Without further ado, we're thrilled to announce the Contributor awards/prize winners from last season, Winter '14/'15! Getting outdoors in winter often requires a bit more motivation, gear prep, and planning...in our minds the folks that got out and shared their cold weather adventures with the Outdoor Project community are extra deserving of the accolades! It was an incredibly active winter season for Outdoor Project with nearly 450 new adventures added. Thank you to all who contributed!

For those who aren't familiar with the Contributor Rewards Program, the majority of content on Outdoor Project has been published by our talented Contributor community. These folks are experienced photographers, videographers, story tellers, and passionate outdoor adventurers who have elected to share their expertise to make help make Outdoor Project the best resource for outdoor adventure. In return they take part in the Contributor Rewards Program. As one component of the program, Contributors earn awards and prizes following each season to reward their hard work and efforts, in addition to pro deals and cash rewards.

We'd like to extend many thanks to NW Alpine, Next Adventure, Boreas Gear, and GoPro for providing many of the prizes listed below!

MOST ADVENTURE POINTS (AP) EARNED

Matt Leidecker (Pro Contributor): 509 AP. PRIZE: $500 Next Adventure Gift Card + NW Alpine Belay Jacket.
John Cody (Pro Contributor): 156 AP. PRIZE: $350 Next Adventure Gift Card + NW Alpine Black Spider Hoody.
Denis Leblanc (Pro Contributor): 144 AP. PRIZE: GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition, $150 Next Adventure Gift Card + NW Alpine Belay Jacket.
Dave Collins (Pro Contributor): 100 AP. PRIZE: $200 Next Adventure Gift Card + NW Alpine Black Spider Hoody.
Anzelina Coodey (Pro Contributor): 90 AP. PRIZE: GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition, $100 Next Adventure Gift Card + Boreas Muir Woods Day Pack.
Hal Tweto (Pro Contributor): 68 AP. PRIZE: $100 U.S. Outdoor Store Gift Card + NW Alpine Belay Jacket.
Brent Uhrig (Pro Contributor): 61 AP. PRIZE: $50 U.S. Outdoor Store Gift Card + NW Alpine Belay Jacket.
Brandon Katcher (Sponsored Contributor): 54 AP. PRIZE: Boreas Muir Woods Day Pack.
Jesse Weber (Sponsored Contributor): 53 AP. PRIZE: NW Alpine Fast + Light Jacket.
Reed Youngbar (Sponsored Contributor): 50 AP. PRIZE: NW Alpine Fast + Light Jacket.
Shane Kucera (Sponsored Contributor): 37 AP. PRIZE: Boreas Muir Woods Day Pack.
Jessica Beauchemin (Sponsored Contributor): 34 AP. PRIZE: Boreas Muir Woods Day Pack.
Andrew Stohner (Sponsored Contributor): 32 AP. PRIZE: NW Alpine Belay Jacket.
Rini Sugianto (Sponsored Contributor): 31 AP. PRIZE: NW Alpine Alpha Hoody.
Benjamin Krause (Sponsored Contributor): 30 AP. PRIZE: NW Alpine Fast + Light Jacket.
Gerard Smith (Sponsored Contributor): 27 AP. PRIZE: NW Alpine Fast + Light Jacket.

BEST OVERALL ADVENTURE SUBMISSION

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff

1. Sawtooth Mountains

By Matt Leidecker. PRIZE: $200 Next Adventure Gift Card. Matt's overview of the Sawtooths doesn't miss a beat, providing a wealth of information on landscape and geology, the wilderness itself, and on the diversity of accessible activity types. We found the photography equally as compelling. We think you'll agree.

2. Hidden Lake Lookout

By Benjamin Krause. Prize: $100 U.S. Outdoor Store Gift Card. As far as snow-laden winter adventures go, it's hard to find one better than Hidden Lake Lookout: snow covered peaks, mountain vistas, skiing with your furry friends and a fire lookout to keep warm at night, c'mon...does it get any better? Ben's exceptional photography brings the majestic scenery of the North Cascades to life and the writing is informative and detailed yet still leaves some exploring for the explorers.

3. Garfield Peak Snowshoe

By Jessica Beauchemin. Prize: $75 U.S. Outdoor Store Gift Card. While it's hard to believe, Crater Lake may even be more picturesque in winter than in summer. We have Jessica to thank for covering multiple winter adventures in Oregon's lone national park last season. With a backdrop of fresh powder snow and intrepid snowshoers as subjects, the photos in this adventure speak for themselves, and the writing is of a caliber we deem prizeworthy.

4. Point of the Arches via Shi Shi Beach

By Brent Uhrig. Prize: $50 U.S. Outdoor Store Gift Card. If you weren't already a sucker for hikes into remote beaches, Brent's Point of the Arches via Shi Shi Beach is sure to make you one. With an information-rich write-up that includes tips for overnight trips and photos that carry you through the course of the day, this is an adventure that won us over.

Nominees for Best Overall Adventure Submission also included: