The North Face’s iconic Summit Series collection has not only been a part of some of the greatest athletic feats of the past 25 years, it’s also had a major influence on the technical apparel we all use today.

In this 2-for-1 conversation, Luke Koppa dives into its backstory, major milestones, and standout pieces with The North Face’s Global Head of Innovation, Cory Olson. He also talks with the one and only Sage Cattabriga-Alosa to get his perspective as an athlete who’s been involved with this series for its entire run — including how he went from hitting backcountry booters in the baggiest clothes he could find, to summiting high-altitude peaks in the most technical gear on the market.

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Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow

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TOPICS & TIMES:

OpenSnow (2:09)

Snowbird (4:25)

Weekly Gear Giveaway (6:03)

Sage's History w/ The North Face (7:10)

Sage’s Ah-Ha Moments w/ Apparel (23:00)

Layering Evolution (36:30)

Sage’s Standout Products (40:56)

Cory Olson’s Role at The North Face (49:52)

Historic and Throwback Pieces (54:14)

Standouts Materials (56:36)

Athlete Feedback & Design Impact (1:01:11)

PFAS-Free Apparel: Present & Future (1:05:19)

Care & Washing (1:10:20)

Himalayan Suit (1:18:58)

Summit Series x Streetwear (1:23:30)

Future Projects (1:32:01)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological developments in skiing and snowboarding. And today, you’re going to get the real story of the first rockered ski.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Weekly Gear Giveaway (2:27)

New Boot Testing & Carv (3:42)

BLISTER+ (5:19)

Greg’s Background in Skiing (6:32)

Greg’s Top 10

#10: Removal of Fluoro Waxes (11:12)

#9: GripWalk (14:31)

#8: Tuning Robots (16:53)

#7: Gore Tex Patents Expiration (20:56)

#6: Step in / Step on Snowboard Bindings (25:51)

#5: Hybrid AT Systems

#4: Ski Boot Design (35:16)

Rockered Skis Unsolved Mysteries (46:13)

#3: Rockered Skis (44:17)

#2: Twin Tip Skis (50:19)

#1: K2 Four (53:46)

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CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological developments in skiing and snowboarding.

RELATED LINKS:

OpenSnow

CARV

Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+

Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways

Our Blister Recommended Shops

Join Us At Blister Summit 2026

For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration

Ep.323 w/ Carv & Marcus Caston

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Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Weekly Gear Giveaway: J Skis (1:01)

Jan 1, 2026: Changes to BLISTER+ (1:25)

OpenSnow Forecast is Looking Good! (3:11)

New Skis, Ski Boots, & Carv (4:05)

Our Top 10 Gear Developments:

#10: (6:48)

#9: (15:36)

#8: (27:11)

#7: (38:47)

#6: (46:17)

#5: (51:15)

#4: (56:41)

#3: (1:04:07)

#2: (1:15:36)

#1: (1:19:54)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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