Backcountry.com Adventure Party 2007

Once again, I was reminded just how awesome the company I work for actually is. It seems like just about everyday I realize how great it is to work for a company of like minded people, doing what we all love. The most recent reminder came in the form of our company party.

Backcountry.com puts together an "Adventure Contest" every year for its employees. Basically you rack up points for recreating outdoors. Participants earn points for climbing, biking, vertical ascension, trash cleanup, kayaking, skiing...literally almost anything you can do outdoors. Since our motto is "We use the gear we sell", this is a great way to show how we actually use our own gear. After the contest is over, it is followed by a massive shin-dig to celebrate how much we love doing what we do.

Brianne and I attended the party (which was now 2 weekends ago, sorry for the late post). We received a discounted rate at the Shilo Inn right down the street form the party. The party venue was The Depot, a 3 story concert hall. It was HUGE, and the only thing bigger than the actual venue was the planning. It must have been a lot of work, because this party was one of the coolest "events" I have ever attended. The theme was "Pray for Snow", meaning everyone wore white. Upon arriving at the door, you could tell the creative nature of the people that I work with. There were togas, snowmen, white painted faces, sprayed hair, snowflakes, and many other interesting costumes. We were also greeted by an actual goat, which was very appropriate since a mountain goat is our logo. Once we got inside, we were handed our drink and gear tickets. Dinner was first, followed by a meet and greet at the upstairs bar.

Awards were given out and gear was won. There was over $100,000 worth of gear and prizes given away at the party. It was truly amazing. I left with a really nice Oakley backpack, a Backcountry.com logo duffel, headphones, and a North Face beanie. Bri got some sweet gear as well. The swag was cool, but the party was even cooler. There was a "glow station" to get decked out for the black lights, a Nintendo Wii station where you could try out the new console, a DJ station complete with go go girls, and a gear station where you picked up your prizes. We also had a band, Soul Survivors. I have never been to a Sundance Party, but I would imagine this was of the same caliber.

I think the coolest thing about it was that the founders/owners came on stage and gave a little appreciation speech. It is rare to work for a company where the president and CEO will go all out and have this much fun at the company party. They looked hilarious (like everyone else) and genuinely had a good time. It's pretty cool that the company they started out of an apartment in Park City not even a decade ago has turned into such a success. This party reminded me both how lucky and proud I am to be a part of it.

P.S. No party is really a party unless you have a live goat there.