Benji Alexander is a passionate ski racer and backcountry skier with a stranger-than-fiction backstory. So we talk about how Burning Man got him into skiing; what inspired his Olympic aspirations; the numerous logistics he has had to navigate to make this happen; the financial hurdles that all Olympic hopefuls have to face; and what motivates him to keep pushing forward. TOPICS & TIMES:Benji’s childhood (3:31)From DJ to Skier (7:31)The bid to become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic ski racer (22:26)Financing an Olympic bid (43:25)Benji’s motivation (45:32)Current training program & next steps (55:32)Backcountry skiing & becoming a lifelong skier (1:04:19)RELATED LINKSBenji’s websiteInstagram: @benji.skiBecome a Blister Member
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benji Alexander’s Bid to Become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic Alpine Ski Racer

The Blister Podcast from BLISTER is a series of wide-ranging conversations with professional athletes and influential figures about the great outdoors, mountain culture, outdoor-industry news, books, films, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports

Health & Fitness

Wilderness

Our guest is Eric Blehm, author of The Darkest White., a book we think every snowboarder and skier should read. Today, we go behind the scenes with Eric to talk about the legend Craig Kelly; Eric’s extensive research on this project; and why The Darkest White is really (at least) 6 books in 1. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: bagbalm.com Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED  Off The Couch TOPICS & TIMES: What Inspired The Darkest White? (4:13) The Six Aspects of Craig’s Story (8:11) Avalanche Education (22:45) Early Snowboarding Culture & Companies (27:05) The Darkest White vs. Eric’s Previous Books? (34:54) Keeping Stories Alive (44:24) 
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Eric Blehm on Craig Kelly & ‘The Darkest White’

If you love skiing, snowboarding, trail running, or mountain biking, then why the hell do you need to know about things like short-term rentals, zoning codes, and accessory dwelling units? Because those things will impact whether or not you will be able to continue to ski, snowboard, run, bike, or live in some of your favorite places. So Troy Russ is back for another conversation about what we need to know — and do — re: housing issues and mountain town economics. RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Our Previous Housing Conversations: 6) Blister Summit ‘23: Mtn Town Economics 5) Zack Giffin: Tiny Houses, Big Solutions 5) Bjarne Salén: The Fifty Project & Tiny Homes 3) Mtn Town Economics w/ Scott Ehlert  2) Mtn Town Economics w/ Troy Russ 1) Mtn Town Economics w/ Dr. Jenny Stuber TOPICS & TIMES: Troy’s Current Role & Background (5:15) Updates On Previous Mtn Town Economics Conversations (12:17) Short-Term Rentals: Ideal Implementation? (22:37) Housing Stock & Affordability (27:02) Accessory Dwelling Units & Zoning Codes (36:31) Best Ideas Going Forward (43:21) How To Get Involved w/ Local Change? (47:52) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED  Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Housing Solutions & Mountain Town Economics with Troy Russ

Dr. Len Necefer (founder of the Sonoran Avalanche Center & NativesOutdoors) is back to discuss cloud seeding; the passing of the EXPLORE Act; trigger warnings; the most Italian news?; skiing on mushroom moguls; what we’re reading & watching; and more. RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Len’s Substack: All At Once TOPICS & TIMES: Len’s Trip Up the CO River (5:04) U.S. College Campus Protests (8:37) Cloud Seeding (30:42) House Passes the EXPLORE Act (42:38) The Most Italian News (46:21) What We’re Reading & Watching (50:36) Graham Zimmerman, A Fine Line John Farella, The Main Stalk Brendan Leonard, Ultra-Something  Fantastic Fungi Skiing Mushroom Moguls? (1:11:21) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 CRAFTED  Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reviewing the News w/ Dr. Len Necefer (April 2024)

So who was really behind the creation of BLISTER, how did the whole thing get started, and was it actually due to a misunderstanding over a couple of beers on the weekend of Independence Day, 2010? Today, Jonathan Ellsworth and Michael Clarke discuss all of the above, as well as giant tortoises, some keys to long-lasting friendships, and more. RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ TOPICS & TIMES: Michael’s Role In Blister’s Existence (and Tortoises) (3:18) Michael’s Skiing Background (10:08) Jonathan’s Intro to Skiing (15:06) Forming Opinions on Skis (20:44) How Blister Started Reviewing Gear (25:46) Outsider’s Perspective on the Ski Industry (31:29) What’s Changed Since Blister Started? (38:12) What Would You Do Differently? (45:35) Longevity & Assessing Risk (52:48) Maintaining Long-Lasting Friendships (1:04:44) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED  GEAR:30 Bikes & Big Ideas Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Brief-ish History of Blister with Jonathan Ellsworth and Michael Clarke

Mountain Gazette owner, Mike Rogge, is back to discuss the ongoing feud I have with him; media coverage of the eclipse; two stories from the soon-to-be-released MG #201; what we’re reading and watching (including Bluey, Road House, and why Rogge often tells people to watch the movie, Cocktail with Tom Cruise), and more. RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ TOPICS & TIMES: Our Ongoing Feud (3:34) Media Eclipse Coverage (11:17) Last Issue: #200 (15:24) Next Issue: #201 (25:26) Katie Burrell’s piece (27:11) Appalachian Trail piece (34:38) What We’re Reading & Watching (40:25) Blister Cinematic Tease (50:09) How to Get MG issue #201 (51:16) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED  GEAR:30 Bikes & Big Ideas Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benji Alexander’s Bid to Become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic Alpine Ski Racer

Download our free app to listen on your phone