Best Jackson Hogen Podcasts (2024)

1
Gary Fleming: An Insider's View of Today's Ski Market Dynamics 45:43

23d ago45:43

45:43

In today's edition of Realskiers with Jackson Hogen - the final installment of the 23/24 season - I explore the current crisis facing the ski retail community in collaboration with today's guest, Gary Fleming, the newly anointed president of Winter Sports Retailers, an organization that represents over 300 locations in the U.S.…

1
Is Skiing Getting Better or Worse? 10:47

2M ago10:47

10:47

There's no going back to the good old days, no matter how much we may miss them. This tidy excursion into the past asks the pertinent question, is skiing better today, or worse?By Jackson Hogen

1
The Incomparable Jonny Moseley 1:05:35

2M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

Jonny Moseley’s Olympic gold medal at the Nagano Games in 1998 set the stage for a post-competition career that would be the envy of any athlete. Of course, a lot of athletes have followed a victory with a spot on late-night TV, as Moseley did on the David Letterman show, but not many are invited back, and even fewer go on to host their own show, a…

1
Snowbird Secrets Isn't About Snowbird 12:32

4M ago12:32

12:32

It’s the New Year, often touted as a time for resolutions, for filing an amended flight plan for the trajectory of one’s life. It is in this spirit that today I’ve chosen to give voice to the Introduction to Snowbird Secrets, a pithy block of background information that isn’t included in its e-book version, and for all I know is routinely skipped o…

1
Dave Bertoni, Product Launch Maestro 53:36

4M ago53:36

53:36

My guest today is Dave Bertoni, a curious choice, in that Dave currently has nothing whatsoever to do with the ski business, but today’s podcast isn’t about today’s ski trade, but explores its roots in the not-so-distant past. Did you ever wonder what became of the legendary Salomon rear-entry boot design that drove the two-piece overlap to the bri…

1
Seth Masia, World's Foremost Ski Historian 28:36

5M ago28:36

28:36

Today I’m interviewing the world’s foremost ski historian, Seth Masia, who is President of the International Skiing History Association and the Publisher of Skiing History since 2014, and its Editor since 2002. He is perhaps best known for his 20 years of service at SKI (from 1974 to 1993), mostly on the equipment beat, where he was a pillar of the…

1
Robin Barnes, An Instructor for Life 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

Robin Barnes is a 4-term member of the PSIA National Alpine Team, and the Director of Skier Services at Heavenly Mountain resort, and the former Director of the Ski and Snowboard School in Portillo, Chile. Robin also serves as a Contributing Author and Reviewer for 32 Degrees Magazine, the official publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of…

1
Thor Verdonk, The Man Behind the Shadow 49:12

5M ago49:12

49:12

My guest today is Thor Verdonk, the Technical Product Director for the Rossignol Group. You’ve probably never heard of him, but you’ve heard of the products he has helped to shepherd into the market, most recently the Lange Shadow. The Shadow is unquestionably the biggest story in Alpine ski gear this winter. Bear in mind that Lange has been the ep…

1
JimSchaffner 1:01:46

5M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

There’s no way to answer the rhetorical question posed by this podcast’s title, but that Schaffner belongs on the short list of the world’s best bootfitters is irrefutable. His resume is bulletproof: he began modifying race boots for Salomon when its flagship boot was the rear-entry SX 90 Equipe, and he continues plying this arcane craft to this da…

1
Guru Dave Powers 57:19

6M ago57:19

57:19

Guru Dave Powers is my cherished co-author of Snowbird Secrets, a modern mystic with a way of looking at the world that is both whimsical and profound. He shares his intimate knowledge of Snowbird in his daily snow reports at Gurudavepowers.com, a must-read for anyone who wants to catch the best snow on this magnificent mountain. He is, in a word, …

1
Snowbird Secrets: On Traverses 10:33

6M ago10:33

10:33

On Traverses is Chapter 9 of Snowbird Secrets, 22 meditations about what it means to ski this cosmically connected mountain. I'm posting it today to commemorate this coming Thursday's podcast with Guru Dave Powers, whose work you can find at gurudavepowers.com. Enjoy!By Jackson Hogen

1
Mike Bisner, The Best Networker in Skiing 1:01:17

6M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

You’ve probably never heard of my guest today, but Mike Bisner might be the most well-connected person in our sport. He has covered every base at an executive level, as general manager of one of the largest specialty chains in the retail sector, as marketing director at Salomon when the French juggernaut was riding high, and he later played a simil…

1
Kim Reichhelm Queen of Extreme 42:43

7M ago42:43

42:43

Kim and I are going reminisce about our time together at the Snow Country Magazine ski test in the early ‘90’s, but oddly that wasn’t the high point of her career. She is best known as the creator of the first and still longest-running women’s ski camps, which came after a career in ski racing that landed her on the U.S. Ski Team. She is notorious …

1
The Boot Buying Decision Tree 7:59

7M ago7:59

7:59

A few simple guidelines to guide you through the maze of new ski boots so you'll end up in the best boot for you and your beleaguered feet.By Jackson Hogen

1
Wayne Wong Needs No Further Introduction 56:12

7M ago56:12

56:12

No one embodies the spirit of hot dog skiing as completely as the incomparable Wayne Wong. A living legend, he continues to rock the free(style) world!By Jackson Hogen

1
Price Is No Object 5:55

7M ago5:55

5:55

Consumers waste a lot of time scouring the Internet for deals on skis, when in fact for a given category, chances are all the top models will be priced within $50 of one another. Of course there is a robust sale market, but its focus are the skis of yesteryear, particularly the recently obsoleted 2023 vintage.…

1
Mike Adams Tells it Like It Is 1:03:18

7M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Mike Adams has been a force to reckon with since he assumed the reins at Elan's U.S. distributorship in the early 1990's, raising their U.S. presence and richening their mix. He was the engine behind Salomon's renaissance at the end of that decade before accepting the role of running Atomic in this country. He's had his finger on the pulse of the s…

1
The Con is On! 14:29

7M ago14:29

14:29

The Internet was already a cesspool of misinformation, then along came AI-driven content creation to turbo-charge the amount of uniformed rubbish available to a vulnerable public. In this episode, I expose the tendency to fraudulence that seems baked into AI.By Jackson Hogen

1
Stuart Winchester & The Storm Skiing Journal 52:38

7M ago52:38

52:38

In only 4 scant seasons, Stuart Winchester has metamorphosed from avid citizen skier to one of the most well-informed (and therefore well-respected) sources of information about ski areas of every stripe, particularly in America. His Storm Skiing Journal is a must-read for anyone who wants a granular view of American skiing. We love his byline: “Ev…

1
Boots Matter Most 7:56

7M ago7:56

7:56

Boots are not only the most important part of a skier's ensemble, the ability to fit boots is a specialty ski shop's most important asset. A shop's best assurance of survival in today's turbulent market is to field a team of bootfitters trained to match boots to their customers, optimizing both comfort and performance.…

1
The Legend, C.B. Vaughan, Jr. 39:34

8M ago39:34

39:34

My guest on this week’s edition of Realskiers with Jackson Hogen is a member of a couple of ultra-exclusive fraternities, as he was both a world speed record holder and a man so highly regarded that he can still be identified with just two tidy initials, C.B. C.B. Vaughan set a world record in speed skiing in 1963, going 106.89 mph on regular downh…

1
Why On Earth am I Doing This? 9:22

8M ago9:22

9:22

The ski world is coming apart at the seams. The quality of advice offered by most ski media is rubbish, just when an objective, well-informed ski media is needed most. This is why I fight on, despite the obvious futility of my quest.By Jackson Hogen

1
Tim Kohl Tells All 40:50

8M ago40:50

40:50

Tim Kohl is both a bon vivant who skis over 100 days a year at his home resort of Alta and a long-standing member of the ski hard goods community, going back to the days when he owned and operated RD skis and snowboards. His keen mind and lively wit have been observing our little world at close range for decades. A contrarian by nature, he always h…

1
All That's New in 23/24 16:35

8M ago16:35

16:35

This hasn't been a big year for new model introductions as the pace of innovation has definitely slowed, but there are nonetheless significant developments in the ski world that are relatively new, and they aren't good.By Jackson Hogen

1
The 2022/23 Season in Retrospect 16:13

1y ago16:13

16:13

This is the final podcast of the 22/23 ski season, in which I underscore the major stories of the season now attempting, unsuccessfully, to draw to a close. The podcast includes a thumbnail of each of this year's 26 Revelations on Realskiers.com. Hope you enjoyed the 40 podcasts I contributed to the cause. I'll be back before you know it...…

1
Groundhog Year 9:39

1y ago9:39

9:39

This week’s Revelation provides a snapshot of where the American Alpine ski market stands at this stage of its evolution. My central premise is that, from a product standpoint, the two seasons will be mostly the same, which is why this week’s Revelation is titled, "Groundhog Year."By Jackson Hogen

1
The Things We Do for Love 10:04

1y ago10:04

10:04

Last week I took a pilgrimage to Snowbird. This podcast is a condensed chronology of the trip, garnished with the lessons learned while on the road.By Jackson Hogen

1
Ski Luminaries Explain Why You Should Listen to Jackson 15:04

1y ago15:04

15:04

I needed some endorsement ammunition to lubricate access to the mavens of SiriusXM, so I asked a few of the movers and shakers in both the ski and podcast spheres to spin a bit of promotional fluff in my behalf. What you are about to hear are the first fruits of this endeavor.By Jackson Hogen

1
The Bottom of the Barrel 11:34

1y ago11:34

11:34

I thought ski "journalism" couldn't get any worse. I was wrong.As the topic this week touches on boot reviews, it bears mention that the best boot reviews on the Internet - by a wide margin - are found at bootfitters.com. Accept no substitutes!By Jackson Hogen

1
Reflections of a Ski Tester on Trade Fair Eve 6:56

1+ y ago6:56

6:56

The Mammoth Trade Fair will take place next week, just as it would any other year. But this year may well prove to be unlike any that have preceded it.By Jackson Hogen

1
ChatGPT AI Has Ski Patter Down Cold 7:15

1+ y ago7:15

7:15

A new, free AI program can write ski review copy that sounds convincing even when it's dead wrong. We gave ChatGPT's AI program two assignments, and this is what we learned.By Jackson Hogen

1
The Future Looks a Lot Like the Present 5:19

1+ y ago5:19

5:19

I've just completed a cursory analysis of the 2023/24 Alpine ski market. This episode provides a preliminary overview of what the not-so-distant future holds for America's skiing public.By Jackson Hogen

1
Stymied 5:50

1+ y ago5:50

5:50

We skiers are a resilient lot. We have to be. The sport that feels embedded in the most elemental fibers of our being requires winter. I realize that last statement isn’t entirely true, but anyone who mistakes indoor skiing or sliding on sand or grass or nylon filaments for the real deal is in a deep state of denial. The essence of skiing is insepa…

1
Santa is a Skier 10:59

1+ y ago10:59

10:59

There are two shopping days before Christmas. In all probability, you know a skier who continues to use some ancient accessory that outlived its usefulness some time ago. Here are some suggestions for how to upgrade the ski experience for someone worthy of your largesse.By Jackson Hogen

1
Another Reason to Get New Boots 7:11

1+ y ago7:11

7:11

In today’s informative edition, I remind my Dear Listeners that a proper bootfit includes a lot more than just a new pair of boots. You might think a boot bench an odd place to give or receive a ski lesson, but it’s actually integral to the process for anyone who isn’t accessorizing with a numbered bib on the weekends.…

1
How the Ski Boot Market Works 9:09

1+ y ago9:09

9:09

In today’s episode, I explain just how the ski boot market works, what are its organizing principles and how to determine where you fit into the grand scheme of things.By Jackson Hogen

1
On Being Early 8:55

1+ y ago8:55

8:55

Dear Listeners, with Christmas right around the corner, the need for a gift for someone special, whom you have thus far managed to neglect, becomes ever more pressing. As so many of you lean on me to solve your personal problems, I thought I should again serve as your guiding light, with particular emphasis on the neediest cases.The panacea to all …

1
Season 67, Day 1 6:20

1+ y ago6:20

6:20

Today, I’m going to share you with you how I fared on my first ski day of the season, which happened to be yesterday, Pearl Harbor Day, another day that will live in infamy.By Jackson Hogen

1
Skier, Know Thy Feet 7:38

1+ y ago7:38

7:38

Today’s podcast is an oral rendition of its parallel Revelation, entitled, Skier, Know Thy Feet. It’s a primer on how you can prepare for your next bootfit session.By Jackson Hogen

1
"The Best Ski Boots of 2022-23" 30:22

1+ y ago30:22

30:22

Apple News recently published a Men's Journal article titled, "The Best Ski Boots of 2022-23," which is typical of the sort of utter garbage spewed by mainstream media when it attempts to review ski gear. In this episode, I provide a blow-by-blow litany of its serial inanities.By Jackson Hogen

1
Enlightened Self-Interest Explained 5:58

1+ y ago5:58

5:58

Did you know today is National Make a Donation Day? To mark the occasion, we’ve installed a Tip Jar at Realskiers.com. I’m pretty sure that no public-service organization neither needs nor merits your financial support more than Realskiers.com. Send your substantial donation today, and reap the bountiful rewards in the Afterlife that are almost cer…

1
7 Skis That Transcend Their Genres 14:14

1+ y ago14:14

14:14

The whole point of having ski categories is to compare skis that are meant for the same terrain and associated skier type. Once you start making comparisons across category boundaries, all coherence to any commentary goes out the window.Today’s exercise skirts this prohibition by posing a different question: Not which skis are best for a given skie…

1
Meet a True Real Skier, Tim Petrick 51:59

1+ y ago51:59

51:59

Tim Petrick's career in the ski trade is a kaleidoscope of accomplishments. He is probably best known for his serial stints at the helm of K2, but he has also worked on the resort side at Booth Creek and Silverton Mountain Colorado, where he was owner/operator. He was also a Demo Team member at PSIA and he continues to guide clients into the backco…

1
How It's Supposed to Work 7:17

1+ y ago7:17

7:17

To ski at a high level, a great bootfit is as essential as snow. If you want to ski better this year, start by making an appointment with your favorite bootfitter. And I advise you to do it soon, before size selection gets spotty. In this episode of Realskiers with Jackson Hogen, I draw on a few recent bootfit sessions to help explain how to best s…

1
Mike Hattrup, From Film Star to Backcountry Guru 59:07

1+ y ago59:07

59:07

Mike Hattrup will forever be remembered for his role alongside Scot Schmidt and Glen Plake in Greg Stump’s Blizzard of Aahhh’s, but that’s not why he will soon be inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. As rightfully renowned as he is for his filmed exploits, it’s his various roles behind the scenes that are being duly recognized by th…

1
Are You Ready? 6:22

1+ y ago6:22

6:22

If you want your ski gear to love you, you have to love it back. Many specialty shops are now using tuning machines that can replicate - or improve on - any factory finish. In this week's Revelation, I discuss how to get your ski gear ready for the season that's just around the corner.By Jackson Hogen

1
John Clendenin Podcast 1:03:16

1+ y ago1:03:16

1:03:16

A two-time world champion in the early days of freestyle skiing, John Clendenin went on to create what is almost certainly the best teaching method for learning the fundamentals of off-trail skiing. His surreal skills are matched only by his genius for communicating to skiers who want to ski the whole mountain.…

1
Another Brilliant Idea 5:24

1+ y ago5:24

5:24

A new ski goggle will read your texts, answer your phone, keep tabs of all your friends, play your music and track your speed and vertical. Oy.By Jackson Hogen

1
The Making of a Skier: Salomon Field Days 12:15

1+ y ago12:15

12:15

I joined Salomon in 1978 at an entry level so low they had to install a new bottom rung on the employment ladder to success. Part of my job was to inspect the workshops of all the dealers in my enormous territory. Little did I know that I was the only rep ever to inspect a shop. This is the tale of one such impromptu inspection.…

1
Silver Skier Reflections and Selections 6:38

1+ y ago6:38

6:38

In 2017, Seniorskiing.com's founder, Jon Weisberg approached me about creating a list of skis suitable for the senior set. I complied, and here we are several years later and the award is still standing. Alas, the same cannot be said for the dearly departed Mr. Weisberg, in whose memory I continue to dole out this recognition. In this podcast, I ex…

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