Salt Lake City, UT – Black Diamond Equipment, Uinta Brewing Company and the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center are inviting guests to the annual pre-season fundraiser bash on Thursday, Sept. 13.

The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Black Diamond, located at 2084 East 3900 South in Salt Lake City. The festivities will be complete with food from Rico Mexican Market, beer and wine and the live tunes of Herban Empire. There will also be the legendary silent auction to support the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) as well as grand giveaways for those who purchase advance tickets.

“At last year’s event, we raised over $80,000 with over 1,100 people in attendance,” says TJ Kolanko, Grassroots Marketing Coordinator for Black Diamond Equipment. “This annual fundraiser serves as the unofficial precursor to the Wasatch ski season and brings snow sports enthusiasts together in support of a great cause.”

The Utah Avalanche Center is funded partly by local and federal government sources and partly by donations from businesses, foundations, and individual backcountry supporters. Through public support, the Center has been able to operate for the past 18 years thanks to community response by backcountry users and local and national businesses. The UAC issues daily avalanche and mountain weather forecasts helping enthusiasts with life-and-death decisions in the backcountry. They also teach a number of free avalanche awareness courses, house photo and video archives, offer educational modules, accident reports, snow profiles and more.

“Black Diamond’s annual fundraiser is an extremely important initiative for the UAC,” explains Bruce Tremper, Director of the UAC. “All proceeds benefit the non-profit Friends of Utah Avalanche Center, working to keep you on top of the Greatest Snow on Earth since 1980.”

The event takes place outdoors and will be held rain, snow or shine. You must be 21 to attend or accompanied by an adult. No dogs will be permitted. Tickets cost $39 in advance, before this Monday, Sept. 10 and $45 thereafter and at the door.  For more information, call (801) 365-5522 or go to www.UtahAvalancheCenter.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the Black Diamond Store or online at www.utahavalanchecenter.org/donate.