Originally posted on Vail Daily here. Story by John Laconte
"EAGLE COUNTY — The popular Ullr Fest fall neighborhood party in Miller Ranch will not take place this year, organizers confirmed this week.
That means the only local fundraiser for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center will be Friday’s Weston and Tobe season launch party at Agave. When longtime Ullr Fest supporter Mason Davey of Weston Backcountry heard the news, he sprung to action.
“Ullr Fest was a big one for CAIC,” Davey said. “So with that exiting we thought we could fill that gap by having an event to benefit them.”
The event will be the official launch of both Weston Snowboards and Tobe Outerwear’s 2016-17 product line, as well a raffle, coat drive and party, complete with local DJ Stennor Dahlen on the ones and twos.
“We obviously try to help CAIC whenever we can, because they keep us safe in the backcountry,” Davey said. “Also, they’re trying to step their game up this season and hire another forecaster, so we need to help out wherever we can.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. A splitboard from Weston Snowboards and a mono suit from Tobe Outwear will be among the items guests are able to win.
Weston will be debuting several new splitboards at the event, including their popular Range Snowboard, designed by Eagle County local Joe Otremba, and their Backwoods snowboard. Both splitboards will be new to Weston’s line this year.
“It will be a great chance to see the new boards we have coming out,” Davey said. “Also, our new tiny home showroom will be parked in the parking lot.”
‘ALREADY SAW SNOW’
Weston’s splitboards have gotten recognition from the industry at large as of late, with their Big Chief splitboard being called “one of the best” from Transworld Snowboarding gear review last season.
This year, the local company has partnered with Tobe Outerwear to blend snowmobiling culture with the backcountry touring Weston promotes with their splitboards.
“Their new lineup is not just for snowmobiling,” Davey said. “’They make really quality products that have been popular in Canada, now they’re making a push to find more customers here in the U.S.”
The event will be an opportunity for locals to get to know the products available from Tobe, as well as Weston.
“But most of all, it’s just a way to celebrate the upcoming season,” Davey said. “We already saw snow on the peaks, so we’re stoked.”
The event starts at 8 p.m. at Agave in Avon."