Reviewer Reports: Early-Season Testing & Luke’s Dumbest Moment on Skis

Reviewer Reports: Early-Season Testing & Luke’s Dumbest Moment on Skis

Author: BLISTER December 5, 2025 Duration: 50:38

We’re back on snow! And testing gear! And excited to talk about it! Jonathan and Luke cover several of the standout skis so far; Luke confesses to one of the dumbest things he’s ever done on skis; they discuss underappreciated upsides of early-season skiing; some interesting new outerwear and gloves; and more.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

We’re Back on Snow! (3:40)

Luke’s First Skin (10:45)

Rossignol Arcade 94 (17:53)

Faction Dancer 79 (22:31)

Volkl Peregrine 72 (29:33)

Head Kore 88 Ti vs. Kastle Paragon 93 (33:41)

Outerwear & Accessories (38:18)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast


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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: 100

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
Gearing Up for the Famous Chamonix-to-Zermatt Haute Route [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:00
Jonathan talks to BLISTER members, Bobak Farzin and Lukas Friedli, who recently teamed up to take on the famous Haute Route. We talk about their trip; the gear they used; what gear worked well; what worked less well; and…
See Better, Ski Better: the State of Goggle Lens Tech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:43
If you think all goggles are the same, well, think again. At our Blister Summit 2025, Jonathan Ellsworth spoke with Steven Kennedy (Giro), Ted Ligety (Shred Optics), Stefan Stahl (Glade Optics), and Gabriel Lobbi (Provuu…
Ted Ligety on Ski Tuning, World Cup Racing, & the Art of Going Fast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:45
As part of the 5850 Fest at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Jonathan talked with Ted Ligety about the tricky conditions and the very challenging course here in Sun Valley for the Super G and GS races, and the incredi…