BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: 2024 Trek Slash
We compare the Trek Slash to the Contra MC, Cannondale Jekyll, Norco Range, Forbidden Dreadnought, Canfield One.2 Super Enduro, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Santa Cruz Megatower, and Propain Tyee.
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‘The Blackcountry Journal’ with Mallory Duncan & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.2)
The Blackcountry Journal is a new, truly different, 10-minute-long film by Mallory Duncan that packs a lot into its short running length, bringing together the worlds of jazz and skiing, and incorporating ideas, words, and scenes that you won’t soon forget.
Women-Specific Avalanche Education Scholarships
The American Avalanche Association and Backcountry Access (BCA) are once again offering a scholarship program for female-identifying individuals who are pursuing a Professional Level Avalanche course in the 2023-2024 season. Applications are now open!
Jones Ultralight Stratos Splitboard
The Ultralight Stratos Splitboard is a high-end board designed to excel on the up and down in a variety of conditions. So… does it? And what sort of riders ought to be considering it?
2024 Trek Slash
The recently overhauled Trek Slash combines a high-pivot layout, wheel-size options, and a lot of adjustability into an impressively well-rounded package for such a big, game-on bike.
Paul Forward on His 1st Ski Day of the Season; Ski Movies; Hunting; & Cooperation Across the Outdoors Community (Ep.287)
Jonathan and Blister reviewer (and guide, doctor, & bow hunter), Paul Forward, discuss Paul’s 1st day of the ski season; his favorite ski movies; why we need to broaden the tent of who — and what — counts as, “the outdoor community,” and some ideas that the broader outdoor industry should adopt.
3-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (23/24)
Wrapping up our reviewers’ picks for 3-ski quivers are Jonathan Ellsworth, Noah Eckhouse, and Paul Forward. Check out which 3 skis they’d pick for this season, as well as all our other reviewers’ selections.
The Pro’s Gear: Ted Ligety (Ep.272)
We talk with Ted Ligety (2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 5x World Cup champion) about his approach to gear; the specific gear he’s using today; how to best deal with flat light and low-vis conditions; his take on the current state of skiing and ski racing; and more.
Win Apparel from KAVU & Minus33
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a sweet apparel package from KAVU & Minus33!
‘G.N.A.R.’ with Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.1)
Cody and Jonathan dissect the 2011 film, G.N.A.R., and discuss the significance of the film; what’s aged the best; what’s aged the worst; who won the movie; and more.
Cornelius Kapfinger on Founding Intend, Inverted Forks, and Doing Things Differently (Ep.196)
It can be hard to stand out as a smaller component manufacturer, but Intend BC isn’t shy of doing things differently, and their forks, shocks, brakes, and other components don’t look like much else out there. Founder Cornelius Kapfinger is here to tell us all about it.
Deep Dive: REEB Steezl
We compare the REEB Steezl to the Ibis Ripmo V2S, Trek Fuel EX, Guerrilla Gravity Smash, Starling Murmur Enduro, Orbea Occam LT, Orbea Rallon, We Are One Arrival 152, Santa Cruz Bronson, Propain Tyee, Yeti SB160, Cotic RocketMAX, 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.
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REEB Steezl
REEB calls the Steezl an “Enduro bike for big rides in big terrain.” During our time with it, the Steezl has not only proven to provide some fairly unusual — but potentially really fun — ride traits, but it’s also much more versatile than you might expect.
Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company (Ep.36)
Based in Vermont, where they still make their products, Bag Balm is an American company with a 125-year history and one very remarkable story. Bag Balm’s president, Libby Parent, joins us to tell us about it all, from cow udders to celebrity endorsements.
Introducing: Blister Cinematic Podcast
Blister Cinematic is our new movie podcast that brings on your favorite skiers, snowboarders, climbers, runners, filmmakers, and outdoor personalities to revisit and dissect the most iconic ski, snowboard, and outdoor films of all time; discuss their personal favorites; reassess the underappreciated movies of the past; and highlight new and upcoming projects that ought to be on your radar.
Our first episode drops November 16th, where Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth will be revising the 2011 film, G.N.A.R.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Dakotah Norton on Finding Consistency, Moving to Mondraker, the State of US DH Racing, & More (Ep.214)
Dakotah Norton is one of the most decorated American DH racers in recent years, and we sat down with him to chat about his 2023 season, including his rocky start and strong finish to it; moving to Mondraker Factory Racing for 2024 and beyond; the state of US DH racing and how to build a better series of stepping stones to World Cup Downhill; and much more.
Deep Dive: 2024 Orbea Rallon
We compare the Orbea Rallon to the prior-generation Rallon, Ibis HD6, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Norco Sight, Propain Tyee, Contra MC, Norco Range, Trek Slash, Santa Cruz Megatower, Santa Cruz Nomad, YT Capra, Nicolai Nucleon 16, Cannondale Jekyll, Chromag Lowdown, REEB Steezl, Cotic RocketMAX, Yeti SB160, Specialized Enduro, 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.
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2024 Orbea Rallon
Orbea updated the Rallon for 2024 with the goal of adding stability and composure to their flagship Enduro race bike. So how does the new version stack up to its notably nimble and versatile predecessor? Here are our thoughts after a few months on the updated Rallon.
Flash Review: 24/25 Fischer The Curv GT 85 Redefine
The Curv GT 85 Redefine is an “all-conditions” carving ski that’s meant to showcase how Fischer can reduce the environmental footprint of their skis. Here are our thoughts so far on its on-snow performance (and more info about its unique construction).
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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Do Eric Freson Things
A lot can be learned from the life of our friend and fellow Blister reviewer, Eric Freson, and the example he set. In today’s Open Mic, you’ll hear from some of the people who knew him best and loved him most, about what it really means to ‘Do Eric Freson Things.’
Comp Life: 4 Freeride Athletes on the FWQ, FWT, & Beyond (Ep.301)
After they competed in last weekend’s FWT Challenger stop in Crested Butte, Britta Winans, Colton Shaff, Mia Winans, and Tyler Curle sat down with us to peel back the curtain on the current freeride competition scene and discuss how the skiing and riding have evolved; differences between the FWQ and FWT events; their personal favorite moments from this season + personal favorite riders, and much more.
Flash Review: 24/25 Icelantic Nomad 106
We’ve been spending a lot of time on Icelantic’s overhauled Nomad skis — check out our thoughts on the updates, and the new Nomad 106 in particular.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Icelantic Announces All-New 2025 Nomad & Maiden Skis | Blister Summit Video
The Icelantic Nomad and women’s Maiden lines of freeride skis have long been the brand’s best-selling models, and they’ve looked largely the same for a decade now. That changes for the 2024-2025 season, and we sat down with Icelantic to get all the details on the seven all-new models.
2024-2025 K2 Reckoner 124
The Reckoner 124 is the widest, most powder-oriented model in K2’s all-new Reckoner collection — here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Reckoner 124.
Blister Summit 2025 Discounts For Gunnison Valley Residents
The Blister Summit will be back in Mt. Crested Butte from February 23 to 27, 2025, and you’re invited! This year, we created a couple of options specifically for Gunnison Valley Residents. Option 1: Full Registration at the discounted rate of $250 Registration includes all
2023-2024 Line Bacon 108
The word “Bacon” has adorned the name of at least one Line ski for almost two decades now, and this season, Line launched three all-new models. So, how does the latest Bacon 108 compare to its cured-meat-named predecessors, and the rest of the freestyle market? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Line Bacon 108
We compare the Line Bacon 108 to the previous-generation Line Sir Francis Bacon, Line Bacon 115, Line Chronic 101, Season Nexus, Armada ARV 106, 4FRNT Devastator, Nordica Unleashed 108, Dynastar M-Free 108, Majesty Dirty Bear XL, Moment Deathwish 104, Moment Wildcat 108, Whitedot Altum 104, RMU North Shore 110, Atomic Bent 110, Prior Northwest 110, Rossignol Sender Free 110, K2 Reckoner 112, Faction Mana 3, Zag Slap 104, Line Blade Optic 104, & Black Crows Atris.
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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