Features
I specialise in narrative-driven features, which aim to capture the spirit of the place I’ve travelled to in an original and adventurous way.
From snowboarding in a Norwegian resort without ski lifts, to trail running around dystopian sculptures on a winter’s night in Lancashire, and from family-friendly cycling on France’s Atlantic coast to cold water surfing in December on Vancouver Island.
Here are some of my favourite stories from recent years.
I have collated my interviews, long form and comment pieces on separate linked pages.
“Summit to sea snowboarding in Norway’s Lyngen Alps”
Guardian Travel – A Snowboarding Adventure In The Arctic Circle
There are no ski lifts in Norway’s Lyngen Alps, so if you want to ride down from the top of a mountain to the shore you have to hike up it first.
“The nature is front and centre when you’re skiing in the Haute Maurienne”
Escapism – Stripped-back Skiing In Val Cenis
Uncrowded pistes, uninterrupted views and a distinctly sleepy après-ski scene… Head to Val Cenis in the French Alps for a stripped-back winter sports trip with added tranquility, old-school charm and some spectacular powder.
“Plenty of wine but no whining on France’s Atlantic Coast”
Guardian Travel – A Family Holiday On France’s Atlantic Coast
The kids would be happy to stick to the beach but a stay on the coast near Bordeaux means that mum and dad can fit in some surfing, cycling & vineyard-touring too.
“Taking on the mental side of snowboarding in Sainte Foy with Jenny Jones”
Telegraph Travel – Mindful Snowboarding With Winter Olympian Jenny Jones
Why one of our most decorated Winter Sports’ stars believes mindfulness is the secret to being a great snowboarder.
“You can keep your bikinis and palm trees, for now this is all I need”
Escapism – Cold Water Surfing In Tofino
Undeterred by single-digit temperatures and seasonal megastorms, I joined the hardy surfers of Tofino on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island.
“I wanted to experience running while doing it and not just think about my time…”
Mpora – How Night Running Can Lift Your Winter Mood
I went to Lancashire in the dead of winter to go trail running at night amid the kind of dystopian sculptures that wouldn’t look out of place in War of the Worlds or Black Mirror. And it was great.
“Snow camping up a mountain. Instagram v reality?”
Guardian Travel – Snow Camping Up A Mountain
Can camping on a snowy plateau really be as cool as it looks on Instagram? I pitched up in the Austrian Alps to find out.
“Riding the inaugural Winter Park Express in Colorado”
Guardian Travel – All Aboard The New Denver Ski Train
Thanks to the new Winter Park Express you can now ski or board in one of Colorado’s snowiest resorts without having to hire a car. I took my young son ride the inaugural train.