Jonathan Ellsworth
We’re discussing the Privateer 161; offering more fork and shock comparisons; wrapping our heads around Marin’s aggressive hardtail; and our bike editor makes the case for why you might want to reconsider swearing allegiance to one particular wheel size.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Dylan Wood (Ep.135)
In the hot seat: Blister mountain bike and ski reviewer, Dylan Wood.
2021-2022 Blizzard Cochise 106
Blizzard updated their all-mountain charger this season, and it’s now time for us to weigh in on the updated Cochise 106. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Blizzard Cochise 106
We compare the Cochise 106 to the previous Cochise, the Volkl Katana 108, Prior Husume, Black Crows Corvus, Rossignol Blackops Sender Ti, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Fischer Ranger 107 Ti, Dynastar M-Pro 105, Nordica Enforcer 100, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 4FRNT MSP 107, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Hotshot, Salomon QST 106, Dynastar M-Free 108, & ON3P Woodsman 108.
Brooklyn Bell on Biking, Art, Skiing, & More (Ep.52)
Brooklyn Bell is a mountain biker and a skier and an artist and a former figure skater and a future frog scientist (maybe). So we talk about all of that and a whole lot more, including Brooklyn’s current big idea.
Brendan’s New Book: I Hate Running and You Can Too (Ep.80)
Our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard, has a new book coming out, so Jonathan talked to him about zen koans, piñatas, other running books, kids, and why Jonathan thinks you should read this book whether you hate running, or love it.
The Blister Summit: What It Is, Why We Made It, & Why You Should Come (Ep.134)
Our inaugural Blister Summit launches in less than two weeks! So Kristin Sinnott, our Blister Summit director, and Jonathan talk about the origins of the idea, why we think it’s important; why we think you should come!; and we cover a ton of the details and logistics of this first-of-its-kind event in the snowsports world.
Privateer Bikes: Origins, Philosophy, & Trajectory (Ep.51)
We talk to Sam Meegan of Privateer Bikes, which is a company that has been pushing forward certain aspects of bike design that have been gaining broader acceptance in the bike industry. So come to learn more about Privateer, but stick around to hear Sam’s big idea about how to revolutionize a whole other product category.
Backcountry Travel, Snow Science, & the Art of Avalanche Forecasting (Ep.161)
We talk to Zach Guy, the lead forecaster for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, about the science of snow, the art of avalanche forecasting, and what every backcountry traveler can be sending in to their local avy center to help them produce more accurate forecasts.
Shop Talk: Powder Hound, Girdwood, AK (Ep.133)
Eric Helmbrecht, owner of Powder Hound Ski & Bike Shop is back on the show to talk about this season in Girdwood; Fizz Nation; some of the gear that he and his staff are particularly high on this season; and, of course, we had to talk about Juras.
PeopleForBikes President & CEO, Jenn Dice (Ep.50)
PeopleForBikes is one of the most important organizations in the bike world that you might not be too familiar with. So we caught up with Jenn Dice to talk about what the organization is up to; working with a new administration; and what each of us can do to get involved.
Flash Review: 21/22 Tecnica Cochise 130
Update 1.26.21: Jonathan Ellsworth adds some more thoughts after skiing the new Cochise 130 with more skis.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Jan 2021) (Ep.160)
Cody Townsend and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the first Winter Summit of K2 by the Sherpa and Nepali team, including Nirmal Purja; TNF x Gucci collab; mountain-town dynamics; Sam Anthamatten vs Cody on the SHIFT binding; our inaugural Blister Summit; and more.
2021-2022 Tecnica Cochise 130
The Tecnica Cochise was one of the first boots designed to offer alpine-boot downhill performance with uphill capability, and they’re overhauling it for 21/22. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to see what they’ve changed and how the new boot compares to the current market.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132)
Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.
Mike Foote on His Grand Canyon R2R2R ALT FKT; Race Directing; & Reading (Ep.79)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Mike Foote, who on 12.31.20, headed out with fellow The North Face athlete, Rob Krar, to attempt an FKT of the Rim to Rim to Rim “alt” route of the Grand Canyon. So we get Mike’s version of the event, and then go on to discuss a whole lot more.
Andrew Alexander King & The Between Worlds Project (Ep.159)
Andrew Alexander King is an explorer, alpinist, climber, and surfer who was born in Detroit; has climbed over 50 different mountains around the world from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Atlantic, Indian, and the Pacific Ocean; is currently aiming to become the first African American to climb the highest mountain and volcano on each continent; and is the founder of the The Between Worlds Project.
Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT (Ep.131)
We talked with Megan Shenton, the head of the ski dept. at Outdoor Gear Exchange, about how this ski season is going so far in New England; the history of Outdoor Gear Exchange; some of her personal favorite gear and some of the OGE staff’s favorite products; and more.
Deep Dive: J Skis Hotshot
We compare the Hotshot to the Dynastar M-Free 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Whitedot Altum 104, Salomon QST 106, K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Sego Big Horn 106, Black Crows Atris, Volkl Revolt 104, 4FRNT Devastator, Season Nexus, Volkl Katana 108, & Shaggy's Ahmeek 105.
Yoann Barelli on his move to Guerrilla Gravity; Coaching; Comfort Zones; & More (Ep.49)
We talk with Yoann Barelli about his new partnership with Guerrilla Gravity; the coaching he’s now doing at Barelli Concepts; his background; comfort zones; and a whole lot more.