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Blister weighs in on blacking out topsheets for ski tests

Blacked-Out Top Sheets & Objective Ski Testing

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, we were discussing the best and worst practices for testing skis. This raised the question: would blacking out the top sheets of skis produce more objective results? Here is our take. Give it a read, and let us know what you think.

Blister Topic of the Week: Bigger Isn't Always Better

Debatable: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

November 30, 2021November 28, 2021 by David Golay

The bike industry likes touting stiffer parts as being better, but our Bike Editor makes the case for why that doesn’t always pan out.

Shop Talk: Pulling Back the Curtain on Gear Testing (Ep.172)

November 26, 2021November 26, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.

Win Faction Skis

November 26, 2021 by Luke Koppa

The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get Faction’s big pow ski, La Machine!

Mic Williams was racing as a privateer when Covid hit, and racing went on hold. But instead of binging Netflix, he used his free time to start a very unusual bike company — Williams Racing Products. Mic has a whole lot of ideas for how to make bikes better, and WRP has offered a lot of out-there products, including what can only be described as the reincarnation of the Honda RN-01 downhill bike. So on our latest episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, we sat down with Mic to talk about all the big ideas he has for WRP; the Privateer Parts Program and privateer racing in general; and much more.

The Many, Many Big Ideas of Williams Racing Products (Ep.93)

December 9, 2021November 25, 2021 by David Golay

Few people have as many big ideas for the bike world as Mic Williams of Williams Racing Products, and even fewer have started their own companies to make them a reality. So we sat down with Mic to hear all about it, privateer racing at the top level, and more.

Flash Review: 21/22 J Skis Fastforward

January 21, 2025November 25, 2021 by Luke Koppa

We just got our first day on J's new 92mm-wide, metal-laminate, all-mountain ski.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (21/22)

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 by Luke Koppa

Check out Part Two of our reviewers' 5-ski quiver picks, with additions from Jonathan Ellsworth, Kristin Sinnott, Paul Forward, & David Golay.

A Life Lived Wild: Rick Ridgeway (Ep.191)

November 22, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Rick Ridgeway has lived right at the center of the modern outdoor recreation movement. He was a part of the first American ascent of K2; he has gone on numerous adventures with his friends, Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard and The North Face founder, Doug Tompkins, and filmmaker, Jimmy Chin; and he has been right there working to protect wild places with them, Kristine Tompkins, and others.

Would You Rather: Early Season or Late Season Ski Conditions?

December 27, 2021November 22, 2021 by Luke Koppa

Which of the sub-par snow-sliding times of the year do you prefer?

On GEAR:30, 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.

Our 21/22 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.171)

November 19, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

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.

Win a Helmet, Goggles, Glasses, & Jacket from POC

November 19, 2021 by Kristin Sinnott

Enter for your chance to win a sweet winter prize pack from POC!

Jordi Cortes spends much of the year on the road, working with Fox’s top racers on their suspension setups, and that has left him with both a wealth of knowledge about suspension setup and a unique perspective on the mental aspects of racing at the top level. So we sat down with Jordi to talk about all that, and along the way get into it about the importance of consistency; developing working relationships with a huge range of athletes; how the pros’ setups differ from those for mere mortals; and a whole lot more.

Fox’s Jordi Cortes on Suspension, Tuning, & the Mental Side of Racing (Ep.92)

December 9, 2021November 18, 2021 by David Golay

We talk to Jordi Cortes about setting up suspension for Fox’s top racers, the mental battle of World Cup racing, and a whole lot more.

David Golay Reviews the Cannondale Jekyll for Blister

Flash Review: 2022 Cannondale Jekyll

November 17, 2021November 16, 2021 by David Golay

How does the new Cannondale Jekyll stack up against several other high-pivot Enduro bikes? Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

Luke Koppa & Dylan Wood review the DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP for BLISTER

2021-2022 DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP

November 16, 2021 by Luke Koppa

The Pagoda Tour 100 RP is an easy, intuitive touring ski that we think would work very well for the backcountry skiing that most people do. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.

Deep Dive: DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP

November 16, 2021 by Luke Koppa

We compare the Pagoda Tour 100 RP to the DPS Pagoda 100 RP, Line Vision 98, Salomon MTN Explore 95, Movement Alp Tracks 106, 4FRNT Raven, Fauna Pioneer, Blizzard Zero G 105, Scott Superguide Freetour, K2 Wayback 96, K2 Wayback 106, Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104, Weston Summit, Armada Tracer 98, WNDR Alpine Vital 100, G3 FINDr 102, Wagner Summit 105, & Renoun Citadel 106.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

Flash Review: 22/23 Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104

January 21, 2025November 15, 2021 by Luke Koppa

We just spent a day skiing the new Enforcer Unlimited 104 — check out our initial impressions of this new touring ski.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

On our Blister Podcast, we talk to Adrien Grabinski, who Mark Abma calls, “the most responsible 21-year-old I have ever met.” Adrien is the ski patrol director (plus a lot of other things) at Shames Mountain in BC, and he’s a surprise star of Matchstick Productions’ film, The Stomping Grounds.

Ski Patroller & Surprise Ski-Movie Star, Adrien Grabinski (Ep.190)

November 15, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Adrien Grabinski lives to ski, and Mark Abma calls him, “the most responsible 21-year-old I have ever met.” Adrien is the ski patrol director (plus a lot of other things) at Shames Mountain in BC, and he’s a surprise star of Matchstick Productions’ film, The Stomping Grounds.

Debatable: Make Daylight Savings Permanent

+ More

Blacked-Out Top Sheets & Objective Ski Testing

Debatable: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Shop Talk: Pulling Back the Curtain on Gear Testing (Ep.172)

Win Faction Skis

The Many, Many Big Ideas of Williams Racing Products (Ep.93)

Flash Review: 21/22 J Skis Fastforward

5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (21/22)

A Life Lived Wild: Rick Ridgeway (Ep.191)

Would You Rather: Early Season or Late Season Ski Conditions?

Our 21/22 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.171)

Win a Helmet, Goggles, Glasses, & Jacket from POC

Fox’s Jordi Cortes on Suspension, Tuning, & the Mental Side of Racing (Ep.92)

Flash Review: 2022 Cannondale Jekyll

2021-2022 DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP

Deep Dive: DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP

Flash Review: 22/23 Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104

Ski Patroller & Surprise Ski-Movie Star, Adrien Grabinski (Ep.190)

Debatable: Make Daylight Savings Permanent

Win Wagner Skis, Glade Goggles & Helmet, & Minus33 Kit

Shimano ME5 Clipless Shoes