Blister Podcast

There is an uneasy coexistence of cars and bikes on the road, and cyclist injuries & deaths from collisions with cars and trucks are on the rise. So what’s being done to address this? What can you do — as a cyclist, and as a driver — to do your part? And what’s being done in car & truck technology to help the cause? We talk with the lead engineer of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at General Motors who works on bicycle detection technology to help keep cyclists safer on the roads.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredEp. Sponsor: Bag BalmCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTSBlister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The CouchTOPICS & TIMES:Avoiding Pedestrians vs Avoiding Cyclists (3:58)The Increase of Cyclist Deaths (9:33)Distracted Drivers (10:27)Evolution of Car Safety Tech (11:40)Chad’s Background (17:24)What Can Cyclists Do to Reduce Accidents? (22:10)Laws around Phone Use While Driving (25:32)Night Driving (30:17)Promising Tech? (30:17)Parting Thoughts (31:11) Host

Is it possible to skin and ski 3 million vertical feet in a year? On January 1, 2024, Noah Dines set out to find out, and so far, he’s doing incredibly well: on July 9, Noah crossed the 2 million vertical feet mark.So what prompted Noah to attempt this project? What does his typical day look like? What have been the biggest challenges so far, and what gear is he using to pull this off? I had lots of questions, and Noah offered lots of great answers to this conversation.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTSBlister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The CouchTOPICS & TIMES:The Government Camp / Timberline Scene (3:24)Origins of this Project & 3 Million Feet of Vert (5:07)Locations (11:15)How Often are You Solo? (12:34)Food & Nutrition (15:03)Injuries / Getting Sick (18:24)Warm Up & Cool Down Routines (22:23)Sleep (25:41)Other Challenges, Part 1 (26:30)Your Background (29:01)Other Challenges, Part 2 (31:26)Resort Touring vs Backcountry Tourin

When the world’s elite athletes compete later this month at the Olympic Games in Paris, who treats them? And when injuries happen, how are decisions made about whether the athlete can continue to compete? To answer these questions and how it all works, our guest is Dr. Gloria Beim, the Head Team Physician at the Olympic Games for Team USA. Jonathan and Dr. Beim talk about the Olympics and the medical teams that support athletes there, and they also discuss Dr. Beim’s truly remarkable story that led to a life in medical care, where she continues to serve everyone from regular folks in rural communities, to some of the greatest athletes in human history.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTSBlister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The CouchTOPICS & TIMES:How Jonathan & Dr. Beim Met (4:40)Heading to Paris (8:03)Your day-to-day at the Olympics (9:16)Educating Patients (22:38)Elite Athletes vs ‘Normal’ Folks (26:13)Which Olympic Sports Produce th

Cody and Jonathan discuss the announcement of two new action-sports leagues; the inclusion of women riders at Red Bull Rampage; the latest controversies re: mountaineer Nims Purja; questions about the awesomeness of Spring Energy’s sauce; supreme court rulings on liability waivers; what we’re reading & watching; & more.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTSBlister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The CouchTOPICS & TIMES:Catching Up with Cody (11:11)Snow League & XGL (15:56)Women & Rampage (28:26)Latest Controversies re: Nims Purja (36:03)Spring Energy’s Awesome Sauce (48:28)Blevins Corner: Supreme Court & Liability Waivers (1:00:29)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:15:08) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mt. Everest: for some people, it still represents the holy grail of adventure. For others, it conjures up images of long queues, lots of trash, and a tourism industry that has gotten out of hand. So what is the truth about Everest, and why does it generate such strong feelings for so many of us?Our guest today is Adrian Ballinger, a climber, skier, mountain guide, and the founder and CEO of Alpenglow Expeditions. Adrian does an outstanding job of explaining the multiple sides of Everest, and the many different ways to approach it.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredBlister Summit 2025TOPICS & TIMES:First Love: Skiing, Climbing, Or Mountaineering (6:53)Progression in Skiing High Peaks (13:46)Your Season on Everest (15:47)North Side vs South Side of Everest (24:06)How Accessible Should Everest Be? (34:57)Supplemental Oxygen (38:27)Alpenglow Expeditions’ “Rapid Ascent” (47:32)Other Mountains that Deserve More Attention? (56:13)Fixing High-Altitude Mountaineering & Outdoor Sports Culture (1:01:20)T

We talk to professional climber Sasha DiGiulian about her unconventional journey, major setbacks, & remarkable achievements in & beyond the climbing world. Plus, we go behind the scenes of the new documentary about her story - which debuts on 6.18.24 - Here to Climb.RELATED LINKS:Bag BalmBLISTER+ Climbers, Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Sasha’s new film: Here to Climb (3:07)Injuries & Obstacles (5:19)How have 5 surgeries changed how you climb? (8:59)How has making this film changed you? (19:05)Feeling like an outsider (21:17)Lynn Hill (25:50)Conformity & Outdoor Communities (28:22)Going to Columbia University (30:55)Weight Issues in the Climbing World (35:10)Logical Progression (44:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk with U.S. Ski Hall of Famer, Mike Hattrup, about his days as a competitive mogul skier; being featured in iconic ski films like ‘The Blizzard of AAHHH’s’; his decades working in gear testing and development; and his latest role with Eleven Experience.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Eleven ExperienceTOPICS & TIMES:Sun Valley, Idaho (3:25)Mogul Skiing (7:41)Filming with Greg Stump (13:31)From Moguls to the Aiguille du Midi (16:45)Backcountry Safety Back Then (18:30)Mountain Guiding (21:21)Gear Nerdery (24:19)Mcconkey & the Pontoon (36:55)Mike’s New Role w/ Eleven Experience (42:57)Remaining Bucket List Ski Destinations? (53:38)More on being the “Director Of Skiing” (55:22)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, we lost Bill Walton, one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, and a person with an all-time love of bikes. Today, I talk about what Bill meant to me personally, and we’re republishing here the conversation I had with Bill back on our Bikes & Big Ideas podcast. If you didn’t know Bill, you should listen to this conversation. And if you did know Bill, this conversation will make clear why so many people love him, and were inspired by him.RELATED LINKS:Video: Our conversation with Bill WaltonGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Jonathan’s Thoughts on Bill (0:16)Bill’s life-long love of bikes (7:59)Top-5 NBA ‘bike guys’? (21:09)Best cardio guys in the NBA? (25:50)Music, Bob Dylan, & the Dead (27:31)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30CRAFTED Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest is Eric Blehm, author of The Darkest White., a book we think every snowboarder and skier should read. Today, we go behind the scenes with Eric to talk about the legend Craig Kelly; Eric’s extensive research on this project; and why The Darkest White is really (at least) 6 books in 1.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: bagbalm.comGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30CRAFTED Off The CouchTOPICS & TIMES:What Inspired The Darkest White? (4:13)The Six Aspects of Craig’s Story (8:11)Avalanche Education (22:45)Early Snowboarding Culture & Companies (27:05)The Darkest White vs. Eric’s Previous Books? (34:54)Keeping Stories Alive (44:24) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you love skiing, snowboarding, trail running, or mountain biking, then why the hell do you need to know about things like short-term rentals, zoning codes, and accessory dwelling units? Because those things will impact whether or not you will be able to continue to ski, snowboard, run, bike, or live in some of your favorite places. So Troy Russ is back for another conversation about what we need to know — and do — re: housing issues and mountain town economics.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Our Previous Housing Conversations:6) Blister Summit ‘23: Mtn Town Economics5) Zack Giffin: Tiny Houses, Big Solutions5) Bjarne Salén: The Fifty Project & Tiny Homes3) Mtn Town Economics w/ Scott Ehlert 2) Mtn Town Economics w/ Troy Russ1) Mtn Town Economics w/ Dr. Jenny StuberTOPICS & TIMES:Troy’s Current Role & Background (5:15)Updates On Previous Mtn Town Economics Conversations (12:17)Short-Term Rentals: Ideal Implementation? (22:37)Housing Stock & Affordability (27:02)Accessory Dwe

Dr. Len Necefer (founder of the Sonoran Avalanche Center & NativesOutdoors) is back to discuss cloud seeding; the passing of the EXPLORE Act; trigger warnings; the most Italian news?; skiing on mushroom moguls; what we’re reading & watching; and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Len’s Substack: All At OnceTOPICS & TIMES:Len’s Trip Up the CO River (5:04)U.S. College Campus Protests (8:37)Cloud Seeding (30:42)House Passes the EXPLORE Act (42:38)The Most Italian News (46:21)What We’re Reading & Watching (50:36)Graham Zimmerman, A Fine LineJohn Farella, The Main StalkBrendan Leonard, Ultra-Something Fantastic FungiSkiing Mushroom Moguls? (1:11:21)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30CRAFTED Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So who was really behind the creation of BLISTER, how did the whole thing get started, and was it actually due to a misunderstanding over a couple of beers on the weekend of Independence Day, 2010? Today, Jonathan Ellsworth and Michael Clarke discuss all of the above, as well as giant tortoises, some keys to long-lasting friendships, and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Michael’s Role In Blister’s Existence (and Tortoises) (3:18)Michael’s Skiing Background (10:08)Jonathan’s Intro to Skiing (15:06)Forming Opinions on Skis (20:44)How Blister Started Reviewing Gear (25:46)Outsider’s Perspective on the Ski Industry (31:29)What’s Changed Since Blister Started? (38:12)What Would You Do Differently? (45:35)Longevity & Assessing Risk (52:48)Maintaining Long-Lasting Friendships (1:04:44)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mountain Gazette owner, Mike Rogge, is back to discuss the ongoing feud I have with him; media coverage of the eclipse; two stories from the soon-to-be-released MG #201; what we’re reading and watching (including Bluey, Road House, and why Rogge often tells people to watch the movie, Cocktail with Tom Cruise), and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Our Ongoing Feud (3:34)Media Eclipse Coverage (11:17)Last Issue: #200 (15:24)Next Issue: #201 (25:26)Katie Burrell’s piece (27:11)Appalachian Trail piece (34:38)What We’re Reading & Watching (40:25)Blister Cinematic Tease (50:09)How to Get MG issue #201 (51:16)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At our Blister Summit, Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra shared stories about their all-time favorite days in the mountains; their scariest experiences; times they were the most starstruck; what they wish they could tell their younger selves; and more. Watch on our YouTube Channel.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: SturtevantsGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Watch on our YouTube ChannelTOPICS & TIMES:How’d You Get into Skiing? (3:31)All-Time Favorite Day or Trip? (10:24)Scariest Experience? (24:26)Most Starstruck Moment? (36:41)Advice For Your Younger Selves? (47:06)Different Forms of Inspiration? (50:32)*Why* Do You Do What You’re Doing? (53:03)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cody and Jonathan discuss the end of The Fifty; the Crankworx riders’ strike; JHMR’s parking lot controversy; the all-drugs-are-legal Olympic Games; the ‘Road House’ remake; & more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: vpg.noGet Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Catching Up, Cody’s Next 3 Months (0:00)The End of The Fifty? (7:35)Crankworx Canceled / Riders’ Strike (16:22)JHMR “Parking Hack” (41:26)The Enhanced Games (55:51)Ullr Sighting (1:10:18)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:23:33)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What should we do to most significantly and quickly improve the current climate situation? Should we all be pooping in buckets?At Blister Summit 2024, I had a conversation with Amie Engerbretson (Atomic); Dr. Len Necefer (Founder, NativesOutdoors & the Sonoran Avalanche Center); and Jake Black (Sr. Director of Programs, Protect Our Winters) to address this and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Lone Pine Gear ExchangeBLISTER+ Membership: Learn More & Sign UpVideos: Blister YouTube ChannelTOPICS & TIMES:Introductions (1:45)“Misplaced Guilt?” (4:01)The Actual Impact of “Perfect” Climate Advocates (14:02)Meaningful Things We Can Do (28:33)Q from Angel Collinson: Reducing Division? (41:05)Individual Behavior & Amie’s film, “The Hypocrite” (54:24) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After they competed in last weekend’s FWT Challenger stop in Crested Butte, Britta Winans, Colton Shaff, Mia Winans, and Tyler Curle sat down with us to peel back the curtain on the current freeride competition scene and discuss how the skiing and riding have evolved; differences between the FWQ and FWT events; their personal favorite moments from this season + personal favorite riders, and much more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Gear WestBLISTER+ Membership: Learn More & Sign UpTOPICS & TIMES:Intros (3:37)23/24 Season Highlights (7:38)Different Event Types (15:40)FWQ vs. FWT: Biggest Differences (19L07)Standout comp moments (27:35)Evolution of Freeride & Freestyle (34:57)Your Favorite Riders? (45:30)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30Off The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are talking about an often overlooked — and sometimes looked down upon — form of self-expression in freeriding and freeskiing: fashion.Our guests are professional skiers Hadley Hammer and Kellyn Wilson, the founders of TOGS, which is a new project dedicated to widening ski culture and making it more acceptable for each of us to be our full selves.RELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Backcountry EssentialsGet Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Hadley and BLISTER+ (7:41)What is TOGS? (13:43)Fashion & the Outdoor Space (16:01)Expansion of the Mtn Town Uniform (23:53)Zebras (26:50)Hadley’s Background (28:17)Why the name, “TOGS”? (34:43)How Hadley & Kellyn first connected (36:13)Where to find & read TOGS (43:28)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trevor Kennison, Teton Brown, Cody Townsend, & Hoji swap stories about their experiences in the mountains & more.RELATED LINKS:VIDEO VERSION: Blister YouTubeBlister Recommended Shop: Bluebird Mtn SportsOpenSnowGet Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:The Epic Story of Hoji’s Hat (4:21)Teton Brown’s Story (12:05)Cody: Favorite Day (or Trip) in the Mtns? (18:52)Trevor: Skiing Rambo (22:58)Trevor’s 1st Trip to Japan (24:58)Teton’s Most Memorable Line (25:43)Skiing Big Lines Blind (30:16)Trevor’s Rail-to-Rail Flip (39:32)Trevor: How often do you back off of a line? (46:05)Hoji: Most Starstruck Moment? (48:41)Teton’s Most Starstruck Moment (52:01)Audience Questions (54:10)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED GEAR:30Bikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Natural Selection Tour, created by Travis Rice, is one of the most innovative competitions out there. Top snowboarders openly covet an invite, and top skiers openly talk about how they’d love to someday compete.And with two Natural Selection Duels events taking place during our recent Blister Summit, it was a perfect chance to talk about Natural Selection and the future of comps with the Olympic & X Games gold medalist, Red Gerard; the legendary T. Bird (Tom Monterosso); and the CEO of Natural Selection, Carter Westfall.Snowboarders are going to love this one; skiers are going to want to pay close attention; and all of us have an opportunity here to think about the past and future of snowsports comps.RELATED LINKS:WATCH: Video Version on Blister YouTubeBlister Recommended Shop: Gear WestGet Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:T. Bird & Natural Selection (6:30)Red’s Recent X Games’ Gold (8:01)Comp Landscape Before Natural Selection (9:18)Inviting Riders of Different Backgrounds (15:46)Impact on Nex