Blister Podcast

You wake up, check your phone, and the weather app says it’s going to snow 12” this weekend. You’re stoked! But should you be? How accurate is that forecast? And what makes one forecast more or less accurate than another?Today we’re talking to OpenSnow founder and meteorologist, Joel Gratz, about the science of weather forecasting; the many weather models being used today; his love of skiing and snow; what led him to start a weather forecasting company; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Traveling (5:01)Current snowpack in the West (6:42)History of modern weather forecasting (8:48)Weather Models Galore (23:05)Advancements in Forecasting (27:39)Forecasting Research (33:11)Joel’s background as a skier (36:56)Studying Meteorology, Public Policy & Business (39:54)Why start a weather forecasting company? (43:11)OpenSnow today vs the early days (48:39)How much do you ski these days? (1:03:20)Why subscribe to OpenSnow? (1:05:46)Joel at the Blister Summit (1:15:16)RELATED LINKS:Exclusive Offer: OpenSnow.com/BLISTERBecom

Since becoming Jamaica’s first Olympic alpine ski racer, nothing has slowed down for Benji Alexander. So we caught up with Benji to talk about post-Olympics life; opening doors for other athletes; ensuring the future of snowsports; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Life after the Olympics (5:45)What have you been working on? (7:10)Opening the door for more athletes & countries (11:59)Why representation matters (19:11)Ensuring the future of snowsports (25:35)Hoods to Woods Foundation (28:11)What athletes should be on our radar? (30:54)What’s up next for you? (37:09)Contact Benji (benji.ski) (39:55)RELATED LINKS:Ep Sponsor & Exclusive Offer: OpenSnow.com/BLISTERBecome a Blister MemberBlister Summit RegistrationSEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30Happy Hour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan sat down in Blister HQ with Connor Ryan and Drew Petersen to talk about the Salomon Quality Ski Time Film Tour, their friendship, their missions, Hilaree Nelson, the act of celebrating others, skiing, running, and a whole lot more.TOPICS & TIMES:Salomon QST Film Tour in CB (1:50)New Trend: Scuffed-Up Yeti Coolers (5:20)The Films in the Tour (10:32)Filming: Skiing, Producing, Directing (13:42)Tracing Influence (19:14)Skiing as the Economic Driver of Communities (36:20)When did Connor & Ryan first meet? (39:24) Running (45:46)Who is Harder to Crew For? (48:44)Future Race Plans? (57:16)Running During Ski Season? (1:02:05)RELATED LINKS:Ep Sponsor & Exclusive Offer: OpenSnow.com/BLISTEREp.209: Connor RyanBlister Summit Panel on the ‘Mental Game’ of Pro SkiingBecome a Blister MemberBlister Summit RegistrationSEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cody and Jonathan discuss the latest 50 Project episode (The Sphinx); the US Alpine Team’s new name & sponsor; Cotopaxi closing its San Francisco store after repeated break ins; NFL Talk; Mountain Town Advice; what we’re reading & watching; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Latest Fifty Project ep: The Sphinx (4:51)The “Stifel” US Alpine Team (17:36)Private ski areas donating to politicians? (24:23)Cotopaxi closes S.Fran store after repeat break ins (34:16)NFL Talk (41:47)CO hunting non-profit & unsanctioned trailbuilders (46:21)The Most Canadian News (53:01)Canada or Italy? (55:25)Mtn Town Advice: Jobs (58:46)Mtn Town Advice: Defining wilderness (1:06:14)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:15:41)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Backcountry EssentialsBecome a Blister MemberBlister Summit RegistrationSEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Markus Eder is one of the best (and most versatile) big-mountain skiers ever. Hoji just stated this again on GEAR:30 (ep.220), and Cody Townsend ranks Markus’ Ultimate Run as the best ski edit of all time (Blister Podcast ep.193). Today, we talk to Markus about training; skateboarding as prep for ski season; the golden age of skiing; competing; filming the Ultimate Run; lessons from Hoji and Sam Anthamatten; the Volkl ‘Built Together’ program; & more.TOPICS & TIMES:Living in Italy (3:24)Injuries (5:04)Skateboarding for Skiing (13:13)Markus’ training routine (15:30)The golden age of skiing (28:11)Crystal Ball Question (32:56)Pressure: FWT Comps vs Park Comps vs Filming (37:03)Ultimate Run: scariest moment? (51:29)Ultimate Run: your favorite shot? (57:57)That ‘bonkers three’ off the glacier (58:39)Lessons from Hoji & Sam Anthamatten? (1:00:28)Volkl’s Built Together program (1:08:01)Volkl Revolt 121 (1:11:49)Plans for the upcoming season? (1:18:03)RELATED LINKS:SPECIAL OFFER: OpenSnow.com/BlisterBeco

Jason Levinthal is a pioneer in the world of modern skiing, and now, J Skis is opening their new “Intergalactic Headquarters” right on Main Street in Burlington, Vermont. So I headed to Burlington to check out the new space; ask J what inspired this move; hear J’s predictions and trends for the upcoming season; and discuss one big thing that the entire ski industry needs to work on.TOPICS & TIMES:J’s New Intergalactic HQ (3:47)Prediction: will more ski companies create spaces like this? (12:02)Other Predictions or Trends for this winter? (14:30) Why are we seeing fewer new ski companies? (20:13)Prediction: more consolidation in the ski industry? (24:01)Industry Opportunities (30:49)Attracting New Skiers (34:23)J Skis at the Blister Summit (37:03)RELATED LINKS: Blister Summit 2023Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterSEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

One of the greatest big-mountain snowboarders of all time came to Western Colorado University for another installment of our Blister Speaker Series. But Jeremy isn’t simply one of the best to ever ride a board; by founding Protect Our Winters, Jeremy has had a massive impact on the broader snowsports world, and is working to address one of the biggest issues of our time: climate change. So we talked to Jeremy about filming, snowboarding, founding POW, the ‘outdoor state’; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:When were you last in the Gunnison Valley? (3:56)Relevance today of Jeremy’s film, Purple Mountains (6:41)Size of the ‘Outdoor State’? (8:30)Starting Protect Our Winters (10:34)How has the mission of POW stayed the same or evolved? (16:55)The road not taken (20:39)Social media attacks (22:35)How much are you snowboarding these days? (24:50)Clarify POW’s position on Individual Behavior vs Policy & Voting (28:07)Will individual behavior ultimately move the needle? (32:59)Hilaree Nelson (36:58)Have you talked to

If you spend time in the mountains, then it’s crucial to always be learning — there are new skills to acquire, and old skills to brush up on. So we’re talking about mountain safety, backcountry education, and pedagogy — what are the most effective ways to convey and instill information?  — with IFMGA guide, Mark Smiley, the creator of Mountain Sense, an online collection of video courses designed to make you a more informed and more skilled backcountry traveler. Consider this a must-listen to help you think about your own level of preparation.TOPICS & TIMES:From Indiana to IFMGA guide (7:19)When did you start skiing? (11:01)What is Mountain Sense? (17:59)Is Mountain Sense a supplement or alternative to other courses? (20:24)Who is Mountain Sense for? (23:23)How has Mountain sense been received? (36:26)Favorite safety equipment & gear? (47:08)Final Thoughts (59:13)RELATED LINKS: Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideAll Winter: Blister Members: 40% Off Mountain Sense CoursesTil 10.31

Cody and Jonathan discuss the life & legacy of Hilaree Nelson; Yvon Chouinard giving away Patagonia; Kipchoge & GOATs; burro racing; mountain sex; what we’re reading & watching; Cormac McCarthy; the return of The 50 Project; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Hilaree Nelson: Life & Legacy (2:45)Yvon Chouinard’s Gift (15:46)Kipchoge & GOAT Culture (28:55)Alaskan Gold: Yeti Coolers? (35:47)The Most Canadian News (38:07)Burro Racing (39:18)What actually is a “Mtn Town”? (42:31)Mountain Sex (48:59)What We’re Reading & Watching (55:41)The Fifty Project is Back! (1:08:26)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterSEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the final installment of our Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems series, Kara Williard talks to Rachel Landis, Executive Director of the Good Food Collective in Durango, CO. Rachel discusses why she left a career of guiding and ski patrol to be the ultimate facilitator of local food systems; they nail down what a food hub is; what a “just and regional food system” looks like; how she works to bring people in her community together; some of the unique programs of the Good Food Collective, such as a Produce Prescription Program with the local hospital; then, Jonathan and Kara recap the series, their major takeaways, and why they were left inspired.TOPICS & TIMES:Ski Patrol & Guiding & Rachel’s Journey Into Local Food Systems (2:05)The Good Food Collective (5:23)Working with Institutions (7:58)“Just and Regional Food System” (12:06)Food Education (17:06)Fruit Gleaning Program & Fruit for Good (22:41)Regional Food System Challenges & Connectivity (29:33)Produce Rx Program (35:29)Food J

Mountain Gazette owner & editor, Mike Rogge, is back to discuss the outdoor industry & mainstream media; detail the aftermath of the previous issue of the Mountain Gazette; and highlight several of the pieces in the next issue, including a career retrospective on Seth Morrison.TOPICS & TIMESWildfires (2:28)Jimmy Chin & TGR (7:31)Mainstreaming of the Outdoor Industry (10:21)Influencers & Accountability (16:43)Media Literacy (20:44)Tiktok (28:51)Next issue of Mountain Gazette (31:50)Baratunde Thurston on the Great Dismal Swamp (34:35)Seth Morrison: Career Retrospective (37:05)Maria Wilson & Loss (41:32)Skinny Dipping: A History (47:12)A City Perspective on Snow & Climate Change (50:20)How to subscribe to Mountain Gazette (52:26)RELATED LINKSSubscribe to Mountain GazetteBecome a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i

Why did one of the best freeride skiers of the past 20 years become a farmer? Kara Williard and I talk with Salomon skier, Chris Rubens, about starting First Light Farm in Revelstoke, BC, with his partner Jesse; how skiing and farming are more related than you might think; and why Chris finds farming to be one of the most meaningful things he has ever done.TOPICS & TIMESHow Chris became a Farmer (3:57)Growing Food in Revelstoke, BC (14:22)Pigloos? (19:20)First Light Farm (20:55)The Honor System Farm Stand (22:25)Farming Efficiencies (24:56)Ski Talk (27:23)Skiing & Farming? (37:18)Building Stability in Mountain Towns (44:26)New Babies & Farming (48:54)RELATED LINKSInstagram: @FirstLightFarmMountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 1: Setting the StageBecome a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cody and Jonathan discuss what’s going on at the National Ski Patrol; the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola; “pigloos”; mountain-town advice; what we’re reading & watching; and more.TOPIC & TIMES:Cody & JE’s Sleep Updates (1:31)Cody Went Skiing (3:49)Don’t-Miss GEAR:30 episodes (5:38)Blevin’s Corner: National Ski Patrol is a Mess (10:13)Gunstock Mtn Resort Update (22:40)Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola (24:43)CA’s Ban of Single-Use Propane Cylinders (47:59)Canadian News: Pigloos & Wild Pigs (50:06)Oil Industry Wants to Refreeze AK Permafrost (53:57)Mountain Town Advice (1:00:36)What We’re Reading & Watching  (1:09:22)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 podcast Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

We catch up with Chris about his recent ski trip to Portillo, Chile, and discuss his decision to join Bode Miller at Peak Skis.TOPICS & TIMES:Blister News & Updates (0:00)Skiing in Portillo, Chile (5:40) Superstars Camp: the history (11:38)Ski Instruction: Chris’ philosophy (18:57)Joining Peak Skis (24:52)Bode Miller: when did you guys first meet? (31:49)Ski availability & production (37:28)Fall & Winter Plans? (38:30)Blister Summit / Skiing with Dav (41:21)RELATED LINKS:GEAR:30 ep 191: Bode Miller on Peak SkisGet your 22/23 Blister Winter Buyer’s GuideBlister Summit Info & SignupOpen Mic SeriesBecome a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk with Lynsey Gammon of Gracie’s Farm in Park City, Utah, about topsoil health and climate change; turning barren soil into a thriving farm; farm-to-restaurant connectivity; bee dinners; cow cuddling; women and farming; and more.TOPICS & TIMESWhat is Gracie’s Farm? (4:35)How Lynsey got into farming (6:18)Transforming ranch land to farmable land (9:11)Climate Change & Topsoil Health (16:22)Mtn Town Visitors & Local Food (21:23)Seasonality (25:50)Chef & Farmer Relationship (31:51)Women & Farming (38:57)Action Items / Lessons from Gracie’s Farm (41:40)Cow Cuddling (45:02)RELATED LINKSMountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 1: Setting the StageInstagram: @graciesfarmbluesky Gracie’s Farm: The Lodge at Blue SkyBecome a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United States Congress just passed a historic climate bill, so we spoke with the executive director of POW, Mario Molina, to discuss the backstory and details of the bill, and what needs to happen now.TOPICS & TIMES:Background & Climate Details of the New Bill (2:45)Consquences if this hadn’t passed? (10:34)The oil & gas leases in this bill (16:10)Mario's Background (25:29)Climate advocacy: what has changed & what hasn’t? (33:15)Evolving to cleaner energy technologies (38:50)The bill: what should we be expecting now? (47:33)Stokethevote.com (55:00)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 podcast Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Jonathan is talking with our very own Kara Williard, who, when she’s not testing skis or doing a million other things for us at BLISTER, is raising chickens and growing food in the Gunnison Valley. We discuss what it means to build and support local food systems in mountain towns; the best practices for growing food in these cold climates; chicken tractors and therapy chickens; and the many ways that you can get involved with local food in your community.TOPICS & TIMES:Kara’s Background (2:06)Tim’s Question (9:04)What’s a Local Food System? (10:39)Who are the players? (11:47)Food Insecurity & Mountain Towns (18:31)Growing participation in CSA’s (21:52)Farmers’ Markets (27:03)What else individuals can do (28:40)Greenhouses (31:43)Eating Regionally & Food Literacy (35:47)Other methods & technologies(37:23)Local Food & Environmental Health (40:55)Kara’s farm: Sunny Sage Farm (45:55)RELATED LINKS:Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (July 2022)Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s

Cody and Jonathan cover Gunstock Mountain Resort’s fight to operate; access issues & potential solutions; WC DH MTBers forming a union; mountain-town advice; what we’re reading & watching (answer: TOP GUN) and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Hunters, Skiers, & Offroaders: Cody on the onX meetup (4:58)Gunstock ski area’s fight to operate (13:38)Update: New info on Gunstock after we recordedAccess Issues & Solutions: Red Rock Canyon (28:26)WC DH MTB racers forming a union (38:53)Most / Least Canadian News Story (46:50)Mountain Town Advice (50:17)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:04:44)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do we grow participation in snowsports, support rural mountain communities, and produce more Olympic skiers and snowboarders? We sat down with Will Brandenburg of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation to discuss all of the above.TOPICS & TIMES:Will’s title & the work of SVSEF (2:16)From a small ski hill to the Olympics (6:32)Hockey rinks & ski areas (30:27)Increasing snowsports participation *and* high-level racers (35:22)Building communities through small ski areas (54:58)How do we make this happen? (58:20)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideSubscribe to our Gear Giveaways & NewsletterOUR OTHER PODCASTS:Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30 podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another brief attempt to wrap our heads around the images — and the significance — of the James Webb Space Telescope, with a few recommendations for further reading & listening.RELATED LINKS:The Daily: A View of the Beginning of TimeArs Tecnica on James WebbGEAR:30 conversation with Drew Kelly See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.