Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)

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On this week’s GEAR:30, Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about our big new book, the Blister 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide, including the big takeaways, trends, and controversies. (Plus, stick around to hear Luke’s insane bear story at the end.)
Luke Koppa's signature move, captured by Taylor Ahearn

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Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)
Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)

Luke Koppa and I talk about our big new book, the Blister 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide, including the big takeaways, trends, and controversies. (Plus, stick around to hear Luke’s insane bear story at the end.)

Note: We Want to Hear From You!
Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us here

RELATED LINKS:
Our Digital Buyer’s Guide: Read Now
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members
Non-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026
Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide
Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:
Luke’s Facial Hair Situation (5:17)
How to Get the Guide (10:19)
How Our Guide Works (14:07)
Trends for 25/26: Boots (22:43)
Trends for 25/26: Skis (22:43)
Trend / Not a Trend: Weight (37:20)
Luke’s Least Favorite Thing (42:36)
Apparel, Goggles, & Helmets (44:55)
Biggest Controversy (50:09)
More on our ‘Best Of’ (58:08)
Luke’s Insane Bear Story (1:10:00)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS (click each to learn more):

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Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)
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Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)
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Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)
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7 comments on “Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)”

  3. Hey Guys,
    Congrats on making another HUGE book! This is the first signal that ski season 2025/26 is getting closer.

    Loved the opening, and Jonathan, you have many of the 100 waiting to hear about day 1 of you sliding sideways. This season, I am hoping that my New, will be continued progression and new locations. I thank you, and your team for your inspiration and direction on my Ski Life Crisis journey.

    While super excited to get the Buyers Guide, I think between my Gear Therapy session with Jonathan and the Blister Summit last year, I am set for skis. Proudly, I have a 2 quiver setup of Moment Countach 104’s as the daily driver. Then the Salomon Stance 90’s for low tide crusty has not snowed in a bit of days moguls, and the early season White Ribbon of Death days. The Countach 104 is good to great for me in everything, I skied last season. I want to add the Countach 110 as the High Tide / Powder ski, but I am not sure I get to the Mountain in pure Powder situations that the 104’s cannot handle often enough to justify. That is why I did not buy it last season after my Gear Therapy session. But Skis are like Bikes N+1.

    I was hoping that you guys had more time in Dual Boa Boots, and were ready to have deeper discussions. While I do not think I “Need” Boots, I kinda “want” new boots and to upgrade to the next level of performance. I like the Salomon Supra Dual Boa 120 and I also like the Lange Shadow 130 MV Buckles (which is the direct upgrade on my Lange LX120 HV Boots). Lots of time to ponder this decision for sure.

    BTW, I am going to try to get to Snowbird in April because Spring Skiing is Awesome!

    Pete
    #101

  4. Hello blister,
    I hope there is a review of the Faction La Machine 5 in the works, the feeling I was left with after reading the BBG was don’t buy this ski.
    I’m looking for a powder tour ski and there isn’t much out there this size.

  5. Great episode and great work on the guide.
    I can confirm the absurd price of rabies treatment in the US. Had to get one during a work trip in the States. Bill was 16000 Dollars. Luckily my Swiss insurances covered the bill.
    In Switzerland, where I am from, the same procedure costs literally a tenth.
    Go figure!

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