Blister Podcast

Cody and Jonathan discuss the current situation of under-staffed & overcrowded ski areas; national parks and Native American tribes; the looming shortage of lithium batteries for electric vehicles; whether or not to ski the backcountry with your dog; what we’re watching; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Sleeping / Not Sleeping (3:42)Understaffed & overcrowded ski areas (15:54)Lithium battery shortage & the future of EVs? (32:58)National Parks & Native American Tribes (38:28)Should you backcountry ski with your dog? (47:39)New SIA report reinforces snowsports pervasive inclusion problem (50:23)What We’re Reading & Watching (57:36)RELATED LINKSEpisode Sponsor: mountainFLOW Eco WaxGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteBlister Summit RegistrationSubscribe to our Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBecome a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s Guide See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Many areas are currently getting hammered by snow storms, and the consequences of backcountry travel are high. So we asked Zach Guy (lead forecaster for the CBAC) to come back on to discuss some best practices and important reminders for anyone venturing out.TOPICS & TIMES:Recap of Last Season (6:49)Avalanche Demographics(10:19)Snowpack this season (16:40)Tacos & Avalanches (22:05)Current storm (23:51)Where should people tour? (29:05)Other best practices? (39:10)What’s in Zach’s Pack? (41:13)RELATED LINKSAvocadoJonathan’s Sleep ExperimentGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteBlister Summit RegistrationSubscribe to our Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBecome a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s GuideRELATED EPISODES: BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELEp. 161: Backcountry Travel, Snow Science, & the Art of Avy ForecastingEp. 152: On Guide Books & Decision Making in the BackcountryEp. 128: Henry Munter on Avy Forecasting & Decision MakingEp. 119: Rob Coppolillo on Backcountry Travel, Education, & GearEp.

Eric Jackson is a visionary, iconoclast, designer, founder, and one of the most successful and influential kayakers in history. In this conversation, Eric provides a masterclass on the history and evolution of paddlesports — and even if you’ve never paddled a day in your life, Eric’s insights into the sport that he played such a seminal role in shaping offer numerous lessons for how to grow — and preserve the best aspects of — other sports, communities, and industries like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, trail running, etc.TOPICS & TIMES:When did you first paddle a boat? (3:43)What was the sport like when you started? (5:30)Key moments in modern kayaking? (13:35)The visionary gene (20:20)Product Design (31:30)Community: Growth vs. Intimacy (38:09)Best ways to increase participation? (44:12)Where would you like to see boating be in 10 years? (50:36)Eric’s hearing loss & hearing aids (59:12)Apex Watercraft (1:13:43)RELATED LINKSmountainflow.comGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteBlister Sum

Lou Dawson is a ski mountaineer, founder of WildSnow.com, and the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado’s 14ers. We discuss all of the above; the history and current state of backcountry skiing; and his new guidebook, Light Tours of Colorado: Mellow Backcountry Ski Routes to Minimize Avalanche Exposure, published by Beacon Guidebooks.(We had Beacon Guidebooks founder, Andy Sovick, on episode #152 of the Blister Podcast, “On Guidebooks & Decision Making in the Backcountry”. Check it out.)TOPICS & TIMES:Founding Wild Snow (6:05)Lou’s first guidebook (13:36)Rationale for creating guidebooks? (16:07)Biggest developments in backcountry skiing? (22:17)Current state of backcountry skiing (30:48)New guidebook, Light Tours of Colorado, 2nd edition (38:10)Future projects? (54:30)RELATED LINKSGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideBlister YouTube Channel See ac

Cody and Jonathan debate the greatest ski edit of all time; the definition of “ski mountaineering”; whether humans will visit earth as a tourist destination; Alex Honnold & the Fifty Project; and a whole lot more.TOPICS & TIMES:The NFL & the Ski Industry (9:49)Snow? (12:39)Ski Edits: top-5 all time (15:54)Backcountry rescue & false-report charges (32:46)Will humans visit earth as a tourist destination? (38:33)Effective conservation: publicize a place or not? (42:33)Definition: “ski mountaineering” (48:44)What we’re Reading & Watching (59:27)Alex Honnold & The Fifty Project (1:11:34)RELATED LINKSAvocadoJonathan’s Sleep ExperimentGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideBlister YouTube Channel See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When it comes to true ‘all-mountain’ skiing, Marcus Caston probably has the nicest turn in the game. He’s also got one of our favorite video series, Return of the Turn, which if you call yourself a skier, you need to watch. A new episode just dropped today, so in honor of the occasion, Marcus and I talked about the latest episode; the series itself; coaching; why people think he is from the East Coast; and we go over some Best / Worst ideas for Return of the Turn episodes. (Paging Glen Plake…)TOPICS & TIMES:Your most memorable Thanksgiving? (6:37)Return of the Turn, Episode 10 (8:12)How did the idea originate? (9:10)Marcus & the East Coast (14:21)Latest episode: Mid-Gad (15:23)Skiing steeps on race skis (18:02)Moguls: WHY? (22:37)Best / Worst episode ideas (30:13)Coaching (35:39)Party Beach (41:03)Where to learn more about Party Beach (44:38)RELATED LINKSReturn of the Turn, ep. 10: Mid-GadAvocadoJonathan’s Sleep ExperimentGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitTh

Rick Ridgeway has lived right at the center of the modern outdoor recreation movement. He was a part of the first American ascent of K2; he has gone on numerous adventures with his friends, Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard and The North Face founder, Doug Tompkins, and filmmaker, Jimmy Chin; and he has been right there working to protect wild places with them, Kristine Tompkins, and others. We talk to Rick about all of the above and his exceptional new book, Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the Edge of the Map.TOPICS & TIMES:How would you describe your new book? (3:07)When did you first get into writing (12:10)Prison & Candice (17:22)The road not taken (19:24)Entrepreneurship (22:12)Your relationship with Patagonia (32:20)Three Questions (45:02)Your legacy (48:13)What’s the best question I haven’t asked you? (50:01)RELATED LINKSRick’s book: Life Lived WildGetting Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blis

Adrien Grabinski lives to ski, and Mark Abma calls him, “the most responsible 21-year-old I have ever met.” Adrien is the ski patrol director (plus a lot of other things) at Shames Mountain in BC, and he’s a surprise star of Matchstick Productions’ film, The Stomping Grounds.TOPICS & TIMES:Tell us about Shames Mountain Ski Area (3:25)From ski patroller to caretaker (5:47)How did filming with MSP come about? (9:28)Heli skiing & filming (12:03)Adrien’s background & ski racing (16:07)Transitioning from racing to ski touring (25:37)Developing a diverse work skillset (28:18)The Shames Life (32:03)Other places you want to visit & ski? (36:04)RELATED LINKSEpisode Sponsor: AvocadoJonathan’s Sleep ExperimentHow to Get Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideBlister YouTube Channel See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our guest today is one of our all-time favorite skiers, and one of our all-time favorite people: Angel Collinson. Angel recently announced her retirement from skiing, so we discussed why she felt that now was the time to make this announcement; the factors that led to her decision; how she thinks about and processes change; what she’s up to now; what might be next; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:What led you to announce now? (3:17)How are you feeling about it? (9:24)Knowing when to move on (12:26)Retiring while on top (21:39)Social media (25:52)Risk vs readiness for a new chapter (31:52)Boat Life (44:52)What’s next? (49:11)RELATED LINKSAngel's retirement announcement videoHow to Get Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideBlister YouTube Channel See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cody and Jonathan discuss ‘fast pass’ programs at ski areas; Angel Collinson’s retirement announcement; the recent climate change / energy bill; bighorn sheep terrain closures in the Tetons; what we’re reading & watching; and more. (And note: Jonathan is talking to Angel Collinson later today about her recent announcement, so stay tuned for that conversation.)TOPICS & TIMES:Introducing: Little Indy (2:26)Bears vs 49ers (dedicated to Nej74) (7:35)Skiing is back! (11:59)‘Fast Pass’ programs (15:03)Climate change / energy bill (30:38)Teton Bighorn Sheep Terrain Closures (39:56) Angel Collinson’s retirement announcement (48:26)American Alpine Journal adds ski descents (57:29)What we’re Reading & Watching (59:06)The Other Slavery, Andres Resendez (59:16)Squid Game (1:00:16)Succession (1:03:35)Harold Pinter, The Dumb Waiter (1:06:27)RELATED LINKSHow to Get Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister

We talk to the American skier who now calls Sweden home, Jackie Paaso, about her very raw, very real new film, The Arctic 12. We discuss her background; being on the Freeride World Tour with her husband, Reine Barkered; and the ins and outs of their 26-day expedition through the tallest peaks of northern Sweden.TOPICS & TIMESJackie’s background (2:01)Ending up in Europe (4:14)Freeskiing career (11:46)Incoming! Baby’s on the way! (13:52)The Arctic 12 (18:41)Initial vision for the project (20:20)Final objectives (23:15)Communication & group dynamics (27:55)Key takeaways? (39:25)When / where to watch the film? (52:53)RELATED LINKSArctic 12 TrailerArctic 12 ScreeningsHow to Get Here: Gunnison & Crested ButteBlister YouTube ChannelRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s Guide See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we are airing one of the panel sessions we held this past February at the Blister Summit, and this is a great conversation. We brought together four very accomplished artists and designers to discuss the intersection of art and the ski and snowboard worlds, as well as the broader outdoor industry. Our panelists are Yorgo Tloupas, co-founder of Black Crows Skis; Geoff McFetridge (who has worked with brands like Patagonia, Nike, & Apple; has appeared twice previously on the Blister Podcast, and is Jonathan Ellsworth’s telemark coach); John Fellows, who lives in Crested Butte, designed our Blister Summit logo, and whose artwork is displayed all around the outdoor industry); and Travis Parr, co-founder of Icelantic Skis, and the person behind Icelantic’s very distinctive artwork.TOPICS & TIMES:Intros: Yorgo Tloupas (4:03)Geoff Mcfetridge (5:29)John Fellows (7:01)Travis Parr (8:00)The current state of art in the ski world (11:13)Skis as a canvas? (19:54)Ski art vs snowboard art (21:31)Icelantic Skis

Last Friday, we published a GEAR:30 episode with McKenna Peterson, where we discuss her ski gear preferences; what piece of gear she’s still searching for; & more. Today, we dive into McKenna’s past and present to talk about her segment in the new Matchstick film, “The Stomping Grounds”; discuss some of the formative events of her life, and learn more about what makes this professional skier (and professional commercial fishing captain) tick.TOPICS & TIMES:McKenna in CB (2:48)What’s the greatest ski film ever? (5:16)Which ski film influenced you the most? (5:58)The current Matchstick fim tour (6:51)McKenna & her mom (10:23)Growing up, racing, & skiing Sun Valley (12:27)Entering the extreme comp in Crested Butte (15:48)School (19:36)Fishing (24:29)Hemmingway’s Typewriter (29:29)McKenna & her dad (34:37)Boats (38:40)RELATED LINKSThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideRegister for the 2022 Blister Summit See acast.com/priva

Cody and Jonathan discuss some of the outdoor-industry-related news of the past month, including the NFL(?); the massive increase in Epic Pass sales; the name change to “Palisades Tahoe”; whether you should shower; our best ideas for your next adventure; some of our all-time favorite TV characters; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Fifty Project: new episode (4:29)The NFL & the outdoor industry? (11:24)Name change: “Palisades Tahoe” (22:10)Tesla & the Nambe Pueblo (32:34)Should you shower? (39:01)Gabby Petito & media reaction (44:08)Massive increase in Epic Pass sales (52:11)Amazon’s Astro robot (59:52)California / single-family zoning (1:06:07)Town of Breckenridge & short-term rentals (1:10:28)Hiking 1100+ miles to summit all CO 14ers (1:13:40)Cody & JE’s ideas for your next adventure (1:14:42)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:20:46)The Big Burn (1:20:57)Jonathan’s favorite TV characters (1:23:09)Cody’s favorite TV characters (1:25:10)RELATED LINKSThis Week’s Gear GiveawayGear Giveaway / New

How does a ski bum go from starring in the beloved movie G.N.A.R. to running for mayor? And why? We talked to Spencer Cordovano to get some answers, and you’ll get to hear how and why Spencer went from ripping BN runs in the movie G.N.A.R., to working to mobilize a certain constituency to make the mountain town he lives in and the community he loves … even better. TOPICS & TIMESWhat prompted you to run for mayor? (3:03)Growing up in Ketchum, ending up in the movie G.N.A.R. (7:10)Being a goof on the mtn, being informed & involved off the mtn (15:01)Workforce issues (28:21)Different metrics for “community” (40:18)Nov. 2nd election + more re: Spencer’s campaign (51:07)RELATED LINKSGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideRegister for the 2022 Blister SummitSpencer4Mayor.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Austin Smith is the co-founder of Season Eqpt and the man in charge of the snowboard side of Season, while his co-founder, Eric Pollard, oversees the ski side. Today you’ll get Austin’s perspective on Season and their 21/22 snowboard lineup (plus a whole bunch of other topics), and then this Friday on our GEAR:30 podcast, you’ll hear Eric offer his perspective on the development of Season and their 21/22 ski lineup.TOPICS & TIMESFirst conversations about Season (7:44)When did you & Eric Pollard meet? (10:07)Your snowboarding influences growing up? (12:38)Gear & design qualities you look for (16:21)Boards, boots, & bindings: rank ‘em (27:22)Fire Truck customization (30:22)Season’s 1st Season (34:22)Season’s snowboard lineup (36:59)Reasoning behind the black top sheets? (42:47)Best question I haven't asked you? (46:16)Telemark skiing (47:34)RELATED LINKSGear Giveaway / Newsletter SignupBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer’s GuideRegister for the 2022 Blister Summit See acast.com/privacy f

Cody and Jonathan discuss wildfire management; athlete sponsorships and why the current model needs to be fixed; emerging technologies designed to capture CO2; having to pay to ski uphill; the prospects of Airbnb returning to its roots; and they also fight about coffee, share what they’re reading and watching, and more.TOPICS & TIMESLife with Fire podcast (1:19)Coffee Talk / Shots Fired (14:52)CO2 Air Capture Technologies (20:36)Paying to Ski Uphill? (24:12)Airbnb: get back to your roots! (28:07)Patagonia’s Jackson Hole Boycott (37:50)Bolt Wars on Pike’s Peak (42:03)Athlete Sponsorship Programs (50:34)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:11:04)Bringing up Bebe, Pamela Druckerman (1:11:31)See You Tomorrow, Jeremy Evans (1:13:14)Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker (1:17:06)East of Eden, John Steinbeck (1:21:40)Friday Night Lights (1:22:41)Longmire (1:26:02)Succession (1:28:28)RELATED LINKSBlister Podcast: Mountain Towns & MegafiresGEAR:30: Our Very Deep Dive on CoffeeBecome a Blister Member / Get our new Buyer

As of this morning, massive fires are drawing closer and closer to South Lake Tahoe. So while we have been talking about the crisis of affordable housing, we are also dealing with a crisis of megafires. And our guest today, Scott Ehlert, is here to make clear how these two crises are related, and what solutions are available to mitigate both.We discuss the sordid history of development, regulations, and building codes; how community planning can be used as a roadblock to meaningful action; how car culture can make affordable housing impossible; why we need to change forest management practices to mitigate megafires; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Scott’s work & the mission of Fabric Workshop (4:15)Scott’s background in development & manufacturing (8:23)How community planning can become an excuse for inaction (14:10)Developing to actually solve affordable housing (27:27)What’s the #1 thing to be done? (29:12)The sordid history of development, regulations, & building codes (39:38)Car culture: build par

This week we are talking again about a number of the logistics facing most mountain town communities — and discussing a number of potential solutions. So if you are someone who lives in a mountain town or you are someone who loves to visit them, you ought to listen to this conversation. Our guest is Troy Russ, who is the community development director of Crested Butte. Troy has a long history in community planning and development, so is able to provide an incredibly well-informed perspective on these big topics.TOPICS & TIMES:Troy’s background in community planning (2:08)Thoughts on our previous Blister Podcast on housing (4:31)Linear Thinking vs. Comprehensive Thinking (8:52)Importance of identifying Core Values (12:41)Affordable housing & short-term rentals (17:07)Development solutions: pros & cons (20:00)Deed restrictions (21:58)ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units (24:23)Creating & maintaining a sustainable economy (31:02)Evaluating various tax initiatives: pros & cons (36:04)Case study: the

Benji Alexander is a passionate ski racer and backcountry skier with a stranger-than-fiction backstory. So we talk about how Burning Man got him into skiing; what inspired his Olympic aspirations; the numerous logistics he has had to navigate to make this happen; the financial hurdles that all Olympic hopefuls have to face; and what motivates him to keep pushing forward.TOPICS & TIMES:Benji’s childhood (3:31)From DJ to Skier (7:31)The bid to become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic ski racer (22:26)Financing an Olympic bid (43:25)Benji’s motivation (45:32)Current training program & next steps (55:32)Backcountry skiing & becoming a lifelong skier (1:04:19)RELATED LINKSBenji’s websiteInstagram: @benji.skiBecome a Blister Member See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.