Biotech hits the Backcountry: Checkerspot & WNDR Alpine (Ep.98)

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TOPICS & TIMES:

  • Why does Matt Sterbenz hate vowels? (2:00)
  • How Matt got involved with Checkerspot (5:17)
  • Checkerspot’s mission & innovations (10:00)
  • Charlie’s background: from Wall Street to Biotech (17:41)
  • What Checkerspot is doing with microalgae (23:20)
  • Why make skis from new materials? (26:02)
  • Effects on ski performance? (32:28)
  • Sustainability as a design constraint (41:00)
  • Other possible applications of microalgae (48:50)
  • How has launching WNDR affected Checkerspot? (58:24)

What does biotech have to do with backcountry skiing? And what does microalgae have to do with skis? And why did the founder of 4FRNT Skis, Matt Sterbenz, agree to get involved with a new startup ski brand, WNDR Alpine? We sat down in Blister HQ with Checkerspot co-founder and CEO, Charlie Dimmler, and WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, to talk about the creation of WNDR Alpine; its relation to and the mission of Checkerspot; and more.

Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Checkerspot's Charlie Dimmler and Matt Sterbenz about the brand's background, goals, and its new ski brand, WNDR Alpine on the Blister Podcast.
Checkerspot's Matt Sterbenz and Charlie Dimmler catching up with Jonathan Ellsworth in Blister HQ in Elevation Hotel, Crested Butte, Co.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Checkerspot's Charlie Dimmler and Matt Sterbenz about the brand's background, goals, and its new ski brand, WNDR Alpine on the Blister Podcast.
Checkerspot's microalgae
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Checkerspot's Charlie Dimmler and Matt Sterbenz about the brand's background, goals, and its new ski brand, WNDR Alpine on the Blister Podcast.
Matt Sterbenz testing the new WNDR Alpine Intention 110. (photo by Carson Meyer)

1 comment on “Biotech hits the Backcountry: Checkerspot & WNDR Alpine (Ep.98)”

  1. Great podcast, we heard really interesting innovation and plans from Matt and Charlie. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes. It is so important for the ski industry to have new technology come in and especially through a completely new approach and way of thinking. Thank you all.

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