2022-2023 Volkl Mantra 102
We’ve now had a handful of reviewers on the updated Volkl Mantra 102. Check out our full review of this updated all-mountain ski and how it compares to the first iteration.
Jonathan Ellsworth
Flash Review: 22/23 Volkl Mantra 102
Update 1.9.23: We've been spending more time on the redesigned Mantra 102 and the results so far have been very promising — check out Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth's initial impressions.
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Bill McKibben: Skier, Environmentalist, Activist, Author (Ep.243)
When trying to gain clarity on issues of climate change (where we are, where we’ve been, and where we should go from here) it is a good idea to talk to Bill McKibben.
Jeremy Jones on the Evolution of Snowboard Design (Ep.230)
Today we’ve got for you a masterclass on the history and evolution of snowboard design with Jeremy Jones, as well as Jeremy’s own philosophy behind product creation and refinement at Jones Snowboards.
Volkl 22/23 Skis | Blister Summit Brand Lineup Video
We sat down with Volkl’s Ivar Dahl and Chris McKenna to discuss all the latest updates to the brand’s 2022-2023 ski lineup; Volkl’s 100-year anniversary; some of their latest ski technologies, including Tailored Titanal Frame, 3D Radius, & Tailored Carbon Tip; the new Kendo 88 & Mantra 102; Volkl’s approach to adapting ski construction depending on each length; and more.
Sweet Turns: Tele May Save Us All
Blister reader, podcast listener, and ‘Crash Course’ video watcher, Scott Conarroe, has been paying close attention to our talk about telemark skiing around here, and it led him to send this piece that he hoped we’d share with you. It’s a compelling (and fun) defense of telemark, and it’s definitely worth your time. Enjoy.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (December 2022) (Ep.242)
We discuss Cody’s not-so-excellent recent adventures; nuclear fusion; nationalizing ski areas?; iPhones, Apple watches, & 911 calls; Relationship Advice; The White Lotus; and more.
Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT + Crashes & Close Calls (Ep.229)
We talk ski gear, customer trends, & sustainability initiatives (from the POV of a shop owner) with Mike Donohue of OGE, and we have a great listener-submitted story for “Crashes & Close Calls.”
BLISTER+ Real-World Testimonials
When you play outdoors, injuries happen. And those injuries can be expensive. So we launched our BLISTER+ Membership to address this, and here, we provide our own real-world stories of why it’s valuable and how it works.
Dalbello 22/23 Boots | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We discuss Dalbello’s 2022-2023 lineup of ski boots; the age-old debate about the pros and cons of 3-piece Cabrio boots vs. 2-piece Overlap ones; Dalbello’s brand-new Veloce overlap series; the industry finally settling on boot sole norms; the rise of Alpine boots with tech toe fittings; the lightweight Quantum Free and Quantum Evo series and their unique 2-piece bonding construction; working to close the loop on boot manufacturing waste; and more.
Next Blister Happy Hour Livestream: Wednesday 12.28.22
Our next Blister Happy Hour Livestream will be on Wednesday 12.28.22 at 2pm MT / 4pm ET, this time with a special guest: Matt Manser! If you're a Blister Member, join us and ask any of your questions.
Blister Reviewers’ 2022 Highlights & 2023 Resolutions (Ep.241)
A number of our Blister reviewers reflect on some of their favorite moments of 2022, and share with us their resolutions for 2023.
Marker 22/23 Bindings | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We sat down with Marker’s Derek McClellan and Chris McKenna to discuss Marker’s 2022-2023 lineup of ski bindings; how their products have evolved over 75 years; why frame bindings still have a place in the market; the ideal end users for a Marker Alpinist vs. Duke PT vs. frame binding; the latest features and updates of Marker’s alpine bindings; and more.
Reviewer Reports + Crashes & Close Calls (Ep.228)
Jonathan, Kara, Luke, and Dylan discuss some of the notable gear they’ve been reviewing this season, and we also launch a new GEAR:30 segment called Crashes & Close Calls.
Amateur Hour: Atomic’s Matt Manser on Scotch, Part 1 (Ep.17)
When Atomic Ski Boots Product Manager, Matt Manser, isn’t nerding out about ski boots … he’s nerding out about Scotch. And in this conversation, Matt and Jonathan discuss butt casks and blood tubs; why cask size matters; barrel-aged ski boots; tea spoons; single malts vs. blends; and more.
A First Ascent in Nepal: Garrett Madison & Ted Hesser (Ep.240)
Last month, Garrett Madison, Ted Hesser, and their team summited an unnamed, unclimbed peak in Nepal above the village of Khembalung. So I talked with them about the details and style of the climb; naming the peak; and more.
Blister Labs: Travis Hainsworth on Soft Robotics, MoCap, & Wheelsets (Ep.227)
When Travis Hainsworth isn’t out on his highly questionable one-ski quiver, he’s busy being the associate director of the Western-CU Boulder Computer Science Program here in Gunnison, CO, and an integral member of our Blister Labs team.
BLISTER+: Real-World Testimonials — Jonathan Ellsworth
A random crash on a very mellow section of a mtn bike ride left me in rough shape, and a friend took me to the emergency room. Even though I was paying nearly $600 a month for insurance, I still had to pay $8000 to cover my deductible.
With BLISTER+, I would have paid $0.
CORK: Holiday Edition (Ep.16)
Danielle & Katie Nichols, the sisters behind CORK in Stowe, VT, are back to talk more about “natural wine”; discuss Italy, “priest stranglers,” and Corksicles; offer advice on holiday gift buying; and tell us about the revamped CORK Wine Club.
An Exchange: Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth on The Bear
For this edition of our Open Mic series, Jonathan Ellsworth and Cody Townsend exchange their takes on the FX show The Bear, discussing the plot, the cinematography, and the (controversial?) ending.