GEAR:30

Tyrolia’s new Protector bindings with “Full Heel Release” is something that every skier ought to know about. Tyrolia calls it “the safest binding we have ever made,” and exactly how it works and how it’s supposed to reduce knee injuries is the topic of our latest GEAR:30 conversation with Jonathan Ellsworth and Andrew Couperthwait, VP of Winter Sports for HEAD / Tyrolia.

New Binding Tech: Tyrolia Protector Bindings with Full Heel Release (Ep.249)

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Tyrolia’s Protector bindings with “Full Heel Release” is something that every skier ought to know about. Tyrolia calls it “the safest binding we have ever made,” and exactly how it works and how it’s supposed to reduce knee injuries is the topic of this conversation.

On GEAR:30, we talk with Ferreol co-founder, Jonathan Audet, about how they created their own “Innovation Lab” to test new skis and materials; the development of their own alternative to titanal alloy; fully replacing fiberglass with natural flax fibers; their 23/24 ski lineup, and more.

Ferreol Skis: Reenvisioning Ski Construction (Ep.248)

June 2, 2023 by Luke Koppa

We talk with Ferreol co-founder, Jonathan Audet, about how they created their own “Innovation Lab” to test new skis and materials; the development of their own alternative to titanal alloy; fully replacing fiberglass with natural flax fibers; their 23/24 ski lineup, and more.

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3 (Ep.247)

May 26, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Which ski company is most similar to which bike company? What’s the latest incendiary thing that will come out of Dylan Wood’s mouth? This final installment of our 4th edition is another fun one.

At our Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) for an extremely interesting and important discussion on the past, present, and future of ski bindings. We get their thoughts on “acceptable use” for certain bindings; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards” and thinking about the binding / boot / ski interface as a whole; what we should (or should hope to) expect from bindings in the future, and much, much more. You can watch the video on our YouTube channel, or listen to the conversation on our GEAR:30 podcast.

Ski Binding Design with Hoji, Lars Chickering-Ayers, & Giray Dadali (Ep.246)

May 19, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) discuss the past, present, and future of ski bindings; “acceptable use”; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards”; and more.

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1 (Ep.245)

May 12, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Which bike brand and which ski company is currently holding the ‘Cool Kids Belt’? Which brand do other companies secretly wish they could trade places with? We debate these questions and more in our latest edition of Bikes vs. Skis.

Safeback SBX: A New Avalanche Survival System (Ep.244)

May 5, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

If you spend any time — inbounds or in the backcountry — skiing or riding in avalanche terrain or near tree wells, then you need to listen to this episode.

On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, Folsom Custom Skis co-founder and principal design engineer, Mike McCabe talks with Jonathan about skis built for the deepest of days, the ones we all dream about — and the kind that Mike and Jonathan were fortunate enough to ski recently in Alaska. And if you’ve ever heard someone say, “All skis are great in pow,” well, they’re here to blow up that notion. So what design elements work best in deep snow? What about low-angle terrain vs. steeper terrain? How wide is too wide? Is a softer flex pattern better? They discuss all of this and more.

Powder Ski Design w/ Folsom’s Mike McCabe (Ep.243)

May 1, 2023April 28, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today Mike McCabe and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the design elements of skis built for the deepest of days, and their recent trip to Alaska.

Coalition Snow: 10 Years of Skis & Snowboards, 23/24 Lineup, & More w/ Founder & CEO, Jen Gurecki (Ep.242)

April 21, 2023 by Kara Williard

Kara Williard talks with Jen Gurecki, founder and CEO of Coalition Snow, about operating a women-owned ski and snowboard company for the past 10 years; how the vision has evolved; their brick-and-mortar storefront; inclusive trips around the world; initiatives to grow the sport and the community; their 23/24 lineup; and more.

On Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth & Paul Forward discuss some of the skis (from Folsom, DPS, Heritage Labs, & K2) they've been skiing at Chugach Powder Guides in Girdwood, Alaska

Powder Skis in AK with Paul & Jonathan (Ep.241)

April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan is currently in AK with Paul Forward, Chugach Powder Guides, and a great crew. So he & Paul talk about the skis they’ve been getting time on (from Heritage Lab, Folsom, DPS, K2); some new skis we’d like to see; crème brûlée crust; and the new Lange Shadow boot.

Jonathan’s Gear for AK, Luke’s Latest Crash, & More (Ep.240)

April 7, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan and Luke talk about closing day at CBMR; the gear JE is bringing to AK; liners; the Rossi Sender Free 110, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Volkl Revolt 114, Luke’s new stitches, & more.

On Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, We talk with Blizzard’s Christian Avery about the overhauled Rustler & Sheeva skis; where their Hustle line of skis slots into the mix; and why nobody should be sleeping on the Cochise.

Diving into Blizzard’s 23/24 Ski Lineup (Ep.239)

March 31, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk with Blizzard’s Christian Avery about the overhauled Rustler & Sheeva skis; where their Hustle line of skis slots into the mix; and why nobody should be sleeping on the Cochise.

Shop Talk: Gear West on Year-Round Relevance, Community, & Specialty Service (Ep.238)

October 17, 2023March 17, 2023 by Kara Williard

We talk with Jeff and Isabel from Gear West in Long Lake, MN to hear about how they’ve built a year-round community at their “campus”; the challenges and upsides of providing multi-sport services throughout the year; the effects of recent uphill access at Buck Hill; a couple of gear trends, and more.

+ More

New Binding Tech: Tyrolia Protector Bindings with Full Heel Release (Ep.249)

Ferreol Skis: Reenvisioning Ski Construction (Ep.248)

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3 (Ep.247)

Ski Binding Design with Hoji, Lars Chickering-Ayers, & Giray Dadali (Ep.246)

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1 (Ep.245)

Safeback SBX: A New Avalanche Survival System (Ep.244)

Powder Ski Design w/ Folsom’s Mike McCabe (Ep.243)

Coalition Snow: 10 Years of Skis & Snowboards, 23/24 Lineup, & More w/ Founder & CEO, Jen Gurecki (Ep.242)

Powder Skis in AK with Paul & Jonathan (Ep.241)

Jonathan’s Gear for AK, Luke’s Latest Crash, & More (Ep.240)

Diving into Blizzard’s 23/24 Ski Lineup (Ep.239)

Shop Talk: Gear West on Year-Round Relevance, Community, & Specialty Service (Ep.238)

ZipFit “Inner Boots”; the Growth of ZipFit; Reviewing Ski Boots; & More with Jeff Colt (Ep.237)

Shop Talk: Skiing with Kids w/ Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.236)

New Gear from Blister Summit 2023 (Ep.235)

Shop Talk: 3D Printing & Bootfitting w/ Pulse Boot Lab (Ep.234)

Blister Labs: AI, Machine Learning, & Ski Reviewing (Ep.233)

Year of the BOA? Atomic’s Matt Manser on New Ski Boots, Liners, & BOA Systems (Ep.232)

Shop Talk: Powder7 + ‘Crashes & Close Calls’ (Ep.231)

Jeremy Jones on the Evolution of Snowboard Design (Ep.230)