MY STORY / ADAM MATTHEWS
One turn.
Then another.
Then an obsession.
From learning the turns to living for the mountains. This is my skiing journey—and I’m still finding out where it leads.
Start at the beginning ↓
MORE THAN A SKI HOLIDAY
Skiing has become something I train for, build trips around and share with my family. Every trip brings something new: a breakthrough, a challenge, a different mountain or a reminder that there’s always more to learn.
CHAPTER 01
Finding my feet
Learning to ski meant getting comfortable with unfamiliar equipment, building confidence and discovering how much technique matters. Trips to places such as Alpe d’Huez and Grindelwald became part of that progression, with Jade and my family sharing the experience.
As my skiing developed, so did my curiosity. I wanted to understand why one turn felt better than another, what good coaching could change and how to become more comfortable on different terrain.
Go deeper: episode 1 ↗WATCH THE STORY / EPISODE 1
Unraveling Our Ski Adventure: The Birth of The Carve Cast
Open on YouTube ↗
CHAPTER 02
Taking the learning seriously
Eventually, improving became a goal in its own right. That led me into instructor training and through to my IASI Level 2 qualification. It gave my skiing a new focus: understanding movements, developing consistency and learning how to explain something that can be surprisingly difficult to put into words.
Passing was a milestone, but it wasn’t the end of the learning. Mogul training in Hintertux brought fresh challenges, and conversations with experienced instructors continued to open up new ways of thinking.
Go deeper: episode 13 ↗WATCH THE STORY / EPISODE 13
From Pass to Peaks: My Journey Through Ski Instructor Exams
Open on YouTube ↗
CHAPTER 03
The equipment rabbit hole
My equipment journey has involved plenty of trial and error, particularly with ski boots. Across five pairs, I’ve explored different fits, brands and fastening systems, including BOA and traditional buckles. I’ve also learned about liners, insoles and the difference between a boot feeling comfortable in a shop and working properly on snow.
Visits to Tim at Julen Sport in Zermatt became an important part of that story. Moving into a smaller shell and exploring a more precise fit challenged what I thought I already knew. On skis, my preference is simple: I only ski Stöckli.
Go deeper: episode 22 ↗
CHAPTER 04
Going further
My trips have grown into longer adventures across the Alps, sometimes linking several resorts and countries in one journey. Chamonix, Zermatt, Cervinia, Saas-Fee, Val d’Isère, Tignes and the Three Valleys have all become part of the story.
Zermatt has become a recurring favourite. One of my biggest challenges there was attempting every marked run in two days—and finishing with just two minutes to spare. Discovering St Moritz and exploring the Four Valleys brought more reasons to keep travelling.
Go deeper: episode 31 ↗CHAPTER 05
Sharing it with my family
Some of my favourite skiing memories involve Jade and my daughter, Lyla. Watching someone you love develop confidence, sharing a good run or heading off together on a mountain adventure adds something special to the experience.
The dad-and-daughter road trip to Zermatt with Lyla brought that home again. The journey, the conversations and the time together were as much a part of the adventure as the skiing.
Go deeper: episode 33 ↗
CHAPTER 06
The obsession found a microphone
At some point, the skiing obsession needed a microphone. The CarveCast became a place to share the trips, the lessons, the equipment questions and the people I was meeting along the way.
It has grown into conversations with instructors, boot fitters, founders and fellow skiers. Thirty-five episodes in, we’ve explored everything from coaching and confidence to ski-school life, custom insoles and Jules Heaton’s idea of exploring seven resorts from one chalet.
Go deeper: episode 35 ↗