Posted by: Tom Boyd
2021 GoPro Mountain Games partners and sponsors move mountains to make the world a better place
Story by: Lexi Reich
As wildflowers bloom across the valley and humming bees dart through fresh alpine air, it’s hard not to be enveloped in a deep appreciation for the natural world.
The GoPro Mountain Games aim to celebrate just that — the athletes and spectators who embrace mountain culture and the vitality it creates.
With the Mountain Games coming June 10-13, the Vail Valley Foundation wants to take a moment to honor the outdoor brands who make the Mountain Games possible by showcasing the good they’re putting out into the world.
LifeStraw
LifeStraw, the humanitarian B-Corp that brings safe water to those who need it most, takes its responsibility to people and planet seriously. The company’s simple and functional products offer the highest protection from unsafe water based on where and how they will be used. In fact, for every product sold, a child in need receives access to safe water for an entire year — to date it’s Give Back program has provided more than 4.65 million kids with a year of safe water. From product to packaging, LifeStraw measures and minimizes its environmental impact, earning the Climate Neutral certification.
“We strive to support underrepresented communities through our actions, our products, our marketing and our communications,” said Tara Lundy, chief brand officer. “We live, work and create with impact in mind. We fight for good and always err on the side of action.”
L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean’s outdoor-enabling spirit makes it a perfect fit as the official apparel partner at the GoPro Mountain Games. The brand’s core value is to get more people outside while lessening their environmental footprint, from the creation of their products to the efficiency of the buildings they’re made in. Every day, L.L. Bean works toward their 2025 goal, which includes using responsible cotton in 100% of cotton products, recycled polyester in 100% of apparel, recycled nylon in 70% of apparel and reducing their U.S. owned and controlled greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. The brand currently uses Responsible Down Standard (RDS) on 100% of down products and recycles 84% of waste in their Maine facilities. Social responsibility is also a strong pillar of the company; in 2020, their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts advanced to the forefront of their business practices.
TIAA Bank
As this year’s official bank of the Games, TIAA Bank echoes the importance of a healthy and happy environment, teaming up with the Vail Valley Foundation to offer the “Bring the Mountains Home Sweepstakes*.” The company’s deep roots in environmental and sustainability initiatives led them to collaborate with the Arbor Day Foundation to make a real difference. This year, when one enters the sweepstakes and elects to receive communications from TIAA Bank, a tree will be planted on their behalf. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Open to legal residents of the 50 United states (and D.C.) 18 and older. Entry period from 5/3/21 to 6/13/21. For Official Rules, and complete details, visit TIAABank.com/mountaingames. Sponsor and Administrator: TIAA, FSB.
YETI
With the summer season upon us, remember hydration is key! Not only is YETI a partner of the Kick Plastic Guide & Outfitter Program, demonstrating their commitment to eliminating single serve plastic water bottles from outfitting trips and camps, but they’re a member of the Plastic Impact Alliance, a coalition of outdoor brands working to make the industry more sustainable. At Summer Outdoor Retailer, YETI served 5,631 people with 1,320 gallons of water for a conversion of over 14k 12-oz plastic bottles saved during the show. The outdoor and sporting goods company also serves as the official sustainability partner of USA Climbing and Adrenaline Lacrosse, on top of being the official cup and insulated cooler of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.
Dog adoptions
Furry friends are always a central ingredient of the Mountain Games, with a plethora of dog-friendly competitions and lodging options available. This is the eighth year that the Vail Valley Foundation has partnered with Eagle County Animal Services to offer a dog adoption program at the Games. In 2019, 11 dogs were adopted and we hope to exceed that # in 2021. The Mountain Games dog adoption program is generously supported by Orijen Pet Food, Chewy, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and GMC. Adoptable dogs will be located in Vail Village each day during the 2021 GoPro Mountain Games.
“The atmosphere is relaxed and dog-friendly so the adoptable dogs we bring feel comfortable and safe,” said Rhiannon Rowe, animal shelter manager of Eagle County Animal Services. “People come to this event because they are active and love animals. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of the Games!”
GoPro
The GoPro for a Cause mission is to inspire social engagement by leveraging GoPro’s products and global reach to help nonprofits tell their stories. GoPro has supported a variety of nonprofits that embody social responsibility and sustainability efforts, including the City Surf Project, High Fives Foundation, Outward Bound, STOKED Mentoring, B4BC and many, many more.
Nature Valley
Nature Valley is committed to a more recyclable future. They are starting by making their Crunchy bar wrappers store drop-off recyclable. But that’s only their first step toward making all of their packaging fully recyclable by 2025. Learn more at NVrecycles.com.
Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts is a cornerstone partner to the GoPro Mountain Games. EpicPromise brings Vail Resorts’ value Do Good to life with a focus on our communities, our employees and the planet. EpicPromise commits $18M annually to non-profits supporting critical community challenges, $1M in scholarships and emergency relief grants to employees through the EpicPromise Employee Foundation, and our Commitment to Zero aims to have zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill and zero impact to forests by 2030.
The Town of Vail
The Town of Vail is a cornerstone partner to the GoPro Mountain Games, and encourages everyone who attends the GoPro Mountain Games to join in the Town of Vail to “go green”, especially when it comes to getting to and from the event. Learn more in our “Tips to Access the GoPro Mountain Games and Go Green” story.
The nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation – your event host
And, of course, the primary host of the GoPro Mountain Games is the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation. An organization unlike any other, the Vail Valley Foundation has a mission to enhance the quality of life in the Vail Valley and showcase our community to a global audience through arts, athletics, and education. The Vail Valley Foundation provides education services to thousands of local youth each year through its YouthPower365 programming; hosts a wide array of performing art at its two venues (the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the Vilar Performing Arts Center); welcomes the world to events like the GoPro Mountain Games, Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup, and the Vail Dance Festival, and provides leadership in a multitude of ways for everyone in the Eagle County community.
Like all of you, the Vail Valley Foundation values the natural environment, and therefore strives to make the GoPro Mountain Games a Zero Waste event in partnership with Walking Mountains Science Center and the Town of Vail.
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