Jonathan Ellsworth, Author at BLISTER

At our Blister Summit 2023, Alexander Cernichiari (Ortovox) and Paul Forward (heli-ski guide, physician, & Blister reviewer) provided a state of the union on technology’s role in the backcountry and the related safety gear. They also answer questions regarding avalanche airbags, interference between avalanche beacons and other electronics, apps that aim to identify avalanche terrain, the capabilities — and limits — of smartphones, and more.

New Tech / Safety Gear in the Backcountry | Blister Summit 2023 Video

May 24, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Alexander Cernichiari (Ortovox) and Paul Forward (heli-ski guide, physician, & Blister reviewer) provide a state of the union on technology’s role in the backcountry and the related safety gear, and answer questions regarding avalanche airbags, interference between avalanche beacons and other electronics, apps that aim to identify avalanche terrain, the capabilities — and limits — of smartphones, and more.

Before Alex LeBlanc started Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina, he was a mechanical engineer by trade, a home brewer, a home distiller, and a home coffee roaster. So what led him to leave the world of engineering to start Calibration Coffee Lab, and roast beans for a living? And how did he go about doing it? Our latest CRAFTED podcast explores the process of turning your passion into a business.

Adventures in HomeBrewing, Distilling, & Coffee Roasting + the Launch of Calibration Coffee Lab (Ep.26)

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Before Alex LeBlanc started Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina, he was a mechanical engineer, a home brewer, home distiller, and a home coffee roaster. So what led him to leave the world of engineering to start a coffee company, and how did he go about doing it?

Mary McIntyre: How to Have X without X

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In our latest Open Mic piece, Mary McIntyre writes about love, loss, and how to get to the bottom of what we really want.

Icelantic Skis Founder, Ben Anderson, on the Lucky Breaks, Tough Beats, & Key Moments in Building Icelantic (Ep.261)

May 22, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Ben Anderson about the lucky breaks and tough beats he experienced along the way; where the name and their logo came from; working with Never Summer; prototyping & developing skis; how Icelantic got into the music business; and more.

At our Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) for an extremely interesting and important discussion on the past, present, and future of ski bindings. We get their thoughts on “acceptable use” for certain bindings; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards” and thinking about the binding / boot / ski interface as a whole; what we should (or should hope to) expect from bindings in the future, and much, much more. You can watch the video on our YouTube channel, or listen to the conversation on our GEAR:30 podcast.

Ski Binding Design with Hoji, Lars Chickering-Ayers, & Giray Dadali (Ep.246)

May 19, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) discuss the past, present, and future of ski bindings; “acceptable use”; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards”; and more.

At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together reporter Jason Blevins (Colorado Sun & resident of Eagle County, CO), Dara McDonald (Crested Butte Town Manager), Jonathan Houck (Gunnison County Commissioner), Pete Wagner (Wagner Custom Skis & resident of Telluride, CO), and Paul Forward (Blister reviewer & resident of Girdwood, AK) for a wide-ranging conversation on the current challenges facing mountains and a number of potential solutions.

Mountain Town Economics | Blister Summit 2023 Video

May 22, 2023May 19, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We brought together reporter Jason Blevins (Colorado Sun & resident of Eagle County, CO), Dara McDonald (Crested Butte Town Manager), Jonathan Houck (Gunnison County Commissioner), Pete Wagner (Wagner Custom Skis & resident of Telluride, CO), and Paul Forward (Blister reviewer & resident of Girdwood, AK) for a wide-ranging conversation on the current challenges facing mountain towns and a number of potential solutions.

On our latest CRAFTED podcast, ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus is back to get deep into the weeds about the various gear options out there to make great coffee. We discuss the very inexpensive options; $1000 coffee grinders; Scott’s mind-blowing “Coffee Checklist for Jonathan”; and more. It’s an amazing, slightly terrifying, definitely fun conversation about Drinking Gold and the gear used to make it.

Drinking Gold: Coffee Gear, Pt. 3, with ON3P Skis’ founder, Scott Andrus (Ep.25)

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Scott Andrus is back on CRAFTED to go deep into the weeds about the various gear options out there to make gold you can drink. We discuss the very inexpensive options; $1000 coffee grinders; Scott’s mind-blowing “Coffee Checklist for Jonathan”; and more.

Angel Collinson just experienced “the best two weeks of my life,” so we discuss that; the process of self discovery; Sam Elias’ & Hillary Allen’s recent Open Mic pieces, and why writing is often wrestling; and then in our ‘Ask Angel’ segment, we go over a number of the questions that you had for Angel.

Deep Dives with Angel (May 2023) (Ep.260)

May 15, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Angel Collinson just experienced “the best two weeks of my life,” so we discuss that; the process of self discovery; our series and why writing is often wrestling; and then Angel answers a number of questions that you had for her.

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1 (Ep.245)

May 12, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Which bike brand and which ski company is currently holding the ‘Cool Kids Belt’? Which brand do other companies secretly wish they could trade places with? We debate these questions and more in our latest edition of Bikes vs. Skis.

On our latest CRAFTED podcast, we’re talking all things guitars and guitar making with a fantastic guide to this world, Jason Verlinde, the publisher of Fretboard Journal. Jason and Jonathan discuss how and where guitars are being made; boutique vs. mass market brands; who is pushing innovation; guitar quivers; the greatest guitarists ever; and (much to Jonathan’s delight) Blind Willie McTell.

Guitars & Guitar Making with Fretboard Journal’s Jason Verlinde (Ep.24)

May 11, 2023May 10, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’re discussing all things guitars and guitar making with the publisher of the Fretboard Journal, Jason Verlinde, including where guitars are being made; boutique vs. mass market brands; who is pushing innovation; guitar quivers; the greatest guitarists ever; & more.

Hillary Allen: Share More, Compare Less

May 10, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In our latest Open Mic, ultra runner and gravel cyclist Hillary Allen discusses the danger of comparisons and finding connection in our struggles.

Ski Boot Design: how did we get here, and where are we headed? We brought together ski boot designers, Tom Pietrowski (K2), Christoph Lentz (Fischer), Riccardo Bonaiti (Dalbello), and Ross Herr (Dynafit) for this conversation — and pro skier / designer / obsessive tinkerer, Hoji, joins the conversation, too.

BOA & the Death of Buckles? 23/24 Ski Boot Design | Blister Summit 2023 Video

May 10, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Ski Boot Design: how did we get here, and where are we headed? We brought together ski boot designers, Tom Pietrowski (K2), Christoph Lentz (Fischer), Riccardo Bonaiti (Dalbello), and Ross Herr (Dynafit) for this conversation — and pro skier / designer / obsessive tinkerer, Hoji, joins in, too.

Brand Building, Trend Chasing, & Our Advice to Ski, Bike, & Running Shoe Companies (Ep.259)

May 8, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, talks with Blister bike editor, David Golay, and running editor, Matt Mitchell, about all of these topics and how companies can reduce customer confusion and strengthen their brand identity.

Safeback SBX: A New Avalanche Survival System (Ep.244)

May 5, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

If you spend any time — inbounds or in the backcountry — skiing or riding in avalanche terrain or near tree wells, then you need to listen to this episode.

When it comes to gear, how do you balance the specific needs of world-class athletes with those of average skiers and riders? McKenna Petersen (K2 athlete), Drew Peterson (Salomon athlete), Tyler Curle (Moment athlete & ski builder), and Jed Yeiser (K2 engineer) discuss the product development process; the roles that athletes, designers, and product managers play; the weirdest prototypes they’ve tried; what “evolutionary” and “revolutionary” changes we should expect in the future; which discontinued products they’d like to bring back, and more.

Athletes & Product Design | Blister Summit 2023 Video

May 4, 2023May 3, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

When it comes to gear, how do you balance the specific needs of world-class athletes with those of average skiers and riders? McKenna Petersen (K2 athlete), Drew Peterson (Salomon athlete), Tyler Curle (Moment athlete & ski builder), and Jed Yeiser (K2 engineer) discuss that balancing act; the weirdest prototypes they’ve tried; what “evolutionary” and “revolutionary” changes we should expect in the future; which discontinued products they’d like to bring back, and more.

For our latest Blister Open Mic, Sam Elias discusses finding purpose and ease in the swirling circumstances of home making, community building, hard climbing, tragedy, loss, grief, gun culture, and mass-shooting events.

Sam Elias: Life, Death, & Flow

May 2, 2023May 2, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

For our latest Open Mic, Sam Elias discusses finding purpose and ease in the swirling circumstances of home making, community building, hard climbing, tragedy, loss, grief, gun culture, and mass-shooting events.

While Cody is off trying to get on top of a peak somewhere, we brought in Dr. Len Necefer to discuss the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial, The Most Sonoran News, Luis Benitez & the creation of a new federal office of outdoor recreation, mountain town advice, & more.

Reviewing the News w/ Len Necefer (April 2023) (Ep.258)

May 1, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

While Cody is off trying to get on top of a peak somewhere, we brought in Dr. Len Necefer to discuss the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial, The Most Sonoran News, Luis Benitez & the creation of a new federal office of outdoor recreation, mountain town advice, & more.

On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, Folsom Custom Skis co-founder and principal design engineer, Mike McCabe talks with Jonathan about skis built for the deepest of days, the ones we all dream about — and the kind that Mike and Jonathan were fortunate enough to ski recently in Alaska. And if you’ve ever heard someone say, “All skis are great in pow,” well, they’re here to blow up that notion. So what design elements work best in deep snow? What about low-angle terrain vs. steeper terrain? How wide is too wide? Is a softer flex pattern better? They discuss all of this and more.

Powder Ski Design w/ Folsom’s Mike McCabe (Ep.243)

May 1, 2023April 28, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today Mike McCabe and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the design elements of skis built for the deepest of days, and their recent trip to Alaska.

How are we advancing the state of ski testing? At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Jeni Blacklock, Sean Humbert, Leo Beuken, and Travis Hainsworth to discuss what we’ve been working on and why it matters, and we announce our latest initiative that we’ll be rolling out soon: Blister Community Reviews.

Blister Labs: the Evolution of Outdoor Gear Testing | Blister Summit 2023 Video

April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

How are we advancing the state of ski testing? At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Jeni Blacklock, Sean Humbert, Leo Beuken, and Travis Hainsworth to discuss what we’ve been working on and why it matters, and we announce our latest initiative that we’ll be rolling out soon: Blister Community Reviews.

Story Time with Hoji, Rory Bushfield, McKenna Peterson, & Forrest Shearer (Ep.257)

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In this hilarious conversation, Jonathan asks Hoji, Rory, McKenna, and Forrest about their favorite lines, closest calls, and craziest stories from their years of professional skiing & snowboarding.

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