Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1118716
something bigger than ourselves is the most fulfilling job I could ever ask for," he says. "After our team, the customers are the best part. We like to say we inspire others to do what inspires them… and have been doing so for nearly 40 years." Here's "the skinny" on four of the store's big events: Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo Event The Annual Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo Event, held over two days in January this year, has grown into what the retailer calls the largest, and most well-known backcountry demo event in North America. It is held at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, a destination known for popular hikes, great out-of-bounds terrain, and easy to access side-country. Winter Speaker Series The Winter Speaker Series raises thousands of dollars for the local community with a series of five free events featuring a premier outdoor athlete taking part in an inspiring forum. Product donated by vendors (speaker sponsors) is used to sell raffle tickets, the profits of which are all donated to a nonprofit. Raffle ticket and drink sales as well as additional donations from the community have to date raised more than $170,000 to make a difference in North Lake Tahoe and beyond. Additionally, a local group called the Donor Party which has around 15 anonymous members, is also donating funds in conjunction with the speaker series. Madigan says he hopes to grow the Donor Party "into a $250,000-500,000 anonymous philanthropic pool that holistically benefits Lake Tahoe non-profits making a tangible difference in our community." Speakers have included Dave Nettle, Glen Plake, Lynn Hill, Jeremy Jones, Tommy Caldwell, Chris Davenport and Alex Honnold. The event was created to not only raise money for nonprofits, but also to inspire a younger generation of aspiring athletes. Mountain Festival A nine-day celebration of "human-powered" mountain sports, events, clinics, equipment demonstrations, critically acclaimed films and more. This year Alpenglow Mountain Festival showcased over 75 individual events over a nine-day long schedule in February. The festival offerings are vast and almost every event is free to the public. Geared toward beginner and intermediate winter recreation enthusiasts, the festival includes events around backcountry skiing and splitboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, natural history, yoga, live music, educational workshops, social gatherings and more. Broken Arrow Skyrace Founded by Madigan, who is a co-race director, Broken Arrow Sky Race, presented by Salomon, is a three-day event, held at world- famous Squaw Valley in June. The race is a unique style of European-inspired mountain running characterized by off-trail scrambling, steep terrain, and massive amounts of vertical gain and loss. The majority of this takes place above 6,000 feet – above treeline – and consists of five distances, up to 52k, and is run amidst the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe. Alpenglow hosts training runs throughout the season in preparation for the race with sponsors and vendors providing demo gear and goodies. l 20 19 www.outdoorsportsins.com osi@horizonagency.com 1-800-491-2858 May 2019 • Outdoor Insight • 31 outdoorinsightmag.com