Jonathan talks with Chugach Powder Guides helicopter pilot, Tori Palmer, to get her pilot’s perspective on their day in the mountains; her path to becoming a heli pilot and the training that’s involved; what you should - and should not - do as a passenger in a heli; and more.
2023-2024 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada ARV 106.
2023-2024 DPS Koala 111
DPS has added a new ski to fill the void between the Koala 103 & Koala 118 — check out our Full Review of the new Koala 111 to see how exactly it blends together the playfulness of the 103 with the high-speed stability of the 118.
Deep Dive: DPS Koala 111
We compare the Koala 111 to the DPS Koala 118, DPS Koala 103, Rossignol Sender Free 110, Dynastar M-Free 108, Salomon QST Blank, Icelantic Nomad 105, Rossignol Sender Squad, K2 Reckoner 112, Meier Leeper, Rossignol Blackops 118, Moment Wildcat, Line Blade Optic 114, Moment Countach 110, Head Kore 111, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, RMU North Shore 110, Black Crows Anima, Fischer Ranger 108, Black Crows Corvus, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, J Skis Friend, 4FRNT Hoji, Nordica Unleashed 108, Blizzard Rustler 11, Atomic Bent 110, & Parlor McFellon Pro.
Bacons, Chronics, & More: 23/24 Line Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We discuss all the new skis Line is launching for 23/24, including the new Bacon 108 & Bacon 115; how they compare to the previous Sir Francis Bacon & Outline; the revised Chronic 94 & brand-new Chronic 101; we get some teasers about upcoming projects, and more.
Marin Rift Zone E
A new Marin Rift Zone eMTB drops today from Marin, a brand making a strong case as a value leader in eMTBs.
Powder Skis in AK with Paul & Jonathan (Ep.241)
Jonathan is currently in AK with Paul Forward, Chugach Powder Guides, and a great crew. So he & Paul talk about the skis they’ve been getting time on (from Heritage Lab, Folsom, DPS, K2); some new skis we’d like to see; crème brûlée crust; and the new Lange Shadow boot.
Win Tickets to our 2024 Blister Summit
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get two free passes to our Blister Summit 2024 (Feb 4-8) in Mt. Crested Butte, CO!
Flash Review: 23/24 Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA GW
Update 4.14.23: Jonathan adds some of his thoughts on how the Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA has performed in Alaska, including with the addition of Atomic's "Gnar Bar" and Mimic Professional Liners.
2023-2024 Salomon QST 92
This season we got on the latest version of the QST 92 to see how much of its wider siblings’ traits it carried over into a narrower package, and what the end result would be. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see what we found.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST 92
We compare the QST 92 to the Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 90, Blizzard Rustler 9, DPS Pagoda 90 RP, Line Blade Optic 92, Line Blade Optic 96, Folsom Cash 93, Black Crows Serpo, Folsom Spar 88, Shaggy's Ahmeek 95, J Skis Fastforward, K2 Mindbender 89Ti, Line Blade, 4FRNT MSP 91, Nordica Enforcer 94, Blizzard Brahma 88, Head Kore 93, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Volkl M6 Mantra, & Fischer Ranger 90.
The Craft Skiery: 23/24 Meier Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Meier’s Michelle Kidd & Parker Davis to discuss the brand’s origins and some of their latest and most popular ski models. We cover their sustainability efforts, including using bio-based resins, beetle-kill pine, and repurposing waste materials; creating skis that meet the demands of athletes like Owen Leeper while still catering to more average skiers, and more.
Yeti SB160, Pivot Shuttle LT, SRAM Transmission & More (Ep.165)
David Golay and Simon Stewart sat down to chat about a bunch of the new bikes and gear they’ve been testing, including the Yeti SB160, Pivot Shuttle LT vs. Specialized Turbo Levo, the new SRAM Transmission, and a whole bunch more — plus some teasers of upcoming new bike releases.
Flash Review: 23/24 Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti
Rossignol is launching a whole new line of piste-oriented skis, and we've been spending time on the top-end model. Check out our initial thoughts on the Forza 70D V-Ti.
Fizik Terra Artica GTX Shoe
A lot of the waterproof mountain bike shoes on the market are also very heavily insulated and warm, but if you’re after a wet-weather clipless shoe for cool-but-not-frigid temperatures, the Fizik Terra Artica GTX might just be the ticket.
Blister Summit 2024: What, When, & How to Join
We're very excited to be bringing back the Blister Summit bigger and better for its fourth year — register now to reserve your spot at one of the best events of the winter!
Tea: Origins, Trends, & State of the Union (Ep.23)
Jonathan talks to Jing Tea founder, Ed Eisler, about the origins, production, and culture of tea; “Duckshit” tea; what goes into making an exceptional cup of tea; the pros and cons of coffee vs tea; and more.
Pomoca Skins: Proper Care & Latest Models | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Pomoca’s Gaël Baudet to discuss several of the brand’s latest skins; how their Free & Climb collections differ; how to properly care for your own climbing skins during — and after — your ski season, and more.
Pete Willauer: The One with the Knife
In our latest Open Mic, Pete Willauer talks about his Uncle John, mentorship, and responsibility to the people we love.
Blister Brand Guide: Craft Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
Craft is perhaps better known for making moisture-wicking technical layers than shoes, but since breaking into the footwear space a few years ago, they’ve already turned out an impressive lineup of innovative shoes for roads, trails, and everything in between. Check out our 2023 Brand Guide to see what’s new from Craft this year and which of their models might make the most sense for you.