How Much Bike do You Really Need?
Long-travel trail bikes are all the rage, but are they overkill? Marshal Olson shares his thoughts brought on by a midlife biking crisis.
Features
Trail Bikes: Short vs Long Travel
What role does suspension travel play in defining the character of a trail bike? Are other factors more important? Three of our reviewers weigh in...
The Taos Freeride Championships
The 10th Taos Freeride Championships are under way, and to celebrate the occasion, we talked to some competitors who have launched their careers here, and others who are looking to take that next step. But what they all have in common is a love of this mountain and this event.
FWT Update From Andorra
The FWT just finished up in Europe, next stop: Alaska. Blister reviewer and FWT competitor Garrett Altmann checks in with some good news.
20 Questions: Max Blackburn – Immersion Research
Spray skirts don't just keep you dry, they also keep you safe. We sat down with Max Blackburn of Immersion Research to find out how one of the industry's top skirt manufacturers is thinking about and designing one of the "five essentials."
Testing Next Year’s Skis at Taos
Once again, we're back at Taos reviewing next year's skis, and these photos from the past week will show why this is an ideal place to do so.
20 Questions: Werner Paddles
We sat down with Danny Mongno from Werner Paddles to find out more about Werner's philosophy behind design, materials and construction.
5th Annual Blister Awards, SIA
Here's part 2 of the Blister SIA Awards: Outerwear, Best and Worst Graphics, the coveted “WTF is That?” award, and more…
FWT Update From Austria
Blister reviewer and FWT competitor Garrett Altmann provides a firsthand account of today's avalanche and its aftermath in Kappl, Austria.
Ski Width, Weight, and “Quickness”
What's more of a factor when it comes to how quick a ski is, Width or Weight?
Trip Report & Guide: Skookumchuck Narrows, BC
BC's Skookumchuck Narrows is one of the world's best surf spots for paddlers—even in December. Here's a gallery from our most recent trip, and a guide to planning your own.
“Carver” Test at Taos
This week at Taos, we lined up a week-long frontside carver test. Turns out, carver tests work better than snow dances...
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide
Here are some gift ideas for the active people (and dogs) in your life.
Stated Ski Specs vs. Actual Ski Specs
Why do the stated specs and dimensions of a ski so often differ from the actual, measured specs? Is it a sign of poor quality control?
Thoroughness vs. Usefulness
When it comes to producing a genuinely useful review, how do you strike a balance of thoroughness and usefulness?
20 Questions: Jed Yeiser, Line Skis Designer
You know Line Skis. But do you know the guy who designs all of Line's skis?
Hybrid Outerwear Pieces?
Why don't we see more outerwear designs combining both hardshell and softshell fabrics?
Trip Report: Broken River Ski Area
The Broken River club field of Canterbury, New Zealand, is a very friendly place with a remarkably interesting history.
Trip Report: Paddling Norway
If you like whitewater, you'll love Norway. This trip report / photo gallery is designed to help you plan your own trip.
Back to Canterbury
In just a few days, we're heading back to Canterbury, New Zealand for our southern hemisphere ski review trip. (And we're going to sneak in some backpacking this time, too.)