Features | BLISTER Outdoor Media & Gear Reviews

Protesting the Backcountry: Building a Better Backcountry Ski

September 25, 2012December 22, 2011 by Kevin Bazar

There once was a guy who dreamed of a very specific backcountry ski. Problem was, nobody made it. But that's about to change. Kevin Bazar explains why he thinks the "WooTest" will rule, why sidecut is overrated, and why Praxis Skis is the perfect company to build his dream ski.

Trip Report: Taos Ski Valley

May 23, 2012December 12, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Right now, Taos Ski Valley is the place to be. But don't just take our word for it, go ahead and take a look....

20 Questions: Scott Andrus, ON3P skis

June 30, 2015November 28, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In the first installment of our new series, 20 QUESTIONS, Scott Andrus, founder and president of ON3P skis, provides a very candid, behind the scenes look at the life and work of an upstart ski builder.

Trip Report: The Road

October 27, 2011October 27, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

BLISTER is hitting the road and kicking off its North American ski and snowboard review season. We compiled some of our favorite shots from the road this past year, and figured we'd share them as we prepare to do it all over again. Enjoy.

ROCKER 101: A Brief History of Rocker + A Glossary of Terms

November 22, 2013September 30, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Pretty much everything you ever needed to know about Rocker, including a brief history and a glossary of relevant terms.

SKIING 101: Safer Skiing – The Case For Fatter, Rockered Skis

December 29, 2012September 23, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Sure, fat, rockered skis are all the rage, but are they right for you? Before you say No, you might want to think first about your safety.

2011 Interbike Awards

September 26, 2012September 19, 2011 by Will Taylor

Check out BLISTER's Interbike roundup, chock full of carbon fiber, ugly carpet, and some of the loveliest (and most powerful!) ladies of Las Vegas.

Interbike, Vegas, 2011 Pt. 2

June 7, 2012September 16, 2011 by Will Taylor

Interbike! Day 2! Get your geek on.

Interbike, Vegas, 2011

September 28, 2011September 15, 2011 by Will Taylor

Will Taylor is your tour guide through day 1 at Interbike. He'll show you the good, the lame, and the trendy.

Trip Report: Las Leñas – Week 2

January 31, 2012August 29, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Week 2: It just kept getting better in Las Leñas....

BLISTER, Las Leñas.

August 22, 2018August 26, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Three of our favorite things—Las Leñas, Santa Rosa, and Bassnectar—all in one video.

Trip Report: Las Leñas – Week 1

August 16, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Our first week in Las Leñas was truly amazing. These pictures will show you why.

Getting to Las Leñas

October 27, 2021August 8, 2011 by Will Brown

You definitely need to get down here. Here's how to do it.

Trip Report: Las Leñas – The Arrival

September 24, 2011August 8, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

If you’re going to ski big, South American lines in August, you’re going to have to work a little for it.

And if you’re going to take eight pairs of skis—re…

BLISTER HEADS SOUTH

August 5, 2013August 1, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

BLISTER is heading to Las Leñas, Argentina. For 15 days. With 8 of the upcoming season's sickest skis.

South American Ski Test: Our Selections

August 4, 2011August 1, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

The roll out begins with a bang. Check out our first two selections.

BLISTER Photo Contest – April, 2011

July 12, 2011May 2, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Congratulations to Meaghan McKasy (photographer) and to Allen Briggs (pictured) for this glorious photo taken Easter morning at Alta.

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Trip Report: Alta Ski Area

July 6, 2011April 7, 2011 by Jonathan Ellsworth

From April 1-4, six Blister Gear Reviewers met up for four days of bell to bell testing at Alta, and Alta didn’t disappoint. There’s a reason i…

PROFILE: Venture Snowboards

June 14, 2012March 16, 2011 by Will Taylor

A Company Seeks to Make Their Mark Yet Leave No Trace

When riding in the backcountry, whatever is strapped to your feet needs to perform. Steep chutes, tight trees, or sweet, untracked pow fields are all lousy places to learn that your board is subpar, and the middle of nowhere is a dangerous place to experience equipment failures.

Venture Snowboards, a small company with four year-round employees based in Silverton, Colorado, aims to deliver burly boards that kill it on the mountain, all while maintaining strong business and environmental ethics.

Started in 1999 by husband and wife team Lisa and Klemens Branner, Venture claims to produce the most durable, sustainable, and high-performance big mountain boards around. Backed up by a two-year warranty on materials and workmanship, they stick by their work.

PROFILE: TREW gear

June 14, 2012March 2, 2011 by Will Taylor

Many great projects have been born in a garage: The White Stripes and The Black Keys, Apple and Google, and numerous Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins expeditions.

More recently, TREW gear, a Hood River, Oregon-based gear company, is continuing the garage start-up tradition as they attempt to bring function and fashion to the backcountry. But TREW now operates out of a three-car garage, and they are growing, slowly but surely.

The idea started with brothers John and Chris Pew, and their good friend Tripp Frey. (Tripp + Pew = TREW, get it?) The boys began exploring the backcountry during their high school days and continued the practice through college. Frey studied business, Chris comparative literature, and John got a degree in ever-useful Mandarin.

During their backcountry excursions, they knew something was missing: steeze.

“We noticed that you always ended up looking like your dad when you went into the backcountry,” John said. “That wasn’t capturing modern skiing.” What they dreamed of was high quality gear, dripping with style – a new school twist on traditional mountain gear outfitters like Patagonia or Arc’Teryx. “We all knew we wanted to do the same thing,” John said. “Fill the gap of technicality and style.”

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