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CARV is a slick and sophisticated system that aims to help skiers improve their skiing and have more fun on snow. And this winter, we’re partnering with CARV to do 2 things: (1) see how — and how well — CARV accomplishes this for our team of Blister reviewers; and (2) see if the analysis we get from CARV provides insights that might enhance our ski reviews.
It’s a project our reviewers are excited about, and joining us today to talk about it all are Marcus Caston, one of my personal favorite skiers who is unquestionably one of the most technically-proficient-all-mountain-skiers out there, and Alex Jackson, who (as you are about to see) is the very sharp co-founder of CARV.
RELATED LINKS
1: Blister Rec Shop: Pulse Boot Lab & Ski Co
2: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+
3: Get Our Winter Buyer’s Guide
4: Blister Summit 2025: Learn More
TOPICS & TIMES:
Pulse Boot Lab & Ski Co (1:56)
Blister Summit Update (3:15)
What is CARV? (9:13)
The Ski Coaching Paradox (11:46)
Confirmation Bias in Skiing (19:05)
Origin Story, Duct Tape, & University (20:57)
Tech & its Evolution (23:43)
Data & Data Interpretation (31:16)
Edging & Transitions (38:21)
Ski IQ (41:20)
CARV Off Piste? (43:07)
CARV 2 & Blister Reviews (52:47)
Summary & Final Thoughts (1:00:55)
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS (click each to learn more):
This podcast allayed my concerns that CARV would be just another way to re-package ski coaching and instruction. Hearing this actual conversation between Jonathan, Marcus and Alex, with examples of personal epiphanies, trials and errors, and practical/philosophical aspirations made me very excited for the continued development and distribution of CARV.
Johnathan, CARV’s data bank seems like a perfect match with Blisters mission. My guess is that CARV is already re-calibrating the R&D of ski and boot manufactures.
On the skier side of this equation, the ever widening “rabbit hole” of considerations in the CARV project seems to be well engaged with CARVE 2. Kudos. Thoughts for the future:
Continue to develop the pedagogy and vocabulary, being mindful of the end goal “integrated feeling and experience” (vs. data sorting, patterns and hierarchies). Make a sympathetic/sequential map which nurtures the capacity, goals, enjoyment and creativity of the specific skier. (Theodor Nelson “Intertwingularity” potential)
IMO you’re on the right track with a Gestalt pedagogy of “skiing the whole mountain”. (Eric and Rob DesLauriers)
Continue data integration of body core weight distribution, transfer fluidity, and timing. Support skier specific strategies (weight/strength/flexibility/body architecture metrics) for harnessing the power potential of various boot and ski options. Identify specific equipment and tune tweaks which might help deliver more control and power. Is the skier “muscling” or finessing? Are gravity, momentum, leverage, etc., being used to their full potential? Suggest a check list on the first ski day. Reward the addiction for finding and riding the sweet spot. Reward the skiers commitment to the fall line.
Integrate realtime data to support tactical on-the-fly choices for a wide range of terrains, temperatures, snow and visibility conditions. Develop the “anticipatory” all mountain skier. Plan ski day scenarios based upon changing conditions. Encourage real time data sharing and analysis cadres and networks.
Investigate dry land/off season uses of CARV data (strengthening/flexibility/reflexes/posture , etc.).
Concern for the future:
Traffic. Resort skiing is a crowded, potentially dangerous environment. Audio cues, not only important for snow condition feedback, are necessary for a safer slope side society. I’m concerned that a tunnel visioned, data driven “bubble of concentration” in a developing skiers will not grow a more mindful resort skier.
Perhaps there are realtime data indicators for increasing fatigue, nascent morbidities and anxiousness.
Consider “technique and tactic menu” for making safe choices based on traffic, visibility, changing snow conditions, fatigue, anxiousness ect.
Very exciting stuff. I discovered Blister after a lifetime skiing. Blister’s equipment review vocabulary (plus advances in boot and ski design) have given me the words to describe ski-bliss.
Is there any way – or is it fairly obvious immediately within the data- that you can allow for some variance in the scoring in the event of a long term injury? I know my left foot/ankle has a restricted ROM which must play out in my turn shape, pressure etc
The following are among the most important mechanics experts are working on, yet they are not currently among CARV’s metrics. Given that CARV can’t measure 1-3 directly (not sure about no. 4), is there any chance you’d be able to develop algorithms that accurately infer these from what you do measure?
1) Flexing to release rather than extending to release, and the timing of flexion and extension.
2) Sufficiently level hips.
3) The degree and timing of countering.
4) Avoiding excessive inside tip lead.
Hey Jonathan, Luke,
Day 2 down with CARV2; it works great.
How about starting a Blister CARV group?
-Tom