Launch Into Thrills
With the Avalaunch Adventure Club
Utah, having been named a top spot for “breathtaking adventure” in 2023 by National Geographic, is ripe for exploration. Its stunning landscapes and diverse terrain offer endless opportunities for outdoor activities.
Our state is home to the incredible “Mighty Five” national parks and boasts numerous scenic byways, picturesque lakes and rivers, gorgeous red rock formations, vast wilderness, towering mountains, and world-class ski resorts, making it an all-seasons destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. It’s the perfect playground for those looking to launch themselves into unforgettable adventures!
Given our proximity to so much adventure, it makes sense that Utah is also the second-most active state in the nation, according to CDC data! At Avalaunch Media, we don’t take our beautiful state or adventurous hearts for granted; the Avalaunch Adventure Club regularly hosts exciting activities that allow us to bond while enjoying everything the Beehive State has to offer.
What Is the Adventure Club?
The Adventure Club is an open group for employees, clients, and friends of Avalaunch to get together for biweekly/monthly activities followed by larger-scale quarterly events. The club is headed by two of our company’s top adrenaline junkies — Nikita and Mike. These two are passionate about hiking and mountain biking in the great outdoors and seized the opportunity to bring together other nature-loving, adventure-seeking members of our organization outside of work.
Some of our past adventures have included night skiing, indoor surfing, golfing, kayaking, boating, scary movies, Jazz games, mountain biking, and ice skating, to name a few — and we’re just getting started!
Nikita Krebs, Co-Founding Member
Nikita, the team lead of the project management team at Avalaunch Media, is a co-founder of the company’s Adventure Club. Nikita’s passion for adventure and nature has always been a significant part of her life, and she enjoys exploring the great outdoors in her free time.
On the weekends, Nikita can often be found running on hiking trails, and she regularly invites her colleagues to join her in trail running races or after-work trail runs to unwind. Nikita also enjoys the challenge and endurance required for rock climbing and loves camping with her dog during the summer months. One of her favorite activities is summiting rugged peaks, which she finds incredibly fulfilling. Her favorite trail run is up at Alta, and her favorite hike is through Cascade Canyon in the Tetons, both of which showcase her love for nature and adventure.
Mike Riley, Co-Founding Member
Mike, a strategist at Avalaunch Media, is the other co-founder of the company’s Adventure Club. Growing up in Ohio, Mike was always passionate about skiing, riding bikes, and the outdoors. He started working in a bike shop during college and eventually moved out west, where he has spent the past 13 years pursuing his passion for outdoor adventure.
Mike can often be found skiing during winter, having enjoyed 12+ seasons with 50+ days of skiing each. During the summer, he enjoys mountain biking and spending time in nature with his family. Mike’s love for outdoor activities and his deep-rooted passion for adventure uniquely qualify him to lead the Adventure Club alongside Nikita.
Why Was the Adventure Club Formed?
From day one, Avalaunch Media has emphasized the value of adventuring together as a team.
- The yearly fishing trip in Alaska is one of our longest-standing traditions, during which our executive team spends a week catching fish together for our company’s annual Fish Fry.
- We also have a history of mountain biking together on Friday mornings and have conquered many iconic Utah trails, including the Wasatch Crest, the Whole Enchilada, Gooseberry Mesa, and more.
- With each Google Day, we incorporate adventure into our schedules. The first day of the conference is usually centered around an exciting activity, often skiing, followed by a day of education — a core element of #AvalaunchGivesBack.
- Even the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough to hold us back — we found a way to engage in socially distant fly fishing together along the banks of Utah’s rivers.
- We look for opportunities to weave adventure into all we do!
Considering our deep history and interest in outdoor recreation, creating a formal way to facilitate these adventures was only fitting. The Adventure Club enables more people to participate and live our core value of Enjoying the Ride, which entails making time for fun amid the hustle and bustle of day-to-day agency life. We believe that relationships and trust are best formed when teammates are out having fun together — because it’s been true for us since the very beginning.
Past Adventures
“Adventure club allows me to feel included as a valuable member of the Avalaunch team. They definitely improved my experience in the company more exciting and fun, and provides memorable, unique experiences to get to know my team members in Avalaunch. Also the quality of preparation and efforts put in for each activity made me to appreciate how much Avalaunch cares about each employees, and about its diverse culture, and ME.”
“Avalaunch’s Adventure Club has been an absolute highlight and a great way to get involved. I’ve seen my relationships with my teammates and our partners blossom in incredible ways. Communication has been more open through our shared experiences, and we’ve been able to work together more efficiently. Plus, the activities have been a blast!”
“This club is an incredible way to explore Utah’s stunning landscapes and enjoy all the thrilling activities that our state has to offer. What I appreciate most about the Adventure Club is how it brings people together. Whether you’re an employee, client, or friend of Avalaunch, the Adventure Club welcomes you with open arms. It’s a fantastic way to bond with colleagues outside of work and to meet new people who share your love of adventure.”
Join Us for Upcoming Events
If you’re not afraid to get a little dirty and test your limits, join us for our next adventure! If that’s not your scene, don’t worry — we host events for everyone to enjoy, from extreme mountain biking to competitive trivia nights.
Here are some of our next events. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more updates!
Brands We’ve Launched That Share Our Love of Adventure
