DYNAFIT today announced a partnership with Aspen Snowmass aimed at fostering the continued growth of the sport of uphill skiing. Effective this winter season and extending through the 2019/20 season, the partnership includes the exclusive equipment rental and demo of Dynafit uphill skiing hardgoods at the resort’s Four Mountain Sports stores, the sponsorship of Aspen Snowmass’ ski mountaineering events, and a variety of other collaborative marketing activations.
As uphill skiing has experienced tremendous growth amongst recreational athletes, it has simultaneously garnered interest and support from ski resorts across the country. Aspen Snowmass is at the forefront of this movement, now offering uphill Ski School classes, an array of community events focused on “uphilling” and providing equipment rentals and demos to give guests the full uphill skiing experience.
Dynafit hardgoods – including skis, boots, skins and poles – will be available for rent Four Mountain Sports: Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass Mall and Snowmass Base Village locations, and will be featured at on-mountain demos throughout the winter season.
As a part of the partnership, Dynafit will be the official presenting sponsor of Aspen Snowmass’ three-part SkiMo Race Series, as well as a Gold Sponsor of the legendary Audi Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race, a world-renowned course which climbs and descends all four of Aspen Snowmass’ mountains each February.
“As the inbounds uphill skiing movement continues to pick up steam throughout North America, we can’t think of a better partner to work with to continue to democratize the sport,” states Dynafit’s North American Marketing Manager Jamie Starr, adding “for years, uphill skiing has been associated with the stereotype that it’s an activity reserved for elite athletes who take sizable risks in the backcountry to slog many hours (or days) to access remote locations. But the reality is uphill skiing can be a very safe, low-impact, high-fitness-value sport that can be enjoyed every day close to civilization. We feel strongly that through this partnership with Aspen Snowmass, we can continue to build upon a model that deeply and authentically integrates on-piste uphill fitness into the resort environment.”
The equipment available at Four Mountain Sports locations will include, in this first season: Dynafit Radical A/T Boots, Radical 2 Demo (adjustable) bindings, as well as SpeedFit 84 skis (men’s & women’s) from Dynafit’s new SpeedFit category—a collection specifically designed for those who ski uphill for everyday fitness, usually in a resort setting.
“We are excited to welcome Dynafit to our uphill family.　 Aspen Snowmass has a well-established uphill culture locally. This partnership will expand the opportunity for guests to experience alpine touring on our mountains and to participate in our uphill events,” says Rich Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company.
