Podcast | Blister

Blister Summit 2023 just wrapped up, so on our Blister Podcast, Jonathan shares a few words about it; announces the dates for our 2024 Blister Summit, and offers a few thoughts about what the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb described as “the time of my life — literally one of the best weeks ever.”

Quick Thoughts on our Blister Summit + Summit 2024 Dates (Ep.248)

February 20, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan shares a few words about our Blister Summit that just wrapped up; announces the dates for our 2024 Blister Summit, and offers a few thoughts about what the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb described as “the time of my life — literally one of the best weeks ever.”

Drew Petersen on Skiing with College Kids, Mtn Towns & Mental Health, & More (Ep.247)

February 13, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan sits down with Drew Petersen in Blister HQ to talk about skiing with Western Colorado University’s freeride team, and to dive deeper into certain topics around mountain towns and mental health that Drew explores in his film (that you can watch on YouTube), Ups & Downs.

What’s the best way to make coffee? Strong opinions abound, and Jonathan is currently trying to figure out the right answer for himself. So in part 2 of our CRAFTED podcast series, Sam Higby, co-owner of First Ascent Coffee Roasters, joins Jonathan to talk pour overs, grinders, brewing at altitude, programmability, and more. Listen up, then let us know what your pick is for the best coffee-making setup out there.

In Search of the ‘Best’ Coffee Gear (& Ski Boots), Pt. 2 (Ep.20)

February 8, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Sam Higby, co-owner of First Ascent Coffee Roasters, joins Jonathan to talk pour overs, grinders, brewing at altitude, programmability, and more. Listen up, then let us know what your pick is for the best coffee-making setup out there.

On our latest episode of Reviewing the News on the Blister Podcast, Cody and Jonathan discuss Kyle Smaine, tragedy, & avalanche safety; separating vs always staying together in the backcountry; Mountain Town Advice, the most Canadian news; coffee gear; and more.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (January 2023) (Ep.246)

February 6, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan discuss Kyle Smaine, tragedy, & avalanche safety; separating vs always staying together in the backcountry; Mountain Town Advice, the most Canadian news; coffee gear; & more.

On this GEAR:30 episode, we are back with Kai Palkeinen, founder of Pulse Boot Lab, to hear about what Kai’s been up to since we last talked, including opening a third location in Collingwood; the evolution of Pulse and what they have in mind for the future; their process for developing and refining some 3D printing technology that is being applied to more than just ski boots; what it means to spend the day fitting race boots; why liners are everything, subjective, and also circular (?); Kai’s thoughts on BOA dials in ski boots, and more.

Shop Talk: 3D Printing & Bootfitting w/ Pulse Boot Lab (Ep.234)

February 3, 2023 by Kara Williard

We are back with Kai Palkeinen, founder of Pulse Boot Lab, to hear what Kai and the team at Pulse have been up to, including 3D printing, fitting race boots, and his thoughts on some other recent boot technology, including the rise of BOA dials.

What’s the best way to make coffee? Strong opinions abound, and our editor-in-chief is currently trying to figure it all out. So we are launching this CRAFTED mini series on coffee gear to try to gain some clarity on the topic. See what you think, and let us know what you recommend!

In Search of the ‘Best’ Coffee Gear, Pt 1 (Ep.19)

February 2, 2023February 2, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

What’s the best way to make coffee? Strong opinions abound, and our editor-in-chief is currently trying to figure it all out. So we are launching this CRAFTED mini series on coffee gear to try to gain some clarity on the topic. See what you think, and let us know what you recommend!

On our Blister Podcast, we’re talking about the ski industry, ski manufacturing, and sustainability in general, and Atomic’s own historical and quite recent initiatives, including their new annual Impact Statement.

Ski Manufacturing, Sustainability, & Atomic’s New Impact Statement (Ep.245)

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’re talking about the ski industry, ski manufacturing, and sustainability in general, and Atomic’s own historical and quite recent initiatives, including their new, annual Impact Statement.

Blister Labs: AI, Machine Learning, & Ski Reviewing (Ep.233)

February 1, 2024January 27, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Dr. Sean Humbert is back to provide an update on our ski testing at Blister Labs; discuss the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning for product reviewing and ski recommendation engines; and more.

Jonathan Ellsworth & Dylan Wood review the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA for Blister

Year of the BOA? Atomic’s Matt Manser on New Ski Boots, Liners, & BOA Systems (Ep.232)

June 5, 2023January 20, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Matt Manser is back to go deep on the new 23/24 Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD (and XTD BOA GW); the new Hawx Ultra XTD Mimic Professional liner; the all-new Atomic Backland XTD; and why we’re seeing the proliferation of the BOA system on ski boots.

On our Blister Podcast, we talk to Jess Baker and Rachael Burks about sailing, skiing, and what happens when you combine a renewable energy sailboat with an arctic ski expedition in Greenland for the first time ever, which they documented in the film, Going Greenland.

Tales of Sailing, Skiing, & “Going Greenland” with Jess Baker & Rachael Burks (Ep.244)

January 16, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Jess Baker and Rachael Burks about sailing, skiing, and what happens when you combine a renewable energy sailboat with an arctic ski expedition in Greenland for the first time ever.

On GEAR:30, Jonathan is joined by Alex and Matt from Powder7 in Golden, Colorado, to talk about shop life, gear, the price of single-day lift passes, and more. Then Blister bike editor, David Golay, jumps on to tell his Crashes & Close Calls story.

Shop Talk: Powder7 + ‘Crashes & Close Calls’ (Ep.231)

January 13, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks shop life, gear, the price of single-day lift passes, and more with Alex and Matt from Powder7 in Golden, Colorado. Then Blister bike editor, David Golay, jumps on to tell his “Crashes & Close Calls” story.

When trying to gain clarity on issues of climate change (where we are, where we’ve been, and where we should go from here) it is a good idea to talk to Bill McKibben. Bill’s book, The End of Nature was one of the first books written for the general public about these issues; and through the creation of 350.org and 3rd Act, Bill has continued to bring attention to these issues and mobilize communities to bring about change. Check out Jonathan’s conversation with Bill on our latest #BlisterPodcast, which you can find wherever you download your podcasts, or on our site.

Bill McKibben: Skier, Environmentalist, Activist, Author (Ep.243)

January 9, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

When trying to gain clarity on issues of climate change (where we are, where we’ve been, and where we should go from here) it is a good idea to talk to Bill McKibben.

Jeremy Jones on the Evolution of Snowboard Design (Ep.230)

January 6, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’ve got for you a masterclass on the history and evolution of snowboard design with Jeremy Jones, as well as Jeremy’s own philosophy behind product creation and refinement at Jones Snowboards.

On our latest episode of Reviewing the News on the Blister Podcast, Cody and Jonathan discuss Cody’s not-so-excellent recent adventures; nuclear fusion; whether ski areas should be nationalized; iPhones, Apple watches, & 911 calls; our first ever Relationship Advice questions; The White Lotus; and more.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (December 2022) (Ep.242)

June 21, 2023January 2, 2023 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We discuss Cody’s not-so-excellent recent adventures; nuclear fusion; nationalizing ski areas?; iPhones, Apple watches, & 911 calls; Relationship Advice; The White Lotus; and more.

On GEAR:30, we’re talking ski gear, customer trends, & sustainability initiatives (from the POV of a shop owner) with Mike Donohue of Outdoor Gear Exchange, our Blister Recommended Shop in Burlington, Vermont. And we have a great listener-submitted story for “Crashes & Close Calls.”

Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT + Crashes & Close Calls (Ep.229)

December 30, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk ski gear, customer trends, & sustainability initiatives (from the POV of a shop owner) with Mike Donohue of OGE, and we have a great listener-submitted story for “Crashes & Close Calls.”

Blister Reviewers’ 2022 Highlights & 2023 Resolutions (Ep.241)

December 26, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

A number of our Blister reviewers reflect on some of their favorite moments of 2022, and share with us their resolutions for 2023.

Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, Kara Williard, and Dylan Wood discuss some of the notable gear they’ve been reviewing this season. They also discuss Christmas quesadillas; whether it’s okay to put sweaty ski socks on boot dryers; and we launch a new GEAR:30 segment called Crashes & Close Calls.

Reviewer Reports + Crashes & Close Calls (Ep.228)

December 23, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan, Kara, Luke, and Dylan discuss some of the notable gear they’ve been reviewing this season, and we also launch a new GEAR:30 segment called Crashes & Close Calls.

Dr. Anh Bui on Running Resiliently, Strength Training 101, & the Fine Points of Form (Ep.151)

December 20, 2022December 20, 2022 by Matt Mitchell

It’s common knowledge that adopting a strength training routine is a great way to reduce our risk of developing a running injury, but knowing exactly where to start can be difficult if you don’t have a ton of experience in the gym. So, we spoke to Dr. Anh Bui, a physical therapist, certified strength coach, and USATF-certified running coach, about some guiding principles for those looking to get started.

Last month, Garrett Madison, Ted Hesser, and their team summited an unnamed, unclimbed peak in Nepal above the village of Khembalung. So on the Blister Podcast, we talked with them about the details and style of the climb; naming the peak; and more.

A First Ascent in Nepal: Garrett Madison & Ted Hesser (Ep.240)

December 19, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Last month, Garrett Madison, Ted Hesser, and their team summited an unnamed, unclimbed peak in Nepal above the village of Khembalung. So I talked with them about the details and style of the climb; naming the peak; and more.

Blister Labs: Travis Hainsworth on Soft Robotics, MoCap, & Wheelsets (Ep.227)

February 1, 2024December 16, 2022 by Jonathan Ellsworth

When Travis Hainsworth isn’t out on his highly questionable one-ski quiver, he’s busy being the associate director of the Western-CU Boulder Computer Science Program here in Gunnison, CO, and an integral member of our Blister Labs team.