Jonathan Ellsworth, Author at BLISTER

This week on GEAR:30, DPS introduced a new product that represents quite a departure for the company: the DPS Carbon Pisteworks 79. And today, you’re going to hear one of the deepest dives we’ve ever done on GEAR:30 about the design and development of a new ski; how Blister Labs was involved; and the lengthy process of developing a ‘metal ski without the metal.’

The Design & Development of the New DPS Carbon Pisteworks 79 (Ep.326)

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today, you’re going to hear one of the deepest dives we’ve ever done on GEAR:30 about the design and development of a new ski; how Blister Labs was involved; and the lengthy process of developing a ‘metal ski without the metal,’ the DPS Carbon Pisteworks 79.

On our CRAFTED podcast, our guest is Scott Rao, who is simply one of the most influential people in the world of coffee, coffee roasting, and coffee brewing. Scott is also the owner of Prodigal Coffee (located in Boulder, Colorado), and in this conversation we dive deep into specific coffee topics, as well as discuss the pursuit of quality in general

Scott Rao on Quality, Q Ratings, & Coffee (Ep.54)

December 11, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Scott Rao is one of the most influential people in the world of coffee. He’s also the owner of Prodigal Coffee, and in this conversation we dive deep into specific coffee topics, as well as the pursuit of quality in general.

‘Dumb & Dumber’ w/ Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.31)

December 10, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In honor of its 30th anniversary, we discuss one of Cody’s all-time favorite movies, and you’ll hear him make the case for Dumb & Dumber being the greatest ski movie ever??

Weather Forecasting, Artificial Intelligence, & Storm Chasing w/ OpenSnow Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.336)

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

OpenSnow’s Joel Gratz is back to talk about advancements in weather forecasting and how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing weather models; the challenges of making seasonal forecasts; & some tips for planning ski trips and for storm chasing and skiing in Japan.

Ski Racing, Ski Tuning, & State of the Bike & Ski Industry w/ Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne (Ep.325)

December 6, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’re talking ski racing, ski tuning, ski finishing, ski-base flatness, and the state of the bike & ski Industry w/ Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne.

On the Blister Cinematic podcast, Jonathan talks with Connor Ryan, Ryan McClure, and Isaiah Branch-Boyle about their powerful new film, Surviving Our Story. It should be required viewing for anyone who backcountry skis, splitboards, snowmobiles — or does any form of backcountry travel on snow.

‘Surviving Our Story’ w/ Connor Ryan, Ryan McClure, & Isaiah Branch-Boyle (Ep.30)

December 3, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks with Connor Ryan, Ryan McClure, and Isaiah Branch-Boyle about their powerful new film, Surviving Our Story. It should be required viewing for anyone who backcountry skis, splitboards, snowmobiles — or does any form of backcountry travel on snow.

On GEAR:30, Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth offer their early-season reviewer reports, then Jonathan talks to Bangtail Bike & Ski’s new owner about why he did something that no other shop in the world has done — but why others might want to.

Reviewer Reports + a Shop Talk First (Ep.324)

December 2, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Luke and Jonathan offer their early-season reviewer reports, then Jonathan talks to Bangtail Bike & Ski’s new owner about why he did something that no other shop in the world has done — but why others might want to.

On the Blister Podcast, Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the news of November; rate your takes; offer some mountain town advice; share what we’re reading & watching; and more.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, November 2024 (Ep.335)

December 2, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the news of November; rate your takes; offer some mountain town advice; share what we’re reading & watching; and more.

James Bond films have probably put skiing and snowboarding in front of more people than any other film series. So on our latest Blister Cinematic podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth and James-Bond-aficionado, Simon Stewart, discuss this fact. Then, in honor of the 25th anniversary of ‘The World is Not Enough,’ they break down that film — and its absolutely-all-time ski scene.

James Bond, ‘The World Is Not Enough’ w/ Jonathan Ellsworth & Simon Stewart (Ep.29)

November 27, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

James Bond films have probably put skiing and snowboarding in front of more people than any other film series. So we discuss this, then, in honor of the 25th anniversary of ‘The World is Not Enough,’ we break down that film and its absolutely-all-time ski scene.

Good Idea or Bad Idea? Dreams, Doorknobs, & Binding Innovations w/ Austin Smith (Ep.322)

November 15, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Recently, Austin Smith posted a video of a prototype of a snowboard binding that rotates. So Jonathan talks with Austin about the idea, his prototyping process, the testing process, and his predictions for whether we’ll see a development like this come to market.

Ted Ligety on the 24/25 World Cup Ski Racing Season: Major Storylines, Massive Rumors, & More (Ep.332)

November 11, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks with Ted Ligety about this World Cup season’s major storylines, massive rumors, biggest battles, and some behind-the-scenes secrets of the World Cup.

Yu Sasaki on Big-Mountain Skiing, Deep-Powder Skiing, & Running a Successful Food Truck (Ep.52)

November 6, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk with professional skier, Yu Sasaki, about deep powder skiing; what it takes to start — and maintain — a successful food truck; his beautiful short film, Home From Home; moving from Hokkaido, Japan, to Revelstoke; and more.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, October 2024 (Ep.331)

November 4, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the outdoor-related news of October; introduce a new Reviewing the News segment (Rate My Take); and more.

Powder Ski Comparisons: Old vs New vs What Should Be Next? (Ep.320)

May 23, 2025November 1, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

The snow’s been falling, and we’re already fantasizing about those really deep days. So today, Paul Forward and Jonathan Ellsworth make the case for wide pow skis, then they talk about a bunch of current pow skis, old pow skis, and some design specifics they think are good ideas.

Diner Coffee, Sour Beers, Well-Done Steaks, Putting Greens, & Brand Building with Alex LeBlanc of Calibration Coffee Lab (Ep.51)

October 30, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Last year, we talked with Alex LeBlanc about starting Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina. Today, Alex is back to talk about how it’s going, what he’s been learning, how his thinking about coffee has evolved, and how he’s trying to build a brand that people will love.

55 years ago today, the movie 'Downhill Racer' came out, starring two legendary actors, Robert Redford and Gene Hackman. The film critic Roger Ebert calls this “the greatest sports movie ever made,” and today on Blister Cinematic, Jonathan is discussing it with one of the greatest American downhillers of all time, Daron Rahlves.

‘Downhill Racer’ with Daron Rahlves & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.28)

October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

55 years ago today, the movie 'Downhill Racer' came out, starring two legendary actors, Robert Redford and Gene Hackman. The film critic Roger Ebert calls this “the greatest sports movie ever made,” and today, we’re discussing it with one of the greatest American downhillers of all time, Daron Rahlves.

On the Blister Podcast, Jonathan talks with professional skier, speaker, and filmmaker Amie Engerbretson about our upcoming ugly sweater / ski-movie-rom-com event; her film, Hypocrite; and we discuss the question, “Can the outdoor community actually make a difference?”

Amie Engerbretson on Ugly Sweater Parties + Can the Outdoor Community Actually Make a Difference? (Ep.330)

October 28, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks with professional skier Amie Engerbretson about our upcoming ugly sweater / ski-movie-rom-com event; her film, Hypocrite; and the question, “Can the outdoor community actually make a difference?”

On our latest Blister Cinematic podcast, Jonathan talks with our great friend and longtime Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about a beautiful new series of three short films about Paul, called, The Hard Way. It is presented by Sitka Films, and it delves into Paul’s lifelong passion for traditional bow hunting, and into the ethics that guide Paul’s practice.

‘The Hard Way’ w/ Paul Forward & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.27)

October 15, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks with our friend and longtime Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about a beautiful new series of three short films about Paul, called The Hard Way, that delve into Paul’s lifelong passion for traditional bow hunting, and the ethics that guide Paul’s practice.

Team USA Snowboarder, Bea Kim (Ep.328)

October 14, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

At the age of 17, not many of us find ourselves competing for World Cup titles, or speaking in front of the United Nations. But then there’s Bea Kim, and you’re definitely going to want to get to know her and her story.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, September 2024 (Ep.327)

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan discuss the release of Cody’s first FIFTY+ film; some big controversies in the world of FKT’s & running; a great edition of Blevin’s Corner; mountain guides and the often confusing practice of tipping; what they’re reading & watching; … and more.