Alpenglow Mtn Festival + Stuff We Learned during Spring Ski Testing

Alpenglow Mtn Festival + Stuff We Learned during Spring Ski Testing

Author: BLISTER June 30, 2018 Duration: 33:25

We talk with Blister editors, Luke Koppa and Sam Shaheen, about the recent Alpenglow Mountain Festival and running with our hero, Courtney Dauwalter. Then we talk about some of the key things we learned during our ski testing this spring, including the correct thing to think about Domino's thin-crust pizza, dumb gear, and great gear.

TOPICS & TIMES:

  • Luke's recap of the Alpenglow Summer Mountain Festival (2:01)
  • In praise of our hero, Courtney Dauwalter (4:02)
  • Rants & Revelations from our spring ski testing - #1: Domino's thin-crust pizza (7:36)
  • Recommendation #2: Primus Kuchoma Grill (11:05)
  • On Hubris - groomers & pond skims (12:08)
  • Rant #1: waterproof jackets: hard shells vs soft shells (19:05)
  • Rant #2: socks (24:14)
  • Rant #3: waterproof low-cut shoes (26:33)
  • Recommendation #3: Patagonia's new R1 TechFace (28:18)
  • Recommendation #4: the redesigned Flylow Richie Hoody (29:15)

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


For anyone who has ever stood in a shop debating the merits of a new jacket or stared at a trail map while thinking about their skis, GEAR:30 is that conversation. This BLISTER podcast goes far beyond basic specs and marketing claims, offering a nuanced, often technical look at the equipment that defines our time outside. The discussion is driven by the people who live with these products: our own reviewers who are putting gear through its paces in real conditions, the designers who obsess over materials and intent, and the athletes whose livelihoods depend on performance. We also check in with the seasoned folks from our network of recommended shops, who see what works and what doesn’t after a season of hard use. Episodes dig into specific items, broader trends in innovation, and the sometimes-surprising realities of long-term testing. It’s a deep, authentic resource for anyone who appreciates the intersection of sports, design, and technology, and who believes the right tool can transform an experience. Tune in for honest, detailed talk that treats outdoor gear with the seriousness and curiosity it deserves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 391

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
Shop Talk: John Weir, Bentgate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:41
Today we’ve got another edition of Blister Shop Talk, where we check in with one of our Blister Recommended Shops to get their perspective on topics that range from universally applicable, to topics that help us better u…
Cody Townsend on Coffee Makers, Bindings, & Beacons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:55
We sat down in Blister HQ with Cody Townsend to talk about coffee makers, bindings, beacons, terrain management, mortality, movies, and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Coffee Makers (9:29)SHIFT binding (14:40)Bindings in general (27…
What You’re Wearing, Part 6: Alpaca Wool [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:34
What do you know about Alpaca wool? And how well do you know the ins and outs of manufacturing in Peru? We talk about these things and more with the founders of Arms of Andes, which is a company that makes outdoor clothi…
Folsom Skis 20/21 Lineup + Update on our Buyer’s Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:16
We’ve got Folsom Skis CEO, Mike McCabe, back on the show to catch us up on what’s been going on at Folsom; the PPE equipment they’ve been making; their lineup for the 20/21 season; and more. Mike also flips the script an…
Shop Talk: Sebastian Steinbach, Black Sheep Sports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:11
Black Sheep Sports is a freeride shop in Munich, Germany, and we talk to its founder, Sebastian Steinbach, about this past ski season; his predictions for the upcoming ski season in Europe — and whether we’ll see a backc…
Faction Skis: Company History & 20/21 Lineup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:10
For some time now, Faction has been one of the hottest brands in skiing. But how much do you actually know about the company? This week we are talking about the history of the brand, some key moments in the company, and…
Jason Levinthal & 4FRNT’s New Ownership Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:14
Last week, it was announced that Jason Levinthal had sold 4FRNT Skis. So we talked to Jason about how this deal came about; learn the background of the new leadership group at 4FRNT; ask what the group does and doesn’t i…
Shaggy’s Skis 20/21 Lineup + Luke & Drew Ski Pow on 9.9.20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
We talk to Northern-Michigan-based Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis co-founder & product engineer, Jeff Thompson, about their 20/21 lineup; their unusual “nanoMag” construction; and more. Then Luke Koppa talks about skiing p…
What Makes a Face Mask More or Less Effective? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:20
Not all bikes or skis are equally good at all things — and the same goes for protective face masks. So we talked with Alex Lauver and Kat Schoewe of Outdoor Research about what type of masks are the most and least effect…
Moment Skis 20/21 Lineup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:29
Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, is back on the show to talk with Jonathan Ellsworth about the 20/21 lineup. Come to learn what’s new, stay for all their arguments and tangents.[Note: Luke accidentally says in the convers…