Luke Koppa, Author at BLISTER

Flash Review: 24/25 Volkl M7 Mantra

January 13, 2025November 25, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Last season we started spending time on Volkl’s newest Mantra (in two different lengths) to see just how much has changed between the M6 and M7. Here are some of our initial impressions.

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Blister reviews the CAST Touring Freetour 2.0 Pivot ski-touring binding system

CAST Freetour 2.0 Pivot Ski-Touring Binding

November 20, 2024 by Luke Koppa

CAST was the first to make a touring binding that got you alpine-binding performance on the way down and a tech toe for the way up, and the Freetour 2.0 is the latest iteration of their system. Check out our First Look for all the details.

Blister ski-quiver reviewer selections 2024-2025

1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)

November 18, 2024 by Luke Koppa

That's a wrap — we've now had all of our reviewers share which skis they'd pick if they were to ski a whole season on a single setup. Check out what everyone selected this year.

Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — In the Garage

November 15, 2024 by Luke Koppa

In Part Three of our annual Gift Guide series, our reviewers offer some ideas for those looking to splurge a bit on the skier, snowboarder, mountain biker, or other outdoor fan in their lives. Check out their recommendations for bigger gift ideas that you might need to hide in the garage.

Next up in our 2024 Gift Guide series, we’re sharing the items that our reviewers think will make for awesome additions beneath the tree this holiday season. Check it out for more gift ideas for any of the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.

Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Under the Tree

November 18, 2024November 13, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Next up in our 2024 Gift Guide series, we’re sharing the items that our reviewers think will make for awesome additions beneath the tree this holiday season. Check it out for more gift ideas for any of the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.

2-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)

November 8, 2024November 6, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Wrapping up our reviewers' 2-ski quiver selections, Jonathan Ellsworth and Paul Forward add their picks. Check it out to see which skis our various reviewers have chosen this year, and let us know how you would go about assembling your own 2-ski quiver!

3-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)

November 1, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Rounding out Part Three of our reviewers 3-ski quiver picks, we hear from Kristin Sinnott and Jonathan Ellsworth — check out their selections and let us know what your ideal 3-ski quiver would look like!

Big News: Travis Rice and the Natural Selection Tour have announced their most extensive development yet — the addition of ski, bike, and surf events. Here are the details.

Natural Selection Tour Expands to Ski, Snowboard, Bike, & Surf Events

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Big News: Travis Rice and the Natural Selection Tour have announced their most extensive development yet — the addition of ski, bike, and surf events. Here are the details.

4-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Rounding out our annual 4-ski quiver picks, Jonathan Ellsworth and Kristin Sinnott share their thoughts on what their personal 4-ski quivers would look like.

5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)

October 18, 2024October 18, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Which 5 skis would you pick for all the skiing you do? We're once again asking our reviewers to provide their answers, and in Part Two of our 5-ski quiver picks, we hear from Paul Forward, Mark Danielson, & Jonathan Ellsworth.

How Do You Know How “Safe” Your Helmet Is? | Blister Summit Video

October 9, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Testing standards are hugely important, but when it comes to ski/snowboard and cycling helmets, the current ones have limitations. In this clip, Steven Kennedy, Sr. Director of R&D at Giro, shares some thoughts on Giro’s in-house testing approach, the Virginia Tech helmet testing standards, and more.

How do you know when or why you should replace your ski, snowboard, or bike helmet? It's not a simple or easy question to answer, but it is a very important one. So at Blister Summit 2024, we got some insight from Sr. Director of R&D at Giro, Steven Kennedy; CMO of MIPS, Frederik Kjellberg; pro skier, Drew Petersen; and Blister reviewer (and physician assistant), Sascha Anastas.

When & WHY Should You Replace Your Helmet? | Blister Summit Video

October 9, 2024October 7, 2024 by Luke Koppa

How do you know when or why you should replace your ski, snowboard, or bike helmet? It's not a simple or easy question to answer, but at Blister Summit 2024, we got some insight from Steven Kennedy, Frederik Kjellberg, Drew Petersen, and Sascha Anastas.

ZAG’s ‘Next-Gen Carver’ + 2025 Ski Lineup | Blister Summit Video

October 4, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Across its 20-year history in the freeride, touring, and all-mountain worlds, Chamonix-based ZAG has continued to refine their lineup, whether through design or efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. In this video, we get the details on that history — plus the brand’s 2025 ski lineup — from ZAG’s Théo Voinchet and ZAG athlete, Teton Brown.

How HOJI Designs His Skis + New 4FRNT Nevar | Blister Summit Video

September 25, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Eric ‘Hoji’ Hjorleifson has his own unique skiing style, and his own approach to ski design. So we sat down with Hoji to hear all about it, including how he and 4FRNT developed his current signature series of skis, the brand-new (and cambered!) 4FRNT Nevar, and more.

The 10th Anniversary of the Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide: Why We Started It, How It’s Evolved, & What’s in the Latest One (Ep.310)

2024-2025 Blister Digital Winter Buyer’s Guide

February 13, 2025September 10, 2024 by Luke Koppa

350+ skis, 65 boots, and 280+ pages of honest, accurate product reviews and comparisons. Order our 24/25 Winter Buyer's Guide or become a BLISTER+ member to read the Digital Guide NOW.

Our 2024-2025 Winter Buyer's Guide is restricted to those who have purchased the Guide or who are active BLISTER+ Members. To learn more about our Guide and Membership options, click here. If you’re already a Blister Member or have purchased the 24/25 Winter Buyer's Guide and are seeing this message, please log in and then refresh this page.

2024-2025 Northland AM178

December 31, 2024August 31, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Northland AM178.

2024-2025 K2 Mindbender 96C

December 31, 2024August 26, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the K2 Mindbender 96C.

2024-2025 J Skis Escalator

March 2, 2025August 23, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the J Skis Escalator.

2024-2025 Meier Crosscut BC

December 31, 2024August 12, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Meier Crosscut BC.

Luke Koppa's reviews the Armada Declivity X 108 for Blister

Flash Review: 24/25 Armada Declivity X 108

January 13, 2025August 12, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Revamped for 24/25, the Declivity X 108 bridges the gap between Armada’s big-mountain Declivty X 115 and the more all-round Declivity X 102. So, which of its siblings does the new 108 most closely resemble? 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.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

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