Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (September 2025)

Mountain Gazette owner & editor, Mike Rogge, is back to talk about Travis Rice’s Natural Selection SKI comp and the importance of being “stewards of the culture.” We also talk about the virtues of crappy old gear; Jim Morrison’s excellent trip report in the new issue of Mountain Gazette; Mike’s unorthodox picks for movies to cover on Blister Cinematic; and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Mountain Gazette TOPICS & TIMES:New BLISTER+ Members (1:21)MG’s Ski Portillo Giveaway (3:54)Travis Rice’s NST Ski Comp (10:46)Jim Morrison’s Trip Report in MG #203 (19:13)The Jaded Local on Old Gear (27:06)Other Stories from the Issue (40:58)Mike’s Movie Picks for Blister Cinematic (47:55)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Apr 58min

Cody and Jonathan discuss tariff zaniness and the goal of manufacturing more in America; the state of outdoor-sports comps; whether it’s a good thing when big companies move into outdoor sports (Nike & snowboarding?); and more. They also rate your takes, talk about Cody’s trips to Norway & Utah, and share what they’ve been reading & watching.RELATED LINKS:Get Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:BLISTER+ (1:36)Cody’s Trips: Norway & Utah (4:06)Tariffs & Effects on Outdoors Companies (10:12)The State of Comps: FWT (20:44)Natural Selection’s 1st Ski Comp (23:41)Podium Changes for Bike World Cup (30:57)Sun Valley / FIS World Cup Finals (38:03)Nike Coming Back into Snowboarding? (51:51)Road Gap Death (1:02:23)Mountain Town Advice / Rate My Take (1:17:16)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:29:43)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Apr 1h 47min

Jonathan is currently in Sun Valley for the World Cup Finals, and today, you’ll hear his live conversation that happened at 5850 Fest with US ski racer and Rossignol athlete, River Radamus, about his upcoming WC Finals GS race; this World Cup season; & more. Then, former World Cup ski racer, Will Brandenburg, joins Jonathan to talk about the Herculean effort it was to build — and prep — the steepest DH and Super G race courses in the world, right here in Sun Valley, Idaho.RELATED LINKS:5850 FestRecreate Responsibly: BLISTER+Blister Podcast Ep 337: River RadamusBlister Podcast Ep 219: Will BrandenburgTOPICS & TIMES:New BLISTER+ Members (4:47)River Radamus 6:37)Current Conditions? (8:32)Season Recap (9:18)Training & Athlete Discussions Leading up to the Race (12:00)Cancellations (18:15)Being Back on Home Turf (19:28)Ski Length Decisions (23:25)Will Brandenburg (25:13)Training Runs (29:03)Why the Cancellation of the DH Race? (30:20)What Are You Most Excited About? (36:23)SVSEF (38:29)Will’s Predictions (41:24)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Mars 47min

Cody and Jonathan are back to review the news, including the passing of ZipFit’s Sven Coomer; threats to public lands; JD Vance’s ski trip; and more. We also rate your takes, discuss the most Canadian news, and share what we’ve been reading and watching.RELATED LINKS:Recreate Responsibly: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:BLISTER+ (2:37)Blister Summit, “Bjarne,” & Ted Ligety (4:37)Quick NFL Talk (10:23)ZipFit’s Sven Coomers (13:03)Public Lands (17:05)Putin? (25:16)JD Vance Goes Skiing (31:50)Reel Rock: Truth in Outdoor Docs? (34:54)Olympic Snowboarder on FBI’s Most Wanted (49:37)Hot Take: Cat Skiing vs Heli Skiing (54:50)CPG Accident (1:03:02)Hot Take: Helmets (1:08:00)Most Canadian News (1:17:11)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:19:12)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Mars 1h 32min

Jonathan talks with Todd Ligare about his career in big-mountain skiing; his background in ski racing; movies & marriage; his two new 5-minute ski films, On the Hunt Part 1 & Part 2; Sammy Carlson; Mikaela Shiffrin; the current world cup ski racing season; & more.RELATED LINKS:On the Hunt, Part 1On the Hunt, Part 25850 Fest, Sun Valley, IdahoBlister Rec Shop: Gear WestBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Blister Rec Shop: Gear West (3:46)BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered (4:25)Todd @ the Blister Summit (7:11)Todd’s 2 New Films: On the Hunt (8:45)On the Hunt, Part 1 (13:12)On the Hunt, Part 2 (14:49)Movies & Marriage (19:12)Inception on Blister Cinematic (27:24)Ski Racing & Big-Mountain Skiing (30:11)Growing Up & Getting into Racing (35:08)Favorite Disciplines? (39:13)What Were Your Aspirations in Skiing? (42:39)Who Did You Look Up to in Racing? (47:08)From Ski Racing to Freeriding (50:17)10 Years on Armada (59:19)Gear Nerd (1:05:16)Sammy Carlson’s Style (1:11:20)World Cup Ski Racing (1:18:14)Mikaela Shiffrin (1:22:09)Marcel Hirscher (1:26:30)Ways to Improve World Cup Ski Racing? (1:29:28)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicBlister PodcastCRAFTEDBikes & Big Ideas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Mars 1h 45min

We just wrapped up another outstanding Blister Summit, so Blister Summit Director, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth caught up to share a few of their favorite moments, discuss the new things that took place this year (including the DJ set / dance party that broke out in Blister HQ); and talk about the future of the event.RELATED LINKSBLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered: TOPICS & TIMES:Freeride in Europe: Black Sheep Sports (0:59)BLISTER+ Members Update: Chairlift Edition (1:48)Our 5th Blister Summit & Thank Yous (5:46)Kristin’s Highlights (6:49)Morning Uphills (12:32)Snow Conditions (14:22)The Athletes (18:20)Carving w/ Ted Ligety & Anne Wangler (21:53)A Few Panel Session Highlights (25:44)The Snowboard Side of the Summit (30:47)Other New Stuff This Year? (34:57)Summit Karaoke Party (40:12)After the Summit (45:37)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Mars 51min

Molly Armanino recently won the FWT comp in Kicking Horse; her new film, Slopes of Change, comes out today; and she is currently in the country of Georgia on hold waiting for the next FWT comp. So Jonathan spoke with Molly about all of the above, plus her relationships with pro skiers McKenna Peterson and Josh Daiek; working with a sports psychologist; and more.RELATED LINKSMolly’s Film, Slopes of ChangeMolly’s Winning Run @ Kicking HorseBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:BLISTER+ Members Update (0:52)Waiting to Compete in Georgia (2:40)Winning at Kicking Horse (9:30)Does the Win Change Your Expectations? (12:17)Decision Making During a Comp Run (14:14)Last Year’s Run in Georgia (16:26)New Film, Slopes Of Change (24:29)Molly’s Brother, Sam (28:29)Operating after Loss (35:37)Friendship, McKenna Peterson (40:34)Josh Daiek (45:27)Working with a Sports Psychologist (50:55)Finding a Strong Support System (56:55)Why Did You Become a BLISTER+ Member? (1:04:22)What to Do While Waiting in Georgia? (1:08:38)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Feb 1h 14min

Today we’re talking about all things ‘Kings & Queens of Corbet’s’ with Alex Hackel, who has podiumed both times he’s competed in the event. Alex Hackel just took 2nd place at Kings & Queens, he’s also 2-times X-games medalist, he’s the co-founder of 1000skis, and he’s a terrific filmmaker. Jonathan sat down with Alex in Jackson Hole after the comp to talk about all of this and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKSAlex’s Kings & Queen’s RunAlex’s YouTube Channel1000 SkisBlister Rec. Shop: Spokane Alpine HausBLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered: Blister Summit 2025 Join Us! TOPICS & TIMES:Big Blister Summit Updates (1:43)Spokane Alpine Haus (2:28)How ‘Kings & Queens’ Works (3:32)How Inspections Works (8:05)Alex’s Breakdown of His Run (11:43)Dropping In (13:34)Feelings Upon Finishing (25:03)Athlete Conversations, Athlete Judging, & Scoring (27:23)Comps vs Filming (32:34)Evolution of the Pro Skier (36:47)Co-Founding 1000 Skis (42:12)Pick One: Flex Pattern or Mount Point? (43:13)Favorite X Games Tricks this Year? (45:51)Is the Talent Level Peaking in Freeskiing? (46:46)Where Is the Most Progression Currently? (49:16)What Are Your Off-Mountain Interests? (51:37)Film Talk (58:12)Why Did You Become a BLISTER+ Member? (1:05:02)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Feb 1h 16min