Blister annual book of gear

[JFE24]

+1 I like their Flash reviews and deep dive comparison as well but have no use of their insurance. I am always skipping the first five 5 minute of their podcast where they describe their « close call ». They sound like car salesmen and it’s hard to believe in their credibility as independent and unbiased reviewers after that.

I guess they had to do it to stay afloat…

Glad you find the Flash Reviews & Deep Dive Comparisons useful, Flippo. This past year (going from June 23 - July 24), we published more flash reviews and deep dives than ever before - 111 for the 23/24 ski season, which is up from 98 during the 22/23 ski season. And given some new systems we have in place, I'm confident we'll put out more than ever before across this upcoming ski season.

Re: the outdoor injury insurance: this question has come up a lot, so I'll try to address it here. We did not "have to do this to stay afloat." We're doing this because we came to see how widespread of a problem this is. And the more I learned, the more I saw that this was not just a problem for those of us who live in the USA.

Now, it might not be an issue for *you personally* ... and if it's not, fantastic. Lucky you. Seriously. But let's not get too stuck in our individual bubbles here, and I'd hope people could stop and think about the broader outdoor community.

1: How many people working in ski and bike shops do you think are able to afford their medical bills if and when they get hurt?

2: ~99% of sponsored athletes in the outdoor space are independent contractors that do not received any type of healthcare from their sponsors. We're talking about the most famous athletes on the planet, who are sponsored by the biggest outdoor companies on the planet. We're also talking about thousands of much-less famous athletes who are sponsored by much smaller companies.

We've now created a product that these athletes can afford. We're also working hard to create a new industry standard so that pro athletes are better taken care of, and it's gaining traction. If you're interested, this Monday on our Blister Podcast, you can hear Jossi Wells (from New Zealand) and Tonje Kvivik (a Norwegian living in Canada) offer their thoughts on this.

3: Cody Townsend bought BLISTER+ coverage because he needed it. So did his wife, Elyse. Mark Abma got BLISTER+ because there were numerous examples and instances where he would not be covered skiing with whatever health insurance he gets in BC. Chris Davenport bought BLISTER+ to cover his sons who are ski racers. Hadley Hammer got BLISTER+ because, though she is an athlete living in France, when she blew her knee, she could have had her surgery covered, but she would not have been able to choose her surgeon. As a professional athlete, she didn't want to do that, so she paid ~$6,000 for her surgery. If BLISTER+ had existed back then, she would have had to pay $0.00.

Hadley has also been involved in 2 instances where a global rescue service that she and her fellow athletes pay for refused to reimburse the costs of an evacuation over technicalities about how the call for assistance was placed.

Caite Zeliff purchased BLISTER+ last fall. She then suffered injuries this spring that she has spoken about. Ask Caite if she thinks this coverage is "BS".

In short, if you are fortunate enough to not have to worry about the cost of medical bills, then you are in a privileged position. Enjoy it. But the vast majority of our "core audience" is not in this position, and we are going to continue to try to help them. That's a promise.

[JFE24]

Lately I've been underwhelmed by Blister and their content and reviews. Didn't enjoy the membership change, and the infrequent releases of the flash reviews first looks and deep dives, makes the digital content subscription less useful too. I still think the way they do things matters and they fill a valuable place in the industry I just find it less and less relevant to my needs

As I noted above, this past year, we published *more* flash reviews, first looks, and deep dives than ever before. And that's just on the ski side of things. If you add in the number of flash reviews and deep dives on the mountain bike side of things, then it's not even close.

We also published more free, full reviews than ever before, in addition to putting out 5 different free podcasts a week. So more free content than ever before, and more subscription content than ever before, and more products in the Buyer's Guide than ever before.

In any case, I'm grateful to hear you say "I still think the way they do things matters." It matters to us, and shit would be a lot easier around here if it didn't, because we leave a lot of money on the table that other companies happily take.

[ASmileyFace]

I am not going to claim to be an expert on Blister+/SPOT's specific insurance but can attest to the usefulness of an "extra" injury insurance. I was paying into an employer sponsored plan that assisted with my insane medical bills from my avalanche accident in April of 2023. The payouts from the extra insurance + the gofundme quite literally allowed me to continue to live in the mountains and not move back home... and I had "great" health insurance that covered everything after I hit my out-of-pocket max. Before insurance and everything else my total bills were just shy of 600k!

I personally don't think the issue is with Blister+, JFE24. I think it has to do with the loss of features and increased cost for the normal membership. I personally have only had a Blister membership in the past simply because it included the guide book. Now I see no reason to purchase anything beyond the physical guide... but I also have a different use considering I work in the industry and utilize your information differently than your average consumer.

Either way I appreciate you coming in to comment and talk with the degenerates around here.

[arild]

Sweet. I have the dubious honor of starting a thread drunkenly (literally) anticipating the guide that I still read, turning into some light criticism of blister, and now it's an insurance pitch.

Jonathan, not a single soul here is in disagreement with a) the guide is a great piece of literature or b) that insurance should be cheaper and more accessible.

What if you address the actual concerns stated in this thread, about the site most of us have visited daily/weekly and/or supported with money the past 14 years?

Still waiting for full boot reviews of the Head WCRs and the Dobie 5s, both preferably compared to the Atomic CS, but until then, my subscription is on hold.

You're missing a podcast series, by the way. Disc golf. Fuck bikes. Review plastic discs.

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[JFE24]

This.

I ski 50 days each season with a good ski crew at Whistler and I bet we talk injuries maybe once on a chairlift ride, per season. So 1 / 700 chairlift rides? Whereas Blister (Jonathan) makes it seem like we’re gonna die or be horribly injured every time we step outside.
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I'm happy to hear that you and your crew rarely talk about injuries, which I assume means that you & your crew rarely get injured. I hope that's true.

It's not true here in the Gunnison Valley, and now, about a dozen times a week, I get emails from people from all around the world sharing their injury stories.

As some of you know, one of our close friends and one of our Blister reviewers died in a backcountry ski accident right after the Blister Summit. It rocked our whole team, and it rocked this whole valley. I get BLISTER+ coverage for all of our reviewers, and this past spring, I stood there as the parents of my deceased friend told me how grateful they were that a number of the costs that were incurred from that incident were covered.

After that, I got a call from our reviewer, Paul Forward, a doctor and a lead heli guide for CPG. Paul was simply biking to the post office in Girdwood, when the pannier bag on the front of his bike caught the pavement, slamming Paul face first into the road. He laid there paralyzed for 3 minutes. Finally, he started to regain feeling & movement. But his C5 had been pushed into his spinal column, and he is having surgery this fall. BLISTER+ will cover those costs.

I could literally go on with hundreds of other examples, but I'll just share one more. On January 1, 2024, I got this note from a BLISTER+ member, Justin, that ended with this:

"p.s. What you're doing with the membership is super interesting although unconventional. I applaud you for thinking differently and manifesting your vision for the mountain sports community. I work in the healthcare finance industry and recognize that uninsurance and underinsurance is a real problem - especially for those whose recreation choices come with risk. I hope that others decide to take the journey with you as I've decided to do."

Then, 2 days ago (8.13.24) I got this email from Justin:

"My son who is 17 was ski racing, got a concussion. He was traveling with the team in Jackson and we were back in Utah, and so the ski coach had to take him to the hospital and he went through the whole process of getting x-rays and seeing doctors and such. The ambulance bill, the medical care from the ski patrol, and all of that together was super expensive, and because I had BLISTER+, I was able to recoup all my out-of-pocket expenses for those services and the follow up which came out to be over $3000. I’ll say, that’s a good investment – and I already had "good" insurance."

Anyway, if the outdoor injury coverage we're providing isn't a benefit to you, then no worries — just take 3 seconds to hit the fast-forward button on the free podcast you're listening to.

But I'd appreciate it if those of you who are claiming that we're just doing this for some "money grab," or that the coverage is "B.S.", or that we are alienating our 'core audience' would stop it. Because none of those things are true, and we're actually trying to make sure that everyone in our outdoor community is in a better position to get outside and get after it without getting financially wrecked when an injury happens.

[tang]

Jonathan, great to have you on here.
I’ve been an on and off member. Overall, I think blister is a great resource. Thank you.
On the spot insurance, a few things…
- I don’t think anyone takes issue with you all offering it, and I’m sure it’s a great product for many. (Well, it’s TGR so I’m sure someone takes issue!)
- I think this started with why the membership level that gets you the guide also requires the insurance. It’s an odd combo to package. Maybe add a level without the insurance?
- And the insurance and summit arguably get over promoted… but also most people are probably listening for free… anyway, at least that’s some feedback for whatever it’s worth
Other stuff while you’re here, from one guys perspective…
- I dig Gear Therapy, and more of a mix of folks and gear nerdiness would be great
- Mountain housing deep dives have been fantastic, very informative
- Nichey and smaller products are fun. Raide was cool. How bout inserts? Or ski maintenance and repair?
- You and Cody are smart and entertaining, thanks
- Used gear buying and/or some retro reviews?
- Area reviews? Or say how to go ski Japan, or SA?
- I’m sure you all are pretty busy as is, but the comments sections could be a good place for discussion (especially re the podcasts) if promoted, monitored, cultivated. But maybe member only
This is a good group to bounce ideas off. Thanks again for an overall good product at least in my view, especially vs. the old three line Ski magazine type review (“like a rocket ship attached to your boots!”)

[Dhiler17]

- I think this started with why the membership level that gets you the guide also requires the insurance. It’s an odd combo to package. Maybe add a level without the insurance?
”)

This is exactly why I have been following this thread and what I feel is the main critique that Blister is not absorbing.


I personally do not have a need for the insurance, but I understand what Blister is accomplishing with it and applaud them for their effort. I love the information that the they offer to their subscribers and use it extensively every winter. However, the membership package now offered does not have enough value to warrant the price for my personal circumstance. Spot has been offered by countless organizations over the course of the last few years, but this is the first time I have seen it as a requirement to be a member rather than just have digital access. This business model may cater to professional athletes who do not receive the support they deserve, and those who would benefit from additional coverage, but it is off-putting to me, a consumer, who uses the guide to support the brands whose products blister reviews. The justification of the insurance providing professional athletes support seems somewhat backwards from a business standpoint as the reviews and information (Blister’s product and purpose) are for skiers who do not receive gear via sponsors. If the spot insurance is indeed NOT a money grab on Blister’s behalf, why is there not a membership option offered without it? Because based on the justification supplied, it does not effect their bottom line, but putting up a barrier to skiers as myself surely will take away from their revenue. The cost of the guide is irrelevant and still a hell of a deal at the current price, but I’m disappointed that there is not amembership level for the rest of the audience that does not need to shell out additional $ for insurance.


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[JFE24]

Yeah, there's too many "reviews" that are regurgitated copy from the manufacturer with a "review coming soon" that never materializes.

You're talking about our "First Looks" - those are not reviews.

With those, we had so many people asking for *any* amount of actual information about a particular ski, boot, or bike, that we're trying to, within a week of having a new product come in, at least get a 'skeleton first look' published on the website that includes (for skis) our measured weights, measured specs, and flex pattern info. Some people used to complain that our full-long form reviews would take too long to get published. And we understand that; those take quite a bit of time to put together. So then we created our Flash Reviews, to get our initial impressions out there quicker. But those still take time for (1) conditions to be right, (2) to then get out on snow (3) then work up what are usually pretty in-depth reviews in their own right. So in addition to our full reviews and flash reviews, we're now trying to get at least some verified, legit information out there even quicker - that's what we're doing in our "First Looks," and in those (always-available-for-free) First Looks, we state:

[Editor’s Note: In the interest of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, we’re posting here some of our measured specs and manufacturer details, and will update in the future. Take a look, and let us know in the Comments Section below what questions you’d like us to answer.]

I've already noted earlier in this thread that we've published more First Looks, Flash Reviews, Deep Dives, and Full Reviews than ever. But there are definitely still a number of First Looks that need to get updated. Sometimes, that's simply a matter of us having a massive number of products to review. Other times, it has to do with when we're getting in the gear, and whether we're getting proper conditions. Other times, if it's a product where we've talked about it a ton in a bunch of other reviews or podcasts or Deep Dive comparisons, etc (example, one of my current favorite boots, the Atomic Redster CS), well, to be redundant, we've talked about it a ton in a number of places.

Still, we get it: somewhere, somebody wants information about product X right now. And other people want our massive Buyer's Guide to come out earlier and earlier. It's a lot to juggle, and there is an inherent tension here. It's one of the reasons why we launched Community Reviews. And we'll keep trying to do better on this front.

Of course, members can hit us up and ask if they are about to make a gear purchase and we haven't yet published a review of a product we've been spending time on.

[tang]

^^^ I do appreciate the measured specs. I’m amazed how often companies don’t post their own specs… especially bc oriented gear with no or limited weight info. Ditto rocker profile pics. Thank you for doing those!

[MoeSnow]

This is exactly why I have been following this thread and what I feel is the main critique that Blister is not absorbing.


I personally do not have a need for the insurance, but I understand what Blister is accomplishing with it and applaud them for their effort. I love the information that the they offer to their subscribers and use it extensively every winter. However, the membership package now offered does not have enough value to warrant the price for my personal circumstance. Spot has been offered by countless organizations over the course of the last few years, but this is the first time I have seen it as a requirement to be a member rather than just have digital access. This business model may cater to professional athletes who do not receive the support they deserve, and those who would benefit from additional coverage, but it is off-putting to me, a consumer, who uses the guide to support the brands whose products blister reviews. The justification of the insurance providing professional athletes support seems somewhat backwards from a business standpoint as the reviews and information (Blister’s product and purpose) are for skiers who do not receive gear via sponsors. If the spot insurance is indeed NOT a money grab on Blister’s behalf, why is there not a membership option offered without it? Because based on the justification supplied, it does not effect their bottom line, but putting up a barrier to skiers as myself surely will take away from their revenue. The cost of the guide is irrelevant and still a hell of a deal at the current price, but I’m disappointed that there is not amembership level for the rest of the audience that does not need to shell out additional $ for insurance.


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This makes sense. I feel like Blister is losing a segment of their customers if they don't offer that membership level/option.

[The Iron Horse]

This makes sense. I feel like Blister is losing a segment of their customers if they don't offer that membership level/option.

+1. I'm one of those.

[JFE24]

Jonathan, great to have you on here.
I’ve been an on and off member. Overall, I think blister is a great resource. Thank you.
On the spot insurance, a few things…
- I don’t think anyone takes issue with you all offering it, and I’m sure it’s a great product for many. (Well, it’s TGR so I’m sure someone takes issue!)
- I think this started with why the membership level that gets you the guide also requires the insurance. It’s an odd combo to package. Maybe add a level without the insurance?

JE: I'll answer this shortly. (Apologies, I'm trying to respond to a bunch of different questions & comments in between calls today.)

- And the insurance and summit arguably get over promoted… but also most people are probably listening for free… anyway, at least that’s some feedback for whatever it’s worth.
Other stuff while you’re here, from one guys perspective…
- I dig Gear Therapy, and more of a mix of folks and gear nerdiness would be great

JE: Curious what you have in mind when you say "more of a mix of folks"?

- Mountain housing deep dives have been fantastic, very informative

JE: Thanks. Check out the recent CRAFTED podcast with Zack Giffin for the most recent discussion of these things.

- Nichey and smaller products are fun. Raide was cool. How bout inserts? Or ski maintenance and repair?

JE: We recently dropped a video with Bishop Telemark, that might count? But good thoughts here.

- You and Cody are smart and entertaining, thanks

JE: I'm worried you're going to get banned from this thread for calling me smart...

- Used gear buying and/or some retro reviews?

JE: Used gear buying - what do you have in mind?

- Area reviews? Or say how to go ski Japan, or SA?

JE: This is happening. We've tried to build the best Winter Buyer's Guide out there, now we're working on building the most useful guides to ski areas. We're wrapping up our 1st one - it's a pretty comprehensive guide to Chamonix. More guides to follow.

comments sections could be a good place for discussion (especially re the podcasts) if promoted, monitored, cultivated. But maybe member only t
This is a good group to bounce ideas off. Thanks again for an overall good product at least in my view, especially vs. the old three line Ski magazine type review (“like a rocket ship attached to your boots!”)

JE: Thanks man

[nickwm21]

Blister provides a great product and deserves to make a fair profit but I’m not currently a subscriber for all the reasons above.

I know in 2024 all the cool kids monetize their product with a monthly subscription - but that doesn’t mean it’s the correct or best way.

I also find it out of touch when they complain on the podcast about how hard it was to write to annual book…


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[JFE24]

I think this started with why the membership level that gets you the guide also requires the insurance. It’s an odd combo to package. Maybe add a level without the insurance?

In 2023, we had this: "a membership level without the insurance." But then, in 2024, we had a big decision to make. If we were going to continue to be able to offer an inexpensive injury insurance option that (1) covered everyone of any age (2) anywhere in the world (3) and included coverage of multiple sports, the insurance company that underwrites the policy would only allow us to offer all of that - without jacking up the premiums - if we consolidated to a single membership.

So then, we had a choice to make. And given that, by the fall of 2023, we'd seen how widespread the problem was, we decided that it would help more people in the community if we could continue to offer the coverage to everyone - not just for citizens of the U.S., with coverage that would only work within the U.S. So that's the call we made, and I believe it was the right and the good thing to do.

At the end of 2023, I sent a video message out to all current Blister members explaining all of this.

(Also, whoever claimed above that this all is merely or mostly some program to cover sponsored athletes, that's a pretty serious misreading of what we're doing here. Please read again some of the examples I shared above.)

-----

So to try to clear things up, here is where things stand today:

1: Well over 90% percent of the stuff we put out is free - as has always been the case.

2: $24.95 gets you the Winter Buyer's Guide

3: $59.99 gets you our Digital Access Pass - which provides access to all of our Flash Reviews & Deep Dive Comparison articles, ski and mtn bike

(so if you want all the free stuff + buyer's guide + all the flash reviews & deep dive comparisons = $85)

4: $395 - BLISTER+ membership. This is all the stuff mentioned above, plus gear discounts, gear recommendations, the new Blister Resort Guides we're rolling out, etc.)

(The above info is current as of today -- August 15, 2024 -- just in case you happen to be reading this in the year 2087 or whatever)

It seems like several people in this thread were unaware about the Digital Access Pass. We had to fight to be able to even offer this, for reasons that are hopefully obvious by now. Anyway, here are the current options:

https://blisterreview.com/blister-store

Of course, things evolve. We are going to work to continue to provide more value w/r/t our Buyer's Guide; produce more flash reviews & deep dive comparisons that you get with the Digital Access Pass; and offer more benefits with the BLISTER+ membership (e.g., resort guides).

And again, 90+ percent of the stuff we do will continue to be free.

Thanks to everyone for reading all of this. And thanks to all of you who can at least appreciate that we're trying to do some good things around here.

[Dhiler17]

Also, whoever claimed above that this all is merely or mostly some program to cover sponsored athletes, that's a pretty serious misreading of what we're doing here. Please read again some of the examples I shared above.

You obviously misunderstood my point. I was pointing out that professional athletes benefiting from the insurance as justification for the change is an odd angle when describing your current membership to the average Joe as this representation does not align with my understanding of what Blister offers their customers. I throughly read all of your posts, and believe this post would have easily cleared up any confusion with the current membership offerings if it were laid out in the beginning. While I admire that you are creating a program that benefits those who do not have the support they need, I unfortunately will not be renewing my membership, and do not see myself subscribing for a watered down digital experience. I hope you can work something out with the underwriters in the future.

[JFE24]

I was pointing out that professional athletes benefiting from the insurance as justification for the change...

Sorry, you're still missing the point. This ^^^ wasn't the justification for the change. We started down the path we're on to help regular folks, then found out that there was a secondary, related issue in the outdoor industry.

[Dhiler17]

Sorry, you're still missing the point. This ^^^ wasn't the justification for the change. We started down the path we're on to help regular folks, then found out that there was a secondary, related issue in the outdoor industry.

I’m not saying it was justification for the change, but that it was justification for your answer as there was a major emphasis put on how it helps individuals who your original product is not meant to reach.

Maybe blister should take this time to reinvent their image. Blister shield has a good ring to it, since the premier offering is now focused on insurance rather than gear reviews and communication with subscribers.


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[gaijin]

I'm just a 48yo skier, who has been around the block, so I'll keep this simple.

Blister-- the reason I don't pay for your subscription is because you ask me to. You could easily be making money by posting your reviews on Youtube and getting paid by YouTube according to your views. The fact that you don't have confidence that YouTube views will reach enough views to pay you tells me the whole story.

Jeff and Bob at Ski Essentials are killing you guys in viewership. And they're selling products in their own store. You're not even beating the objective in regards to gear that you're not even selling.

Your channel should be 4-12x as large as Ski Essentials.

But, it's not. And I'll go ahead and say it-- part of that is that you're trying to sell us the culture that you're more with it than we are.

Jeff and Bob are comfortable in their own skin. They know they ski Stowe. They know their limitations. But Blister has this voice of always trying to be more than they are.

It feels fake. Everything at Blister feels cliché. It feels like you're trying to adhere to some assumed standard.

There, I said it. I don't believe you.

But... and this is a big but...

I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT YOU SOLD RISK INSURANCE.

WTF, how is this beyond me? How is it that a 48yo papa of 3 kids living in JP has absolutely no idea that you sell risk insurance? You're failing at both ends of communication.

Two things-- the reviews don't gain traction because your reviewers put on plastic hats, and people globally don't know about your insurance policies.

Bro... I'm just one skier/papa. You've missed out on a solid 80% of market by being so isolated.

Hmm...

[SnowMachine]

I'm just a 48yo skier, who has been around the block, so I'll keep this simple.

Blister-- the reason I don't pay for your subscription is because you ask me to. You could easily be making money by posting your reviews on Youtube and getting paid by YouTube according to your views. The fact that you don't have confidence that YouTube views will reach enough views to pay you tells me the whole story.

Jeff and Bob at Ski Essentials are killing you guys in viewership. And they're selling products in their own store. You're not even beating the objective in regards to gear that you're not even selling.

Your channel should be 4-12x as large as Ski Essentials.

But, it's not. And I'll go ahead and say it-- part of that is that you're trying to sell us the culture that you're more with it than we are.

Jeff and Bob are comfortable in their own skin. They know they ski Stowe. They know their limitations. But Blister has this voice of always trying to be more than they are.

It feels fake. Everything at Blister feels cliché. It feels like you're trying to adhere to some assumed standard.

There, I said it. I don't believe you.

But... and this is a big but...

I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT YOU SOLD RISK INSURANCE.

WTF, how is this beyond me? How is it that a 48yo papa of 3 kids living in JP has absolutely no idea that you sell risk insurance? You're failing at both ends of communication.

Two things-- the reviews don't gain traction because your reviewers put on plastic hats, and people globally don't know about your insurance policies.

Bro... I'm just one skier/papa. You've missed out on a solid 80% of market by being so isolated.

Hmm...

Bro, you must be living on a rock in the middle of the ocean (pun intended). Every podcast they do they're pimping (a good) insurance product.

Ellsworth, I like you, dude. You've put a lot of blood and sweat into a product a lot of users take for granted as a gear Bible. I also dislike the insurance pimping. It's a lot, but I understand that business is business. Despite having the theoretical "best" insurance available, I'm still considering adding SPOT to my coverage.

Anyway, that aside, I haven't decided if I'll pay for the guide and as a result, I'm not sure that I'll keep my current membership (as the guide is why I have it). Maybe I'll cancel the membership and buy the guide. Maybe I'll upgrade to the full membership. Undecided.

Anyway, keep at it. You'll never make everyone happy and TGR is chalk full of grizzled, grumpy bastards. Glad to have you drop by. Don't let this place get you down.

[cat in january]

Didn’t know about the insurance until the recent stir. Going to look into it. I buy aaa for the tow, buying ambulance insurance for me the next year makes sense. Of course they are trying to hit numbers because more buy in to the insurance better numbers for the rate.

[MoeSnow]

In 2023, we had this: "a membership level without the insurance." But then, in 2024, we had a big decision to make. If we were going to continue to be able to offer an inexpensive injury insurance option that (1) covered everyone of any age (2) anywhere in the world (3) and included coverage of multiple sports, the insurance company that underwrites the policy would only allow us to offer all of that - without jacking up the premiums - if we consolidated to a single membership.

So then, we had a choice to make. And given that, by the fall of 2023, we'd seen how widespread the problem was, we decided that it would help more people in the community if we could continue to offer the coverage to everyone - not just for citizens of the U.S., with coverage that would only work within the U.S. So that's the call we made, and I believe it was the right and the good thing to do.

At the end of 2023, I sent a video message out to all current Blister members explaining all of this.

(Also, whoever claimed above that this all is merely or mostly some program to cover sponsored athletes, that's a pretty serious misreading of what we're doing here. Please read again some of the examples I shared above.)

-----

So to try to clear things up, here is where things stand today:

1: Well over 90% percent of the stuff we put out is free - as has always been the case.

2: $24.95 gets you the Winter Buyer's Guide

3: $59.99 gets you our Digital Access Pass - which provides access to all of our Flash Reviews & Deep Dive Comparison articles, ski and mtn bike

(so if you want all the free stuff + buyer's guide + all the flash reviews & deep dive comparisons = $85)

4: $395 - BLISTER+ membership. This is all the stuff mentioned above, plus gear discounts, gear recommendations, the new Blister Resort Guides we're rolling out, etc.)

(The above info is current as of today -- August 15, 2024 -- just in case you happen to be reading this in the year 2087 or whatever)

It seems like several people in this thread were unaware about the Digital Access Pass. We had to fight to be able to even offer this, for reasons that are hopefully obvious by now. Anyway, here are the current options:

https://blisterreview.com/blister-store

Of course, things evolve. We are going to work to continue to provide more value w/r/t our Buyer's Guide; produce more flash reviews & deep dive comparisons that you get with the Digital Access Pass; and offer more benefits with the BLISTER+ membership (e.g., resort guides).

And again, 90+ percent of the stuff we do will continue to be free.

Thanks to everyone for reading all of this. And thanks to all of you who can at least appreciate that we're trying to do some good things around here.

Digital Access + Guide seems like a great value for the price.

I think Blister is doing great things. Speaking from firsthand experience, the insurance is worth it. I am going to continue to subscribe and enjoy the content (paid and free).

This website is full of argumentative folk, don’t let them get under your skin!

Cheers


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[Flippo]

My frustration stems from the fact that a digital version of the guide isn’t included with the digital access. I deeply appreciate the valuable work that [mention]JFE24 [/mention] and the Blister team contribute to the ski industry and to us as consumers. I always consult their reviews before purchasing any ski equipment. I remain committed to supporting their efforts by subscribing to their digital access, I will also listen to some of their podcast (though I tend to skip the first 5 minutes [emoji14]), and cheering for their success as they expand their business.

Regardless of YouTube view counts (and while I would love to see more video reviews like SE), I hold their opinions in higher regard than those of ski sellers in Vermont who rarely offer honest criticism or only do so the following year to justify why the new model is supposedly better.

[Jongle]

Did someone actually suggest that Blister should try to be more like SkiEssentials? Both have their place, but there is no comparison in terms of the depth/quality of information in the reviews.

[Flippo]

[mention]gaijin [/mention] Kind of did but I think it he got carried away in his diatribe [emoji3]

[kc_7777]

[mention]gaijin [/mention] Kind of did but I think it he got carried away in his diatribe [emoji3]

Here’s the difference….

Gaijin getting carried away in his diatribe is entertaining and authentic.

Blister constantly talking about injuries and insurance is neither.

Blister - I’ll be buying the Annual Gear Guide so thanks for that. It’s a great coffee table book. And I’ll just skip the podcast intros and endings. Can’t wait for snow!


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