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September is one of the best times to ride in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park

WHISTLER, BC, August 29, 2008 – Harvest Huckfest is back for its seventh year, and this time, it’s taking place in September when the weather is milder and the dirt stays tacky, making the riding fantastic.

This staple season-ender event is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s way of celebrating the summer season. Traditionally held over the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in October, organizers have opted to bump it forward a few weeks to ensure prime riding conditions.

“The timing couldn’t be better. It’s during this time of year that Mother Nature turns down the thermostat a few notches,” says Rob McSkimming, Vice President of Business Development for Whistler Blackcomb. “The weather is a little cooler, but still dry, and the dirt is tackier so there’s less dust. This fall, trails will still be in great shape.”

Last September, renowned film group, The Collective, spent 10 days in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park filming for their epic mountain bike movie, Seasons. This is the kind of autumn riding that freeride junkies thrive on.

The ever-popular Slopestyle and the new Gunner Vision Dual Slalom will take place September 20-21.

Registration is available at Guest Relations and costs $40 per day.  Lift tickets are available to competitors at a cost of $5 per day.  Full face helmets are mandatory.

Registration and Event Details for Harvest Huckfest:
Foreign riders will need proof of travel insurance prior to registration.

Slopestyle - Saturday, Sept. 20

• Morning Check-in runs from 8am until 10:00am
• Training on course from 10:15am to 11:30
• 12:00 onwards will include time trails for two runs with a combined time
• Ladders are posted between 4:30pm to 5pm at Guest Relations
• Full face helmets mandatory
• No inverted tricks allowed

Gunner Vision Dual Slalom - Sunday, Sept. 20

• Morning check-in and riders; meeting at 10am
• Training starts at 10:30am
• 11:45am start the ladders
• Ladders complete by 3:30pm
• Awards ceremony at GLC at 4:30pm

**Foreign riders will need to provide proof of travel insurance to participate in this event**

Pre-registration is strongly recommended and can be done at Guest Relations or by calling 1-800-766-0449. For more information on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Harvest Huckfest visit whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, introducing a world-record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain’s alpine. Opening December 2008, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will revolutionize the winter skiing and riding as well as summer sightseeing and alpine hiking experience. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest ULC
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company has interests in ten resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with locations throughout North America.   In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe.  Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com

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The Jim Beam Air Downhill took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park today with over 300 competitors racing in the one-run format on the famed A-Line course. Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach, CA was the fastest competitor for the third straight year finishing with a time of 4:22.10 - 1.32 seconds faster than the rest of the field.

The Jim Beam Air Downhill runs the length of A-Line over the GLC Drops into the village.

With nearly 100 jumps on-course, A-Line is the most celebrated and well-known downhill trail in mountain biking.

“A-Line is a really great trail to ride, but when it comes to racing on it, you need to be on point,” says Brian Lopes, Jim Beam Air Downhill winner. “It’s a technical race and with the level of riders here, every mistake counts.”

Lopes claimed first with a time of 4:22.10; Greg Minnaar of Murrieta, CA took second place with a time of 4:23.42; Chris Kovarik of Whistler, BC took third place with a time of 4:27.60; and Marc Beaumont of Craven Arms, UK took fourth place with a time of 4:28.77.

In the Pro Women category, Rebecca McQueen of Whistler, BC took the top spot with a time of 4:51.05; Micayla Gatto of West Vancouver, BC took second with a time of 4:51.82; Stephanie Nychka of Beaver Lodge, AB took third with a time of 4:53.59, and Fionn Griffiths of Shrewsbury, UK took fourth with a time of 4:55.70.

“I love A-Line,” says Rebecca McQueen, winner of the Pro Women category. “It’s a fun course and I just charged it. I think the rain we had the other day helped the course a lot.”

The Jim Beam Air Downhill was the highlight of Day Five at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Six includes the VW Best Trick Showdown from 5:30-7:30pm including a Live Webcast on Crankworx.com as well as more live music on the TELUS MainStage featuring Small Sins from 4:45 – 5:30pm and Supernatural from 5:30 -7:30pm. Tomorrow is also the Nike 6.0 Nike ID. Go online at the Nike store in the village to make your own custom Nikes.

For more event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the “Giant Slalom” check out www.Crankworx.com.

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Each rider passed through the judged sections and was awarded points based on five main criteria; style, fluidity, tricks, amplitude and creativity/originality. "We are very happy with this year's Gala, the event ran very smooth and the women shredded it," says Lisa Lefroy, professional mountain biker and Womenzworx co-founder. "It's such a great platform for an all-women's event and the women love riding together, I'm just so stoked."

In the Pro category - Lorraine Blancher of Revelstoke BC took first place with a score of 30.0; Stephanie Mychka of Beverly, OR took second with a score of 29.8; tied for third place was Clair Buchar of Whistler, BC and Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC with a score of 27.5 and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, CA took fourth place with a score of 27.3

"It's awesome to have an event for women based on the all-around riding of the athletes, not just one aspect of it," says Womenzworx winner Lorraine Blancher. "I'm not sure what to say except, I loved everything about the event and all the girls rode really well."

In the Amateur category - Eleanor Maxfield of Bristol, UK took first place with a score of 22.0; Kjersten Lone of Victoria, BC took second with a score of 20.8; Dawn Cashen of Calgary, AB took third place with a score of 19.8; Nancy Beaudette of Pemberton, BC took fourth place with a score of 19.5 and Kasi Stroshin of Whistler, BC took fifth with a score of 19.0.

Womenzworx, presented by Sombrio, was the highlight of Day Four at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day Five includes the Jim Beam Air DH as well as more live music on the TELUS Mainstage featuring Mother Mother from

5:30-6:45 and Plants and Animals from 7:00-8:00pm. NIKE 6.0 will also be at the NIKE store in the Village showcasing NIKE ID Thursday, August 14. 

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WHISTLER, BC, July 31, 2008 – The music lineup for Kokanee Crankworx is confirmed and includes some of the hottest up-and-coming indie artists in Canada. The festival is known for its high action mountain biking events, but there has always been a great music presence and this year will prove even better. 

“The Kokanee Crankworx experience is pretty awe inspiring. It takes a serious band to compete with the high-energy environment that is created in competition,” says Tyl Von Toorn, Kokanee Crankworx Director of Music Programming. “We are proud to say we have been able to bring more than 20 artists to fit that bill.”

There will be two main shows a day throughout the festival, as well as the Kokanee Aftershock parties taking place at local bars and restaurants throughout the village. With the TELUS MainStage located at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, in the middle of Skiers Plaza, spectators will have the best of both worlds; live action and live music.

The artist line up for this year’s TELUS Concert Series includes: Whistler regular K’NAAN, the Woodhands, Shout Out Out Out Out, Redeye Empire, Blue King Brown, Vince Vaccaro, Flash Lightnin, Five Alarm Funk, Mr. Something Something, Mother Mother, Plants and Animals, Small Sins, Josh Martinez, Hot Little Rockets, Dana D & the South Rakkas Crew, DJ Science and the always entertaining freestyle skills of Supernatural.

“There’s nothing like Kokanee Crankworx,” says Jeremy Roche GM of Kokanee Crankworx. “It’s a celebration of everything that’s great about Whistler, from the gravity-defying trails to the passionate people who live and play here.”

Over the past years, Kokanee Crankworx has continued its evolution to becoming one of the world’s signature mountain lifestyle festivals. Mixing mountain bike action, village expos, demos and the stellar lineup of music talent will further cement Kokanee Crankworx as the summer festival to attend.

For more information on Kokanee Crankworx and the entertainment line up, band bio’s and streaming MP3’s, visit www.crankworx.com

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WINTER PARK RESORT GEARS UP FOR LARGEST FREERIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL THIS SIDE OF THE CANADIAN BOARDER

Crankworx Colorado Comes Back to Winter Park Resort July 31 – August 3

Winter Park, Colo., July 29, 2008– The countdown to Winter Park Resort’s second annual Crankworx Colorado is on with only two more days before this massive four day freeride mountain bike festival takes over Mountain Bike Capital, USA™.  From July 31 – August 3, Crankworx Colorado will showcase Winter Park Resort as Colorado's ultimate mountain bike playground, featuring exciting events such as Cross-Country and Downhill Races; Super Downhill, Big Air, Slopestyle Contests, and new this year, Dual Mountain Downhill.  Crankworx Colorado is the only qualifying event for Kokanee Crankworx taking place in Whistler B.C. Canada August 9 - 17, 2008.  Crankworx Colorado is a free event and open to spectators from 10 - 5pm, daily. 

On Thursday, July 31 – It’s All Downhill From Here!

NEW! All-Mountain Super Downhill: The All-Mountain Super Downhill is a new event for the 2008 Crankworx Colorado.  The race is designed for the super downhill athlete with a higher level of fitness and strong descending skills.  The course runs 30-35 minutes in length with a minimum of 10 minutes of climbing. For the All Mountain Super Downhill and Super Downhill events, there will be a combined champion awarded to the individual for the best overall time.

Super Downhill: The Super Downhill course requires short sections of climbing.  To keep things interesting, this event

requires a mass start for each class.  The first (short) section of trail will be a climb to spread out the field.  There will be a

combined champion awarded for the Super Downhill and All-Mountain Super Downhill based on time.

Slopestyle Qualifications: The slopestyle event is a single-line course featuring drops, dirt jumps, elevated wall rides, and elevated stunts.  Crankworx Colorado’s Slopestyle event is an open event with an additional Top 12 riders invited to compete based on the Kokanee Crankworx invitee list. Two spots will remain open for riders wanting to qualify to Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle.  Best score of two runs, top 15 riders advance to semi-finals on Saturday, August 2, 2008.

On Friday, August 1, Winter Park Resort Introduces Competitions that Defy Gravity with Its Downhill and Big Air/Best Trick Competitions. 

Downhill:  Course starts with a steep, technical singletrack on Mountain Goat trail leading to sections of rocky drops finishing with a fast double-track straightaway.  Awards will be given for the top three fastest runs; one run determines time. 

Big Air/Best Trick:  The Crankworx Colorado Big Air/Best Trick course utilizes the same course as the slopestyle event.  The Big Air/Best Trick/Slopestyle course is designed by John Cowan, Aaron Chase and Gravity Logic and features drops, dirt jumps, elevated wall rides, and elevated stunts. Athletes will session two different sections of the course; this will be a rider judged event and winners will be selected based on the sickest trick stomped in each section.

On Saturday, August 2, Crankworx Colorado Wows Crowds with a 23 Mile Cross-Country Race in the Morning and Slopestyle Semifinals and Super Finals in the Afternoon.

Cross-Country Race:  The Crankworx Colorado Cross-Country Race is a 24-mile, point-to-point course starting down in the Fraser Valley and finishing in the Crankworx Colorado finishing area at the base of Winter Park Resort.  Over 700 racers are expected to compete in this mass start, staggered by age classes and categories.  The Crankworx Colorado Cross-Country Race is also part of the Winter Park Mountain Bike Race Series. 

Slopestyle Semi-Finals & Super Finals:  The Crankworx Colorado course is designed by John Cowan, Aaron Chase and Gravity Logic and features drops, dirt jumps, elevated wall rides, and elevated stunts. In the semi-finals, the riders’ best time(s) will determine the Super Finalists.  The Super Finals will include the top 10 riders from the semi-finals, and will get a final run to try and improve their previous best time.  The top three riders that are currently not invited to Kokanee Crankworx will be invited to participate in their slopestyle event.

On Sunday, August 3, Crankworx Colorado Saves the Best for Last with a Dual Slalom Race Through the Afternoon.

Dual Slalom: Watch as athletes compete again 6x National Champion Brian Lopes in this head to head competition.  Time trials take place first, followed by finals. 

Live Webcast:  Winter Park Resort will be sending a live feed of the Big Air/Best Trick and Slopestyle competitions through www.crankworxcolorado.com. Big Air/Best Trick will be broadcasted August 1 at 3 pm and Slopestyle August 2 at 1:30 pm. 

All Crankworx Colorado events are free and open to the public.  However, any spectator lift access requires the purchase of a lift pass.

Spectator activities taking place at Crankworx Colorado include an outdoor expo, after parties, and free entertainment.   For a more complete list of daily events and activities, visit www.crankworxcolorado.com. 

For media interested in attending Crankworx Colorado, please contact Darcy Morse at (970) 531-8681. B-Roll and digital pictures available upon request.

 

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CRANKWORX COLORADO REGISTRATION OPENS SUNDAY, JUNE 1

Winter Park Resort’s Crankworx Colorado Slopestyle Event is the Last Qualifier Before the Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle Event in Whistler

Winter Park, Colo., May 27, 2008 – Starting Sunday, June 1, athletes will be able to register for this year’s Crankworx Colorado events taking place at Winter Park Resort July 31 – August 3.  With Crankworx Colorado hosting the only American qualifying slopestyle event this year to the Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle in Whistler, British Columbia, Winter Park Resort expects a flurry of early registrants eager to seal their spot in this qualifying event.  Registration is online at www.crankworxcolorado.com.  

“In addition to hosting the only American slopestyle qualifier, we are also excited to be the last qualifier before Kokanee Crankworx,” said Bob Holme, bike park and youth marketing manager.  “Spectators of this event will be blown away by the level of athleticism these riders will display as they battle it out for only two qualifying spots.”

Crankworx Colorado will host a series of competitions including slopestyle, all-mountain downhill, super downhill, best trick, cross-country, and dual slalom.  New this year, Crankworx Colorado will incorporate seven new age categories to support all riders of amateur and professional levels.  “Our goals this year are to support grassroots athletes in addition to the top athletes in each discipline,” adds Holme. 

Through registration for Crankworx Colorado, riders can also secure an athlete’s two day bike park pass for $39 or a four day pass for $59.  Lift tickets are required to access the start of all-mountain downhill, downhill, and super downhill courses.

The minimum age for registration is 13, calculated as of the race day.  Riders under the age of 18 will need to have a Crankworx Colorado waiver signed by a parent/guardian and should contact the registration coordinator to make advance arrangements, (970) 726-1590.

Onsite registration will be available space permitting, as some events have caps on registration. No day-of registration will be offered, only check-in for pre-registered competitors. Advance registration is strongly recommended.

To view video from Crankworx Colorado 2007, click here. 

For more information or to register, visit www.crankworx.com.  For all media inquiries, contact Darcy Morse at (970) 726-1565, dmorse@skiwinterpark.com or Jenn deBerge at (970) 726-1573, jdeberge@skiwinterpark.com.

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WHISTLER, BC, Monday May 12, 2008 –The legendary Whistler Mountain Bike Park is set to open this Saturday, May 17, marking ten years of operation and progression in the world of lift-accessed downhill mountain biking. 

Despite some challenges caused by deep snow-pack at the lower elevations and a cooler than normal spring the Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open with two of its most popular trails – A-Line and Crank It Up.

"A decided lack of warmth this spring and deep snow on the lower slopes has made trail clearing a challenge, but we are excited to be able to open the park on time thanks to a huge amount of work by our trail crew, patrol and machine operators,” says Brian Finestone, Bike Park Manager. “On May 10 we also had 30 volunteers come out to clear trails. These passionate riders were a huge help in getting us to opening day. It will be a blast to kick off our tenth season riding trails flanked by snow.”

Trail crews are digging through over 90 centimetres of snow on parts of the lower slopes to bring the trails out of hibernation.  Bobcats and staff with hand shovels are clearing snow in the tighter sections of the Bike Park. As temperatures rise and the trail crews continue their efforts, more and more trails will open for eager riders.

To top off opening day, the premiere of Kranked 7 "Cackle Factor,” will show at the Garibaldi Lift Company Saturday night, followed by live music by Shane Philip. 

Since 1998, the Bike Park has built a reputation for delivering the world’s best lift-accessed mountain biking, establishing hallowed trails where the limits of both rider and equipment have been pushed.  Trails such as A-Line, often described as the most famous mountain bike trail in the world, have inspired legions of riders from all over the world to make their pilgrimage to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for their fix of flow, air and stunts unrivalled by any bike park in the world.  

Over the years the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has hosted many pro riders, been centre stage for a variety of festivals including Kokanee Crankworx and Red Bull Elevation, and has acted as the proving ground for new bike and equipment technology.  Starting with a few trails and one lift in 1998, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has continued to open up new terrain, and access to the sport of mountain biking for every level of rider.  Today there are over 250 kilometres of trails accessed by a gondola and two high speed quads.

"I always dreamed about a mountain bike experience that could be just like skiing,” says Richie Schley, professional mountain biker and coach of Richie Schley Mountain Bike Camps. “Ten years later, it seems we are there. There are tons of jumps, stunts, and trails for all abilities - all accessible by lifts.  I can't wait to ride it all again this season.”

Bike Park Season Passes are available by phone at 1-800-766-0449, online at www.whistlerbike.com or in person at the Village Guest Relations in the Whistler Gondola building.  Bike Park passes are $449 with an Early Bird rate of $409 if you purchase before May 31, 2008.  Winter Edge Card and Season Pass holders are eligible to purchase a Bike Park pass for $399.

The Triple Play Card is also back, offering three days of riding in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for $115 or the Early Bird price of $105, if you purchase before May 31.  Riders can save nearly 25 per cent off additional days in the park and can go directly to the lift by connecting their Triple Play Card to their credit card.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park, May 17-October 13, 2008

May 17-June 13, 2008

Operating Hours: 10am-5pm

Extended Play (8pm close) May 17, May 24, May 31, June 7

June 14-August 31, 2008

Operating Hours, Extended Play every night: 10am-8pm

September 1-October 13

Operating Hours: 10am-5pm

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