Jonathan Ellsworth, Author at BLISTER

Testing Pow Skis in Alaska & Japan + Shop Talk (Ep.9)

June 3, 2019February 11, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about the Faction Prime 4.0, Black Diamond Helio 116, and DPS Spoon, then talk to Jeremy Cole, owner of Alpine Sports, about new gear, some of his favorite "bang for the buck" boots and skis, and real-world issues of boots, bindings, and bench test results.

8th Annual Blister Awards — OR / SIA

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In part 2 of our OR / SIA awards, we reveal our famed Swagger Award, Most Intriguing Outerwear & Women’s Ski Gear, and more.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Head Monster 98 for Blister

2017-2018 Head Monster 98

March 5, 2018February 5, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Here are our measured specs and rocker pics for the Head Monster 98.

Blister Gear Review Premier Service Subscription

Win a Blister Premier Membership

February 7, 2018February 2, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

This week we're giving away to two winners our equivalent of the Bat Phone. Blister Premier grants you access to all content on the site, and also lets you email or get on the phone with Blister reviewers to really dial in your next gear choice. Enter Now for your chance to win.

Greg Hill & Chris Rubens’ Electric Adventures (Ep.66)

June 3, 2019January 31, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Greg Hill and Chris Rubens about their latest “Electric Adventure,” their efforts to balance a love of the outdoors with the impacts we have on our environments, and their new film, The Curve of Time.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Praxis Protest for Blister Gear Review.

Jonathan Ellsworth: Founder / Editor in Chief

March 1, 2025January 31, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Age: 50 | Vitals: 5’10,” ~180 lbs. | Years skiing: 30+ | Crested Butte, Colorado

(see my runner profile)

Background:

I grew up in the Chicago area, and my fir

…

Outdoor Retailer / SIA Highlights (Ep.8)

October 25, 2021January 30, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

From the Outdoor Retailer / SIA show in Denver, five Blister editors & reviewers discuss a bunch of the most notable new men's and women's gear we saw at the show.

Win a pair of the DryGuy Travel Dry DX

February 20, 2018January 26, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Seriously, we think everyone should have a pair of DryGuy portable boot dryers. They're simple, convenient, compact, and work great. So, for this week's giveaway, we're teaming up with DryGuy to give away 3 sets of their portable boot dryers. Enter Now for your chance to win.

Blister at Outdoor Retailer / SIA 2018

January 29, 2018January 25, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Hey, everybody — greetings from downtown Denver. We just wrapped up 4 long days at the Outdoor Retailer / SIA Snow Show, where we had a chance to check out…

Karen Crouse discusses her book, Norwich, on the Blister Podcast

New York Times sportswriter, Karen Crouse (Ep.65)

June 3, 2019January 24, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Karen Crouse about her new book on the history and principles of the Olympian incubator town of Norwich, Vermont; the current state of the Olympics; and how all-time achievers like Michael Phelps and Tiger Woods have informed her thoughts on the price of greatness.

Black Crows Skis - Blister Gear 30 podcast

Black Crows Skis 18/19 Lineup (Ep.7)

June 3, 2019January 21, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk with Black Crows co-founder, Camille Jaccoux, and head ski designer, Julien Regnier, about women-specific skis, then go over what’s new in the Black Crows 18/19 lineup.

Camille Jaccoux & Julien Regnier, Black Crows Skis on the Blister Podcast

Black Crows Skis – Camille Jaccoux & Julien Regnier (Ep.64)

June 3, 2019January 19, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to the co-founder and the head ski designer of one of the hottest brands skiing, Black Crows about the origins and design principles of the brand, a few of the important skis in the history of the company, and what's next.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the G3 FINDr 102 for Blister Review

2018-2019 G3 FINDr 102

November 27, 2018January 17, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We've now had more time and more reviewers on the FINDr 102 (and had it in more terrain), so here is our updated review of this lightweight touring ski from G3.

Matt Manser, Atomic Ski Boots (Ep.63)

June 3, 2019January 12, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to the global product manager of Atomic ski boots about how a kid from a little town in New York got that position, how his study of philosophy helped him get there, the design decisions behind the Atomic Hawx Ultra & Ultra XTD boots, and more.

Cy Whitling reviews the Line Mordecai for Blister

2017-2018 Line Mordecai, 193 cm

January 9, 2018January 9, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We’ve already reviewed the 186 cm Line Mordecai, so it's time now to weigh in on how similar or different the 193 cm Mordecai is, and what sort of skier the 193 is best suited for.

Flannel Roundup, 2018

January 7, 2018January 7, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We think everyone should have at least one good flannel, so we’ve laid out a few of our personal favorites.

Calculating DIN settings for alpine bindings

DIN Settings, Age, & Related Questions

January 4, 2018January 4, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

How do you decide when to run your DIN settings higher or lower than the chart recommends? And how much of a factor should age really be?

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the K2 Ikonic 84 Ti for Blister Review

2019-2020 K2 Ikonic 84 Ti

February 6, 2020December 31, 2017 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We figured we’d end 2017 talking about one of the new skis that’s impressed us the most, and why it earned a Blister “Best Of” award — the K2 Ikonic 84 Ti.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the K2 Ikonic 84 for Blister Review

2019-2020 K2 Ikonic 84

February 6, 2020December 31, 2017 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Ski: 2019-2020 K2 Ikonic 84, 177 cm

Available Lengths: 156, 163, 170, 177 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 177.2 cm

Blister’s Measured Weight p…

Black Sheep Sports, Sebastian Steinbach (Ep.6)

June 3, 2019December 29, 2017 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Back in 2010, Sebastian Steinbach had the crazy idea to defy traditional European ski culture and open a freeride-specific ski shop in Munich, Germany. We talk to Sebastian about what he was thinking (???), differences between European & North American ski culture, and some of his current favorite products for skiing in the Alps.