BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Marin Alpine Trail XR
We compare the Marin Alpine Trail to the original Alpine Trail, Yeti SB165, Santa Cruz Nomad, Propain Tyee, Privateer 161 V2, RAAW Madonna V3, Chromag Lowdown, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Ibis HD6, Kavenz VHP 16, and Banshee Titan.
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.)
Marin Alpine Trail XR
The refreshed Marin Alpine Trail XR still brings excellent value but feels like a much more modern and well-rounded take on a modern Enduro bike than the old one. Our Full Review explains why it’s a standout.
Our Reviewers’ 2024 Craft Obsessions & 2025 Curiosities (Ep.55)
Today, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025.
5 New Films: ‘Circle of Madness’; ‘Grown’; ‘White Gold’; ‘Blue Hour’; & ‘Variable’ w/ Mike Rogge & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.33)
Mike and Jonathan talk about the state of snowsports films today, and make the case for 5 new films from 2024 that deserve your attention. So check out these films, let us know what you think of them, and let us know what else you think were some of the standout films of 2024.
2024-2025 HEAD Supershape e-Titan
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated HEAD Supershape e-Titan.
Flash Review — EXT Arma V4
We’ve been quite impressed with the EXT Storia V4 shock — so what about its bigger sibling, the Arma? Check out our thoughts so far.
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: 24/25 Nordica Enforcer 94
Jonathan shares his initial thoughts on the latest version of the Enforcer 94, how it compares to prior iterations, and where it feels most at home vs. the wider Enforcers.
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.)
2024-2025 Nordica Enforcer 94
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Nordica Enforcer 94.
Our Reviewers’ 2024 Highlights & 2025 Resolutions (Ep.339)
For our final Blister Podcast of 2024, we are once again sharing some of the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned by our team this past year, and revealing some of our reviewers’ plans and resolutions for 2025.
2024-2025 Coalition Snow Lil’ Honey Yum Yum Baby Cakes Nasty Snack
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Coalition Snow Lil’ Honey Yum Yum Baby Cakes Nasty Snack (aka, the ‘Lil’ Nasty’).
2024-2025 RMU Professor 111
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the RMU Professor 111.
Reviewer Reports: Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.328)
Luke and Jonathan discuss some of the frontside skis they’ve been on; why choosing the right frontside ski requires as much consideration as any other type of ski; and they give an update on how they’ve been using the CARV system (so far) to enhance their ski reviews.
Win Skis & More From Scott
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the SEA 98 ski, SEA Poles, and Shield AMP Pro Goggles from Scott!
2024-2025 Armada Declivity X 108
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada Declivity X 108.
2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 94
The Black Pearl series has defined Blizzard’s women-specific lineup for decades, but what’s changed with the 24/25 skis, and how does the widest model in the collection slot into the current all-mountain market? Here are our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the brand-new Black Pearl 94.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Alex Hackel on Kings & Queens of Corbet’s, Movies, & More (Ep.346)
We’re talking about all things ‘Kings & Queens’ with Alex Hackel, who has podiumed both times he’s competed in the event. Alex is also a 2-times X-games medalist, he’s the co-founder of 1000skis, and he’s a terrific filmmaker, and we discuss all of this and more.
Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kore 118Ti
Crested Butte has gotten 30+ inches of new snow in the past few days, so we’ve been breaking out several new pow skis. First up is the Kore 118Ti, which represents a pretty big shift for the Kore series. Here are our initial thoughts.
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.)
2025-2026 Head Kore 118 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Head Kore 118 Ti.
‘Downhill’ w/ Amie Engerbretson & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.36)
‘Downhill’ stars A-list comedians (Will Ferrel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, etc); takes place entirely at a ski resort; and was released on Valentine’s Day. So it must be every skier’s favorite Rom-Com, right? Hear Amie and Jonathan’s strong reactions to one of the most puzzling ski movies ever.
2024-2025 La Sportiva Maestro.2 LS
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the lightweight La Sportiva Maestro.2 LS.
2024-2025 Scarpa Maestrale RS
Scarpa’s Maestrale boots have been ubiquitous in the touring category for many years now — and for good reason. But Scarpa hasn’t been afraid to refine these boots over the years, and we’ve spent the past couple of seasons testing the latest iteration. Here’s our Full Review.
Love, Drugs, & Graphene: Mito Materials’ Founders on Next-Gen Ski Construction (Ep.335)
Today we are talking about love, materials science, and ski construction. We’re looking at graphene, why you might soon be hearing more about it in skis in the near future, and the unique properties of Mito Materials’ functionalized graphene.
Camille Balanche on Yeti’s Return to World Cup DH, the State of the Sport, Injuries, & More (Ep.261)
World Cup DH is undergoing a ton of changes at the moment, and we sat down with Camille Balanche to get her take on all of it. In addition to getting her thoughts on the state of World Cup Downhill, we talk about her move to Yeti; her injury struggles over the last couple of seasons and returning to form; pay in women’s racing; her 2025 plans and goals; and a whole lot more.
2024-2025 Moment Countach 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Moment Countach 104.
Flash Review: 24/25 Moment Countach 104
This season, Moment added a narrower, more firm-snow-friendly version of their “directional freestyle” ski, and we’ve started spending time on the Countach 104. Here are our initial 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.)
Fox Transfer Neo Dropper Post
Fox took their time bringing their first wireless dropper post to the market, but was it worth the wait? Here’s our Full Review of the new Transfer Neo.
Gold Medal Gastronomy: Inside the High-Stakes World of the Culinary Olympics (Ep.59)
Chef Paul Jensen and Eli discuss Paul’s background, the unique world of culinary competition, and what it means to represent the U.S. in one of the most prestigious food contests on earth — the Culinary Olympics.