BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Biggest Ski Buying Mistakes + Ski Tuning, Ski Wax, & Ski Boots (Ep.273)
What are some of the biggest mistakes skiers make when buying gear? And what do regular, recreational skiers & snowboarders need to know about ski tuning and waxing? Jonathan discusses these questions and more with Logan and Riley Boone of Boone Mountain Sports. They also talk about how they all met (it was in Austria), and Jonathan reveals the upcoming ‘Blister 90-Flex Challenge’.
Win Outerwear from Strafe
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get either the Women’s Scarlett Bib or Men’s Nomad Bib from Strafe!
Katy Winton on Burnout, Recovery, & Returning to Racing (Ep.197)
Katy Winton has had a challenging last couple of years, from a protracted concussion recovery to having to put together her own privateer program at the last minute to even race in 2021. And then two races into the 2022 EWS season, she was so severely burned out that she pulled out of the rest of the season to recover. Now, she’s ready to tell the whole story, so we brought her back on Bikes & Big Ideas to share it.
Flash Review: Luke’s Opening Day Gear: 23/24 Rossignol Forza, Lange Shadow, Rab Vapour-Rise, & Anon Goggles
We’re back on snow! And in this special opening-day Flash Review, Luke Koppa shares some thoughts on the Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti, Lange Shadow 130 LV, Rab Vapour-Rise Summit Jacket, & Anon M5 goggle.
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.)
Amateur Hour: Paul Forward on Arrows (Ep.37)
Last year we talked with Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about the art, ethics, and craftsmanship of traditional bows (episode #8). And today, we’re talking about arrows.
Phaenom Footwear Announces Limited Drop of New Ski Boots
phaenom footwear, the newest and most nebulous ski boot company to hit the market, has announced a limited drop of their first collection of ski boots. Here are the details.
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.
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.)
‘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!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
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 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.
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 Armada ARV 106
Armada is updating several of their popular all-mountain-freestyle skis for the 24/25 season, and we’ve been spending time on (and really enjoying) the new ARV 106. Check out 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.)
Sex & Ski Boots: Hoji, Matt Manser, & Greg Klein on the Present & Future of Ski Boot Design
At Blister Summit 2024, we got a state of the union on the present and future of ski boot design from 3 people with a wealth of experience in this world: Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson, Matt Manser, and Greg Klein. They cover everything from the reception and performance of BOA boots to Hoji’s new Dynafit Ridge Pro boot; cold feet (literal & metaphorical…), and much more.
Misplaced Guilt? Misplaced Pride? A Different Conversation about Climate Issues (Ep.302)
What should we do to most significantly & quickly improve the current climate situation? Jonathan talks with Amie Engerbretson (Atomic); Dr. Len Necefer (Founder, the Sonoran Avalanche Center); and Jake Black (Protect Our Winters) to address this and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 24/25 ZAG Mata Ti
The new 90mm-wide Mata Ti isn’t a typical all-mountain ski, and as a result, it can be atypically fun in certain scenarios. Here are our initial thoughts on this tight-radius 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.
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.)
When a Non-Traditional Ski Company Makes “Traditional” Skis | Moment Commanders
Moment has been making skis in Reno — and in their own way — for over a decade now. So their directional, metal-laminate, and narrow (for Moment) Commander skis came as a bit of a surprise. In this video from Blister Summit 2024, we get all the details about the latest Moment collection from their CEO, Luke Jacobson.
Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre
The Nicolai Nucleon 16 is the first production bike on the market that comes with the Lal Bikes Supre Drive drivetrain, and even without focusing on that, the bike doesn’t look like anything else out there — but how does it ride? We’ve spent a couple of months on the Nucleon and are ready to weigh in.
Deep Dive: Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre
We compare the Nicolai Nucleon 16 to the Trek Slash, Kavenz VHP 16, Contra MC, Forbidden Dreadnought, Chromag Lowdown, YT Capra, Santa Cruz Nomad, Santa Cruz Megatower, Cotic RocketMAX, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Nicolai G1, and Norco Range.
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.)
Reviewer Reports: Taos Ski Valley, Carving Skis, All-Mountain Skis, & Luke’s 3-Day-Old Cheeseburger (Ep.290)
Jonathan, Luke, Kara, & Kristin discuss a number of the carving-oriented and narrower all-mountain skis they were on this week; Luke’s food choices; and Taos’ Chair 2 (West Basin) vs Chair 12 (Kachina Peak).
2024-2025 Head Oblivion 102
Part of Head’s recent overhaul of their freestyle lineup, the Oblivion 102 may look like an oversized park ski, but that simple characterization would by no means accurately summarize its uncommon all-mountain ride. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Head Oblivion 102
We compare the Head Oblivion 102 to the Head Oblivion 94, Head Oblivion 116, Head Kore 105, Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, 4FRNT Switch, Majesty Dirty Bear XL, Line Chronic 101, Armada ARV 106, Dynastar M-Free 99, Moment Deathwish 104, Whitedot Altum 104, Atomic Bent 100, Season Kin, K2 Reckoner 102, Faction Mana 2, and Line Blade Optic 104.
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.)