Skiing 101

Ski Touring & Backcountry Gear: The Basics & What You Need to Know

February 5, 2024February 4, 2024 by Luke Koppa

Ski touring is great, but there’s a lot to know before you go. So whether you’re looking to go on your first ski tour, you want to sign up for an avalanche-safety course, or you want to skin uphill at your local resort, this video is for you.

How do you know what ski length is best for you? And why does it matter if your skis are too short or too long? Choosing the right ski length is tricky, but getting it right makes a huge difference. In this BLISTER “How To” video, our managing editor, Luke Koppa, explains the most important factors to consider, what you should and shouldn’t worry about, and more.

How to Choose the Right Ski Length | BLISTER Video

January 15, 2024 by Luke Koppa

How do you know what ski length is best for you? And why does it matter if your skis are too short or too long? Choosing the right ski length is tricky, but getting it right makes a huge difference. In this video, we're here to help.

Layering 101: Types of Outdoor Apparel & How to Layer for Different Activities & Climates

October 19, 2023 by Sam Shaheen

There are a zillion new baselayers, insulators, and shells out there — and the options are constantly evolving and diversifying. So in our updated "Layering 101" guide, we sort out what makes certain types better / worse than others, and outlined how we think about layering for various cold-weather outdoor activities.

Paul Forward reviews the Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon for Blister

SKIING 101: Primer on Heli-Skiing

April 3, 2023March 31, 2023 by Paul Forward

If you're considering a heli-skiing trip or are already fortunate enough to have one on the schedule, check out this 101 piece from Blister Reviewer & Lead Heli Guide, Paul Forward. ALSO: we've got 1 remaining spot open for a trip this April with Paul, Jonathan Ellsworth, and a bunch of other great Blister Members — first person to commit gets it!

Climbing Skins: A Guide & Comparisons

October 18, 2022 by Paul Forward

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.

How to Think about Ski Length

January 16, 2024October 4, 2022 by Luke Koppa

One of the most common questions we get is, "Which length of this ski should I get?" So in this updated GEAR 101 article, we outline the factors that go into answering that question.

Blister's guide for the best skis for beginner skiers

Best Skis for Beginners: A Guide

September 23, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.

Glossary – Snowsports

December 15, 2023September 21, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Death Cookies? Coral Reef? Chalk? Directional vs. Playful Style? Can a ski be maneuverable but not nimble? There are a whole lot of ways to talk about snow and the different ways to slide down it. Check out our updated Glossary learn more about the sometimes foreign-sounding language of snowsports and ski reviews.

Blister's reviewers discuss where to save weight and where to cut weight in your backcountry ski setup

Saving Weight in Your Backcountry Ski Setup

October 26, 2019October 26, 2019 by Cy Whitling

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.

Atomic's global product manager for ski boots, Matthew Manser, discusses ski boot flex ratings and more on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast.

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 2: Flex Patterns (Ep.55)

March 31, 2020July 5, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.

Atomic's global product manager for ski boots, Matt Manser, discusses how ski boots and different ski-boot plastics differ on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots — Part 1: Plastics (Ep.54)

March 31, 2020June 28, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.

Blister Alpine Ski Bindings Guide

December 1, 2020October 24, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.

Ski Terms (What We Talk about When We Talk about Skiing)

April 24, 2018April 24, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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?

Backcountry Travel & Wilderness Medicine (Ep.62)

October 27, 2021December 12, 2017 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.