Ski Design & Your Questions

Ski Design & Your Questions

Author: BLISTER May 30, 2026 Duration: 53:19

At our Blister Summit, we asked our Blister Summit attendees to pose their questions about ski design to Max Smith (vice president & ski designer at Moment Skis); Stu Gleason (senior designer at DPS Skis); and Mike McCabe (senior designer & owner at Folsom Custom Skis).

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Blister Plus Members (1:00)

What Needs To Be Cleared Up With Customer Questions (5:24)

What's A Problem You Wish You Could Solve (8:00)

Trend To Ski Design:  Do it All or Specifics (10:35)

Balancing Ski Design With Conditions and Geography (13:46)

Torsional Stiffness (16:20)

Prototype Fails (23:06)

Taper Angles and Reverse Sidecut (27:06)

What will define the next decade of ski design 

Which Modern Day Material Has Had The Most Impact (35:51)

Feedback Sources (37:30)

No One Layer Skis (41:54)

Exothermic Epoxy Accidents (45:03)

What Hasn't Been Asked Yet? (46:30)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

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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: 398

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
12 New Skis from the Blister Summit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth give a quick recap of the Blister Summit, then discuss a dozen of the skis we spent time on at the event.TOPICS & TIMES:Blister Summit (3:20)New (pink) Flylow gear (9:32)Kastle ZX115 (11…
Reviewer Reports: Custom Insoles, Skis Boots, & Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:26
Kara Williard spells out the case for custom insoles in your ski boots, and discusses the Blizzard Black Pearl, Volkl Secret 96, & Salomon Stance 88W. Eric Freson talks about his trip to Canada and the WNDR Alpine Reason…
Boot Fitting & How to Get a Proper Ski Boot Fit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:21
How should a ski boot actually fit? What does it feel like to have a “properly fitting” ski boot? And how do you achieve that? We’re discussing these questions and topics with Sebastian Steinbach, who is a boot fitting i…
New 2022/2023 Ski Gear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:59
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss a ton of next season’s new products, and some of the most intriguing product categories. TOPICS & TIMES:Lightweight Boots (3:30)Supercapacitor airbags (24:56)Volkl (32:25)Dalbell…
Introducing: Blister Labs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:30
Today we are excited to introduce you to a very big new initiative at Blister: Blister Labs. Blister Labs is a new partnership between Blister, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the brand-new, state-of-the-art engi…
On our Upcoming Blister Summit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:49
Jonathan Ellsworth and Blister Summit director, Kristin Sinnott, discuss the ins and outs of our upcoming Blister Summit; why we’re including free professionally guided backcountry tours; which brands will be there; when…
ON3P Skis 22/23 Lineup with Scott Andrus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:42
We talk with ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, about what’s been going on at ON3P, and we walk through the brand’s 22/23 lineup of skis.TOPICS & TIMES:Overview of the past year + Scott’s brother (3:45)Supply chain issues…