Archives: Press Releases

[Jackson Hole, Wyoming] – February 11, 2025 Black Diamond Equipment, a global leader in mountain sports gear, is proud to announce a partnership with The Mountain Guides (TMG) which operates mountain guiding operations specializing in technical rock and mountain climbing and backcountry skiing. TMG locations are found throughout the American West with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (JHMG) being the oldest and most notable. Begun in 1968, JHMG is the second oldest guide service in the United States and the only American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) accredited Institution in the Tetons.

Key Black Diamond retail locations will host outdoor education programs and events led by The Mountain Guides. Stores will be meeting points, a source for program information and serve as the primary outfitter for classes and trips. These locations include the Jackson Hole store in Wyoming, the Boulder and Denver stores in Colorado’s Front Range and the home store in Salt Lake City,

This collaboration solidifies Black Diamond’s commitment to expanding its role in the industry beyond equipping adventurers with the proper gear for safe and successful endeavors by leveraging its retail locations as hubs for fostering outdoor education, adventure and accessibility.

“Black Diamond has always been committed to equipping and inspiring outdoor adventurers,” says Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment. “Partnering with The Mountain Guides allows us to connect with the guiding community and their clients in a meaningful way, providing the tools, education, and support they need for success.”

The partnership will improve access to mountain programs. Black Diamond will provide gear for guides and guests, scholarship funding for guides to advance their education through the AMGA, and opportunities for product testing among TMG guides who can offer unique insights on how gear performs in extreme environments at high volumes of use.

Integrating professional guides into gear development is a key component of Black Diamond’s commitment to continuous innovation. Guides put equipment through rigorous, real-world testing in some of the world’s most demanding conditions, providing invaluable feedback that helps refine and improve product design. By working closely with JHMG guides, Black Diamond can ensure that their gear meets the highest standards of durability, performance, and safety to deliver solutions that support both professional guides and everyday outdoor enthusiasts in pushing their limits with confidence.

“We could not be more pleased about our new relationship with Black Diamond.” said Phil Powers, President of the Mountain Guides and former CEO of the American Alpine Club. “This allows us to put our guides and their guests in the best possible equipment. It’s been a pleasure to see our trips launch from the Black Diamond store in Jackson where people can easily round out their kits before launching into the mountains.”

With this initiative, Black Diamond and The Mountain Guides aim to make technical mountain sports more accessible while reinforcing safety and best practices within the outdoor community.

About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

About The Mountain Guides

The Mountain Guides is a trusted leader in mountain guiding services, specializing in technical rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountain education. Its main location, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, has operated in the Tetons since 1968. Their rich history of providing expert instruction and unforgettable experiences has grown to include locations in Colorado, Montana, Utah and the Red Rock of Nevada. They inspire adventurers of all levels to safely explore the outdoors. For more information on The Mountain Guides, visit www.themountainguides.com.

 

 

 

 

Boulder, CO. – February 6, 2025 – Outside Interactive Inc., the world’s leading creator of outdoor content, mapping, events, and experiences, today announced the acquisition of Inntopia, a leading provider of integrated software solutions for the adventure travel and hospitality industry. Inntopia provides a comprehensive suite of tools that includes booking, marketing, and business intelligence solutions that help ski resorts, adventure destinations, state and national parks, golf resorts, wellness and spa resorts, and tourism bureaus manage their operations and drive revenue.

This acquisition brings together two companies with a shared passion for outdoor adventure and travel. Outside’s audience of over 100 million registered users is a natural fit for Inntopia’s platform, which facilitates direct-to-consumer, multi-vendor booking by resorts and provides access to a broad range of third-party distribution channels. Inntopia’s platform is used by over 200 resorts and destinations across North America, Europe, and Australia. The company has a strong track record of innovation and growth, and its platform is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for online adventure travel booking.

By integrating Inntopia’s SaaS platform and research capabilities with Outside’s extensive network of event directors, tourism partnerships, and hospitality partners, Inntopia’s platform can deliver curated and comprehensive adventure travel packages, including accommodations, local activities, equipment rentals, and activity ticketing, capturing previously untapped revenue streams and creating additional value for partners. Inntopia’s client base will benefit from preferential access to Outside’s audience of outdoor adventurers, integration into the Outside advertising network, and additional investments in the Inntopia travel solutions.

Furthermore, the integration of Inntopia’s business intelligence research and analytics platform technology will empower Outside to gather and analyze key insights into consumer journeys. These insights can be leveraged to optimize advertising strategies, identify new opportunities for partner engagement, and ultimately drive revenue growth for both Outside travel partners and Inntopia’s clients. By demonstrating the tangible value of these data-driven insights, Outside can further strengthen its relationships with advertising partners and position itself as a leader in the digital travel advertising space by building the first-of-its-kind adventure travel retail media network.

“The acquisition of Inntopia is a major step forward in our mission to get everyone outdoors by inspiring them with our content, activating through our technologies, and ultimately celebrating their adventures on our social platform.,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside. “By combining our content, utilities, and community with Inntopia’s booking platform technology and research, we’re creating a one-stop shop for outdoor adventure travel. We’re excited to offer our users a more seamless and personalized experience, and we’re confident that this acquisition will accelerate our growth and solidify our position as the leading active lifestyle platform.”

“We’re thrilled to join forces with Outside, a company that shares our passion for the outdoors and our commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences,” said Trevor Crist, CEO of Inntopia. “Our booking platform is a perfect complement to Outside’s content, utilities, and community, and we’re excited to work together to create the ultimate travel platform for outdoor adventurers.”

The acquisition of Inntopia represents a strategic move that will substantially bolster Outside’s core businesses and offerings. From discovering inspiring destinations through its rich content, to seamlessly booking accommodations, activities, and transportation through Inntopia’s intuitive technology, the combined platform will simplify the travel planning process and enhance the overall outdoor adventure experience for its audiences.

BrightTower, a New York City headquartered investment banking and M&A advisory services firm, served as exclusive financial advisor to Inntopia in this transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Outside

Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for outdoor inspiration, activation, and celebration. Each year, Outside reaches over 300 million unique users and has over 100 million registered users across its network of 25 media, service, and utility brands, including Outside Magazine, Velo, Yoga Journal, Pinkbike, GaiaGPS, Trailforks, MapMyFitness, athleteReg, and more. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outdoors, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives by creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s membership offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, magazines, and more. Learn more at www.OutsideOnline.com.

About Inntopia

Inntopia is a leading provider of integrated software solutions for the travel and hospitality industry. The company’s platform helps resorts and destinations manage their operations and drive revenue. Inntopia’s solutions include booking, marketing, and business intelligence tools.

For more information, contact:
Rachel Weiss
Rachel.weiss@backbone.media

 

Red Lodge, Mont. (Feb. 6, 2025) – Crazy Creek Products, a leading manufacturer of outdoor seating for 38 years, is excited to grow its sales representation, nationally. Today, the Montana-based manufacturer announces its partnership with Adventure Marketing Group (AMG) as their new Southeast rep group, as well as the brand’s expansion with the Alta Group, Inc. into Montana and Idaho.

“We are very excited to bring a legacy brand like Crazy Creek into our diverse portfolio,” said Tom Hammond, Principal of Adventure Marketing Group. “Every account we have should be carrying Crazy Creek and our team looks forward to getting out in the field and showing the great benefits of selling Crazy Creek to our customers.”

AMG will be taking over Crazy Creek sales in the Southeast for Allyn Morton of Eastern Outdoor Sales who has retired after a decorated 40-year career in the outdoor industry.

“Adding a group like AMG to our rep network is a testament to the strength of the Crazy Creek brand and we are thrilled to have Tom and his team representing us in the Southeast,” said Forrest Rogers, Co-Owner of Crazy Creek. “We want to also thank Allyn Morton of Eastern Outdoor Sales for the last 20 years of dedicated service he has provided us, we wish him the best as he settles into a much-deserved retirement!”

Crazy Creek has also expanded its sales group representation into Montana and Idaho.  The Alta Group, which currently supports the brand in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, will now support the brand in these two additional western states.

“We are very excited to expand the territory that the Alta Group, Inc. is representing Crazy Creek.  It is an honor to represent Crazy Creek in their home state of Montana! Crazy Creek has been on a great trajectory for us the past several years and we are looking forward to more growth,” said Dave Haavik of the Alta Group. “ We are really excited about the product development that the brand has been working on for the past few years and I am sure that will compound our growth.”

For more information about Crazy Creek, please visit crazycreek.com.

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About Crazy Creek

Founded in 1987 in Red Lodge, Montana, Crazy Creek has been a pioneer in outdoor seating, known for its innovative, lightweight chairs. The brand’s mission to perfect “just sit there” comfort across any terrain has garnered trust worldwide among outdoor professionals and enthusiasts alike. Renowned for their quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, Crazy Creek chairs have traveled from the backcountry of Northern Alaska to sunny backyards in Southern Florida. The product line includes a range of chairs crafted from the most durable fabrics, featuring carbon fiber stays and a custom stitching process, all backed by a lifetime warranty on Original & Hex 2.0 Chairs. In 2024, Crazy Creek introduced the AirCliner, its most compact and comfortable chair yet. For more information, visit crazycreek.com.

SALT LAKE CITY – February 5, 2025 – Black Diamond Equipment^®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, has partnered with National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the world’s foremost provider of wilderness education. Central to the partnership is the Elevate Scholarship, an initiative to foster leadership, mentorship, and stewardship within the outdoor community.

The Elevate Scholarship provides full-ride support, including travel and gear, for select NOLS courses in the Summer and Fall of 2025. Funded through an annually recurring co-op program between NOLS and Black Diamond, the initiative aims to cultivate future leaders in the outdoor community who might not otherwise have access to the resources they need to recreate safely and sustainably. Additionally, 10% of any purchase made by NOLS, a NOLS employee, or an enrolled student will directly contribute to the scholarship fund.

“At Black Diamond, climbing has always been more than a sport—it’s a way to discover our limits, build resilience, and connect deeply with the natural world,” says Neil Fiske, President at Black Diamond Equipment. “Partnering with NOLS on the Elevate Scholarship lets us extend those values to a broader community, breaking down barriers and equipping the next generation of climbers and outdoor leaders with the skills, mentorship, and gear they need to thrive. Together, we’re not just supporting individuals—we’re fostering a culture of stewardship and sustainability for the vertical and beyond.”

Black Diamond has been one of NOLS’ preferred equipment providers for decades. The official partnership will now also include ongoing gear design collaboration between the two organizations and field testing on key pieces of equipment from Black Diamond, such as the Mega Light Tent, a staple piece of equipment in the NOLS kit. A dedicated gear testing pipeline will engage NOLS field instructors in the design process, leveraging their hands-on expertise in creating and enhancing Black Diamond gear moving forward. To further support NOLS staff, the partnership offers expanded pro deals for all employees.

Several professional Black Diamond athletes got their start with NOLS, including Aaron Mulkey, Adrian Ballinger, Carlo Traversi, and Angela Hawse. Peter Metcalf, the founder of Black Diamond and a 1971 NOLS graduate, credits the school with introducing him to climbing. This joint effort builds on the longstanding relationship between these two organizations. In keeping with that tradition, Black Diamond has committed to providing opportunities for its employees to develop their outdoor and leadership skills with NOLS.

“The NOLS and Black Diamond partnership is such a perfect match. It brings together two organizations who share a deep commitment to wilderness, leadership, and the environment,” said Sandy Colhoun, President of NOLS. “We are grateful for the Black Diamond Elevate Scholarship’s impact on our school, making outdoor education accessible to all. Together with Black Diamond, we are excited to empower the next generation of leaders, explorers, and adventurers.”

The application period for the Elevate Scholarship opens on February 5, 2025, and closes on March 5, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be announced on April 30.

For more information on the scholarship and application process, please visit: https://www.nols.edu/en/expeditions/planning/financial-aid/black-diamond-elevate-scholarship/

MEDIA IMAGE GALLERY | LINK

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About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

About NOLS

Founded in 1965 in a small cabin in Sinks Canyon, Wyoming, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help individuals step forward boldly as leaders. We believe that anyone can be a leader; it’s our role to provide the environment and training to help them discover their full potential. We do that in classrooms close to home and remote wilderness areas worldwide. The scope of NOLS’ mission and impact is broad, with 14 campuses across six countries and educational opportunities worldwide. The school enrolls over 28,000 students and employs over 1,000 full-time and part-time staff and instructors with an annual budget of approximately $40 million in a typical year. NOLS currently has more than 360,000 active alumni. 

nols.edu | @nolsedu | 800.710.6657

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^{LUCIE RATHBUN}

^{lucie.rathbun@backbone.media}

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^{KELLI LUSK}

^{kelli_lusk@nols.edu | 208.309.3793}