Best Nordic Valley Podcasts (2024)

1
SE5EP10 - Devin Logan & Caroline Claire: Kindred Spirits 54:18

2M ago54:18

54:18

Olympians Devin Logan and Caroline Claire are kindred spirits, finishing each other’s sentences and sharing a common passion for hucking themselves off jumps and poofing through powder pillows in the Little Cottonwood backcountry. So how did the two Long Island girls, seven years apart in age, find each other and make their way to Utah? The duo are…

1
SE5:EP9 - Junior Bounous: Living the History of Skiing 1:14:50

4M ago1:14:50

1:14:50

The red tram pulled out of the station, heading up to Hidden Peak on its seven-minute run. Perched along the front left window was the legendary Junior Bounous, looking down and surveying the ski runs he plotted out 53 seasons ago. From his base at the Lodge at Snowbird, the 98-1/2-year-old Bounous still gets out to Snowbird and Alta two or three d…

1
SE5:EP8 - OurSundays: Finding the Joy in Skiing 51:32

5M ago51:32

51:32

A big part of the history of skiing is the fellowship of ski clubs. And before you write it off as a thing of the past, meet the OurSundays Ski & Board Club. This started out to be a podcast on diversity, exploring OurSundays’ affiliation with the National Brotherhood of Snowsports. But it quickly became a celebration of why we all love to ski and …

1
SE5:EP7 - 2034 Winter Games: Will the Olympics Return to Utah? 47:26

5M ago47:26

47:26

The spirit of the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City still resonates across the state. This July, there will be more cause for excitement as it’s anticipated that the International Olympic Committee may name Salt Lake City-Utah as the 2034 host for the Winter Games. To learn more, Last Chair gathered in the Governor’s Mansio…

1
SE5:EP6 - Craig Gordon: Helping Others Understand the Danger 51:05

6M ago51:05

51:05

The Christmas blizzard of 2003 still ranks as one of the biggest winter storms in Utah’s history – legendary enough to have its own Wikipedia page. It dumped four feet of snow in the valley and upwards of twice that in the mountains, closing resorts. But it also brought tragedy. On Dec. 26, 2003 an entire mountainside of snow broke off the flanks o…

1
SE5:EP5 - Evan Thayer: Bringing Us Utah Powder 36:41

7M ago36:41

36:41

It’s early season at Alta. OpenSnow forecaster Evan Thayer has left his meteorological screens in the hotel and is bashing his way down some fresh powder under the Collins chair. Life is good. If there is anyone we tens of thousands of Utah skiers owe a ‘thank you’ to, it would be Thayer, a weather nerd who hadn’t really planned his career path thi…

1
SE5:EP4 - James Coleman: The Freedom to Ski 42:35

7M ago42:35

42:35

By Ski Utah

1
SE5:EP3 - Chris 'Gunny' Gunnarson: Building on Progression 1:03:21

8M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

Head to any Woodward Mountain Center and you’ll immediately be drawn to the kids in the Jib Park and Peace Park pushing themselves to new heights. Since Woodward’s humble beginning over 50 years ago as a gymnastics camp in Pennsylvania, progression has been central to its mission. Today, Woodward centers span the globe including Utah’s Woodward Par…

1
SE5:EP2 - Alex Schlopy: Rollercoaster Ride of X Games Champion 46:57

8M ago46:57

46:57

Thinking back on it today, X Games champion Alex Schlopy still shakes his head. A homegrown product of Park City, Utah, in a month-long span in 2011 he won an X Games title in Aspen, became a world champion on his home hill at Park City Mountain and soared to Dew Tour gold in Snowbasin. In a roller coaster decade that saw the highest of highs and l…

1
SE5:EP1 - Sophie Goldschmidt: America's Best in Utah 47:27

8M ago47:27

47:27

It was a typical day at the USANA Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah as Olympic and Paralympic athletes were sweating it out on the training center floor, preparing for their winter competition seasons ahead. Sophie Goldschmidt, the president and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, talked to Last Chair from a meeting room looking out at some of the g…

1
SE4:EP13 - Big Snow: Jim Steenburgh & Chase Thomason 44:43

1y ago44:43

44:43

The 2022-23 ski season was the biggest on record in Utah! So, just how big was the snowfall? And what’s the science behind it all? Last Chair got together with Professor Powder himself, Jim Steenburgh, along with KUTV2 meteorologist Chase Thomason to review the records and share their own stories of skiing and riding Utah’s Greatest Snow on Earth.…

1
SE4:EP12 - Sandy Flint: Stio on Sustainability 38:53

1y ago38:53

38:53

Over the past few years you’ve probably noticed the brand Stio on the slopes. Born in the Mountain West, the company has become known for its extensive colors and a serious focus on technical materials that are sustainable. Last Chair did a visit with Stio Senior Materials Manager Sandy Flint to learn more about its products, which are both revolut…

1
SE4EP11 (Bonus) - Cottonwoods Plow Team: Ride-along with Shawn Wright 7:27

1+ y ago7:27

7:27

The Ski Utah Last Chair podcast takes a ride all the way up to Solitude and Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon with UDOT Cottonwood plow driver Shawn Wright. A veteran drive, Wright takes us up in a snowstorm riding shotgun in a 30-ton Mack plow truck as he talks about the life of a plow driver and how exhilarating it can be riding the canyons in th…

1
SE4EP11 - Cottonwoods Plow Team: Keeping Our Canyons Open 45:29

1+ y ago45:29

45:29

Utah gets a lot of snow! And as skiers and riders, our objective is to get up to the resorts as quickly as possible. But who takes care of that 30 inches of snow that fell overnight? And who mitigates that cornice hanging a thousand of feet above the highway? Last Chair took a ride with the Utah Department of Transportation Cottonwoods plow team, t…

1
SE4:EP10 - Dr. McKenzie Skiles: Science of Snowmelt 34:06

1+ y ago34:06

34:06

As skiers and riders, we hate to think of melting snow. But to Dr. McKenzie Skiles, snow melt is the lifeblood of existence in the mountain west. Last Chair ventured up Little Cottonwood Canyon to join Dr. Skiles in a three-meter deep snow pit to talk about snow melt, the impact of desert dust and what the future holds in store. An Alaskan native w…

1
SE4:EP9 - Henri Rivers: Diversity in the Mountains 47:50

1+ y ago47:50

47:50

Since the day he found an old pair of skis in his family’s hotel attic, Henri Rivers has found a special joy in skiing. It didn’t matter to him that he was the only black skier on his high school ski team. He just loved to ski. Today, as president of the National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS), Rivers is making a difference helping the ski industry be…

1
SE4:EP8 - Drew Hardesty: Conversation in a Snow Pit 40:30

1+ y ago40:30

40:30

With each successive two-foot snowfall, skiers and riders at resorts rejoice. But in the Utah backcountry with no avalanche mitigation, that fresh snow often sits on a sugary, crusty weak layer and can be prone to sliding. Last Chair headed into the Utah backcountry with Utah Avalanche Center pro Drew Hardesty for a conversation in a snow pit, anal…

1
SE4:EP7 - Special Snowfall Edition 35:44

1+ y ago35:44

35:44

In October it started snowing in Utah. And it really hasn’t stopped, with over 225 inches in Little Cottonwood Canyon by mid-December. So, what’s going on? Last Chair invited Open Snow forecaster Evan Thayer and atmospheric scientist Jim Steenburgh for a Special Snowfall Edition podcast to dive into the continuous powder forecast and share a few st…

1
SE4:EP6 - Bill Wyatt: Gateway to Utah - The New SLC 54:34

1+ y ago54:34

54:34

The new Salt Lake City International airport provides the closest gateway in the world to such a diversity of skiing and riding. Opened in September 2020, the new SLC is one of the world’s most innovative and eco-friendly airports, providing a welcome mat for upwards of 30,000 passengers a day. Last Chair sat down with Executive Director Bill Wyatt…

1
SE4:EP5 - Tim Hawkes: Saving the Great Salt Lake 50:39

1+ y ago50:39

50:39

When you fly into Salt Lake City from the north, you get a poignant view of the vanishing water in the Great Salt Lake. The problem is real. So what is Utah doing about it? Last Chair traveled to Antelope Island, in the heart of the lake, to speak with Utah state representative Tim Hawkes, a passionate advocate, on the very realistic steps the stat…

1
SE4:EP4 - America's Ski Town 53:21

1+ y ago53:21

53:21

With two world class resorts boasting nearly 10,000 lift-served skiable acres, all nestled around an historic old mining town, Utah’s ski town of Park City truly is unlike anything in North America. Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain will open this season with new captains at the helm. Deer Valley’s Todd Bennett and Park City’s Deirdra Walsh…

1
SE4:EP3 - Peter Landsman: Our Love of Lifts 59:52

1+ y ago59:52

59:52

As skiers, we love ski lifts. They get us quickly to the top of mountains so we can slide back down. But what would you think about visiting every single ski lift in America? 2,381 of them! Well, that has been the life of Peter Landsman, a lift supervisor and founder of liftblog, a popular website and network of social channels. Today Last Chair ch…

1
S4E11: Energy Markets In Europe 1:18:53

1+ y ago1:18:53

1:18:53

We discuss: 1. State of the energy markets in Europe and why the prices are going up. 2. How does the electricity grid work? 3. How does the energy pricing work in Europe (excluding gas/petrol)? 4. Opportunity for startups in the energy markets.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE4:EP2 - Nick Sargent: Industry Focused on Change 57:12

1+ y ago57:12

57:12

Across an industry that is rapidly changing, Utah-based Snowsports Industries America is leading the way. Nick Sargent, a former ski racer, World Cup ski tuner and marketing chief for Burton, is pioneering efforts to change SIA from a trade show company to a global leader in data-based marketing, sustainability and diversity to grow the equipment i…

1
SE4:EP1 - Snowbird Tram: Taking an Icon into the Future 39:19

2y ago39:19

39:19

It was an early autumn day in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the new futuristic Snowbird tram, we could see all the way down to the Salt Lake Valley. To the north was Mount Superior. In the distance, Jupiter Peak on the Park City ridgeline stood against the blue morning sky. After 50 years, the old red and blue ca…

1
S4E10: Startup Financials - LTV and CAC in B2B SaaS 1:23:08

2y ago1:23:08

1:23:08

We are back after a long summer break. In this episode we get inside Arne's box of B2B SaaS and discuss CAC, LTV, Payback period, and other financial metrics.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
S4E9: Reflections - Valley Nordic 100th Episode 59:05

2y ago59:05

59:05

We reflect on the last 99 episodes by reviewing the podcast stats, guests who honored us, and the 27 companies we analyzed in the last ~4 years.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
S4E8: Deglobalization 48:18

2y ago48:18

48:18

What is deglobalization? Why is it happening? What does it mean for startups?By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
S4E7: Metaverse 52:27

2y ago52:27

52:27

We segment the Metaverse into three categories: 1. Metaverse that requires new hardware to be worn by users (VR headsets, AR glasses, etc.) 2. Metaverse that does not require new hardware but requires crypto (NFTs, wallets, etc.) 3. Metaverse that neither requires new hardware nor crypto We apply Rogers innovation adoption model to each of the segm…

1
S4E6: The Twitter Drama 27:36

2y ago27:36

27:36

Elon Musk buying Twitter has been talk of the town in Silicon Valley for the last few days. Arne and I discuss what's happening and why. Chander's blogpost from 2009 on Twitter's potential.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE3:EP15 - Ruby Forsyth: Finding Joy in Skiing 33:04

2+ y ago33:04

33:04

When Utah nurse Melody Forsyth learned her baby-to-be had Down syndrome, she and her family thought it would change their lives. And it did - for the better. Ruby, now six, has led the Forsyth family into a world of outdoor recreation, including skiing. Watching Ruby ride the Chickadee lift at Snowbird and ski down with her Wasatch Adaptive Sports …

1
SE3:EP14 - SOS Outreach: Diversity and Inclusion in Sport 37:19

2+ y ago37:19

37:19

Visit any western resort town and you’ll find a robust LatinX community, sometimes making up 30% of the population. It’s a robust part of community culture. But oftentimes, it’s a segment that doesn’t ski. SOS Outreach, a nonprofit serving 15 resort and urban communities nationwide including Utah, is seeking to change that. Today, Last Chair will v…

1
S4E5: HP Acquisition Of Poly 34:14

2+ y ago34:14

34:14

HP which makes PCs and printers acquires a company, Poly (Plantronics + Polycom), that makes headphones, conference room phones, and cameras. We wonder why.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
S4E4: New Framework for Management in Corporations 56:21

2+ y ago56:21

56:21

We discuss Chander's forbes article on management which offers a new framework for looking at management. The framework has four dimensions: 1. Domain Management 2. Organizational Management 3. Perception Management 4. Feelings ManagementBy Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE3:EP13 - Bill Jensen: New Look at Sundance 46:35

2+ y ago46:35

46:35

Visitors to Sundance Mountain Resort this winter have found a wonderful new experience at one of Utah’s great hidden gems. Working with the experienced Sundance team, legendary ski industry leader Bill Jensen has helped them transform the resort with new lifts, terrain, snowmaking and much more. Jensen, a longtime visionary who has led some of Nort…

1
SE3:EP12 - Lexi Dowdall: Utah Snow in Watercolors 53:48

2+ y ago53:48

53:48

Utah’s 15 resorts paint a majestic portrait amidst the winter landscape. So what if someone painted them all, with watercolors based in snow melt from each resort. That’s what passionate Utah skier Lexi Dowdall has set out to do with her Paint by Powder Project! Dowdall is a snow-loving outdoor enthusiast who actively seeks out the Greatest Snow on…

1
S4E3: New Sovereign Investments Influenced by the Russia-Ukraine War 28:04

2+ y ago28:04

28:04

We discuss top three sectors for new sovereign investments influenced by the current Russia Ukraine war: 1. Energy 2. Defence (Cyber, Weapons, Surveillance) 3. Increased self-reliance (Money, Food)By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE3:EP11 - Lee Cohen: Utah's Ski Photographer 48:58

2+ y ago48:58

48:58

Cohen grew up in the east, hopping around small New York ski hills like Stony Point and Silver Mine. His father took him on trips to Vermont, skiing Stratton, Stowe, Killington, Mt. Snow and more. Mondays were a day off for his father, who owned a bakery, so it wasn’t unusual for young Lee to play hooky and head off to Hunter Mountain or other day …

1
SE3:EP10 - Utah's Olympians - Utah Goes to the Olympics 53:50

2+ y ago53:50

53:50

“I'm so thankful for the people in town who founded the Youth Sports Alliance after the 2002 games,” said Fisher. “It was a community effort to get all of the youth from Summit and Wasatch counties out using these amazing Olympic venues and getting as many kids out and active in our community playground. The legacy absolutely still lives on.” And i…

1
S4E2: Web3 52:31

2+ y ago52:31

52:31

We discuss what is Web3 (and Web 3.0). How it came about? And, the debate associated with it. Links to the articles we referenced in the episode: 1. Semantic web 2. Moxie Marlinspike on Web3 3. David Rosenthal on CryptoBy Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE3:EP9 - Fraser Bullock: Utah's Olympic Legacy 54:51

2+ y ago54:51

54:51

The 2002 Olympics transformed Salt Lake City and its neighboring venue communities into a stage that welcomed the world. For 17 days, the Games captivated spectators and television viewers as athletes dazzled fans and shed tears of joy. The Games also brought a richness to Utah communities that is very much still alive today. When now Utah Senator …

1
S4E1: The state of the financial markets - Stocks, Crypto, and Venture Capital 44:07

2+ y ago44:07

44:07

We kickoff season 4 with a discussion on what's happening in the financial markets in 2022.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE3:EP8 - Alf Engen: Legend of Alta 1:06:07

2+ y ago1:06:07

1:06:07

The legend of Alf Engen goes back to the 1920s when Alf brought his brothers to America from Norway. In the midwest and later out in the mountains, they found a home in America as skiers. Alf became a great ski jumping champion and world record holder at Ecker Hill, near Park City. He spent time at Sun Valley but ultimately settled in Utah. In the …

1
SE3:EP7 - Katharina Schmitz - Future of Ski Lifts 50:58

2+ y ago50:58

50:58

What do ski lifts mean to skiers? Ask Doppelmayr USA President Katharina Schmitz and she’ll tell you ‘freedom.’ In this episode, Last Chair host Tom Kelly chats with the leader of Utah-based Doppelmayr USA to explore the evolution of ski lifts and future trends, not only at resorts but as a vital form of mountain and urban transportation. Doppelmay…

1
SE3:EP6 - Kristen Ulmer: Embracing Fear 45:55

2+ y ago45:55

45:55

A New Hampshire native, Ulmer discovered skiing as a young girl, skipping school to hit the slopes at lunch time. Friends told her about skiing in Utah. Her mom found a $40 one-way airline ticket. And she headed west, making Salt Lake City her home. She spent every waking moment skiing the bumps at Snowbird. Her breakthrough came after an all-day d…

1
SE3:EP5 - Tony Gill: Joy of the Backcountry 37:07

2+ y ago37:07

37:07

Cruising through knee deep powder in the peace and solitude of the Utah backcountry is pure joy. It’s alluring. It can also be dangerous if you are not well prepared. Journalist Tony Gill grew up skiing on 300-foot ski hills in the midwest. Today, you’ll find him on his telemark skis in the Utah backcountry. He’ll talk us through the joy of having …

1
S3E20 Season Finale: Trends In Review - 2021 Update 1:23:01

2+ y ago1:23:01

1:23:01

We evaluate the trends we have been tracking since 2019. See the trends here. This is our final episode of 2021. We will be back on January 27th, 2022.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
SE3:EP4 - James Niehues: Man Behind the Maps 41:54

2+ y ago41:54

41:54

We’ve all fantasized about our trips to the mountain by poring over detailed trail maps, plotting out each run of our ski vacation. The man behind those maps, James Niehues, has become somewhat of a cult hero in the sport after three decades documenting hundreds of resorts worldwide, painting each and every tree and showcasing perspective to make m…

1
S3E19: Netflix Games 39:48

2+ y ago39:48

39:48

We discuss Netflix's entry into games and pontificate on why they would do that.By Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

1
S3E18: Sequoia Capital's New Structure and Changing Venture Capital Dynamics 52:37

2+ y ago52:37

52:37

We discuss: 1. The traditional Venture Capital (VC) business model 2. Why the VC is changing and what changes Sequoia is making 3. Implications for entrepreneurs and for the business of managing money Useful links Sequoia announcementBy Chander Chawla / Arne Tonning

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Nordic Valley Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide