Our inaugural Blister Summit launches in less than two weeks! So Kristin Sinnott, our Blister Summit director, and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the origins of the idea, why we think it’s important; why we think you should come!; and we cover a ton of the details and logistics of this first-of-its-kind event in the snowsports world.

TOPICS & TIMES

• Origins of the idea for the Blister Summit (5:09)
• Collecting feedback from Summit participants (9:35)
• The Summit as a “Ski Tasting” event (13:15)
• Don’t be intimidated about providing feedback (16:25)
• Interlude: Baby Ski Quivers (22:30) 
• Backcountry portion of the Summit (23:39)
• Which ski brands will be there? (31:50)
• Why launch the Summit this year? / Health protocols (33:03)
• Summit Swag! (40:45) 
• What We’re Celebrating This Week (42:03)

RELATED LINKS

• Outdoor Gear Exchange

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

Today we’ve got another Shop Talk episode for you, where we speak with folks from one of our Blister Recommended Shops to get their perspective on a mix of topics ranging from broadly applicable to all of us, to topics that help us better understand what’s going on in the local community that each shop serves.

Eric Helmbrecht, owner of Powder Hound Ski & Bike Shop in Girdwood, Alaska, is back on the show to talk about this season in Girdwood; Fizz Nation; some of the gear that he and his staff are particularly high on this season; and, of course, we had to talk about Juras.

TOPICS & TIMES

• Blister Summit (1:38)
• Update on the season in Girdwood (2:50)
• Fizz Nation (6:42)
• Jura coffee makers (9:48)
• Gear they’re liking in Girdwood (14:13)
• What We’re Celebrating (40:32)

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

Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Whiskey & Jonathan being late (4:63)
• Atomic’s new 21/22 Hawx Ultra (8:23)
• Atomic’s new Professional Series (34:08)
• Mimic Professional Liner (41:31)
• Tongue Volume (59:56)
• Professional Dual Strap (1:11:41)
• Heel Pockets (1:21:35)
• Plug Boots are Not a Thing (1:29:05)
• What We’re Celebrating This Week (1:41:05)

RELATED LINKS:

• Blister Recommended Shop: Black Sheep Sports
• A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 1: Plastics (Ep. 54)
• Part 2: Flex Patterns (Ep. 55)
• Part 3: Racers & Race Boots (Ep.60)
• Part 4: Liners, Ramp Angle, & Forward Lean (Ep. 88)

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

We’re talking with Megan Shenton, the head of the ski dept. at Outdoor Gear Exchange, about how this ski season is going so far in New England; the history of Outdoor Gear Exchange; some of her personal favorite gear and some of the OGE staff’s favorite products; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES

• About Outdoor Gear Exchange (1:42)
• Burglington, VT (8:55)
• Backcountry Skiing & this ski season (9:56)
• EC skiing (20:53)
• Some of the OGE staff’s ‘go-to’ products (26:38)
• Adjustments OGE has made for COVID (41:44)

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

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth offer their initial thoughts on the new Volkl Mantra M6 & Secret 96; reviewer, Drew Kelly (aka, The Hulk), makes his GEAR:30 debut to compare the Volkl Katana 108 vs the HEAD Monster 108 vs the Blizzard Cochise 106; Luke discusses some of the Movement skis he’s been getting time on; & more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Introducing: reviewer, Drew Kelly (3:09)
• New volkl Mantra M6 & Secret 96 (6:18)
• Volkl Katana 108 vs Monster 108 vs Blizzard Cochise 106 (12:05)
• Movement Alp Tracks 106, Go 106 Ti, & Fly Two 115 (22:19)
• What We’re Celebrating (26:40)

RELATED LINKS:

• The Skier’s Sportshop

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

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about some of the skis they’ve recently been testing; name some of the most surprising products of 2020 and some of the standout products of 2020; offer a few gear predictions for 2021; and end with what they’re celebrating this week.

TOPICS & TIMES

• The end of the Year of Ellsworth (1:15)
• Luke’s new diet (2:26)
• Renoun skis are still mind-blowing (4:36)
• New 4FRNT Devastator & Sego Big Horn 106 (10:50)
• New ski we can’t talk about yet (16:18)
• Elan Wingman 86 CTi (16:47)
• 102 Wars: Ranger 102 vs. Mantra 102 vs. Stance 102 (19:15)
• Most Surprising Products of 2020 (28:05)
• Standout Products of 2020 (35:12)
• Gear Predictions for 2021 (39:18)
• What We’re Celebrating (50:36)

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

We’re talking with Chris Gerston, founder of Backcountry Essentials, talking about Bellingham; starting Backcountry Essentials; and some of the gear that he thinks works really well for skiing at Mt Baker and for volcano skiing.

TOPICS & TIMES

• Gear & Beer (4:14)
• Bellingham, Washington (6:20)
• If Mt Baker were a beer… (7:14)
• Starting Backcountry Essentials (8:29)
• Quiver Killers & Tele & Disco (15:40)
• Favorite products for Mt Baker & volcano skiing (19:27)

RELATED LINKS

• Survivor Endurance phone case 
• Jonathan’s experience with the Survivor Endurance

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

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss several listener questions about ski quivers; 1-boot quivers; some game-changing news in the ski boot world; a number of skis, apparel pieces, and ski masks we’ve been testing; & what we’re celebrating this week.

TOPICS & TIMES

• Watch the YouTube Video of this Episode
• Mood Enhancers: Skiing & Georgetown Beer (2:45)
• Listener Questions: ski quivers (6:35)
• 1-Boot Quiver (14:55)
• Game-Changing Ski Boot News (22:50)
• Skis we’ve been testing (28:00)
• Apparel we’ve been testing (45:54)
• Masks we’ve been testing (59:00)
• What We’re Celebrating This Week (1:05:10)

RELATED LINKS

• Survivor Endurance phone case 
• Jonathan’s experience with the Survivor Endurance

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

We’ve got another edition of Shop Talk for you, where we talk with folks from one of our Blister Recommended Shops to get their perspective on a mix of topics that range from broadly applicable to all of us, to topics that help us better understand what’s going on in the local community that each shop serves.

Today, we’ve got Eric Gerrmann & George Michaelsen, two friends who started The Ski Monster. You can stop by their very cool shop located at 60 Canal St in Boston, Massachusetts, or you can check them out online at theskimonster.com.

We talk about how George and Eric met; how getting fired - twice! - turned out to be a very positive development; the diverse customer base they serve; why ski shops ought to work to elevate the experience of purchasing all of this expensive gear; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• How George & Eric met (8:06)
• Origins story of The Ski Monster (16:19)
• Avoiding the “race to the bottom” (39:34)
• Handling negative feedback (48:33)
• GEAR (54:23)
• Serving new skiers (58:52)
• Testing the products they carry (1:08:55)
• Covid & going “by appointment only” (1:17:12)
• Wrap up (1:28:54)
• What We’re Celebrating (1:31:21)

RELATED LINKS:

• blister.getspot.com

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

We talk to Blister reviewers Sascha Anastas & Paul Forward about their ski quivers; binding preferences; coffee in AK; your questions; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Sascha’s quiver selections (10:17)
• Sascha’s general take on bindings (23:45)
• Paul’s 18-month-old son’s ski quiver (30:51)
• Shocking coffee revelations about Girdwood, AK (33:24)
• Best pow ski, regardless of place? (39:43)
• Blister member questions (44:01)
• Paul’s 3-ski quiver (51:13)
• DPS Lotus 124 vs DPS Koala 119 (58:21)
• Bindings (another shocking revelation) (1:02:21)
• Paul’s 2-ski quiver (1:06:07)
• Paul’s 1-ski quiver (1:10:15)

RELATED LINKS:

• blister.getspot.com
• Blister Recommended Shop: Gear West
• Blister Alpine Bindings Guide
• Blister Lightweight Touring Bindings Shootout

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