BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
19/20 Dalbello Lupo Pro HD
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of Dalbello’s new 50/50 crossover ski boot.
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Stevie Kremer Does Things Different (Ep.4)
Stevie Kremer is a world-class runner, but her life sure doesn’t include many of the stereotypes that description might conjure up. So we discuss her unusual training routine; sitcoms & life lessons; how she got into trail running and ski mountaineering; and juggling being a runner, mother, and educator.
Win Goggles, Poles, & a Pack from Zipline
Enter to win a sweet ski package from the official supplier of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team, Zipline.
Avalanche Airbag Tech Talk with Black Diamond (Ep.48)
Supercapacitors, Venturi valves, and scary-high currents — this week we discuss airbag design and technology with Black Diamond’s Director of Design Engineering.
2019-2020 Faction Dictator 4.0
We’ve now had 3 reviewers on Faction’s big-mountain charger, the Dictator 4.0. Check out our full review for each of their takes.
Deep Dive: Faction Dictator 4.0
We compare the Dictator 4.0 to the Blizzard Bodacious, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Nordica Enforcer Pro, Line Sick Day 114, Icelantic Nomad 115, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, ON3P Wrenegade 114, and Rossignol Super 7 RD.
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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19/20 Liberty evolv 90
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Liberty’s brand-new narrower 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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2020-2021 Liberty evolv 90
For 19/20, Liberty is launching a brand-new line of skis that’s reportedly a blend of their V and Origin skis. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new evolv 90.
Racing, Rossignol, & Rye Whiskey (Ep.88)
We went to Shoreham, Vermont, to talk with Jason Newell about his transition from ski racing, to working with the Rossignol Group for 25 years, to his latest adventure in a whole new category: whiskey. (Plus a story or two involving duct tape, Candide Thovex, and burning couches.)
Zipline XT Goggle
The Zipline XT features an absurdly quick and easy magnetic lens-swap system typically only seen on goggles twice as expensive. So, what’s the catch? Is there one? Check out our full review
19/20 Salomon S/Pro 130
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of Salomon’s new lightweight alpine boot.
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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2021-2022 Salomon S/Pro 130
The Salomon X Pro line is reportedly the best-selling line of ski boots in the world. For 19/20, they’re replacing the X Pro with the brand-new S/Pro series. Check out our measured specs, fit notes, and initial impressions of the S/Pro 130.
Patagonia — “Misunderstood | A Brief History of Hemp in the US”
Hemp has a long, complicated, and evolving history — particularly in the U.S. But with the recent passing of the Farm Bill, hemp now has the potential to make a resurgence, and Patagonia’s new film explains why that’s a very big deal. Check it out here.
2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 106c Alliance
After spending time on it in conditions ranging from fast and firm to steep and deep, the brand-new K2 Mindbender 106c Alliance has proven to be one of the most versatile wider women’s skis we’ve used.
2019-2020 Armada ARV 96 Ti
Take two layers of metal, a nearly symmetrical shape, and a twin tip, and you’ve got the Armada ARV 96 Ti. The result? Check out our full review.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Dec 2020) (Ep.156)
Cody Towsend and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about chess & The Queen’s Gambit; savants & skier savants; ski media; political appointees; avalanche accidents; Cody’s new film, The Mountain Why; and more.
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa on Biking, Skiing, Similarities, & Transitions (Ep.47)
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa is one of the best big line skiers of all time, and he’s an extremely good — and extremely passionate — mountain biker, too. So we talked with Sage about how he thinks about the similarities of skiing & mountain biking; riding lines in Virgin, Utah back in 2004; riding with Cam McCaul; what aspect of mountain biking he is most focused on improving; and his film, Balance.
2021-2022 Armada Declivity 92 Ti
We’ve spent the past few weeks skiing one of Armada’s new metal-laminate skis, the Declivity 92 Ti. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons of this fun, lively, & versatile ski.
Deep Dive: Armada Declivity 92 Ti
We compare the Declivity 92 Ti to the Salomon Stance 90, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Head Kore 93, Nordica Enforcer 94, J Skis Masterblaster, Volkl Mantra M5, Folsom Spar 88, Blizzard Brahma 88, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Line Blade, Liberty Evolv 90, & Liberty V92.
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.
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Win Kastle Skis & Spyder Jackets
The TWO winners this week will each get a pair of Kastle skis + a jacket from Spyder.
Shop Talk: Backcountry Essentials, Bellingham WA (Ep.128)
On our latest edition of ‘Shop Talk’, we’ve got the founder of Backcountry Essentials, Chris Gerston, talking about Bellingham; starting Backcountry Essentials; and some of the gear that he thinks works really well for skiing at Mt Baker and for volcano skiing.
PNW Components Rainier Gen 3 Dropper Post
The PNW Components Gen-3 Rainier is a very promising option in the increasingly crowded field of dropper posts, and comes at an unusually attractive price. So how does it compare to the competition? Check out our review.
La Sportiva Blizzard GTX
The Blizzard GTX is one of a few shoes on the market specifically designed for running on snow and ice. We’ve spent time in it doing just that, and in our full review, we go into who would really benefit from a specialized shoe like this, and who might be better off in something more versatile.
Flash Review: 20/21 Salomon Stance 90
Here are our initial thoughts on the new Stance 90, with comparisons to several other skis in its class.
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.
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Snowboarder Elena Hight on Competition, Transitions, & Blank Canvas (Ep.155)
Elena Hight is an X Games Gold Medalist, two-time Olympian, and a badass. We discuss her new film, Blank Canvas; competitive drive; how similar or different it is preparing to ride a big backcountry line versus a half-pipe contest run; her time in the mountains with the likes of Hana Beaman, Travis Rice, and Danny Davis; the art of getting better at dealing with changes and transitions in life; and more.
Winter Running Gear Roundup
Freezing temps and / or snowy trails mean your running gear plays a much larger role in how enjoyable your runs will be. Check out a few of the misc. pieces that some of our reviewers use just about every time they head out for a winter run.
1-Ski-Boot Quiver; Listener Questions; Skis; Apparel; & Masks (Ep.127)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss several listener questions about ski quivers; 1-boot quivers; some game-changing news in the ski boot world; a number of skis, apparel pieces, and ski masks we’ve been testing; & what we’re celebrating this week.