Dean Cummings Propogates Avy Safety, debuts 'The Steep Life'

Iconic big mountain skier and Alaska heliskiing pioneer Dean Cummings is taking time from his busy sales schedule at upcoming winter sports trade shows to help spread his practical tips for avalanche safety and celebrate the release of his new film, “The Steep Life.”

Cummings, founder and president of H2o Guides, pioneered protocols for mechanized guiding and on-the-go assessment of avalanche conditions that have helped keep clients safe since 1991. He helped found the non-profit North American Outdoor Institute in order to help spread that message through Be Snow Smart, a program of practical, easy to remember tips designed to increase safe travel in avalanche prone terrain.

His new film, “The Steep Life,” chronicles a lifetime passion and commitment to skiing that leads to Cummings’ epic solo first descents last spring of the imposing Dragon’s Back spine of Meteorite Mountain and the even more technical direct ski mountaineering descent from the top of The Tusk. The film’s screening at Outdoor Retailer’s Adventure Theater marks its premier to the industry as well as the only Utah stop of the Steep Life Tour.

The following is a schedule of special events at both shows. Unless otherwise noted, events are only open to trade show participants.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Salt Lake City, Jan. 18 – 22. Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Avalaunch Transceiver Park at OR On-Snow Demo, Solitude. See if you can beat Dean Cummings’ time in the park and win great gear and Blackalicous tickets.
Jan. 18, 11 a.m. – OR On-Snow Demo, Solitude. Free Be Snow Smart On-Snow Clinic. Meet at H2o Outdoor Gear booth at 10:30 for demos of hybrid powders skis that carve. Clinic leaves from the booth at 11 a.m.
Jan. 19, 4 p.m. –Be Snow Smart tips and poster signing hosted by Avalaunch at Outdoor Retailer’s Snow Sports Zone.
Jan. 19, 9 p.m. – Dean and Avalaunch welcome Blackalicious @ Club Elevate. Purchase tickets online http://avalaunch.eventbrite.com/. Proceeds benefit Be Snow Smart and the Utah Avalanche Information Center. Open to the public.
Jan. 20, 7 – 8:30 a.m. – Be Snow Smart classroom session. Marriott Salon E.
Jan. 21, 6 – 7 p.m. – The Steep Life Tour, OR Adventure Theater, SLC Art Center at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Free, open to the public.
Jan. 22, 2:30 – Avalaunch Winter Market Awards. Four categories, five finalists each. Cummings is a finalist in two categories. http://www.avalaunchfestival.com/awards.html
SIA Snow Sports Show, Denver, Jan. 26 – 31
Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m. – Be Snow Smart avalanche safety tips @ SIA Backcountry Experience.
Jan. 26, 5 p.m. – Ski Industry debut, “The Steep Life” with special musical guest Matt Reardon. Movie, music and beer @ SIA Backcountry Experience.
Jan. 26, 9 p.m. – The Steep Life Celebration. Film screening and music by special guest Matt Reardon. Strata Bar @ the Hyatt Regency Hotel, across from the Colorado Convention Center. Open to the public.
Jan. 30 – 31. All day – SIA On-Snow Demo. Winter Park ski area.
Jan. 31 – Last day to register to win Helly Hansen’s Ultimate Alaska Heli-Ski Adventure hosted by Cummings’ H2o Guides. For complete details and link to contest entry form visit the Helly Hansen website or the H2o Guides website.
ABOUT H2o OUTDOOR GEAR
Founded by extreme skiing pioneer Dean Cummings, H2o Outdoor Gear’s vision is to bring to the Lower 48, essential mountaineering gear conceived of and tested in the demanding outdoor laboratory that is Cummings’ backyard in Valdez, AK. The brand is a logical extension of H2o Guides, the heliskiing company Cummings through which Cummings pioneered protocols for mechanized guiding and on-the-go assessment of avalanche conditions that have helped keep client safe since 1991. http://www.H2oG.com
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Booth #54; SIA Snow Sports Booth #4313.