Black Diamond Hosts 16th Annual Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) Fundraiser

Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., Mountain Gear, Uinta Brewing Company and the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center invite you to an evening of music, dancing and Mexican food to benefit the Utah Avalanche Center. The festivities are set for next Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 6pm.

“Black Diamond’s annual UAC fundraiser has become an institution amongst Salt Lake’s avid skiing community,” explains Colleen Nipkow, Friends of the UAC Board Member and Marketing Manager for Black Diamond. “It brings backcountry skiers together to benefit a great cause and serves as a reminder to us all that the ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ will be falling soon.”

The Utah Avalanche Center is funded partly by local and federal government sources and partly by donations from businesses, foundations, and individual backcountry supporters. Despite recent federal funding cuts, the Center has been able to operate for the past fifteen years due to the exceptional community response by backcountry users and local and national businesses. The UAC issues daily avalanche forecasts and mountain weather information helping enthusiasts with life-and-death decisions in the backcountry. They also teach a number of free avalanche awareness courses.

“Black Diamond’s annual fundraiser is an extremely important initiative for the UAC,” explains Bruce Tremper, Director of the UAC. “This event provides us with an integral source of funding for the season ahead and is a successful model that has been adopted by other regional avalanche centers and Friends groups.”

As a reminder, the event is outdoors and will be held rain, snow or shine! You must be 21 to attend or accompanied by an adult. No dogs will be permitted. There will be recycled cotton UAC logo T-shirts for sale, so please remember to bring extra cash (or check) to support the cause. For more information call 801-365-5522. New this year – tickets can be purchased online, go to http://www.mountaingear.com/blackdiamond/.