George Dirth (1986 - 2013) loved life, his family and the outdoors. He shared his knowledge and excitement with everyone he encountered. His passion for all things outdoors was infectious and especially when water in any of its forms was involved. He had a special passion for snowboarding, split-boarding, and skiing in the backcountry, inherently dangerous sports. The beauty and excitement of being out on untracked fresh snow was compelling. If there was anyone that lived his life to the fullest, it was George.

George was killed in an avalanche while split-boarding on Parkview Mountain in Grand County, Colorado with friends on New Years Eve, 2013. He was cautious and educated, with AIARE Level 1 certification, and they went out on a relatively low risk day and checked the snow in pits several times but that wasn't enough. Risk is always present in the backcountry. He had been involved in saving a few other peoples lives both on the snow and in the water so it hardly seems fair.

George was a website developer, software engineer and co-founder of a programming startup based in New Hampshire. He also had begun work on his own project that married his professional life with his passion for snow sports and the outdoors, Grand Lines. Grand Lines is a website where backcountry snowboarders and skiers can get information about conditions and lines in the Berthoud Pass area and beyond.

George's family has set up this AIARE scholarship fund to honor George and help keep more people safe in the backcountry.