GEAR:30

Which bike company and which ski company is currently holding the ‘Cool Kids Belt’? Which brand do other companies secretly wish they could trade places with? We debate these questions and more in our latest edition of Bikes vs. Skis. Check it out, and let us know your current answers to these questions.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Best Bang for The Buck: Bike (7:22)

Best Bang for The Buck: Skis (10:39)

Most Dialed & Complete Lineup? (14:51)

Who Holds the ‘Cool Kids’ Belt? (22:52)

Specific Bike the Cool Kids are On? (28:35)

Most Coveted Bikes & Skis (31:11)

Flying Under The Radar? (41:32)

Brand that Other Co’s Would Switch Places With (47:51)

Most Overhyped? (55:40)

Who Has the Most Brand Loyalty? (1:01:04)

Who Would You Buy Stock in Today? (1:05:04)

Crashes and Close Calls (1:19:15)

What We’re Celebrating (1:22:31)

RELATED LINKS 

Episode Sponsor: Gear West

Blister Summit 2024 Registration

BLISTER+ Membership

BLISTER+ Real World Testimonials

VIDEOS: Blister Summit Panel Sessions & Brand Lineups

See all of our Blister Recommended Shops

Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 2

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

CRAFTED

Blister Podcast

Bikes & Big Ideas

Off the Couch

Happy Hour

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If you spend any time — inbounds or in the backcountry — skiing or riding in avalanche terrain or near tree wells, then you need to listen to this episode. Because we’re talking about a new system designed to increase your chances of survival if buried in an avalanche or tree well: the Safeback SBX. Our guest is Tor Berge, the CEO of the Norwegian company, Safeback, and Tor and I have a wide ranging conversation about avy gear in general, while also diving deep into the development process of their SBX system and exactly how it works. There’s lots of good food for thought in this one.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• What sparked the idea? (2:49)
• Buying More Time while Buried (6:40)
• Defining the Problem: Trauma & Asphyxia (9:52)
• Activating the System (15:41)
• Integration: Backpacks, Vests, & Airbags (17:33)
• Difficulty of Development (28:55)
• Which snow type is best for O2 Circulation? (34:45)
• JE’s Experience in Argentina (38:17)
• Surprising Findings in Development? (41:31)
• Certification Process (43:38)
• Tree Wells (49:19)
• Price (55:16)
• Crashes & Close Calls (57:19)
• What We’re Celebrating (1:02:54)

RELATED LINKS 

• Episode. Sponsor: Gear West
• Blister Summit 2024 Registration
• BLISTER+ Membership
• BLISTER+ Real World Testimonials
• VIDEOS: Blister Summit Panel Sessions & Brand Lineups
• See all of our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re talking about skis built for the deepest of days, the ones we dream about — and the kind that Mike McCabe and Jonathan Ellsworth were fortunate enough to ski recently in Alaska. And if you’ve ever heard someone say, “All skis are great in pow,” well, they’re here to blow up that notion. So what design elements work best in deep snow? What about low-angle terrain vs. steeper terrain? How wide is too wide? Is a softer flex pattern better? They discuss all of this and more.

TOPICS & TIMES 

• What did you learn in Alaska? (4:01)
• Rethinking Ski Length (8:18)
• Width (9:32)
• Misconceptions about Skiing Deep Snow (12:10)
• Snow Variability (16:59)
• Steep Terrain & Other Variables (22:19)
• Folsom G-Wagon (29:47)
• Folsom Rapture & Low-Angle Deep Snow (38:10)
• Figuring out Scale in AK (42:40)
• Slope Angles & Ski Design (46:20)
• R&D Trip / Pinnacle Conditions (57:00)
• Mike’s ‘Crashes & Close Calls’ Story (1:03:17)
• What We’re Celebrating (1:10:22)

RELATED LINKS 

• Episode. Sponsor: Outdoor Gear Exchange
• Blister Summit 2024 Registration
• BLISTER+ Membership
• BLISTER+ Real World Testimonials
• VIDEOS: Blister Summit Panel Sessions & Brand Lineups
• See all of our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kara Williard speaks with Coalition Snow founder and CEO, Jen Gurecki, about running a ski and snowboard brand owned and operated by women that designs products for everyone; what the evolution of these business goals has looked like; their brick-and-mortar storefront; “Far Out” trips around the world; inclusive initiatives designed to grow snowsports and build a lasting community; Coalition's 23/24 ski and snowboard lineup; what needs to happen for the ski industry to survive and thrive; Jen’s goals for the future; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• So Much Powder (3:03)
• Founding Coalition Snow (5:20)
• Skis by Women, for Anyone (11:45)
• The Evolution of the Brand (17:09)
• The Team at Coalition Snow (22:01)
• Far Out: Retail Space (24:45)
• Far Out Trips & Jen’s Guiding Experience (28:17)
• Indigenous Backcountry Scholarship (34:43)
• Coalition Clubhouse (37:26)
• The 2024 Ski Lineup (39:08)
• The 2024 Snowboard Lineup (43:53)
• Survival of the Industry (46:00)
• Looking Ahead (52:11)

RELATED LINKS:

• Episode Sponsor: Gear West: Our Blister Recommended Shop 
• Blister Summit 2024 Registration
• Blister + Spot Membership
• Blister + Spot Real World Testimonials
• VIDEOS: Blister Summit Panel Sessions & Brand Lineups
• See our list of Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan is currently in AK with Paul Forward, Chugach Powder Guides, and a great crew. So he & Paul talk about the skis they’ve been getting time on (from Heritage Lab, Folsom, DPS, K2); some new skis we’d like to see; crème brûlée crust; and the new Lange Shadow boot.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Tricky Weather and Epic Powder Day (3:31)
• Chugach Powder Guides (6:50)
• Snowpack and Types of Snow (8:34)
• Heritage Lab FL 113 (13:38)
• Folsom Rapture & Folsom G-Wagon (24:57)
• K2 Powabunga (38:38)
• DPS Lotus 124 (44:49)
• Breakable Crust & Crème Brûlée (56:05)
• Ski Boots: Lange Shadow (1:05:40)
• Crashes & Close Calls (1:08:36)
• What We're Celebrating (1:11:35)

RELATED LINKS:

• Blister Summit 2024 Registration
• Blister + Spot Membership 
• Blister + Spot Real World Testimonials
• VIDEOS: Blister Summit Panel Sessions & Brand Lineups 
• See our list of Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• Happy Hour
• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan and Luke talk about closing day at CBMR; the gear JE is bringing to AK; liners; the Rossi Sender Free 110, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Volkl Revolt 114, Luke’s new stitches, & more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Closing Day (2:47)
• Latest on Luke’s Diet (10:05)
• JE’s Alaska Trip / Gear (11:56)
• Zipfit vs Atomic Mimic Professional Liner (18:28)
• Rossignol Sender Free 110 (27:44)
• Armada Declivity 102 Ti (48:22)
• Volkl Revolt 114 (52:44)
• Luke's Two Crashes (56:04)
• Blister + Spot Membership 
• What We're Celebrating (1:06:56)
• Blister Summit 2024 Registration

RELATED LINKS:

• Blister Rec Shop: Moment Factory Store
• Blister Summit 2024 Registration
• Blister + Spot Membership 
• Blister + Spot Real World Testimonials 

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• Happy Hour
• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan talks with Blizzard’s Christian Avery about the overhauled Rustler & Sheeva skis; where their Hustle line of skis slots into the mix; and why we shouldn’t be sleeping on the Cochise.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• From Intern to Product Manager (5:18)
• History of Blizzard (11:33)
• Freeride Then & Now (17:22)
• Don’t Sleep on the Cochise (23:30)
• Overview of the Lineup (30:33)
• Rustler 10 (39:47)
• Rustler 9 (52:29)
• Rustler 11 (1:00:32)
• Rustler vs Sheeva (1:09:08)
• Hustle & Zero G Touring Skis (1:22:06)
• Black Pearl Series (1:25:16)
• Crashes & Close Calls (1:29:20)
• What We're Celebrating (1:39)

RELATED LINKS 

• Blister Rec Shop: Willi’s Ski & Snowboard
• Blister + Spot Membership 
• Blister + Spot Real World Testimonials 
• Get Your Blister x John Fellows Artist Series Shirt

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this edition of Shop Talk, Kara Williard talks with Jeff Perry and Isabel Berg from Gear West, our Blister Recommended Shop in Long Lake, Minnesota, to learn about how they build a year-round community around Gear West’s “campus”; what it means to provide service for everything from ski racing to park skiing; some gear trends they’re noticing; how new uphill access at their local mountain, Buck Hill, has influenced the community and their gear purchases; what it looks like to train and staff a large year-round specialty shop, and much more.

TOPICS & TIMES

• Gear West Campus (4:53)
• Gear West Community (7:20)
• Growing the Sport (10:12)
• 30-Year Anniversary (12:00)
• Staying Relevant Year-Round (14:50)
• Service & Ski Racing (17:27)
• Park Skiing (21:36)
• Gear Trend Follow-up (22:37)
• Buck Hill Uphill (25:56)
• Staffing & Training (29:25)
• Masterfit University (31:51)
• What We’re Celebrating (37:24)

RELATED LINKS 

• Ep 136: Shop Talk: Gear West, Long Lake, MN
• Ep 190: Gear West on Current Trends + New Ski & Snowboard Gear 
• Blister + Spot Membership 
• Blister + Spot Real World Testimonials 
• Get Your Blister x John Fellows Artist Series Shirt

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kara Williard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk with Jeff Colt, Brand Director of ZipFit, to make the case for why liners, or “inner boots” are one of the most overlooked yet most important pieces of gear. We also discuss the legacy of Sven Coomer; the growth of ZipFit as they bring new products to market; the Fischer x ZipFit collab with the RC4 Pro series; and Jeff shares his own ‘Crashes & Close Calls’ story from the Blister Summit.

TOPICS & TIMES 

• ZipFit at the Blister Summit (4:08)
• “Inner Boots” (7:52)
• “First Fit” vs. “3rd-Day Fit” (12:38)
• Durability, Consistency, Longevity (23:08)
• Reviewing Ski Boots (33:49)
• The Growth of ZipFit (39:33)
• Sven Coomer’s Legacy (46:33)
• Low-Volume Liners (51:01)
• Fischer x ZipFit (59:15)
• Crashes & Close Calls (1:04:23)
• What We’re Celebrating (1:11:00)

RELATED LINKS 

• Episode Sponsor: skierssportshop.com
• Become a Blister + Spot Member
• Blister Podcast: Sven Coomer, Founder of Zipfit (Ep. 35) 
• Off The Couch: Jeff Colt on Chasing Western States & More (Ep. 152)
• Get Your Blister x John Fellows Artist Series Shirt

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this edition of Shop Talk, Kristin Sinnott is back with the owners of the Spokane Alpine Haus, Drew and Rachel Harding, to discuss skiing with kids. We cover how we were introduced to the sport as kids, what it looked like to bring our own kids into the sport, and how it’s going. We also talk about how shops can help facilitate children and families getting into the sport, what it looks like to grow the next generation of skiers and snowboarders, what to look for in kids' gear, the gear that’s helped us get our families out on the hill, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Drew and Rachels' Background in Skiing as Kids (2:07)

Kristin's Background (5:02)

Affordability (5:56)

Child Care and Traveling with Kids for Skiing (8:05)

Drew and Rachel's Kids Intro to Skiing  and Parent Mentorship (10:42)

Seasonal Leases (19:31)

Parental Advice for Soft Goods and Apparel (23:14)

iGrow stitches and Boot Cuff Considerations? (27:48)

Boot Considerations and Growth (34:27)

Hard Goods and Ski Poles (36:47)

Leashes and Harness (41:38)

Sense of Freedom for Kids (46:33)

How Can Ski Shops Play a Roll In Kids Skiing (49:59)

Helmets and Goggles (52:21)

Kids Join the Conversation (56:01)

RELATED LINKS:

• Blister Recommended Ski Shop: Spokane Alpine Haus
• Blister Recommend Shops
• Spokane Alpine Haus
• Shop Talk: Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.160)
• Shop Talk: Recap of the Season; Skiing with Kids; & Heated Socks (Ep.194)
• Blister + Spot Membership
• Get Your Blister x John Fellows Artist Series Shirt

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

• CRAFTED
• Blister Podcast
• Bikes & Big Ideas
• Off the Couch
• Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.