Blister Reviewer BadgeKara Williard

Kara Williard reviews the Icelantic Maiden 102 for BLISTER.

2024-2025 Icelantic Maiden 102

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Icelantic overhauled their longstanding Maiden and Nomad skis for 24/25, including longer lengths options for the women’s Maiden series, and we spent the season testing the new Maiden 102 against its competition to see where it falls in the all-mountain market. Read all about it in our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Kara Williard reviews the Icelantic Maiden 102 for BLISTER.

Deep Dive: Icelantic Maiden 102

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We compare the Icelantic Maiden 102 to the Nordica Unleashed 98 W, Moment Sierra, Blizzard Sheeva 10, Faction Dancer 3X, Zag Slap 104, Armada ARW 106 UL, Nordica Unleashed 108 W, Atomic Maven 103 CTI, Fischer Ranger 102, Nordica Santa Ana 102, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Volkl Secret 102, DPS Kaizen 105, Line Optic 104, K2 Mindbender 106C W, Folsom Cash 106, & Salomon QST Stella 106.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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Kara Williard reviews the Atomic Maven 103 CTI for BLISTER.

2024-2025 Atomic Maven 103 CTI

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For 24/25, Atomic widened their women’s all-mountain lineup with the addition of the Maven 103 CTI, and the new ski achieves the rare feat of standing out both on piste and in powder — but that’s not the whole story. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive Comparisons for the full rundown on the Maven 103 CTI.
Kara Williard reviews the Atomic Maven 103 CTI for BLISTER.

Deep Dive: Atomic Maven 103 CTI

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We compare the Atomic Maven 103 CTI to the Fischer Ranger 102, Nordica Santa Ana 102, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Volkl Secret 102, Blizzard Sheeva 10, DPS Kaizen 105, Line Blade Optic 104, K2 Mindbender 106C W, Folsom Cash 106, Faction Dancer 3X, Salomon QST Stella 106, Nordica Unleashed 108, & Majesty Vadera Ti.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already a member, please log in.

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Kara Williard reviews the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 for BLISTER.

2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 94

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The Black Pearl series has defined Blizzard’s women-specific lineup for decades, but what’s changed with the 24/25 skis, and how does the widest model in the collection slot into the current all-mountain market? Here are our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the brand-new Black Pearl 94.
Kara Williard reviews the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 for BLISTER.

Deep Dive: Blizzard Black Pearl 94

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We compare the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 to the Blizzard Black Pearl 97, Nordica Santa Ana 92, Volkl Secret 96, Volkl Secret 102, Blizzard Sheeva 9, Armada Reliance 92Ti, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Salomon QST Lumen 98, 4FRNT MSP CC, & Majesty Havoc 100 Ti.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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Stuff We Like: March 2024

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This edition of our Stuff We Like series includes everything from a whole collection of bike tools to splitboard skins, children’s books, goggles with a heads-up display, portable radios, and more. Here are some of the latest products that our reviewers have been testing and enjoying.
New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry (Ep.292)

New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry (Ep.292)

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After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy. We talk with Jeff about how this app compares to and complements other backcountry tools; how it accounts for human factors; the general state of tech in the backcountry; and more.
Kara Williard reviews the K2 Mindbender 116C W for Blister

24/25 K2 Mindbender 116C W

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Kara Williard just wrapped up a pow-skiing trip to Alaska, and one of the skis she brought with her was the recently updated Mindbender 116C. Here are her initial on-snow impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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Kara Williard reviews the DPS Wailer 100 for BLISTER.

24/25 DPS Wailer 100

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DPS is reinstating and revising their Wailer series for the 24/25 season, and we've been spending time on the Wailer 100 – check out our initial impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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Standout Backcountry Gear: Past, Present, & Future (ft. Vertical Playground)

Standout Backcountry Gear: Past, Present, & Future (Ep.289)

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We talk with Trygve Sande, one of the founders of VPG (our Blister Recommended Shop in Oppdal, Norway), about all-time pivotal pieces of backcountry gear; products that help break down the barriers to entry; skiing in Norway; and last but not least, Trygve’s involvement and collaboration with Hoji and 4FRNT’s new concept ski.
Kara Williard reviews the Majesty Havoc 100 Ti for BLISTER.

24/25 Majesty Havoc 100 Ti

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We’ve been spending time on the Majesty Havoc 100 Ti. Check out our initial on-snow impressions on this directional, all-mountain ski.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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Kara Williard reviews the Atomic Maven 103 CTI for BLISTER.

24/25 Atomic Maven 103 CTI

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We’ve been spending time on an all-new women-specific ski from Atomic, and the widest in the collection, the Maven 103 CTI. Check out our initial impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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Blister reviews the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 skis.

24/25 Blizzard Black Pearl 94

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We've been spending time on Blizzard's widest model in their recently updated Black Pearl lineup, the Black Pearl 94 – here are our initial thoughts.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt 6: Ski Boot Flex w/ Pulse Boot Lab

A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt. 6: Ski Boot Flex w/ Pulse Boot Labs (Ep.286)

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How should you think about ski boot flex patterns, and which one is “right” for you? We talk with Pulse Boot Lab’s Bryn Vickers about the complex and often misunderstood aspects of ski boot flex; why your own biomechanics are a huge piece of the puzzle; how to work with a bootfitter during the process; and some of the latest Pulse Boot Lab technology.
Kara Williard & Kristin Sinnott review the Blizzard Sheeva 11 for BLISTER.

2023-2024 Blizzard Sheeva 11

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The Sheeva 11 is the widest women-specific ski in Blizzard’s overhauled freeride series, and we’ve had 2 reviewers testing 2 different lengths. So, how does it compare to the previous iteration and other soft-snow women’s skis on the market? Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive Comparisons.
Kara Williard & Kristin Sinnott review the Blizzard Sheeva 11 for BLISTER.

Deep Dive: Blizzard Sheeva 11

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We compare the Sheeva 11 to the first-gen Sheeva 11, Blizzard Sheeva 10, K2 Mindbender 106C W, Folsom Cash 106, K2 Mindbender 116C W, Armada ARV 116 JJ UL, Faction Dancer 3X, Salomon QST Stella 106, RMU Valhalla 107, Nordica Unleashed 108, Majesty Vadera Ti, Line Pandora 110, Coalition Snow Rafiki, & Wagner Summit 106.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already a member, please log in.

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Kara Williard reviews the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro W for BLISTER.

24/25 Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro W

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Tecnica recently announced updates to their Zero G Tour ski boots for 24/25, and we’ve been skiing the newest and stiffest women-specific model in the lineup, the Zero G Tour Pro W. Here are some of our initial thoughts on the new boots’ fit and performance.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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