Black Diamond AvaLung Packs and Fritschi Freeride Plus Win Awards in Europe

Black Diamond AvaLung Packs and Fritschi Freeride Plus Win Awards in Europe

January 28, 2006, (Salt Lake City, Utah) Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., a global leader in climbing and backcountry gear, announced multiple accolades for its new AvaLung Ski Packs and the Fritschi Freeride Plus alpine touring ski binding.

“Coming on the eve of the OR show, these awards are a terrific, third party endorsement of the innovative design elements of the Covert and Anarchist Avalung Packs as well as the newest generation of the market-leading Fritschi Freeride Plus,” states Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond CEO.

Specifically, the Black Diamond Anarchist AvaLung Ski Pack and the Fritschi Freeride Plus won the 2006 European Ski Award that is based on innovation, function, quality, technical solution and user-friendly design. The Anarchist AvaLung Pack comes in two sizes, 32L and 42L, and is a traditional top-loading style pack. The new Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus took top honors for elevating the performance level an alpine touring binding can offer, and essentially eliminating the
barrier between resort and backcountry definitions

In addition to the above awards, the Black Diamond Covert AvaLung Ski Pack is nominated as a finalist for the VOLVO Active Safety Award. As one of four final products, this is an honor for the panel-loading style pack. The Covert AvaLung comes in two sizes, 22L and 32L. The overall winner for the VOLVO Active Safety Award will be announced during ISPO on January 28, 2006.


The Black Diamond AvaLung is a patented avalanche safety device that has won world wide acclaim for its design, functionality and in the field saves of skiers caught in real life avalanches. The AvaLung has been a critical component in the research and study of the physiology of CO2 build up and hypothermia in avalanche victims and has been featured in the Journal of American Medical Association. The new ski pack designs promise more discreet and easier integration in a skier’s avalanche arsenal.

Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. is an employee-owned manufacturer of equipment for rock climbing, alpinism and backcountry skiing. By consistently building innovative products and actively preserving the mountain environment, Black Diamond has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com