GEAR THERAPY: A Mother Gets Back into Skiing — Where to Start??

GEAR THERAPY: A Mother Gets Back into Skiing — Where to Start??

Author: BLISTER September 15, 2023 Duration: 1:09:21

When it comes to gear, we’ve all been there: loads of questions, crippling confusion, severe analysis paralysis. Sometimes you don’t even know where to start. You need some help! 


In our 3rd session of GEAR THERAPY, Blister Member, Arika Poulin Weller, joins Blister reviewers Kara Williard and Kristin Sinnott. Arika is a longtime skier with roots in Nordic skiing (Fun Fact: she and Kristin raced together in college) and a mother who wants to spend more time skiing after moving back to CO, but she had no idea where to start. 


So in this episode, we break down some basics, define some ski-gear terms and what it all means on snow, and provide some recommendations for a 1-ski and 1-boot resort quiver.

TOPICS & TIMES

How Arika & Kristin met (3:20)

Arika’s background (7:26)

Her Current Setup (9:25)

Why Boots are #1 (16:29)

Tech Terms (29:12)

Ski Recommendations (42:34)

Binding Recommendations (56:30)

Boot Recommendations (1:00:38)

Where to go from here? (1:03:20)

Crashes & Close Calls (1:05:39)

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Summit Registration

Become a BLISTER+ Member

Blister Recommended Shops

23/24 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Off The Couch

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

CRAFTED

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)




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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
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