GEAR:30

We’re back with Eric Helmbrecht, co-owner of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK, to discuss Alaska’s banner El Niño season; the gear he enjoyed most; the gear Kara Williard brought to Girdwood; what’s changed at Alyeska Resort since joining the Ikon pass; the reliability of various AT & alpine bindings, and more. RELATED LINKS: Shop Talk: Powder Hound, Girdwood, AK (Ep.133) Shop Talk: Celebrating 10 Years of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK (Ep.222) Trends, Favorite Gear, and Most / Least Durable Products, with Eric Helmbrecht of Powder Hound AK (Ep.41) Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Blister Recommended Shops TOPICS & TIMES Alaska’s Epic El Niño (3:07) Eric’s Favorite Gear (4:55) Kara’s Gear for AK (7:05) BOA Boots (10:57) Ski Tuning Upgrade (13:17) Ski Racing in AK (17:03) Alyeska on the Ikon Pass (20:03) Eric’s Trip Recommendations (25:19) Alpine Bindings (28:01) Binding Reliability & Longevity (30:56) Eric’s Preferences (40:53) AT Bindings & Trends (44:40) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the new skis they’ve been testing this spring RELATED LINKS: Blister Rec Shop: Powder Hound Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ TOPICS & TIMES: Intro & Updates (2:36) Blizzard Anomaly 88 (9:50) K2 Omen Team (20:00) Blizzard Anomaly 94 (23:32) Armada Declivity X 102 & Declivity X 108 (33:58) Moment Commander 102 (40:46) Line Pandora 99 & Pandora 106 (49:14) Black Crows Corvus (57:38) Rossignol Sender Free 118 (1:03:57) Crashes & Close Calls (1:10:07) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy. Kara Williard sat down with Jeff to discuss how this app compares to and complements other backcountry tools; key features such as Adaptive Slop Shading and “No Go Zones”; how it accounts for human factors; different types of risk; the general state of tech in the backcountry; and more. RELATED LINKS: Download Aspect Avy for FREE Blister Rec Shop: Boulder Orthotics Get Covered: BLISTER+ VIDEOS: BLISTER YouTube Channel Invest in Aspect Avy TOPICS & TIMES: Jeff’s Background: IFMGA & Nordic (3:10) Jeff’s Near-Death Experience (6:15) Intro to Aspect Avy (9:18) Adaptive Slope Shading (10:31) No-Go Zones, Coaching Tool, & Runout Zones (13:21) Human Factors (19:17) Adaptive Tools (23:20) Who’s It For? (30:32) Tech & Backcountry Skiing (46:26) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s in and what’s out in ski design? And how have U.S. ski companies been doing over the past few years? At Blister Summit 2024, we discussed this and much more with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, and Icelantic Skis founder, Ben Anderson. We cover notable trends; why skis cost what they do; the challenges of manufacturing skis in the U.S.; whether a core-shot-proof ski is possible, and more. And, if you’d like to check out the video of this conversation, then head over to the BLISTER YouTube channel to watch this, plus other panel sessions from all of our Blister Summits, plus new brand lineup videos, etc. RELATED LINKS: Blister Rec Shop: Lone Pine Gear Exchange Get Covered: BLISTER+ VIDEOS: BLISTER YouTube Channel TOPICS & TIMES: Introductions 3:21 Manufacturing Challenges 8:08 Ski Costs vs. Ski Prices 14:10 Exciting New Ski Materials? 26:01 Audience Questions 35:50 CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jonathan, Luke, Kara, Kristin, and JBobb were testing a bunch of skis, boots, snowboards, and apparel in Taos Ski Valley. But it was more than just a review trip, since it was also the first time back at TSV for several of us who previously spent many seasons there — which meant there were a lot of feelings. So in this conversation, we discuss a number of the carving-oriented and narrower all-mountain skis we were on this week; Luke’s food choices; the heated debate between Taos’ Chair 2 (West Basin) vs Chair 12 (Kachina Peak); and more. RELATED LINKS: Blister Recommended Shop: Powder Hound AK BLISTER+ Membership: Learn More & Sign Up VIDEOS: Blister YouTube Channel TOPICS & TIMES: We’re Back! (5:45) The Great Debate: Taos’ Chair 2 vs. Chair 12 (11:27) Luke’s Green-Chile Cheeseburger (25:00) Morning Groomers & Carving Skis (30:53) Afternoon Steeps & All-Mountain Skis (44:31) Crashes & Close Calls: Jonathan’s Latest (1:05:54) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa and Kara Williard talk with Trygve Sande, one of the founders of Vertical Playground (VPG), which is our Blister Recommended Shop in Oppdal, Norway, to get a read on the past, present, and future of backcountry gear. We discuss current trends; all-time pivotal pieces of gear; the most durable products; the easiest ones to use; gear that helps break down the barriers to entry; skiing in Norway; and last but not least, Trygve’s involvement and collaboration with Hoji and 4FRNT’s new concept ski. RELATED LINKS: Vertical Playground GEAR:30 Ep.169: Vertical Playground, Oppdal Norway Get Covered: BLISTER+ VIDEOS: Blister YouTube Channel TOPICS & TIMES VPG background (2:19) Current Backcountry Trends (5:20) All-Time Pivotal Gear (11:01) Frame & Tech Bindings (13:09) Most Durable Products? (20:46) Top Products: Ease of Use (24:31) Hoji Lock (25:31) Dynafit Ridge Binding (31:11) Performance-to-Weight Ratio (28:06) Best Gear for Norway (31:26) Backcountry Accessories (33:38) Backpacks (35:20) Backcountry Gear Demos (36:54) Hoji & the Raven & 4FRNT Concept Ski (41:00) Summer at VPG (47:19) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re discussing current helmet technology, head injuries, and best practices for skiers & snowboarders with Blister reviewer (and physician assistant), Sascha Anastas; Sr. Director of R&D at Giro, Steven Kennedy; the CMO of MIPS, Frederik Kjellberg; and pro skier, Drew Petersen. RELATED LINKS: Blister Recommended Shop: Boone Mtn Sports Get Covered: BLISTER+ VIDEOS: Blister YouTube Channel TOPICS & TIMES: MIPS Backstory & Purpose (4:28) Skull Fractures & Concussions (9:10) Helmet R&D & Various Testing Standards (14:50) Athlete Perspective on Helmet Testing (19:56) Advice for Buying Helmets (25:02) Different Versions of MIPS (28:06) Drew’s Take: Choosing Helmets (30:36) Replacing Helmets: When & Why? (32:00) Audience: Mental Side of Accidents (35:02) Audience: Concussions & Long-Term Effects (42:57) Audience: Helmet Replacement Cont. (44:28) Closing Thoughts (46:20) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Jones was in town last week, so in addition to getting out on snow together, Jonathan and he sat down in Blister HQ in Elevation Hotel to talk about gear reviews; the biggest gear mistakes riders make; full-camber vs. no-camber boards; soft vs. hard boots (including Shane McConkey’s tinkering on that front); and more. RELATED LINKS: Blister Recommended Shop: Willi’s Get Covered: BLISTER+ Jeremy & Xavier Nidecker on Re-Up Tech TOPICS & TIMES: Riding CBMR, CBMR Freeride Comp (3:35) Jonathan Boarding, Jeremy Getting on Skis (6:00) Gear Reviews / Gear Reviewing (11:56) Materials, Weight, & Stiffness (25:15) Full-Camber vs No-Camber Boards (33:17) Boards for Beginners (35:47) Soft vs Hard Boots (42:06) Product Design at Jones (53:34) ReUptech (55:38) Blister Cinematic (58:35) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should you think about ski boot flex patterns, and which one is “right” for you? For the latest installment of our “Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting” series, Kara Williard talks with bootfitter and Pulse Boot Lab’s Revelstoke store manager, Bryn Vickers, to cover the complex and often misunderstood aspects of ski boot flex. We discuss how the ankle joint and an individual’s biomechanics are the most important pieces of the puzzle; what exactly boot “flex” even means when it comes to on-snow performance; the many variables that determine what flex pattern might work best for you; and we also talk about Pulse’s latest tech, including their new foam-injected aftermarket liner. RELATED LINKS: Blister Recommended Shop: Pulse Boot Labs BLISTER+ Membership: Sign Up A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting Series 3D Printing & Bootfitting w/ Pulse Boot Lab (Ep.234) Stance Balancing with Pulse Boot Labs (Ep.217) TOPICS & TIMES Ankle Joint = #1 Priority (3:33) How the Body Moves (6.17) Custom Insoles (12:49) What is Boot Flex? (17:50) Walk Mode Vs. Fixed Cuff (22:49) Flex Ratings (26:27) Forward Lean & Calf Size (33:39) Height, Weight, & Strength (39:17) Options for Stiffening (42:26) Options for Softening (45:59) Final Thoughts on Boot Flex (48:49) Pulse’s Foam Injected Liner & Other Tech (52:51) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa sits down with Kristin Sinnott, Jonathan Ellsworth, Kara Williard, and Justin Bobb to do a bit of a recap on our 2024 Blister Summit, which took place in Mt. Crested Butte last week. We go over a few of the MANY highlights of the event, and then dive into a bunch of the standout products they were each able to try at the Summit. RELATED LINKS: Blister Recommended Shop: Sturtevants Blister Summit 2024: A Brief Recap of an Epic Event BLISTER+ Membership: Sign Up TOPICS & TIMES: Catching Up (2:24) Blister Awards (13:58) Rossignol Revenant, Never Summer Cougar, & Weston Hatchet (15:35) Dynastar M-Pro 98 W (19:55) Rossignol Sender Soul 102 (22:42) Icelantic Maidens (27:23) Salomon S/Pro Race 110 (28:56) Bishop Telemark, Uphillers, & Raide Packs (30:38) Salomon Stance 96 (36:43) ON3P Woodsman 100 (38:30) Salomon QST X (39:28) ZAG Slap 92 & Slap 112 (42:09) CARV & Hoji (44:22) Moment Commander 92 (46:12) Blister Summit 2025 (53:49) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kara Williard sits down with Katy Jackson, co-founder and CEO of our Blister Recommended Shop, Lone Pine Gear Exchange, to understand the logistics of running a robust consignment program; how to shop for and sell used gear; the importance of consignment for both accessibility and sustainability in outdoor recreation; gear repair; planting trees; how living off-grid led her and her husband to where they are today; and a whole lot more. RELATED LINKS: Lone Pine Gear Exchange | 15% off your first order with code: BLISTER15 BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered BLISTER Recommended Shops TOPICS & TIMES Off-Grid Living (2:30) Second Tracks (6:31) Starting Lone Pine (7:53) Consignment Program (11:32) Best Practices for Buying Used (16:32) Gear Repair Program (25:38) Sustainability & Community (35:59) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sean Humbert is back to provide an update on our Blister Labs’ ski flex project, and to explain how and why ski boots are becoming an integral part of this project, too. RELATED LINKS: Boone Mountain Sports OpenSnow Last Chance! Blister Summit 2024 BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered TOPICS & TIMES: Scope of the Project (6:26) Dynamic Modeling (7:05) Machine Learning (17:50) Creating a Profile? (23:28) The Holy Grail Project & Ski Boots (28:18) Blister Summit / Blister Labs (41:09) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa, Dylan Wood, and Eric Freson join Kara Williard to talk about the epic storm cycle we recently had in Crested Butte, and the powder-ski testing that followed. We also discuss several of the new all-mountain skis we’ve been on lately; Dylan’s new favorite ski poles; a standout touring boot; 3D-printed custom goggles; and a bunch of Crashes & Close Calls. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Spokane Alpine Haus Join Us at Blister Summit 2024 Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ TOPICS & TIMES: Pow Skis (4:19) All-Mountain Skis (20:39) Other Gear We’ve Been Testing (41:23) Crashes & Close Calls (55:37) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa, Dylan Wood, and Eric Freson join Kara Williard to talk about the epic storm cycle we recently had in Crested Butte, and the powder-ski testing that followed. We also discuss several of the new all-mountain skis we’ve been on lately; Dylan’s new favorite ski poles; a standout touring boot; 3D-printed custom goggles; and a bunch of Crashes & Close Calls. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Spokane Alpine Haus Join Us at Blister Summit 2024 Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ TOPICS & TIMES: Pow Skis (4:19) All-Mountain Skis (20:39) Other Gear We’ve Been Testing (41:23) Crashes & Close Calls (55:37) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa sits down with Kyle Siegel, the founder of Raide, which is one of the newest players in the backcountry softgoods category. They launched with a lightweight 40-liter backpack that immediately made a splash when it was released, so we sat down with Kyle to learn about how — and why — he started Raide. We cover the problems he’s looking to solve; how he went about doing so with the Raide LF 40 pack; we do a deep dive on some of the latest high-end, ultralight pack materials; the challenges and benefits of running a new, small business in the category; what we should expect from Raide in the future, and more. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Pulse Boot Lab & Ski Co. Join Us at Blister Summit 2024 Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Blister First Look: Raide LF 40L Pack TOPICS & TIMES: Kyle’s Background (3:28) The Problems Raide is Attempting to Solve (6:19) Prototyping Process & Must-Have Features (12:15) Deep Dive: Materials (17:00) Raide LF 40L: Overview (28:07) Raide’s Future Products (35:57) Running Lean & Nimble as a Small Business (43:32) Raide’s Athlete Team (46:17) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa sits down with Kyle Siegel, the founder of Raide, which is one of the newest players in the backcountry softgoods category. They launched with a lightweight 40-liter backpack that immediately made a splash when it was released, so we sat down with Kyle to learn about how — and why — he started Raide. We cover the problems he’s looking to solve; how he went about doing so with the Raide LF 40 pack; we do a deep dive on some of the latest high-end, ultralight pack materials; the challenges and benefits of running a new, small business in the category; what we should expect from Raide in the future, and more. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Pulse Boot Lab & Ski Co. Join Us at Blister Summit 2024 Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Blister First Look: Raide LF 40L Pack TOPICS & TIMES: Kyle’s Background (3:28) The Problems Raide is Attempting to Solve (6:19) Prototyping Process & Must-Have Features (12:15) Deep Dive: Materials (17:00) Raide LF 40L: Overview (28:07) Raide’s Future Products (35:57) Running Lean & Nimble as a Small Business (43:32) Raide’s Athlete Team (46:17) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you an “expert” skier or rider? Advanced skier? Intermediate? What’s the difference between “advanced” and “expert”? Today, we’re following up on our GEAR:30 conversation with Luke Koppa (episode 277) to revisit these questions — having received a lot of great responses from all of you. Joining Jonathan today to rethink these things is Jordan Jones, co-founder and president of Powder7, to provide a retailer’s perspective on these things. See what you think, and let us know whether you think we ought to change or tweak our 6 ability level categories for Community Reviews. RELATED LINKS: OpenSnow.com/Blister Taos Ski Valley Ski Week Join Us! Blister Summit 2024 Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Ep. 277: Jonathan & Luke on Skier Ability Levels TOPICS & TIMES: Meeting Up in Girdwood, AK (8:15) Technique (12:37) Is Our Bar Too High for “Expert”?(16:46) Our “Advanced” Category (25:53) Advanced & Expert Descriptions (28:56) Assigning Ability Levels to Skis (32:04) Skier Weight vs Skier Power (39:13) Skier Personality / Style (44:29) Accounting for Different Conditions / Locations (48:10) Monoskiing (51:27) Final Thought: The Best Skiers on the Mtn (59:08) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re following up last week’s episode, where we looked back at 2023’s “Gear Of The Year,” and we’re now looking forward to 2024. Jonathan Ellsworth, Kara Williard, Justin Bobb, and Luke Koppa attempt to predict what’s “in” and what’s “out,” what trends will be revived, what categories will see the most change, and spin off into several other tangents. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow.com/Blister Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Join Us! Blister Summit 2024 Ep. 278: Gear of the Year, 2023 TOPICS & TIMES: 2023 Gear Trends (2:26) What’s “In” for 2024? (8:05) What’s “Out” for 2024? (15:27) What Trends are Coming Back? (25:55) Categories to See the Most Change? (31:11) Crashes & Close Calls (38:24) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re following up last week’s episode, where we looked back at 2023’s “Gear Of The Year,” and we’re now looking forward to 2024. Jonathan Ellsworth, Kara Williard, Justin Bobb, and Luke Koppa attempt to predict what’s “in” and what’s “out,” what trends will be revived, what categories will see the most change, and spin off into several other tangents. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow.com/Blister Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Join Us! Blister Summit 2024 Ep. 278: Gear of the Year, 2023 TOPICS & TIMES: 2023 Gear Trends (2:26) What’s “In” for 2024? (8:05) What’s “Out” for 2024? (15:27) What Trends are Coming Back? (25:55) Categories to See the Most Change? (31:11) Crashes & Close Calls (38:24) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Ellsworth sits down with Luke Koppa, Kara Williard, and Justin Bobb to reflect on some of the standout products and notable trends that defined the past year in ski and snowboard gear. So, what trend does Luke think is “the gear equivalent of superhero movies?” How many BOA dials has JBobb broken in a decade as a self-described BOA convert? What’s Kara’s pick for the “Not New But Still Amazing Award?” Take a listen and find out. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Taos Ski Valley Blister Recommended Shop: Zimmermann’s Skis, Boards & More Become a BLISTER+ Member TOPICS & TIMES: Biggest Developments & Trends Standout Products (31:54) Best Values (51:36) Not New But Still Amazing Award (1:00:33) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.