This episode is a special interview with professional snowboarder Xavier De La Rue. We speak about his competitive past, the cliff named after him in Verbier, his move into film making and adventures in places such as Alaska, Svalbard and Antarctica.  We also discuss his almost fatal avalanche and how it changed his views about risk-taking. Finally, we talk about sustainability and his Audi Experience Camps taking place in Verbier this winter. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout.  SHOW NOTES Xavier broke his ribs while taking time off from filming in Lobufen (1:00) FIS bought the Freeride World Tour in 2022 (3:00) Watch the Freeride World Tour on YouTube To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Verbier Extrme world-tour-xtreme-verbier-2021.html">this amazing night shot was captured (4:30) Xavier went to Antarctica in November 2023 (6:00) The trip involved crossing Drake’s Passage (8:30) The Svalbard adventure took place in 2016 (11:00) Xavier took brother Victor with him to Alaska (14:00) Victor won the Freeride World Tour for the le-haut-pyreneen-victor-de-le-rue-sacre-champion-du-monde-freeride-pour-la-3e-fois-11827713.php">third time in 2024 (15:00) Xavier’s daughter Mila is also on the Challenger Tour (15:45) Xavier is from St Lary in the French Pyrénées (17:00) Iain skied in the Bruson sector of Verbier in March 2024 (19:00) Watch Xavier’s ‘How to’ videos on YouTube (20:15) Learn how to ski on ice! (20:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjfh9F9eT34 We discuss Xavier’s avalanche experience (22:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6EXW_e2ETU “Paranoia can be a good thing” (24:00) Xavier has clear views on air bags (26:30) Listen to Xavier’s sustainability podcasts (31:30) Find out about the Audi Experience camps (32:00) Feedback I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 2) Subscribe 3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast