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
BLISTER Buyer’s Guide, Pt. 2 + Reviews of Other Buyer’s Guides [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:38
In this episode, we answer a bunch of the questions you submitted, then assess some of the product reviews from several of the other ski review publications — and one gear recommendation website.And fair warning here, we…
19/20 BLISTER Winter Buyer’s Guide, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:36
We just released our new 19/20 BLISTER Winter Buyer’s Guide, and given that it’s over 200 pages long, there’s a lot to talk about.So we’re going to have a 2-part conversation about the Guide, and here in part 1, we’re go…
Reviewing the Reviewer: Jonathan Ellsworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:51
This episode is the 2nd installment of our “Reviewing the Reviewer” series, where we ask various Blister reviewers questions about their backgrounds and gear preferences to give you a more complete picture of the people…
Folsom Skis & the New Blister Pro 104 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:20
We’ve been working on a special project with Folsom Custom Skis, and it’s finally time to discuss the details about the new Blister Pro 104 with Folsom’s Mike McCabe.We also talk about Folsom’s (insane?) new plan to buil…
What You’re Wearing, Part 4: Hemp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:02
For centuries, hemp has been cultivated around the world and used to make just about everything: rope, clothing, paper, currency, sails — even the earliest American flags. But in 1937, the United States effectively banne…
What You’re Wearing, Part 3: Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:32
Misconceptions about down are everywhere — fill power, proper care, and animal welfare are all often wildly misunderstood. So today, in part 3 of our “What You’re Wearing” miniseries, we talk to Matthew Betcher of Allied…
WNDR Alpine’s New Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:56
4FRNT Skis founder, Matt Sterbenz, recently launched WNDR Alpine, a company that’s incorporating biotech into skis. So we sat down with Sterbenz and WNDR’s brand manager, Xan Marshland, to discuss the creation of and the…
What You’re Wearing, Part 2: Wool [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:17
Why are more and more companies making products out of wool? In part two of our “What You’re Wearing” miniseries, we’re taking a closer look at the fabric that was once most associated with itchy old sweaters and fancy s…
Crosson Skis founder, Chase Englehart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
Crosson Skis is a small, new company building skis outside of Seattle — and they are making some very big claims.So we talk to their founder, Chase Englehart, about the origins of Crosson; what makes their skis different…
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 3: Racers & Race Boots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:32
How do elite ski racers like Marcel Hirsher, Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller, and Daron Rahlves “feel” their gear, and their ski boots in particular? Matt Manser and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss how some of the all-time grea…