Blister Summit Recap & Ski Reviews (Ep.188)
Kristin Sinnott, Kara Williard, and Sascha Anastas talk about the Blister Summit and discuss a bunch of the gear they spent time on from Fischer, Salomon, Dynastar, Renoun, Rossignol, and more.
Gear Myths & More w/ Cody Townsend (Ep.187)
Cody Townsend and Jonathan Ellsworth review some news, then talk about 5 gear myths; cookware; coffeemakers; & more.
12 New Skis from the Blister Summit (Ep.186)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth give a quick recap of the Blister Summit, then discuss a dozen of the skis we spent time on at the event.
Blister Summit Panel Session Topics & Speakers + Product Design & Innovation (Ep.185)
We give an update on the topics we’ll be discussing at our upcoming Blister Summit, and tell you who the athletes, founders, product designers, and snow safety experts are that we’ll be discussing these things with. Then, we’re reposting a fantastic conversation on product design and innovation — it’s a must-listen for anyone interested in either of those things.
Reviewer Reports: Custom Insoles, Skis Boots, & Skis (Ep.184)
Kara Williard spells out the case for custom insoles in your ski boots, and we discuss everything from the Volkl Secret 96, Salomon Stance 88W, WNDR Alpine Reason 120, 4FRNT Renegade, the Lange RX 130 LV, Salomon Shift Pro 130, the new Line Blade Optic 96, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, and Moment Deathwish 104 with Kara, Luke Koppa, and Eric Freson.
Boot Fitting & How to Get a Proper Ski Boot Fit (Ep.183)
How should a ski boot actually fit? What does it feel like to have a “properly fitting” ski boot? And how do you achieve that? We’re discussing these questions and topics with Sebastian Steinbach, who is a boot fitting instructor in Europe for Masterfit University, and the owner of the freeride ski shop, Black Sheep Sports, in Munich, Germany.
New 2022/2023 Ski Gear (Ep.182)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss a ton of next season’s new products, and some of the most intriguing product categories.
Shop Talk: Sturtevants, Sun Valley, & a Blueprint for Community Ski Areas (Ep.181)
We were recently in Sun Valley, Idaho, talking with Sturtevants owner, Olin Glenne, about Rotarun Ski Area (which could serve as a blueprint for local ski hills in other places); Olin’s lifelong love of skiing; the skiing in and around Sun Valley, and some of his favorite gear.
Introducing: Blister Labs (Ep.180)
Today we are excited to introduce you to a very big new initiative at Blister: Blister Labs. This is a new partnership between Blister; CU Boulder’s school of engineering; and the brand-new, state-of-the-art engineering facility at Western Colorado University. Joining us to talk about why Blister Labs represents a significant new development in the outdoor industry is Dr. Jeni Blacklock, the director of the Rady Partnership Program between CU Boulder and Western.
On our Upcoming Blister Summit (Ep.179)
Jonathan Ellsworth and Blister Summit director, Kristin Sinnott, discuss the ins and outs of our upcoming Blister Summit; why we’re including free professionally guided backcountry tours; which brands will be there; when to arrive & where to stay; and more.
Skiing Austria, Ski-Boot Mods, & the Atomic Redster G9 RS, X9 S, & X9 WB (Ep.178)
Matt Manser, Atomic’s ski boots product manager, is back to discuss Jonathan’s trip to Austria; Matt’s Jura coffee maker; our scotch & rye whiskey tasting sessions; skiing Zauchensee and Kitzsteinhorn on the Atomic Redster G9 RS, X9 S, and X9 WB; ski boot terms (and unconditional love); and some modifications we made to Jonathan’s ski boots — which you might want to consider for your own.
ON3P Skis 22/23 Lineup with Scott Andrus (Ep.177)
We talk with ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, about what’s been going on at ON3P, and we walk through the brand’s 22/23 lineup of skis.
Reviewer Reports: Backcountry Ski Touring Gear (Ep.176)
We discuss some of the backcountry gear that Paul Forward has been testing around Girdwood, Alaska, including skis from Moonlight and Movement; bindings from Moment and Dynafit; skins from G3 and Pomoca; and Scarpa boots. We also discuss current trends (fads?) in ski poles, and the underrated value of a good snow saw.
MountainFLOW founder, Peter Arlein, on How Ski Wax Works; its Environmental Impact; Ceramic Nano Technology; & More (Ep.175)
We discuss the environmental impacts of ski wax (and how ski wax actually works); Peter’s appearance on Shark Tank; the upcoming ban on fluorocarbon waxes at the highest levels of ski racing; and Peter reveals mountainFLOW’s brand-new product.
Shop Talk: Backcountry Skis, Boots, & Bindings (Ep.174)
John Weir from Bentgate in Golden, CO, is back to discuss advances in backcountry skis; draw comparisons between some high-profile touring boots; and reassess the pros, cons, & compromises of various AT bindings.
The Pro’s Gear: Hadley Hammer (Ep.173)
We talk to professional skier, Hadley Hammer, about the gear she’s most & least picky about; her own gear preferences; and we fight about The Queen’s Gambit.
Shop Talk: Pulling Back the Curtain on Gear Testing (Ep.172)
Today we’re talking all things ski testing, and to provide their wealth of experience in this arena are The Ski Monster’s George Michaelsen and Matt Berkowitz. We discuss good ways and bad ways to conduct gear tests; how and why The Ski Monster has been able to ramp up the amount of gear testing they’re doing; and why not all gear tests are created equal.
Our 21/22 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.171)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss our 21/22 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide and some corresponding industry trends and category highlights. They also talk snowblades, clarify our Buyer’s Guide ‘Best Of’ Awards, and go on a rant or two.
Moment Skis 21/22 Lineup with Luke Jacobson (Ep.170)
Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, is back to talk about Moment’s 21/22 lineup of skis; the new Moment factory; the new Deathwish 104; snowblading; & more.
Shop Talk: Vertical Playground, Oppdal Norway (Ep.169)
Once upon a time, a couple of friends who were scheming to get some gear for their own adventures ended up creating a phenomenal outdoor shop. We talk to Trygve Sande and Rune Kvalsnes about the origins of Vertical Playground; their trip with Hoji where the idea of the 4FRNT Raven was born; some of their favorite gear; and more.
Pete Wagner on Wagner’s new Summit Skis, Avalanche Cores, & Niehues Collab (Ep.168)
We talk to Pete Wagner about three big new things happening at Wagner Custom Skis, where everything is built right in Telluride, Colorado.
Shop Talk: Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shops (Ep.167)
We’re talking with Greg Klein, president of Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shops, which is family owned and operated with several locations in the greater Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. We talk about what brought Greg’s father (Willi) to PA; Seven Springs Mountain Resort; the key ingredients of a great ski shop; ski length & ski width; Willi’s women’s program; shop beer vs. shop pizza; & more.
The Pro’s Gear: McKenna Peterson (Ep.166)
We sat down with one of the stars of Matchstick Productions’ new film, The Stomping Grounds, to discuss her personal gear preferences; what ski equipment she’d most like to see get made; the topic of women-specific gear; the best ways to get more women involved in skiing; and more.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 7: Atomic’s 21/22 Lineup (Ep.165)
Matt Manser is back for a deep dive on Atomic’s new 21/22 lineup, and we also discuss ski boot design and construction in general; the “Frodo Pro”; “Complete Tech” vs. “Hybrid Tech”; espionage; Immanuel Kant; Omar Little; and to offer his take on Bode Miller’s recent GEAR:30 thoughts on ski boots.
Eric Pollard on Innovation, Graphics, & Season’s Ski Lineup (Ep.164)
It is difficult to overstate the innovation that Eric Pollard has brought to modern skiing, and in this conversation, you’ll get to hear more about how Eric sees the world and finds himself pursuing new directions. We also talk about graphics; Season’s all-black topsheets; and each of the models in Season’s ski lineup.
The Pro’s Gear: Bode Miller (Ep.163)
On this episode of GEAR:30, Bode Miller makes clear that his different and creative ways of thinking weren’t just hallmarks of his approach to racing — they define his approach to skis, ski boots, bindings, and eyewear, too.
Gear Talk, Mic Drops, & Zen Koans with Flylow’s Dan Abrams (Ep.162)
Flylow founder (and certified gear nerd) Dan Abrams is back to talk about the skis and ski boots he’s interested in for the coming season; Flylow’s mountain bike apparel; and what’s new in the Flylow lineup for Winter 21/22.
Your Questions, Our Buyer’s Guide, & Luke’s Cry for Help (Ep.161)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth answer listener gear questions; share some info about our new winter buyer’s guide; and Luke shares with us some good news, but also presents new reasons for us to worry about him.
Shop Talk: Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.160)
We talk with Rachel and Drew Harding, the owners of the Spokane Alpine Haus, about the ski scene in Spokane, Washington; the Alpine Haus’ massive equipment leasing program; interesting ways to destroy skis; kid’s gear; and more.
Blister Summit Panel on Ski Design (Ep.159)
We are airing the panel session on ski design that we held at the Blister Summit. We talk to the designers behind the skis from Blizzard, Folsom Custom Skis, Rossignol, Dynastar, and Wagner Custom Skis to get their respective design philosophies; discuss current trends in ski design; debate whether skis are being dumbed down today; determine once and for all whether stated sidecut radius numbers are fake; & more.