Reviewer Reports: Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth

Reviewer Reports: Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth

Author: BLISTER December 27, 2024 Duration: 33:04

Luke and Jonathan discuss some of the frontside skis they’ve recently been on; why choosing the right frontside ski requires as much consideration as any other type of ski; and they give an update on how they’ve been using the CARV system (so far) to enhance their ski reviews.

RELATED LINKS:

1: Blister Rec Shop: Alpenglow Sports

2: Taos Ski Valley

3: Blister Summit 2025: Learn More

4: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

TOPICS & TIMES:

Alpenglow Sports (1:12)

Taos (2:26)

Blister Summit 2025 (3:10)

Frontside Skis (8:20)

- Stockli Montero AR

- Volkl Peregrine 80 & 82

- Nordica Steadfast 85

CARV & Our Ski Reviews (21:44)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast


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 + Crashes & Close Calls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:36
Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, Kara Williard, and Dylan Wood discuss some of the notable gear they’ve been reviewing this season. They also discuss Christmas quesadillas; whether it’s okay to put sweaty ski socks on boo…
Blister Labs: Travis Hainsworth on Soft Robotics, MoCap, & Wheelsets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:12
Travis Hainsworth is a whole lot of fun. And when he’s not out on his highly questionable one-ski quiver, he’s busy being the associate director of the Western-CU Boulder Computer Science Program here in Gunnison, CO, an…
Heritage Lab Skis, with Marshal Olson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:55
Too often, passionate skiers have to mourn the discontinuation of our all-time favorite ski designs. So Marshal Olson started Heritage Lab Skis to fix that. In this conversation, we talk with Marshal about all things Her…
Matt Manser on Atomic's 22/23 Ski Boot Lineup & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:38
Matt Manser, Atomic’s ski boots product manager, is back to discuss the current lineup of Atomic ski boots and what’s new for this season; running through airports in ski boots; Tom Cruise; the Atomic Redster CS vs. the…
Blizzard-Tecnica's Women2Women Program with Leslie Baker-Brown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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.…
Q&A with Hoji: Gear, Training, Mental Prep, the Blister Summit, & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:52
Eric Hjorleifson is back on GEAR:30 to answer questions from our Blister Members about gear; his tinkering process; coming to the Blister Summit; how he trains for an upcoming season; mental preparation, and … we get som…