Climbing skins often receive less attention than skis, boots, & bindings, but the skins you stick to your skis can make or break your days in the backcountry. So in this guide, we go through the qualities to look for in a pair of skins, then directly compare 13 different skins from 5 different brands.
One of the most common questions we get is something like “I’m XX tall and weigh XX — which length of this ski should I get?” So in this Gear 101 article, we outline the factors that go into answering that question.
Death Cookies? Coral Reef? Chalk? Directional vs. Dynamic Style? There are a whole lot of ways to talk about snow and the different ways to slide down it. Check out our updated Glossary, and let us know what other terms we should include.
Next up in our ‘Saving Weight in Your Backcountry Ski Setup’ series, reviewer Paul Forward discusses where he chooses to cut weight in his backcountry gear, and where he opts to keep a bit of weight for better downhill performance.
We’re talking again with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, about the messy world of ski boot flex ratings; the actual differences between some brands’ 120 and 130 rated boot; how Atomic arrives at their own flex ratings; the next areas of innovation that Atomic is focused on, and more.
Ski boots are made of plastic, and different plastics feel and perform very differently from one another. So we get deep into the details with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, to help you figure out which plastics are used in your ski boots, and the pros & cons & general performance characteristics of different plastics — which will help you understand why you might like or dislike your current boots, and what you ought to be looking for in your next pair.
If you are new to skiing — or just haven’t gone in a while — here is our guide to what you ought to look for in a ski, whether you are looking to rent or buy.
What’s the best ski binding? Which ones are compatible with your ski boots? There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion about the actual differences between bindings, so we’ve updated this guide to help clarify which ones will work best for you.
Talking about skiing and snowboarding can sometimes feel like a foreign language. So in this new piece, we’ve clarified a few terms, and we want to know what terms, concepts, or expressions you might be wondering about?
What items should you be carrying with you, and what do you need to know before venturing out into the backcountry in the first place? We discuss backcountry travel and wilderness medicine with Blister reviewer, AWLS instructor, and physician Paul Forward.
What do we mean when we talk about the “top end” of a ski? Let’s clarify…
When it comes to building the best skis, do the big brands have the edge, or is there an advantage to being the little guy?
We put this question to a number of ski designers and asked them to weigh in. See what the designers from ON3P, Renoun, K2, and Moment had to say.
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.
Ski touring is increasingly popular, but the expanding range of “AT” boots and bindings and new standards is increasingly confusing. This 101 piece will help you navigate the backcountry landscape.
You may have encountered a rock or two by this point in the season, and base repairs are part of the game. Here’s our step-by-step guide to simple base repairs. (We also threw in a short primer on polymer chemistry, you know, just for good measure.)
What’s Elastic Travel? What’s Forward Pressure? What’s a DIN setting? This guide covers these key terms and some differences between traditional tech and alpine bindings.
Time to talk socks. Our reviewers weigh in on what they actually wear on the mountain—and why. Plus, two bits of conventional wisdom when it comes to socks and snowsports.
There’s been a lot of hype around Blizzard’s Flipcore technology. Problem is, the ski industry’s been so busy throwing awards at it that nobody’s bothered to explain it. Here’s our crack at it.
Free your heel, and your mind will follow. At least, that’s what they tell us. Assuming they’re right, then BLISTER’s Telemark 101 piece will help guide you down the path to enlightenment.