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Today we’re spilling the beans on the new dates — and new location — of Blister Summit 2026. Then we give a quick update on our Winter Buyer’s Guide Update, and wrap up with an important challenge to all outdoor brands.
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Blister Summit 2026 Announcement (2:59)
Winter Buyer’s Guide Update (5:47)
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The season is getting close, hopefully about 100 days. These are the items on a loop in my head.
* Ski fund budget will be ignored, and not discussed with anyone.
* Blister Plus purchased for a trip to Canada.
* Are Countach 104’s going to be the right tool for the Powder Hwy?
*I have never skied in Utah, but there is always a first time. How I am going to make this happen.
*Cant wait for the 2025/ 26 Buyers Guide. Although after buying 2 pairs of skis last season, I had better not mention this to Kimberly.
*Boots are a want and Shell Pants could be a target.
*Oh wait, Do I need a Sender Free 118 or A Countach 110 for Revelstoke? I heard Kicking Horse will not allow less than a 110 on the Gondola zones.
*Ski Movie Trailers are dropping.
* When is Jonathan Snowboarding?
* Should I DM Cody when I am at Palisades to ski Chute 75, and hitting him in the head putting the safety bar down on KT22.
Yep, lots to be fired up about!
Pete
#101
Glad to know Peter that it’s not just me with loads of nonsense spinning around in their head!
Like point 1 a lot
Point 5 is related to point one, and you can always say Blister made me do it – after all the 5 ski quivers coming soon are there for a reason!
When will the digital version of the 25/26 Buyers Guide be live?
So, I will just ask the question that has been rattling in my head a bunch recently… why does it seem like terrain is often the only thing referenced when commenting on a ski area (I will refrain from using the word resort)? I appreciate that great terrain is certainly an important if not a leading factor in evaluation, but it can’t be the only factor. Understanding that all rankings are highly subjective, but maybe I just value different things. As I think back to a variety of different locations I have skied at a I can’t help but put a lot of weight on the logistics around actually getting to the hill, and lift lines as major factors as to if I would go to a mountain. I guess in a roundabout way I am trying to say I don’t think I would ever choose to go back to Snowbird or Alta until major updates are done even for the Summit. The traffic in and out of the Cottonwoods and the lift lines make the entire experience unappealing to me. I would rather drive 13 hours one-way to ski Stowe VT than fly to Utah for Snowbird. Sure, the terrain is not as good however the overall experience is far more enjoyable.
Ha, wait, did you even listen to the shortest podcast I’ve ever recorded? :) We’ve certainly never said that “terrain is the only thing” (even though we certainly love a little spicy terrain). In fact, I named 4 specific things:
* quantity of terrain
* quality of terrain
* quantity & consistency of snowfall
* quality of snowfall
Re: traffic, lots of Utah folks certainly come out for pow days. But that’s an added benefit of a mid-April event: many people who ski have wrapped their season up by then — for reasons which I’ll never understand. If you’ve never been to the Bird in mid-April, you’ll see…
Yes I did listen and my post was more just a general comment from what I remember from many of the “Top Resort” type lists we see floating around often in various forums.
Don’t get me wrong enjoy me some spicy terrain. I will be among the first in line to hike the headwaters at big sky, the palisades at well palisades, of the tram at snowbird or wait to be first in line Spanky’s Ladder at Blackcomb.
To be fair my personal opinion was that quantity is a factor in quality of terrain judgements not a stand alone category. Same with quality of snow and quantity. Personal opinion again, but if you have the highest quality snow and only have one powder day a year or low overall quantity I would probably rate it low.
I’ve made two trips to ski the Bird, one in late March and while terrain was great I was underwhelmed with the conditions, lines, facilities etc. Powder days even mid week were so crowded It felt like I was fighting to get down the slope without crashing into someone, almost like it was 4 O’clock at Breckenridge. I would say lack of lodges on the mountain is not but the overall lack lodging/hotels available in the valley also is a hinderance if you are skiing with a group of variable level’s/capability who do not want spend the whole day on the slope, or need/want to take a break while you are still charging.
I too am thoroughly bamboozled by those who end the ski season by end of march especially if they live within 6 hours of the slopes.