The US Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA) announces the American Alpine Club as a Supporting Sponsor of the USSMA. The AAC is supporting the USSMA ’08/’09 winter season with insurance for ski mountaineering events. Says USSMA Competition Director Pete Swenson, “This is hugely important for us as insurance costs are the majority of an event budget. AAC support allows us to continue staging existing events as well as add a few new events this winter.” Ski mountaineering races have long been popular in Europe and the AAC's contribution supports their growth in the States.
The American Alpine Club inspires and supports and the climbing community and protects its playgrounds around the world. The AAC is perhaps best know for publishing the world’s most sought after annual climbing publication, the American Alpine Journal, caring for the world’s leading mountaineering library and offering annual climbing, conservation and research grants to budding adventurers.