Blizzard-Tecnica's Women2Women Program with Leslie Baker-Brown

Blizzard-Tecnica's Women2Women Program with Leslie Baker-Brown

Author: BLISTER November 18, 2022 Duration: 50:10

Kristin Sinnott and Kara Williard talk with Blizzard-Tecnica’s Women2Women program founder and ski legend, Leslie Baker-Brown, about her background in ski racing, and her remarkable 32 years of work for Blizzard-Tecnica. They dive into the origins story of the W2W program, including how it spans beyond women-specific gear via community-building, scholarship programs, and more. Leslie explains Blizzard-Tecnica’s design process for women’s gear, including designing the #1 selling ski in the world; she talks about what it looks like to work with women through the iterative prototyping process; what gives her hope and inspiration for the future; and where we can still work to improve the industry.

TOPICS & TIMES 

  • Leslie’s Background in Ski Racing (4:17)
  • Competing for Middlebury (4:41)
  • 32 years with Tecnica! (7:45)
  • Where women-specific gear started (9:35)
  • How the idea of W2W was born (14:36)
  • The Four Pillars (20:00)
  • How W2W has Evolved (22:52)
  • The #1 Ski in the World (27:22)
  • Women-Specific Ski Boots (34:38)
  • What’s hopeful and inspirational right now? (39:14)
  • Where can the industry do better? (41:59)
  • What We’re Celebrating (48:12)

RELATED LINKS:

OUR OTHER PODCASTS


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
Reviewer Reports: 'Closing Day + Luke's a Father!' Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:51
Luke’s a dad! Our patron saint of GEAR:30, Hoji, will be back at the Blister Summit! You can win custom skis at our Summit Dinner! Plus, you’ll hear lots of talk from Luke and Jonathan about the skis they tested to close…
Blister Summit ‘26 Preview, Big Announcements, & Reviewer Reports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:12
Monoskis! Snowblades! Price Drops! Jonathan talks with Luke Koppa and Kristin Sinnott about some big announcements about our upcoming Blister Summit, and Otto Solberg joins us to give an up-to-date conditions report from…
What You're Probably Getting Wrong about Ski Width [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:18
When it comes to the question of ski width, there are some very strong opinions held by skiers, and lots of them aren’t true. Are lots of people on skis that are too wide? Will a skinnier ski always carve better than a w…
Reviewer Reports: Paul's New Pow Ski Design; Carving Skis; & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:34
Luke, Koppa, Paul Forward, and Jonathan talk about some of the gear they've been reviewing; discuss topics related to that gear; and dive deep into the ideas behind a new pow ski design that Paul has been thinking about…