Podcasts about salomon qst

We review the Best Skis for the new 2026 winter season, covering the best piste skis, best all mountain skis and freeride skis. Host Iain Martin was joined by The Ski Podcast's equipment expert Al Morgan.  Tirol in Austria sponsors The Ski Podcast, which means that this winter we'll be able to find out more about some of the great destinations in Tirol, and how you can connect with the wonderful ‘feeling of life' there.  SHOW NOTES Iain and Al will be at the London Snow Show in October (3:00) Best Skis of 2026 means the best skis of winter 2025/26 (4:00) What are the different types of skis (4:15) How important is that figure for width under your foot? (7:45) What is meant by ‘side cut'? (10:00) What is a ‘rocker? (12:00) How long should your skis be? (15:15) Is sustainability still important in ski production? (18:45) The Ski Sustainability Forum is organised by POW, Atomic and FESI (21:00) When and where did testing take place? (22:15) SIGB is the Snowsport Industries of Great Britain (22:45) Most testing takes place at SIGB's annual ski test in La Clusaz (23:15) How much do bindings cost? (25:00) THE BEST PISTE SKIS OF WINTER 2026  K2 Blur 74 W (women) (26:30) £600 / 148cm-169cm Blur is K2's new piste ski range for winter 25/26. The 74W has a little lift through the front and back, is built around their aspen wood core and uses Flax with channels milled into it.  They only do this in this ski and the Blur 79W to enhance agility. It should also save a little weight, although the 74 is about performance and a perfect partner for advanced and expert female skiers shredding the groomers.   It has a 13.9m radius in the longest length and testers reported it as silky smooth, easy to ski yet snappy, with great boost turn-to-turn. It's super reactive underfoot, quick to pivot and rotate for short turns.  Nordica Dobermann Multipista DC FDT (29:00) £930 including binding, 160cm-185cm The Multipista is new for this season, focussed equally on fun and performance. It may look similar to the Steadfast skis in its outline, but there's a lot more going on than simply a curvy figure.  It has Dobermann in the name, which hints at this ski's powerful drive, and when you open the throttle you're rewarded by the bucketload!  The rise though the front and back, paired with the taper at each end, means you never feel like your locked into a turn. It can lay trenches on the groomers, but if you want to nip off the side, take on some slush or get a little airtime, it's as composed as you could ask for.   It's built around their Energy 2 Ti Double Core (DC) construction. An elastomer layer is sandwiched between two beech and poplar wood cores, beefed up by two layers of Titanal metal, one above the wood-elastomer sandwich and one below.  Even though Nordica states the ski as having a Full Camber Profile, it has a longer rise through the shovel and tail than a regular full camber ski. This rocker profile is part of the Multipista's magic, bringing a delightfully versatile nature. The tapered profile through the shovel and tail further adds to its performance across a range of conditions. The 74mm waist width, in all lengths, partners with their race on-piste shape underfoot for confidence-rocketing grip. This width is bang-on the money, with plenty of punch through the edge and enough float and stability to tackle a broad array of terrain and snow conditions. THE BEST ALL MOUNTAIN SKIS OF WINTER 2026 Völkl V.Werks 100(32:00) £1,750 flat, 170cm-186cm Völkl has taken all they've learnt from ski manufacturing and turned the dial up to eleven with this ski! The company was founded in 1923, and in honour of this they have made exactly 1923 of these skis, with a retail price of €1923.   This ski is see-through. If you place your hand behind the ski, when holding it up to the light, you can see where your hand is. It's quite spectacular. It also highlights the complex structure they've perfected for the fibre placement.  They combine carbon and natural flax fibres, which work in harmony with the superb 3D H-Woodcore. This is made of two enviro friendly FSC-certified poplar and beech cores, with a central reinforcement, and this all has a very noticeable and technical 3D shape.  The fibres, translucent layer and wood core allows the designers to transfer the movements and forces from the skier through the ski and to the edges, for a ridiculously intuitive control. You get a regular camber underfoot but enough rocker in the shovel and tail for a mega-versatile shape. Atomic Maven 88 CTI (Women) (35:00) £570 without bindings, 147cm-172cm   This ski is based around an ash and poplar wood core, boosted by the addition of carbon and Titanal. These laminates add greater damping and energy to the ski, whilst helping to keep the ski light.  The change of shape through the shovel, as we saw in the wider Maverick and Maven models last season, keeps this ski incredibly playful. This HRZN 3D Maverick/Maven tech sees the wood core extend right up to the very front of the ski, designed to improve stability and smoothness when charging hard.  These skis can certainly be skied fast, but the thing you notice most with all skis with HRZN tech is just how much it enhances the fun nature of the skis. They are not twin-tips, and have a directional shape, although the rise in the back means you can ski switch if you really want to. Atomic builds in a 15% rocker through the shovel and a 10% rocker at the back, with standard camber in the middle of the ski. Salomon Stance Pro 86(Unisex) (38:00) £640 flat, 151cm-185cm   Salomon's Stance range sees significant change, taking what were already great skis and making them industry leading.  It has a full poplar wood core, with the Powerflex Ti metal layer sitting full width underfoot and tapering out in front of and behind the binding. The metal edge is made thicker to aid grip and power, and will endure more services, therefore lasting longer. The base has a 50% recycled content. The profile delivers regular camber underfoot with a 15% rocker through the front and a milder 12% rocker at the rear. THE BEST FREERIDE SKIS OF WINTER 2026 (40:00) Head Kore 99 Ti W(Women) (40:30) £650 without bindings, 156cm-177cm   The Kore skis are redesigned for this season. This 99mm underfoot model has the same length options as the women's Kore 97 of last season, but otherwise it's a very different ski.  Where the men's new Kore skis use beech and karuba, the women's Kore models combine poplar with PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is a thermoplastic polyester polymer. Think of your favourite fleece, and the chances are it's made of the same material.  This is complimented by a layer of Titanal, using at least 40% recycled material, above and below the core, along with a Graphene layer between the metal and top of the core. They add a damping layer between the bottom metal layer and the edges of the ski, to further smoothen the ride.  Again, as in the men's, they add flax to the boundary of the topsheet to improve durability. Rocker front and back, with standard camber underfoot, gives the ski it's undeniable freeride profile.   Salomon QST 100(Unisex) (43:30) £570 without bindings, 148cm-188cm   New for this season in widths ranging from 92 through to 106, the 100 is an incredible freeride ski and was a hit with everyone at testing. It's a unisex model, offered in a choice of two colours.  The new QST's have full poplar wood cores with basalt and glass fibres, as well as Salomon's proven Cork Damplifier, where they inlay a cork and TPU border at the tip and tail to dampen vibrations. The 106 has a 22% rocker up front and 18% rocker in the tail. As you step down in width to 100 then 94, they reduce the rocker proportion by 1% at each end, for each drop in width.   FEEDBACK I enjoy all feedback about the show, so if you enjoyed this episode, or if you have any questions about skis we didn't cover, then please let us know by leaving a comment at Instagram or Facebook – we are @theskipodcast – or by dropping me an email theskipodcast@gmail.com There are now 273 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with. There is so much to listen to in our back catalog, just go to theskipodcast.com and search around the tags and categories: you're bound to find something of interest.   If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help the podcast, there are three things you can do:   -          Follow us, or subscribe, so you never miss an episode -          Give us a review on Apple Podcasts or leave a comment on Spotify -          Help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST' when you book at intersportrent.com. You'll get a guaranteed additional discount, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied.  You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast.

Drop us a message with any questions you may have :)Headline Sponsor Ski Weekends offers catered chalet and hotel short break ski holidays across Europe.Ski Racing Updates with Ed Drake and Jasmin Taylor wins gold.Where's Best to Ski Now? France: Chamonix & Avoriaz offer spring skiing conditions, with events like the Freeride World Qualifier Junior and Volcom Spot to Spot snowboarding event. Austria: Ski Arlberg has spring skiing and the upcoming Tanzcafé Arlberg Music Festival. Zillertal offers sunny spring skiing with quirky events. Ischgl has fantastic spring skiing, gourmet dining, and Top of the Mountain concerts. Switzerland: Zermatt is expecting colder weather and light snow, ideal for spring skiing.Südtirol Gardenissima Giant Slalom (March 29, 2025): The 27th Annual Event in Val Gardena, Italy, features 700 athletes from 24 countries in the world's longest giant slalom.Grindelwald-Wengen (Switzerland) offers great spring skiing, with some slopes open until April 6th. Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy) is sunny and mild, perfect for spring skiing. Cervinia has received recent snow. Aspen (USA) has warm weather, but colder temps and snow are expected soon. Whistler (Canada) has a mix of sun, clouds, and snow, with higher snow levels at the mountain top. Deer Valley (USA) is open until April 20th. Hakuba Valley (Japan) has solid snow but no significant new dumps expected. Baqueira-Beret (Spain) is cold, with up to 6 cm of snow expected this weekend. Lillehammer & Hafjell (Norway) are mild, with highs of 9-10°C. Åre (Sweden) is sunny with temperatures around 11°C. Sälen (Sweden) is cooler with temperatures between 6-8°C.Gear Guide: SIGB Ski Test 2025: Best Skis for 2025-26: Piste Skis: Men: Fischer Noize Race Slalom (grip, smooth), Rossignol Forza Master (a favorite). Women: Dynastar Elite 7 (control, energy, for intermediate/advanced skiers). All-Mountain Skis: Men: Blizzard Anomaly, Nordica Enforcer, Rossignol Arcade Women: Rossignol Arcade 84 Freeride Skis: Men: Rossignol Sender Soul 102  Salomon QST 100 Armada Stranger . Women: Black Diamond Impulse 104 (Destination Feature: Arosa, Switzerland: The third-largest ski area in Switzerland, linked to Lenzerheide, offering over 200 km of pistes. Located in the Graubunden region, it's easily accessible by train from Zurich. Best for intermediates, Arosa offers wide slopes and off-piste terrain. Lenzerheide has steeper runs, including a World Cup downhill racecourse. The lift infrastructure includes gondolas, high-speed chairs, and a few T-bars (which can be avoided). The town is small, walkable, and features a mix of old and new architecture. The après-ski scene is quiet in the evenings, with Kuh Bar being lively for après ski. Rob stayed at Faern Altein, a 4-star, family-friendly hotel near the lift station with a spa and restaurants. To get there, take a train from Zurich to Arosa (around 2.5 hours), or drive.Links: www.gardenissima.eu Ski WeekSupport the showIn the meantime Enjoy the mountains :) And Please do leave a review as it's the only way other like minded travellers get to find us! And don't forget to check us out on the following channels inthesnow.cominstagram.com/inthesnowTikTok@inthesnowmag youtube.com/inthesnowmagfacebook.com/inthesnowTo contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com

Crested Butte Mountain Resort recently got 40+ inches of new snow in just a few days, so it was time to break out the big skis. Jonathan and Luke discuss the very new (and very different) Head Kore 118Ti and Kore 112Ti; the latest iteration of the ON3P Billy Goat 118; Tyrolia's Attack Hybrid binding; Salomon's revised QST Blank and QST 106, and more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Rec. Shop: Mountain OpsJoin us @ Blister Summit 2025Become a BLISTER+ MemberTOPICS & TIMES:Mountain Ops (1:21)Blister Summit (2:26)Head Kore 118Ti & 112Ti (3:20)Tyrolia Attack Hybrid (14:40)ON3P Billy Goat 118 (21:00)Rossignol Sender Free 118 (25:03)Salomon QST Blank (27:35)Salomon QST 106 (32:50)Summit (38:35)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we've got 2 episodes in 1 for you. We first talk about the biggest development in the world of snowsports gear: dual BOA ski boots. Joining Jonathan for that conversation are Salomon's Lauren Samuels and Cesar Brouck, and you're going to learn a lot more about the Dual BOA system in general, and also some of the very specific design decisions that Salomon made to implement this system into their new S/Pro Supra dual BOA ski boot. Then, we dive deep into the weeds with Quentin Boutry, the man behind Salomon's new 4th generation of QST skis.RELATED LINKS:Our Blister Rec Shop: Viking Ski ShopBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredJoin Us! Blister Summit 2025TOPICS & TIMES:Jonathan's Neighborhood Ski Shop (1:45)Blister Summit News & Updates (3:50)Did You Know? PT (4:38)Part 1: New S/Pro Dual BOA Ski Boot (8:20)Who's this Boot For? (11:20) Benefits of Dual BOA? (12:15)The R&D Process (27:27)Cable Routing of the Dual BOA (36:44)The ‘Step In' Experience (39:13)Part 2: New Salomon QST Skis (44:17)Get to Know Quentin Boutry (44:25)From Gen 2 to Gen 3 QST Skis (55:09)Salomon Rocker 122 vs QST X (1:04:53)Why Go Unisex w/ 4th Gen QST? (1:06:33)More on Changes from Gen 3 to Gen 4 (1:14:00)‘Double Metal' & ‘Non Double Metal' Skis (1:29:59)Salomon QST 94 (1:31:59)Salomon QST 100 (1:37:19)Salomon QST 106 (1:41:17)New Materials: Fruit Roll-Ups? (1:45:45)Salomon QST Echo 160 (1:50:4)Salomon QST X vs QST Blank (1:59:42) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textSki News & Updates:Ski Sunday: While it's beloved by hardcore fans, they discuss how it could appeal to wider audiences and promote skiing in general.Ski centers like Ski-Allenheads in Northumberland and Yad Moss in Cumbria are seeing great snow conditions, while Snowdonia has received deep powder.L2A (Les 2 Alpes): €145 million being invested into improvements, including a new gondola and updates to the glacier and beginner areas. A drone show is planned for the new Jandri 3S gondola inauguration on January 17.Top Destinations for Snow & Skiing:Austria: Fresh snow and perfect conditions in Skiwelt, Saalbach Hinterglemm, and Arlberg France: Resorts like Portes du Soleil and 3 Valleys have recoveredItaly: Fresh snow at Madonna di Campiglio and Livigno, with most resorts now 90% open.Switzerland: Verbier and Zermatt boast solid snow, but high winds and rain at lower altitudes challenge conditions at times.Pyrenees: Fresh snow improves conditions in Andorra, St Lary, and Baqueira Beret.Scandinavia: Cold temperatures and heavy snowfall in Norway, with top resorts like Hemsedal and Trysil offering great powder.Eastern Europe: Bansko (Bulgaria) and Špindlerův Mlýn (Czechia) are seeing good snow conditions and well-maintained slopes.Scotland: Snowmaking efforts are keeping resorts like Cairngorm and Glencoe open despite mild weather earlier in the season.Canada: Western resorts like Lake Louise and Whistler Blackcomb are thriving with excellent snow coverage.USA: The Pacific Northwest (e.g., Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass) is experiencing deep powder, while the Rockies and Eastern US are seeing fresh snow.Ski Gear Guide & Competition Alert:Win a GoPro HERO Speciality Accessory Bundle.  To enter, leave a podcast review!Rob and Dom discuss all-mountain ski gear.Men's All-Mountain Skis:Black Crows Camox: Versatile, playful, and responsive at speed, perfect for both groomed runs and off-piste adventures.Salomon QST 92: Lightweight, responsive freeride ski, ideal for side-country exploration and carving.Rossignol Arcade 88: Expert-level ski offering a balance of stability and responsiveness, with Line Control Technology for smooth control.Women's All-Mountain Skis:Line Pandora 85: Lightweight, stable, and great for hardpack conditions, perfect for piste skiers who occasionally venture off-piste.Volkl Blaze 86: Fast and responsive, designed for sporty skiers who enjoy off-piste skiing.Destination of the Week: La Plagne with Mountain HeavenLa Plagne celebrates Mountain Heaven's 21st Anniversary, highlighting their exclusive focus on La Plagne for catered chalets and self-catered apartments.Located in the Paradiski area, La Plagne is a favorite for families and seasoned skiers, offering a vast network of slopes across 11 villages.Mountain Heaven stands out for its personalized service and commitmenIn the meantime Enjoy the mountains :) And Please do leave a review as it's the only way other like minded travellers get to find us! And don't forget to check us out on the following channels inthesnow.cominstagram.com/inthesnowTikTok@inthesnowmag youtube.com/inthesnowmagfacebook.com/inthesnowTo contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com

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.

A ski podcast hosted by Dom Killinger publisher InTheSnow and Rob Stewart and owner Ski Press. In this episode, Rob Stewart, our regular Podcast Host, is joined by British Olympian Emily Sarsfield to look at the do's and don'ts for buying your first pair of skis .Rob talks about your ability level, and being honest about it and making sure you visit a store rather than just buy online.Are you looking for a piste ski, an all mountain ski or freeride skis?  Or maybe something racier?For piste skis they recommend the likes of the Elan Wingman 88 for a review of this ski, visit here or the Atomic Cloud 9 which is a women's ski.For a more off piste ski, the Salomon QST 99 (99 under foot) or for a review see here and for a womens specific freeride ski, the Black Crows Captis Birdie also reviewed here.For an all mountain ski, the Volkl Kendo is reviewed here or for women the Blizzard Black Pearl are also great options.So:> Know your ability > Know what type of skier you are > Think about what type of ski you would like> Visit a decent ski shop> It's always best to buy in store rather than online.In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us! And don't forget to check us out on the following channels inthesnow.comyoutube.com/inthesnowmagfacebook.com/inthesnowinstagram.com/inthesnowand contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

In Episode 95 of The Ski Podcast we discuss La Tania, Chamonix in summer, and the challenges facing the UK ski industry. Plus we talk to Arnie Wilson - the man who skied every single day for a year – and reveal our pick of the best new skis for next winter. Iain was joined live by Diane Palumbo (Skiworld), Toffa (LaTania.co.uk) and Al Morgan (SkiKitInfo), as well as down the line by Claire Burnet from Chamonix. Thanks again to Switzerland Tourism for their support.  You can see their amazing ‘Swiss Sanctuary' at the Chelsea Flower Show, designed by Lilly Gomm.  SHOW NOTES ·       Congratulations to Dave and Mandy Ryding who were married earlier this month https://www.instagram.com/p/CdoPSjfIphu/ ·       You used to be able to ski in Chamonix in summer ·       Iain competed in the UTMB in August 2021 ·       Claire Burnet previously appeared on the podcast in Episode 73 ·       Chamonix offered free ski lessons at certain dates last winter ·       A visit to the Aiguille du Midi is a must if you've never done it before ·       Iain saw a photoshoot with freeskier Vivian Bruchez https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1527911324994396160 ·       Take a look at some of Iain's videos from his visit on the Skipedia YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSDggtpzk4Y ·       Diane is Sales and Marketing Director at Skiworld ·       She is also a founding member of the SBIT lobbying group ·       Charlie Owen from SBIT has previously appeared on the podcast in Episode 8 and Episode 20 ·       Find out about La Tania at LaTania.co.uk  ·       Arnie Wilson is most well-known for his exploits in 1994 when he skied every day for a year. We covered his book 'Ski The World' Ski Book Group in Episode 20 ·       Al loved the Volkl Deacon 72 – it's expensive, but an incredible performer ·       His other favourite was the Salomon QST 106 – a wide, freeride ski Our 2022 Survey is now live – it only takes a minute or two to complete and we would really appreciate your feedback - and you could win a pair of Atomic goggles worth £200 FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS Please leave your comments and reviews either on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, social media or email to theskipodcast @ gmail.com Alex Crump (YT): "Great to listen to the Mayor of Les 2 Alpes and his plan for a green future" Mark Thommason (YT): “Was surprised to see the UTMB cap…so impressed!” You can follow Iain on social media @skipedia (Facebook/Twitter/YouTube) and the podcast @theskipodcast (Instagram/Twitter/Facebook)

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the highlights and big takeaways from our new Winter Buyer’s Guide. We’ll talk about some of our Best Of award winners; whether or not the 20/21 crop of ski gear represents a step forward; and more. Then we answer a lot of the questions you submitted.TOPICS & TIMES:Luke’s soap (2:49)Our 20/21 BLISTER Buyer’s Guide (5:47)“Rounded” Flex pattern (8:50)Volkl Mantra 102 & Katana 108 (15:24)Majesty Superwolf (21:35)Salomon QST 99 (22:35)Dynastar Menace 98 (27:00)Your questions (33:49)Where did the name Blister come from? (44:59)What do I need to do to work for Blister? (50:28)Coffee makers! (1:00:45)What We’re Celebrating (1:20:33)RELATED LINKS:Watch on our YouTube channelOur featured Shop: Backcountry EssentialsOur 20/21 Winter Buyer’s GuideBecome a Blister Member See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jonathan Ellsworth talks about testing the ON3P Woodsman 108 and Black Crows Navis while heli skiing with Eleven Experience in Iceland, and Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa talk about their time on the Volkl Mantra 102 & Revolt 121, Faction Candide 5.0, and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Heli Skiing at Deplar Farm, Iceland (1:15)ON3P Woodsman 108 (5:00)Volkl Mantra 102 (13:25)Volkl Revolt 121 (17:05)Faction Candide 5.0 (20:51)HEAD Raptor 140 RS (24:12)Fischer Ranger 99 (25:49)Salomon QST 99 (27:16)Icelantic Nomad 105 (31:08)Black Crows Navis (33:02)Liberty Origin 106 (36:45) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is MtnMeister's semi-annual gear giveaway episode! If you’re a fan of the show, you’ve probably heard of it.    If this is your first time listening, here’s how it works. A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Denver where over 1,000 different outdoor brands exhibited their newest products. In exchange for being featured on today’s episode, each company agrees to give you gear.  These are all real products that are either currently on the market or will be later this year - this is not “swag” or the branded cheap stuff that you end up throwing away.   To win the free gear, all you have to do is listen to this episode, and when you hear a product you want, email me at ben@mtnmeister.com and tell me you want it. The first person to request it wins! You can only win one prize, and after you win it, you cannot exchange it. Winners must be in the USA.   Finally, this time around, we had a grand prize of 2018 Salomon QST skis, which will be raffled off to one person who purchased information about the date or time of this episode’s release. I’ll announce that person at the end of this episode. 

HOW IT WORKS In our Outdoor Retailer episodes of MtnMeister, we record short interviews with innovative and exciting outdoor brands. In exchange for being featured, they give you free gear! When you hear a product that you want, email ben@mtnmeister.com to request it. The first person who requests it wins! Last year we gave away over $5,000 in prizes. THE CATCH Easy, right? The only issue is that there’s a lot of competition from others who want the free gear. Last year, everything was claimed within about an hour of the episode’s release. This year, Outdoor Retailer will be from January 25 – 28, and the MtnMeister giveaway episode will be released at some point after that. IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES To gain a competitive advantage, we are giving you the option to buy valuable information: $5 for the date - https://gumroad.com/l/yjSWi $10 for the date and 3hr time window - https://gumroad.com/l/kzHsG $20 for the date and exact time - https://gumroad.com/l/jGpz BONUS PRIZE! By purchasing one of the items above, you will be entered to win our GRAND PRIZE, a brand new pair of 2018 Salomon QST. The QST was the #1 selling freeride ski in North America in 2016/17, and the 2018/19 pair will be updated with basalt and C/FX 3 technology which now extends edge to edge. This is Solomon’s proprietary carbon/flax blend which gives the ski stability while maintaining its lightweight. The winner chooses a pair up to $850! BOTTOM LINE With this small purchase, you significantly increase your chances of winning gear worth a whole lot more! Last year there were 30+ winners and the average prize was worth $150. Note: Winners must be in the USA because of shipping restrictions. Sorry!    

We're talking again with Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, the Alaskan heli guide who we spoke with a couple of podcasts back (Ep. 34). This has shaped up to be a very good winter in the Chugach, so Paul has been getting a lot of time in on some fat skis, and I wanted to talk to him about a number of them.TOPICS & TIMES:DPS Lotus 124 Alchemist (3:30)16/17 Blizzard Spur (10:48)New HEAD Kore 117 (22:23)On the trend of pow skis getting narrower (24:44)Liberty Genome (27:55)Salomon QST 118 (29:33)4FRNT Renegade, w/ comparisons to the 4FRNT Raven (35:48) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paul Forward is a lead heli guide for Chugach Powder Guides in Girdwood, Alaska. He is also a physician who works a lot in the arctic village of Kotzebue, just north of the Arctic Circle. And in addition to that, Paul is one of our senior reviewers here at Blister — as well as being a bow hunter, a fly fisherman, an absolute gear whore, a lover of big missions, a good friend of mine, and (as a lot of people around the world will attest) a really fun person to venture out into the mountains with.In this conversation, we talk about Paul’s background; how he and I met and how he got involved with Blister; the life and logistics of a heli guide; and the new program on advanced wilderness medical care that Paul is starting this spring. And of course, Paul and I talk a bit about some of the new gear that he and I are currently reviewing, including the 4FRNT Devastator, Salomon QST 106, and Volkl 100Eight.TOPICS & TIMES:How Paul and I met, and how he almost killed me (3:20)How he became a Blister reviewer (5:20)Paul’s background (11:40)How he became a heli guide (18:25)How it works to be both a physician and a heli guide (22:38)What does a typical day in the life of a heli guide actually look like? (29:45)What are the most common mistakes that first-timers make? (35:09)What it's like guiding pro skiers / filming AK lines for movies (42:35)Paul’s new “venture,” offering advanced wilderness life support courses (52:05)Ski boots; 194 4FRNT Devastator vs. 184 Devastator; Salomon QST 106 vs. Volkl 100Eight (57:55) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.