Powder Ski Comparisons: Old vs New vs What Should Be Next?

Powder Ski Comparisons: Old vs New vs What Should Be Next?

Author: BLISTER November 1, 2024 Duration: 1:40:01

The snow’s been falling here in Crested Butte, and we’re already fantasizing about those really deep days. So today, Jonathan Ellsworth and Paul Forward are discussing pow skis. They start by making the case for wide pow skis, then, they talk about a bunch of current pow skis, old pow skis, and some design specifics that they think are good ideas when you’re building a wide ski that’s designed to float for days.

RELATED LINKS

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Get Our Winter Buyer’s Guide

TOPICS & TIMES:

The Case for Wide Pow Skis (7:45)

1st Gen DPS Lotus 138 (27:56)

Line Pescado (21:09)

Heritage Labs 132 (34:18)

K2 Powabunga (43:33)

Volkl BMT 122 (54:32)

DPS Lotus 124 Tour (57:06)

K2 Hellbent (59:49)

Praxis Protest (128) (1:01:17)

Praxis Powderboards (1:04:07)

Folsom Rapture (1:06:38)

4FRNT Renegade (1:09:51)

Faction La Machine 5 (1:10:35)

Blizzard Spur (1:14:22)

Salomon Rocker2 122 (1:22:53)

Volkl Shiro (1:27:53)

K2 Reckoner 124 (1:32:30)

Paul’s Injury & Recovery (1:35:38)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Blister Podcast

Bikes & Big Ideas

CRAFTED


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
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…
Voormi: How a ‘Textile Technology’ Company Does Outdoor Apparel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:44
Voormi is not interested in being just another outdoor apparel company. They develop their own textiles inhouse; they manufacture in the United States; and they’ve got some big plans. So we sat down in Blister HQ with Ti…