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Mothership Classic 2022 Recap

This year’s Mothership Classic fundraising event (organized by the High Fives Foundation) has wrapped. The stoke was high, the fits were funky, and laps were plentiful.

Here are some initial stats:

  • 288 Participants
  • 44 Laps From The Top Team
  • $177k Raised

While everyone had a good time, the most important detail is that over $177,000 was raised! That’s over 70 thousand dollars more than the original goal of $105,000.

Thanks to Palisades Tahoe, all the dedicated sponsors, and participants, KT-22 has never looked better.

The Mothership Classic is a pledge-driven ski-a-thon event held each Spring in Lake Tahoe, CA at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Alpine) at the KT22 chairlift. On the day of the event, each participant tests themselves to hot lap KT22 as many times as possible from the first chair to the last. They will be on skinny skis, retro snowboards, mono-skis, snow blades, etc. Nostalgic ski attire is encouraged.

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  • mothership classic awards
  • roy tuscanny mothership classic speech
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  • mothership classic youth winner

Awards are given out for a variety of categories including:

  • Most Laps
  • Most Money Raised
  • Best Costume
  • Raddest Goggles
  • And More

Via The High Fives Foundation, all funds raised go directly to the healing efforts of athletes that have suffered life-changing injuries.

It looks like everyone had a great time. The only thing missing was YOU! Maybe you should participate next year. C’mon, you can win prizes, have a huge amount of fun, and support an amazing charity.

Fat Ski-A-Thon 2022 Recap

On March 6th, the High Fives Foundation celebrated the annual Fat Ski-A-Thon Fundraiser at Sugarbush in Vermont. As part of our sponsorship for this great organization, Outdoor Tech was there.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the Foundation raised $380k, surpassing their $350k fundraising goal. Everyone had a great day of skiing with positive vibes all day long. The stats:

  • 30 teams
  • 190 participants
  • 1,724 donations
  • and a load of happy participants and athletes!

Catch the High Fives crew at the 8th Annual Mothership Classic March 27 at Palisades Tahoe, and shortly after, the Retro Shred-a-thon in Winter Park on April 16th! Maybe we will see you there.

Need more? Check out the recap video and slideshow:

Fat Ski-A-Thon Recap Video
  • Sugarbush Vermont Ski A Thon
  • Skiing Group in Sugarbush Vermont
  • Roy Tuscany Skiing Sugarbush
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The 11th Annual Fat Ski-A-Thon is Here!

Where: Sugarbush Resort
When: March 6th, 2022

The High Fives Foundation regularly organizes a Ski-a-Thon event where participants, either as a team or an individual, raise funds for the non-profit and get rewarded with prizes depending on the number of completed laps and by how much you raise.

Outdoor Tech is happy to help sponsor this year’s event. It’s no secret that we are big fans of the High Fives Foundation and the amazing service they provide.

The 11th Annual FAT Ski-a-Thon takes place March 6, 2022, at Sugarbush Resort in Vermont sponsored by Vermont North Ski Shops. The FAT Ski-a-Thon was launched in 2012 with 38 participants, the first-ever in the series. Since then, it has become the highest-grossing event raising a total of $272,532 by 144 participants in 2021.

“Combining philanthropy with outdoor activity is the best way to get people in the fun component of FUNdraising.”

Roy Tuscany CEO of The High Fives Foundaton

Check out the 2020 Fat Ski-A-Thon Video

Similar to the 2021 Ski-a-Thons, this year’s series will be designed as hybrid-virtual events. The High Fives Foundation will follow CDC guidelines regarding COVID and adjust its event protocol accordingly.

Interested sponsoring brands, donors, and participants can register on the event website: fatski.highfivesfoundation.org

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  • High Fives Foundation Fat Ski-A-Thon

You can help out the High Fives Foundation by sponsoring one of the teams or an individual.

Now go share this post everywhere to spread the word. Let’s help the High Fives Foundation have the best Fat Ski-A-Thon ever!

The High Fives Foundation and Outdoor Tech Continue Their Partnership

What is The High Fives Foundation?

The High Fives Foundation is a non-profit adaptive sports organization on a mission to provide hope and resources for athletes. This nonprofit organization serves athletes living with life-altering injuries, such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injury.

How is Outdoor Tech Involved

Outdoor Tech is happy to announce that we are continuing our long-standing relationship with the High Fives Foundation. We are overjoyed to help Roy and his team raise funds via product raffles, donations, and spreading the work. We won’t get into all the details yet but let’s just say you will see a lot more collaboration between us.

One Athlete at a Time

Life-altering accidents that cause physical and or cognitive disabilities potentially resulting from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more than challenging but the High Fives team is there to help.

Many High Fives Athletes have returned to active lives with some going on to participate in the Paralympic Games and Special Olympics.

High Five Foundation Events

It seems like the High Fives crew is always holding fundraising events so that they can help more athletes. The Fat-Ski-A-Thon, Mothership Classic, and Retro Shred-A-Thon are just a few of the events throughout the year. Check out all their events here.

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The Next Chapter

There is so much more to say about this rad organization but we will keep it short and sweet. Outdoor Tech is committed to growing our relationship with the High Fives Foundation. Be on the lookout for upcoming events, activations, and collaborations. You can learn more about the High Fives Foundation at https://highfivesfoundation.org/. Make sure to connect with us on Facebook or Instagram to get all the latest updates.

Outdoor Tech’s 2021 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Are you still searching for the perfect gift for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? It’s easy to want to go for the “classic” romantic gifts like chocolates or a nice dinner, but as most outdoor enthusiasts know, a practical gift can mean a lot more. 

Show your outdoorsy Valentine that you really support their passions with one of these five Outdoor Tech gifts. 

5 gifts to get your outdoorsy sweetheart for Valentine’s Day

Yowie Neck Gaiters

A fun and affordable gift is a Yowie neck gaiter. These come in a multitude of colors and patterns, so they’re easy to personalize and work well for any gender.

The Arctic Yowie is a breathable, yet effective way to keep your neck and face warm. Our Yowie varieties allow for versatility, and some include Coolmax fabric to keep the material dry all day long. 

Chips 2.0

The Chips 2.0 is the perfect gift for any snowboard or ski enthusiast in your life. These Bluetooth snow helmet speakers are specially designed to fit inside your helmet. They make it easy to listen to your favorite music, podcasts, or answer phone calls without having to remove your helmet. Each earpiece has an oversized control button, so no need to remove gloves to control any features.

With universal capabilities, the Chips 2.0 will work with almost any audio compatible snow helmet. They utilize a rechargeable battery with 10 hours of playtime, so they will keep up with you on the slopes!

Tags 2.0

Having a reliable pair of Bluetooth headphones is the dream of anyone that enjoys athletic pursuits. These affordable headphones have a range of up to 32 feet and a battery life of 5 hours. That’s perfect for anyone who frequents the skate park or the gym and doesn’t want to sacrifice their headphone connection. 

Even when they’re not in use, the Tags 2.0 are designed to be tangle-free and easy to access. When taking them off, the earbuds can snap together to make them easy to store. Plus, there’s a built-in microphone, so there is no worry about them ever missing an important call from you. 

Turtle Shell Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

For the outdoorsy music lover in your life, the Turtle Shell 3.0 is a dream. This waterproof speaker has a huge battery, impressive volume, and is nearly indestructible. From yard work, a camping trip, or even a day on the water, the Turtle Shell 3.0 is a portable and reliable music buddy. 

If you and your partner enjoy weekend adventures, you’ll both enjoy bringing the Turtle Shell 3.0 along for the ride. With 20-hour battery life, you can enjoy music each night while cooking or enjoying time together around the campfire. 

While all electronics should try to avoid moisture if possible, of the impressive features that the Turtle Shell 3.0 speaker has, the one all outdoor enthusiasts need to know about is the waterproof capabilities. With the new and improved design, the Turtle Shell 3.0 can even be submerged in water with no worries of malfunction.

Buckshot Pro Ultra

If you’re looking for a gift that is a bit more portable but equally as awesome as the Turtle Shell speaker, then look no further than the Buckshot Pro Ultra. This tiny but mighty portable speaker packs quite the punch when it comes to audio quality and has the added benefit of being a multipurpose device. 

Get this for any partner that travels often or spends a lot of time outdoors. The Buckshot Pro Ultra features a flashlight, and the battery can also be used to charge a cell phone if they’re in a pinch. 

The Buckshot Pro Ultra is also water and dirt/sand resistant, making it anyone’s new favorite gadget to bring with on any adventure. 

Still not sure what to get your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day?

Although the five Outdoor Tech products we chose for the list above are all pretty rad, we understand that maybe they aren’t the “perfect” fit for your partner. If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, and your partner loves spending time outdoors, check out the rest of our Outdoor Tech Collection

After a little bit of time sifting and sorting through all of our gear, we are optimistic you’ll be able to find the perfect gift for your partner! 

The Outdoor Tech Anyone On Your Holiday Shopping List Will Love

It’s not too late to get in some of your last-minute holiday gifts! Last minute shopping doesn’t have to be a last ditch effort either, it can be thoughtful and personalized. 

To help you narrow things down, we put together our top 5-holiday gift ideas to ensure everyone on your list gets something they’ll look forward to using all year round. We’re confident that anyone on your list will love one of these five fantastic Outdoor Tech gadgets. 

5 Outdoor Tech Holiday Gift Ideas

1.   Turtle Shell 3.0 – Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Turtle Shell Bluetooth speaker

The Turtle Shell 3.0 wireless speaker is the perfect gift for any outdoor lover that is also a music enthusiast. Whether it’s tailgating, for use on the construction site, or the weekend camping warrior on your shopping list, this waterproof Bluetooth speaker is durable enough to do it all. 

Unlike other Bluetooth speakers, the Turtle Shell 3.0 has 360-degree sound from the unique, polygonal housing. The design isn’t merely for sound quality or aesthetics, though. It is designed to be dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof. As some of our verified customers have proven, it is durable enough to withstand an entire Canadian winter and survives being run over by a 20-ton forklift. 

Although it is exceptionally rugged and intentionally designed to withstand the demands of outdoor use, other features give it capabilities as an office companion. You can easily take calls or use the speaker as a digital assistant with a built-in microphone. No matter where you take it, the Turtle Shell 3.0 will have your back, at least for the 20 hours of battery life it has anyway. 

2.   Chips Ultra – True Wireless Snow Helmet Audio 

Chips Ultra true wireless snow helmet speakers

The Chips Ultra wireless snow helmet audio system is the gift you’ve been looking for while shopping for the ski or snowboard bum on your list. 

There are no wires to worry about here and they work with any audio compatible helmet. Outdoor Tech designed the Chips Ultra to be easy to use, even while wearing gloves or mittens. That way, you don’t even need to take the control out of your pocket to use it, let alone take your helmet and gloves off. 

The Chips Ultra doesn’t only offer astounding audio quality though, there is also a built-in microphone that allows you to answer texts and phone calls without removing your helmet or gloves. 

Now that ski and snowboarding season are upon us, make your family ski bum smile with a pair of True Wireless Chips Ultra. 

3.   Mantas – True Wireless Earbuds

Mantas true wireless earbuds

Give the athlete in your life a way to level up their performance with the Mantas True Wireless Earbuds. The all-day comfort, secure fit, and 12-hour playtime will keep the music going, no matter how long or intense the workout may be. They’ll enjoy the sound quality pro-athletes do, but at an affordable price with the Mantas. 

One tap control makes it easy to use when running, lifting, biking, or doing any other type of physical activity without distracting from your performance. We know you’re working hard during your workout, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your sweat damaging your earbuds. The Mantas are IPX5 sweatproof to keep the music playing, no matter the intensity. 

4.   Buckshot Pro Ultra

Buckshot Pro Ultra bluetooth speaker

We all have that person that is impossible to buy for because they have everything. The multi-purpose Buckshot Pro Ultra wireless speaker is the perfect solution to that dilemma with three practical uses: a Bluetooth speaker, flashlight, and a portable charger. Even if they aren’t the most avid outdoor adventurer, this is a great item to keep in your car, purse, or weekend backpack when traveling. 

While the diversity of the device is nice, it does have specific features that would appeal to cyclists in particular. The Buckshot Pro Ultra has mounting straps that fix the device onto the handlebars. This provides the rider with a built-in bike light, Bluetooth speaker, and a charger on the go. 

Although it is a small device, it packs full hi-fi sound with plenty of bass. The flashlight has multiple lighting modes, including low beam, high beam, lantern, and SOS (strobe). If your phone starts to run low on battery during a ride, the Buckshot Pro Ultra can also be used to charge up small devices with a 2600 mAh rechargeable battery. 

5.   Calamari Ultra – Lightning, USB C, & Micro USB Cable

Calamari Ultra 3 in 1 USB cable

Are you shopping for a minimalist techy in your life? All travel buffs can agree that they love techy gadgets, but they can get bulky after a while. That’s why the Calamari Ultra is a must-have space and time saver when on the road (or at home). This 3-in-1 USB cord puts all of your charging and connecting needs into one place.

The three cables that the Calamari Ultra includes are:

  • An Apple MFI Certified Lightning connector (goodbye error messages)
  • A USB C connector
  • A Micro USB connector (you’re welcome to Android users and GoPro chargers)

On top of the 3-in-1 capabilities, what makes this chord so useful is that it is about 3 feet long, and it can be used for either charging or data transfer. 

So, if you’re pulling epic footage off of your GoPro one minute and need to charge your iPhone the next, you don’t have to swap chords, just the input on the Calamari Ultra. Perhaps they don’t know they need it yet, but once they have it, they won’t know how they lived without it for so long. 

No matter who you have left to shop for, we are certain that some Outdoor Tech would light up their life this winter. From the top of the line Bluetooth speakers to a new pair of wireless earbuds, we have a gift for anyone on your list. 

Top Gifts to Give Your Best Friend this Holiday Season

It’s no secret that this year has been a difficult one. Many of us are tired, overwhelmed, and craving connection with the people we love — which is why this holiday season will be more important than ever. Even if you can’t physically gather with your friends or extended family, you can still show them how much you care with a beautiful personalized gift.

You can find a personalized gift for everyone on your list, from your parents, nieces, and nephews, to your best friend in the world. But what, exactly, should you get your best friend this year? The answer depends on their interests… but we’ve got a few ideas that we think you’ll love!

For the “Monica” of Your Group: A Recipe Cutting Board

Is your best friend the person who hosts Friendsgiving? Are they always ready with a freshly baked treat when you walk in the door? Give them something that’s truly special and embraces their love of the kitchen: a personalized cutting board etched with a family recipe. 

With both maple and cherry wood finishes, you can select a board to suit any decorating style. This beautiful paddle cutting board can be a lovely serving tray for special events, or it can simply be decor for the kitchen. Trust us, once they see this beauty they’ll be baking you lots of cookies to thank you!

For the Constant Jet-Setter: A Personalized Passport Holder

This friend has the most enviable Instagram page you’ve ever seen. They’re constantly flying off to some beautiful and exotic locale, and they usually bring you back a cute souvenir or two. Even if travel is on hold at the moment, this friend needs something to remind them that soon they can get back in the skies.

A personalized passport holder is a great way to indulge your friend’s love of travel while making them feel extra fancy. The soft, vegan leather feels ultra-luxe, and the laser engraving will last as long as your friend’s passport (maybe even longer).

For the Music Lover: A Bluetooth Speaker

We all have that one friend who’s always in charge of the party playlist. They love music, they know all the latest artists, and they will not rest until they’ve found the perfect song to suit the mood. If that person is your best friend, give them a new way to play their tunes this holiday season.

bluetooth speaker will allow your friend to play the latest songs anywhere they go — in the car, on a camping trip, even while lounging in the pool! With a durable and sleek design, this speaker will quickly become a constant companion for your friend, and that means you’ll be treated to their best playlists every time you’re together (bonus!).

For Your Partner-in-Crime: A Keepsake Box

Of all your friends, this one is like the friend you’ve known the longest. You two have shared countless memories, from special events like concerts and vacations to many nights in binge-watching Netflix. While you may not have spent as much time together this year (dang 2020), you can give them a gift that shows them how much you value your time together.

A personalized keepsake box is a perfect gift for anyone who wants to save precious memories with their friends and loved ones. Have it engraved with your names and fill it with ticket stubs, funny photos, souvenirs from trips, and so much more. This is one gift that will truly last a lifetime.

For the One Whose Phone is About to Die: A Power Bank

Now, we’re not trying to shame this friend, but we all know who it is. This is the friend whose phone is always at one percent, the one who takes hours to respond to your texts, the one who — as much as you love them — could use a little help getting it together this holiday season.

How can you help this friend keep their phone from shutting down mid-call? Get them a portable power bank. This small, rechargeable battery can fit nicely in their car, purse, or backpack so that they always have a little extra power handy.

Get Personalized Gifts For Everyone on Your List

Whether you’re shopping for your parents, best friends, or that someone special, you can’t go wrong if you put some thought into who they are. After all, it’s the thought that counts!

Road Trip USA

Our friend Elan, and his lovely girlfriend, just quit their jobs and decided to embark on a month and a half long road trip through California, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana (to celebrate Elan’s families annual Indian Pow Wow on Rocky Boy reservation – so cool!), up into Alberta Canada, to Vancouver and down through Washington, Oregon and back down to California.

They camped, ate lots of noodles, drank lots of coffee and took tons of photos on the way. We were so inspired by what they were about to embark on, that before they left we hooked them up with some ODT gear to put the cherry on top of their already awesome adventure. Well, here are the results, and we could not be more jealous of the cool places they saw, and the rad experiences they gained. Well done, guys.

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If you would like to hear more about their trip around the country, head over to their blog.

High Fives: Colorado Charity Golf Tournament

On August 30th, the High Fives Foundation hosted their 2nd Annual Colorado Charity Golf Tournament on the fairways at Copper Creek Golf Course at Copper Resort.

Thirty-six teams of four came out to raise money for High Fives Athletes who are recovering from major life-altering injuries. Between registration fees, silent auctions and open donations, over $50,000 were raised for the foundation! This is an all-time record for High Fives golf tournaments, and we are proud to be apart of such an awesome feat.

Kat Jahnigen, Savannah Pitts & The Lion Heart Project documented the whole thing from beginning to end. Take a peek below.

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To learn more about this awesome foundation and everything they do, click here –> http://bit.ly/2caPnY7

Wetsuits & GoPros & Cruisers, oh my!

I had a little fun this past weekend when I set out to San Clemente beach to shoot some beautiful models, (who just so happen to be my friends) for our current giveaway. Babes on the beach with awesome summer gear, what more could you ask for? really. The shoot was probably more laughs then it was serious moments, but that just makes it that much more fun. So here you go, I present to you a little behind the scenes of what really happens during these ODT photo shoots. Enjoy. (wink face)

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And that’s a wrap.