A Nearly Fatal Birthday, Part 2 (Ep.48)
On our last podcast, we told you about a serious ski accident that Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, was fortunate to survive. But the crash itself was only part of the story, and the weeks after the crash have been full of a number of very consequential events, decisions, and lessons, and we discuss them here.
A Nearly Fatal Birthday in the Backcountry (Ep.47)
On July 9, Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, was involved in a near-fatal fall while ski touring on Independence Pass. This is the account of what happened; what can be learned from the incident and our decision-making; and what’s next for him.
4FRNT Skis – Matt Sterbenz & Jason Levinthal (Ep.46)
Jason Levinthal just acquired 4FRNT Skis, so we talk to Levinthal and 4FRNT founder, Matt Sterbenz, about the deal; what brought it about; what we can expect going forward; and the state of the ski industry in general.
Tommy Caldwell, Big-Wall Climber (Ep.45)
We talk to one of the most accomplished big-wall climbers of all time about his excellent new book; risk; Alex Honnold’s latest free solo; obsessive focus vs. a desire for balance; the future of climbing, and more.
Jim Harris, Perpetual Weekend (Ep.44)
Jim Harris is as passionate about and as involved in the outdoors industry as anyone, but a serious accident threatened to change that. But the real story here is Jim’s “crazy” recovery, and the lessons he has learned (and that we would do well to learn from him) about dealing with obstacles, understanding self-identity, and defining self worth.
Alex Honnold’s Free Solo of El Cap (Ep.43)
In this episode, Blister’s climbing editor joins us in the attempt to wrap our heads around Honnold’s successful free solo of El Cap, and to debate whether this is the greatest athletic achievement ever.
Michelle Parker — Skier, Climber, Biker, “Pretend Band Member” … (Ep.42)
We talk to ridiculously-well-rounded-skier Michelle Parker about joining the Arc’teryx team, her work with S.A.F.E.A.S Clinics, her upcoming trips, gear, mountain lions, and a whole lot more.
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa (Ep.41)
We sat down with one of the best big-mountain skiers of all time to talk about kids, intuition, preparing for big lines, and a whole lot more.
New Ski Reviews from Mt Bachelor (Ep.40)
Blister reviewers talk about some of the most surprising skis we reviewed at Mt Bachelor, then discuss what our 1-ski and 2-ski quiver picks would be for Mt Bachelor.
So here are our very fresh thoughts on a number of very high-profile skis.
New Bike Stuff! (Ep.39)
We talk to Blister’s bike editor, Noah Bodman, about where the most innovations are taking place in the bike world; whether e-bikes are gaining acceptance; several particular bikes (including the YT Jeffsy, the Canyon Spectral, and a couple of “plus” bikes); and the upcoming World Cup DH season.
DPS Skis Founder, Stephan Drake (Ep.38)
We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the early days of DPS, ski design, and the new DPS ski boot that aims to change skiing as we know it.
New Gear – Powder Skis with Paul Forward (Ep.37)
We’re talking again with blister reviewer and Alaskan heli guide, Paul Forward about a number of pow skis he’s been on this season.
Magnus Granér, X Games Real Ski Gold Medalist (Ep.36)
In a word, Magnus Granér is different. We talk to him about his Real Ski win, SLVSH, The Bunch, growing up in Sweden, attending the real Hogwarts School, skiing on Mars, and more…
Sven Coomer, Founder of Zipfit Ski Boot Liners (Ep.35)
What is the least understood but arguably most important piece of ski equipment? Ski boot liners. So we talk to ski boot pioneer, Sven Coomer, about why boot liners don’t receive the attention they deserve, what makes Zipfit liners different, and why Sven believes that liners are the single most important piece of ski equipment.
Paul Forward — Heli Guide, Doctor, Blister Reviewer (Ep.34)
Is he the most interesting man in the world? Probably. We talk to our good friend Paul Forward about heli skiing, heli guiding, wilderness medicine, and of course, some new gear.
Round Table on Custom Skis — Wagner, Parlor, Folsom (Ep.33)
What are “custom” skis, how does the process work, and who should consider them? We sat down with Wagner, Parlor, and Folsom Custom Skis to discuss.
SIA Snow Show 2017 — Overview & Trends (Ep.32)
We discuss the most intriguing, the most head scratching, and the most bizarre new products for next season that we saw at the SIA tradeshow.
Warner Nickerson — American Skier, Perpetual Underdog, King of Fun (Ep.31)
Warner and I discuss his background; the business of ski racing and ski academies; the thorny issue of sponsorships and athletes skiing on equipment that isn’t a good match for them; and Kitzbuhel.
How to Handle Backcountry Emergencies (Ep.30)
Accidents happen when you’re far away from help. Do you know how to respond? Too many of us don’t, and that is irresponsible and dangerous. This conversation will drive that point home, and clue you in on some steps we all should take.
Report from Bachelor + Meet the New Reviewers (Ep.29)
From Bend, we announce the release of a new special-edition Blister Pro, then talk to Blister reviewers David Steele and Andrew Forward about growing up in Alaska; speed flying; Glacier National Park; funny & painful ski touring missions, Super Burrito, and more.
Brendan Leonard, Semi-Rad.com (Ep.28)
We talk to Semi-Rad.com’s Brendan Leonard about creativity and the process of creating: How to stop procrastinating and get started; why – and why not – to attempt something new; and what it takes to keep going.
Ski Designers, Armada Skis (Ep.27)
We stopped by Armada HQ in Park City to talk to Andy Hytjan and Logan Imlach about Armada’s past, present, and future; Armada’s stacked team; and a number of skis in the Armada line, including the JJ, the Edollo, and the new ARV 106.
The Best – and Worst – of Interbike, 2016 (Ep.26)
We talk to our bike editor, Noah Bodman, right from the showroom floor about the highlights and lowlights of Interbike.
New Ski Gear Report from Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand (Ep.25)
Our reviewers discuss the most surprising and the most impressive gear we just tested in New Zealand.
The National Parks, with James Kaiser (Ep.24)
This week marks the Centennial of the National Parks Service, so we sat down with James Kaiser, author of best-selling guides to the parks, to talk about their history, significance, and future.
ENVE Composites (Ep.23)
If you are into high-end bike wheels and components, you already know ENVE. But you almost certainly don’t know the whole ENVE story…
Luke Jacobson – Moment Skis (Ep.22)
We talk to Moment’s head ski designer and new CEO re: the 16/17 lineup; break exclusive news about 2 other new skis; discuss how the “Deathwish” got its name, and much more…
Xavier de le Rue, Snowboarder (Ep.21)
We talk to one of the all-time greats about riding and risk, why faster = safer, the current state of snowboarding, and much more.
Blister’s Bike Editor, Noah Bodman (Ep.20)
Noah and I discuss new bike tech; Brexit; Butte, MT; Tom Brady, the greatest bike race on earth; the conflict between bikers and other wilderness users, and more…
What’s Next? The Future of Helmet Design (Ep.19)
We talk to the Sr. Director of R&D at Giro, Rob Wesson, about CTE, emerging safety standards, and where helmet design is headed.