Final voting for the inaugural Avalaunch Winter Market Awards, presented by Outdoor Retailer, has begun.


Last week snowsports industry members nominated potential honorees in five different categories. The top five nominees in each category have been identified and now people can vote online at www.avalaunchfestival.com/awards.html or in the Snowsports Zone at next week's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market (Jan. 18-22) in Salt Lake City to decide who the finalists will be. Award winners will be announced during a special ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, January 22 in the Snowsports Zone.


The following is the list of categories and nominees:

 


Ambassador of the Year


Superior athlete exemplifies snow safety & stewardship values, a pillar in the snowriding community, striving for excellence in all facets of life. They could be a skier, snowboarder, telemarker, snowmobiler or ice climber.



  • Andrew McLean
  • Chris Davenport
  • Dean Cummings
  • Jeremy Jones
  • Steve Christie

Company of the Year


A company that goes the extra mile through philanthropic endeavors and stewardship initiatives not by just giving back, but by creating ideas that initiate action. They create a philosophy that's infectious within the winter recreational community.



  • Backcountry Access
  • Black Diamond Equipment
  • Mountain Hardwear
  • Patagonia
  • Protect Our Winters (POW)

Safety Product of the Year


An innovative snow safety consumer product that's a “must-have tool” for backcountry goers and resort riders alike. The product not only performs its essential function, it stimulates change and inspires others to think about snow safety.



  • ABS Vario Airbag
  • Backcountry Access Tracker 2 Beacon
  • \Black Diamond Avalung
  • Mammut Pulse Barryvox Transceiver
  • Mystery Ranch Blackjack Airbag

New Product of the Year


A new consumer product, introduced within the past year, worthy of recognition from the snow sports industry, that talked-about, must-have that is the result of a marriage of ingenuity, passion, simplicity and perfection.



  • Backcountry Access Float 18 Airbag
  • DPS Spoon Skis
  • Gecko Climbing skins
  • K2 Backside Shovel/Probe/Sled
  • MTN Approach System

Avalanche Educator of the Year


An avalanche professional who works on the front line, day-in and day-out educating winter recreationists about avalanche danger and the skills and knowledge needed safely recreate and take care of themselves and others if the worst happens. They innovate new methods or techniques that others follow in the pursuit of better avalanche awareness and education.



  • Ben PritchettBruce Tremper
  • Dean Cummings
  • Steve Banks
  • Tom Murphy
     

About Avalaunch


Avalaunch is a touring social and environmental festival celebrating live music, fashion & film while providing backcountry education, avalanche safety awareness, and environmental stewardship within the snowriding community (www.avalaunchfestival.com).


 


About Outdoor Retailer


Outdoor Retailer (OR), produced by Nielsen Business Media of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. OR is the leading outdoor industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation. Now celebrating more than 30 years of successful events, Outdoor Retailer (www.outdoorretailer.com) gathers approximately 40,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for its Winter and Summer Market shows.