range of colours, especially the matte black, ultraviolet and Emerald City options. This is a hybrid construction with Koroyd inside, improving shock absorbency, strength and lightweight. These hollow tubes allow a mass of airflow, complemented by the huge number of vents. Add in Mips, the magnetic buckle, Smith’s superb AirEvac system, BOA fit adjustment, anti-microbe lining and audio ready earpads, and you’re onto a winner.
Atomic Revent AMID, £160 (27:30)
This series of helmets has a far more contemporary aesthetic than Atomic helmets of recent seasons. It has an in-mold dual shell, so is light with active venting. It has a removable and washable merino and 3m X-Static liner so doesn’t develop the smell some helmets can. It has audio ready earpads and the new AMID (Atomic Multi-directional Impact Deflector) tech, combined with a Holo Core EPS liner for enhanced safety.
Bollé Keystone Mips, £120 (29:30)
The Keystone is a new model, available in several colours. The minimalist aesthetic looks fab, and in testing we found it very comfortable. It doesn’t have loads of vents, but at £120 it’s great value. It’s available without Mips for £90, but we recommend the added safety of Mips for £30 more.
Oakley Flow Scape L Snow Goggles, £325 (32:30)
The Flow Scape has a new conical lens shape giving a dramatically increased field of view (FOV). The lens tilts in towards the face at the base, and is wider and further away from the face at the top. They’ve even changed the design of the Switchlock lens quick-release system, removing the need for magnets which would have encroached on the FOV. The Vision Rapt face foam is an ultra-memory foam, giving incredible comfort. Even the sliders on the strap have been tweaked to reduce their profile. Each Flow Scape comes with two lenses, one for brighter conditions and the second is the Prizm Iced Iridium, which is one of the best lenses you can get for flat light or stormy conditions. The only downside with this goggle, apart from the cost, is that it will be too large for some.
Head Neves Sunscreen, £330 (34:20)
Wow. When we first tried this, we were blown away. The lens tech is next-level. This tint-changing tech covers categories S1-S3 and is solar powered. The solar panel generates a voltage, activating a microprocessor which controls the LCD to darken the lens. It changes tint almost instantly as you move from shade to light and back again.
Scott Ambit LS, £135 (36:00)
Ambit is a new goggle design from Scott, including this medium to large fit, as well as the Ambit Compact, which suits smaller face shapes. Scott sells more photochromic lenses, as they cover a range of conditions, saving the hassle of swapping lenses. This Amplifier lens tech provides superb clarity and definition, and we’ve tested it in stinking, and stellar, conditions, and it always delivers.
Bliz G001, £79 (37:!5)
The Bliz Scandinavian minimalist design, married with affordable quality, has impressed us. The G001 and G002 goggles are new for this season, available in adult and small sizes, and the lens is magnetic, for quick swaps. The G001’s full frame construction looks almost frameless, whilst the G002 is more traditional, with a chunkier frame. The Smoke S3 lens is a fab choice when the sun’s out and looks sensational in this black on white colourway. Mega comfy and excellent value.
Feedback
If you’ve enjoyed this episode – or even if you didn’t like it – then we'd love to hear from you. You can leave a comment on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook – our handle is @theskipodcast – or drop Iain an email to theskipodcast@gmail.com
You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.
Antonia Simpson: “I first came across the Ski Podcast at the Snow Show - really enjoyed hearing about Mount Etna! Since then I have listened to lots of episodes: Bladon Lines (252) and James Cove (261) being my favourites. I love your focus on train travel, and in fact will be getting the train in a couple of weeks to Embrun.”
Colin Tierney: “I enjoyed episode 263 about Ischgl”
Richard Birlton: "I listen to every podcast and can’t wait for it to drop every week"
If you’re excited about winter, why not visit theskipodcast.com – we have episodes on so many different subjects, interviews with so many people and reviews of so many resorts.
If you’d like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:
- you can follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode
- you can give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify
- And, if you’re booking ski hire this winter, don’t forget that you can get an additional discount if you use the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ when you book at intersportrent.com or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied