BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win a Touring Prize Package from BCA
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get an awesome prize package from Backcountry Access (BCA), including their Float E2-25 airbag pack, Tracker S rescue package, and new BC Link Mini radio!
Folsom’s Spar 78, New ‘Rotor’ Pow Ski, & Jonathan’s Custom Touring Ski Project (Ep.275)
Jonathan and Folsom Custom Ski’s Mike McCabe discuss the skinniest ski in the Folsom lineup, the Spar 78; Folsom’s new huge pow ski, the Rotor; and then they dive into a new custom touring-ski project for JE.
Flash Review: 23/24 Lange Shadow 115 LV W
We’ve been testing Lange’s stiffest women-specific boot in their all-new Shadow series, the Shadow 115 LV W. Check out our initial impressions.
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2023-2024 Lange Shadow 115 LV W
For 23/24, Lange introduced their new alpine boot lineup – the Shadow series. Check out our First Look for all the details on the stiffest women-specific option, the Shadow 115 LV W.
Forbidden Supernought
It’s been no secret that Forbidden had a DH bike in the works, but now we know all the details — and you can buy one. Check out the Supernought.
Tool on Their Radical Machined High-Pivot Bike (Ep.199)
Tool has been developing a stunning-looking made-in-Quebec machined high-pivot Trail / Enduro bike with some radical geometry and design details, and we sat down with founder and designer William Boisvert to hear all about it.
2-Board Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (23/24)
Which 2 snowboards and/or splitboards would you pick for all the riding you do in a season? We got answers from several of our snowboard reviewers — check out their selections, and let us know your own!
Flash Review: 23/24 Volkl Blaze 114
Following a surprise early-season storm, we got back on Volkl’s new lightweight freeride ski, the Blaze 114. Here are some initial takeaways from Jonathan Ellsworth.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2023 – Under The Tree
Next up in our 2023 Gift Guide series are the items that our reviewers think will make for awesome additions beneath the tree this holiday season. If you’re looking for a gift for the skier, biker, hiker, traveler, or just about any other type of person in your life, check them out!
‘Apocalypse Snow’ with Régis Rolland (Ep.4)
We follow up last week’s conversation about one of the greatest ski & snowboard movies of all time, with the star of Apocalypse Snow, the snowboarding legend and pioneer, Régis Rolland. Régis and Jonathan discuss the making of the film; what interested him in getting on a snowboard in the first place, and Régis kindly answers some of the burning questions we raised about the film in last week’s conversation.
Flash Review: 23/24 Fischer RC4 Pro LV
We’ve been spending time in Fischer’s new 140-flex boot — check out our initial impressions, including comparisons to the Lange Shadow, Tecnica Mach1, and the RC4 Pro MV BOA.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (23/24)
After weeks of ski-quiver discussions, we’ve finally arrived at the hardest question of all: what single ski would you use for all the skiing you do? In the last update, we get to hear from Jonathan Ellsworth & Paul Forward. Check out their selections and a bunch of our other reviewers’ personal picks.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, November 2023 (Ep.289)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the *trillion* dollar outdoor industry; e-bike bans?; the business of retro sneakers / retro skis; Cody snowboarding; mtn town relationship advice; & more.
A Message to Our Blister Members
Jonathan Ellsworth discusses some important changes to our Blister Membership that are happening in 2024 — and a special offer for all current Blister Members.
Win a Pack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Crux 40 ski mountaineering pack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra: Stories from the Field
In this video from Blister Summit 2024, Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra share stories about their all-time favorite days in the mountains; their scariest experiences; times they were the most starstruck; what they wish they could tell their younger selves; and more.
Flash Review: 24/25 K2 Mindbender 116C W
Kara Williard just wrapped up a pow-skiing trip to Alaska, and one of the skis she brought with her was the recently updated Mindbender 116C. Here are her initial on-snow 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.
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Flash Review — Kavenz VHP 16 V7
The Kavenz VHP 16 V6 was a surprisingly versatile, playful high-pivot Enduro bike, but what about the new V7? Check out 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.
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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, March 2024 (Ep.303)
Cody and JE discuss the end of The Fifty; the Crankworx riders’ strike; JHMR’s parking lot controversy; the drugged-up Olympic Games; the ‘Road House’ remake; & more.
Flash Review: 24/25 Rossignol Sender Free 118
The Rossignol Blackops 118 is one of the all-time favorite skis of several of our reviewers. So, when we heard that Rossignol changed it for the 24/25 season, we couldn’t help but hold our collective breath. This week, we finally spent a few pow days on the new model, the Sender Free 118. So, can everybody exhale now, or can Rossignol expect an angry mob at their doorstep? Check out Luke Koppa’s Flash Review to find out.
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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New Shift2 Binding, QST X Ski, Race Boots, & More | 2025 Salomon Ski Gear
Salomon has a LOT of new products coming for the 2024-2025 season. In this video from Blister Summit 2024, we got the backstory and details on a whole bunch of them, including the new pow-oriented QST X ski; why and how they tweaked the original Shift binding when designing the new Shift2 binding; their brand-new Shift Alpha BOA & S/Pro Race boots; their fully recyclable Brigade INDEX Helmet; several new apparel pieces, and more.
Moment & Icelantic Skis on Ski Design & U.S. Ski Manufacturing (Ep.291)
What’s in and what’s out in ski design? And how have U.S. ski companies been doing over the past few years? We discuss this and much more with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, and Icelantic Skis founder, Ben Anderson.
Win a BCA Spring Touring Prize Package
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a late-season spring touring prize package from BCA, including a radio, pack, shovel, and probe!
Georgia Astle on Racing, Freeriding, & Finding Her Way to MTB (Ep.215)
Georgia Astle’s path to freeride stardom was an unconventional one — she didn’t bike much growing up, despite living in Whistler — and it’s given her an interesting perspective on the state of the sport, finding and developing talented young riders, and a whole lot more.
2024-2025 Zag Harfang 96 & Harfang 96 Lady
The ZAG Harfang 96 is a very traditional ski in some regards, and less so in others. And for certain folks, this all-mountain ski’s rare combo of traits will be a whole lot of fun. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons, where both our male and female reviewers weigh in.
Deep Dive: ZAG Harfang 96 & Harfang 96 Lady
We compare the ZAG Harfang 96 & Harfang 96 Lady to the ZAG Harfang 96, ZAG Slap 104, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Volkl M6 Mantra, Volkl Secret 96, Stöckli Stormrider 95, Salomon Stance 96, Blizzard Anomaly 94, Fischer Ranger 96, Blizzard Black Pearl 97, 4FRNT MSP CC, Nordica Enforcer 99, Nordica Santa Ana 98, Salomon QST 98, Nordica Enforcer 94, J Skis Masterblaster, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Peak 98 by Bode, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Nordica Santa Ana 92, Blizzard Rustler 9, Head Kore 93, Blizzard Black Pearl 94, Faction Dancer 2, Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, RMU Apostle 96 Pro, Line Optic 96, K2 Mindbender 96C, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Renoun Endurance 98, Shaggy’s Mohawk 98, & Wagner Summit 97.
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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Flash Review: 24/25 Nordica Enforcer 104 vs. Enforcer 104 Free
Jonathan Ellsworth just spent a day A/B testing the new Enforcer 104 vs. the original Enforcer 104 Free, Here are his thoughts. And an ill-advised drinking game.
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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