News from Ski Areas

WEST VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Cypress Mountain is pleased to announce a $25 million dollar expansion is well underway! Nine new Ski Runs on the east facing slope of Black Mountain will represent a 40% overall expansion to the Ski Area. This will be the first major expansion of terrain on the North Shore since Sky Chair was opened in 1987! “Cypress is installing a brand new High Speed Detachable Quad Chair, appropriately named the “Lions Express Quad Chair,” said Joffrey Koeman, Director of Sales & Marketing. “This new high speed lift will wisk our guests up Mt. Strachan in only 4 minutes, getting them closer to the breath taking view of The Lions, a Vancouver landmark located within Cypress Provincial Park,” said Koeman. The previous ride time was approximately 10 minutes. Another exciting project that is well underway is the New Base Area Lodge scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008. This new lodge will house a Cafeteria and Licensed Pub, Corporate Meeting Area, Retail Store, Ski School and Ski & Snowboard Rentals. In addition to Cypress Mountain’s $25 Million Dollar Expansion, VANOC is constructing the 2010 Venues for Freestyle Skiing (Aerials, Moguls & Skier Cross) and Snowboarding (Half Pipe, Parallel Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross). Included in VANOC’s plans is a New State of the Art Snowmaking System. All the Venues are scheduled for completion by the fall of 2007. For this upcoming winter season Cypress will have 51 Ski Runs accessed by 9 lifts! Cypress Mountain is the Official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Located in West Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Cypress is only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and is proud to continue to provide our skiers, riders and sliders with the most vertical drop, most terrain, most lifts and best snow conditions on the highest skiing and riding peak of Vancouver's Legendary North Shore Mountains. With the best Winter Skiing & Riding in Vancouver, Canada's most popular Cross Country Skiing Area, a huge Snowtubing Park and our unique Snowshoeing Tours, Cypress truly offers something for everyone!

I am going to be making the maps for Tuesday Night Races this year!

NOAA REPORTS LA NIÑA IS DEVELOPING — Scientists with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, in today’s release of its monthly El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion, say that La Niña is on its way. “While we can’t officially call it a La Niña yet, we expect that this pattern will continue to develop during the next three months, meeting the NOAA definition for a La Niña event later this year,” said Mike Halpert, acting deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md. La Niña refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific that occur every three to five years. NOAA declares the onset of a La Niña event when the three-month average sea-surface temperature departure exceeds -0.5 degrees Celsius (-0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the east-central equatorial Pacific. Good or Bad? Hmm, not sure.. Could get lots of snow or lots of rain...

There was a fire last night on Hollyburn Ridge. I was up at Hollyburn Peak today but didnt see anything except a huge construction site on all of Black Mountain and Cypress base.. Luckily, the Hollyburn Lodge didnt burn. CBC News: Water bombers could be heard over West Vancouver Wednesday night as fire crews contained a wild brush fire on Hollyburn Mountain, near the Cypress Mountain ski area. The fire broke out around 6 p.m and could be seen from all over Vancouver. Martin Ernst of the West Vancouver fire department said that because the fire could be seen from the city, hundreds of phone calls were received. "[It was] absolutely fortunate that the public and the media reported this fire. Simply because if this fire was building at night, through the night it might have gotten quite a bit larger, and we're getting into a dry stage at this point," said Ernest. Ernest also said this year's wet summer had helped contain the blaze. It's not known what sparked the fire, but there are no reports of any damage to about 100 nearby cabins.

August 7, 2007, Calgary – Fortress Mountain Resort is redrafting its approach to reopening the resort for 2007/08 Winter Season. The new approach will see winterization of the existing lodge while the issue of the applicable Alberta Building Code is negotiated and worked out with the respective Government bodies. In the meantime, Fortress will proceed with permits and approvals for a new space that will be ready for opening for October 31, 2007.

Ever since we took over the Fortress Mountain Resort, our lodge renovations should have been approved to be worked on as an existing building, government officials did not respect that portion of the code” says Zrinko Amerl, President and Owner of Fortress mountain and continues “The Alberta Building Code 1997, section 1.1.2.2 states that existing buildings fully comply to ABC97 if they are not found to be unsafe. Our lodge has never been declared unsafe and two independent architectural firms found it needing only repairs and regular renovations”

With a replacement value of the lodge reaching $9,000,000 Mr. Amerl has decided to put off repairs to the lodge, subject to negotiations with The Fire Commissioners office over variances and the application of the ABC97 Code to the building and legal opinions of governing bodies. The fact is, that if the Code was interpreted in this manner, The Banff Springs Hotel, The Prince of Wales at Waterton or even our Legislature Building in Edmonton would be shut down, never to be opened again!

Realizing that Fortress Lodge will not meet the October 31, 2007 deadline set by SRD, Mr. Amerl has decided to find an alternative approach: “It is not just the deadline by SRD, but it is our mission to provide affordable skiing to Albertan families that are driving our commitment to find a comparable solution. Our investment was too great as were our losses of revenue over the first two years. They are substantial enough not to allow the hill to stay closed for yet another year!” and he continues “within days we will present the government with an alternative solution, based on full compliance of a new building to ABC97 and with a timeline that will see us working on our facilities starting September. At this point in time we ask the government to assist us in completing these tasks and allow us to open Fortress for the skiing and snowboarding community.” concludes Mr. Amerl.

First Three Months of Construction Focus on Preparation for Major Milestones Later This Summer

Whistler Blackcomb has been making significant progress on construction of the Peak to Peak Gondola since ground-breaking 14 weeks ago. Major excavation of drive terminals, tower sites, form work and concrete pouring has been achieved. The ground work has been laid for major milestones such as the erections of towers two and three this fall.

"With the Peak to Peak construction underway there is a lot of excitement among the crew," says Rick Temple, Whistler Blackcomb's Peak to Peak project manager. "From the people at Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group in Austria to the Whistler Blackcomb team on the ground, it takes a lot of people to make a project of this magnitude come together. It's been great to get in and get this project off the ground."

Deep snow presented a significant challenge at the onset; crews spent seven to ten days on each mountain clearing snow, up to six meters deep in sections, from the drive terminal and tower sites. Access roads to the drive terminals and tower sites were also cleared to accommodate material delivery. With the snow cleared, services such as electrical power, sewer, water and communication lines on both mountains needed to be rerouted before construction could begin.

Excavation at the drive terminals and tower sites on Whistler and Blackcomb has been the preliminary construction focus. Whistler's drive terminal, just outside the Roundhouse Lodge has been excavated; form work has been completed and concrete has been poured. Detailed excavation around tower two on Whistler has occurred in preparation for footing installation.

On Blackcomb Mountain, 21,000 cubic metres of earth has been excavated from the drive terminal site near the Rendezvous Lodge. Earth and rock removed at the drive terminal site has been crushed and stored on-mountain for future use. Utilizing on-site crushing techniques eliminates the need to haul crushed gravel from the valley. Form work and concrete pouring has also taking place at the drive terminal site, and the concrete footing at tower three on Blackcomb Mountain will be complete today. Site preparation involving bulk and detailed excavation has also been accomplished at tower four on Blackcomb.

Behind the scenes, significant planning has focused on overcoming challenges that will be faced in the second phase of construction next summer. Coordinating the delivery of five, 100 tonne spools of track ropes (cable) and haul ropes has been a major focus. Transportation of the spools will be by boat from Europe to Squamish via the Panama Canal. From Squamish, the cable spools will travel by train to Whistler on special, heavy weight bearing cars. Once in Whistler, the cable spools will be moved one by one, up the mountain by specially designed transport trucks.

With on-mountain and behind-the-scene preparation well underway, tower two and three erection will be commencing in the fall of 2007. Delivery of the steel for the towers is scheduled for August 24. Taking four to five weeks each, the tubular lattice structures will be erected before phase one construction wraps in time for the winter season.

"Being involved in a project of this magnitude is a once in a lifetime experience," says Temple. "We've made some great headway this summer during phase one of construction. By the end of October we'll have progressed significantly, setting us up nicely to tackle phase two next spring."

Check out construction progress at http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/p2pg/webcam.html and zoom in on your points of interest. Construction during phase one will continue through to the end of October. Phase two will begin Spring 2008, with the opening slated for December 2008.

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, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain's spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 winter season. 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.

MEDIA NOTE: Whistler Blackcomb is pleased to provide high resolution photographs available for editorial use, and downloadable at the following link. Please credit the appropriate photographer and Whistler Blackcomb.

See the Pique Newsmagazine Article

Link

WHISTLER, BC–Whistler Blackcomb has commenced construction on their $51 million, world record-breaking Peak to Peak Gondola. This incredible feat of engineering will connect Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and is set to be completed by December 2008.
Groundbreaking took place on May 15 and excavation for each lift terminal will take place until mid-June. "There’s lot of action on the ground and behind the scenes and we are looking forward to a successful production season this summer," says Rick Temple, Peak to Peak Project Manager for Whistler Blackcomb. "While we work to ready the mountain, crews are busy in Austria and Quebec in full production for the steel tower components to be erected this summer."
Whistler Blackcomb will install Towers 2 and 3 this summer. Tower 2 will be located on Whistler and Tower 3 will be located on Blackcomb, with a span of 3.024km/1.88 miles between them.
"The Peak to Peak Gondola construction project is the largest of its kind in North America,” said Doug Forseth, Senior VP of Operations at Whistler Blackcomb, "yet it occupies the smallest ecological foot print of any project we’ve done yet on the mountain. The estimated 2.5 hectare foot print requires a significant logistical command of our existing resources for transportation and construction.
"We are committed to working with Whistler Blackcomb in minimizing the ecological impact," said Stefan Huter, Doppelmayr Project Manager, "We have engineered the project to limit construction activity to the terminals and tower locations only."

WHISTLER, BC –Three weeks ago, Whistler Blackcomb announced the revolutionary Peak to Peak Gondola, a record-setting project that will allow the resort to continue to offer an experience to visitors like no other in the world. Today it was announced that IMG, the world’s premier and most diversified sports, entertainment and media company, was named as the exclusive sales agent for the naming rights to the historic project.

In addition to its well-known work marketing world-class events and top personalities, IMG works with many of the best known corporate brands to connect them with prestigious sponsorship opportunities around the world.

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Intrawest to find the naming rights partner for this world-class project,” said Brad Pelletier, Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Canada. “In our mind, the Peak to Peak Gondola will be recognized as an engineering marvel and a true landmark, much like a Golden Gate Bridge or CN Tower. It offers a very exciting opportunity for companies to be a part of the history that this project will make.

The Peak to Peak Gondola will unite Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, setting records for length and height, while providing an unmatched experience for winter and summer resort guests. The Peak to Peak Gondola will travel 4.4 kilometres in just 11 minutes, transporting winter and summer guests from Whistler's Roundhouse Lodge to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain, giving them unprecedented access to both mountains' expansive and unique high alpine terrain and spectacular vistas.

“The Peak to Peak Gondola will be a key to Whistler Blackcomb’s future, and the corporate naming rights will be an important part of the project’s success,” said David Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb’s Chief Operating Officer. “IMG’s global influence and demonstrated success made them the ideal company to lead the search for the right corporate partner for the Peak to Peak Gondola project.”

With 28 sky cabins each holding up to 28 people, total capacity will be 4,100 passengers per hour. The Peak to Peak terminal on Whistler Mountain will be located next to the Roundhouse Lodge and easily accessed from the valley by the Village Gondola. On Blackcomb Mountain the Peak to Peak terminal will be located next to the Rendezvous Lodge and accessed from the valley via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Express.

Construction will commence in May 2007, with the lift being manufactured and installed by the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group (Doppelmayr) of Austria. The Doppelmayr 3S tri-cable gondola will span 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in total distance from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain with the world's longest unsupported (free) span of 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles) between the two towers furthest apart. The highest vertical point is over Fitzsimmons Creek at 415 metres (1,361 feet) - the world's greatest distance above a valley floor.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has introduced the Symphony Express, a new high speed quad accessing further into Whistler Mountain's spectacular high alpine this season.

Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in eleven 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 nine 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

About IMG
IMG is the world's premier Sports, Entertainment and Media Company. IMG is a diversified global business with two major business segments: IMG Sports & Entertainment, and IMG Media. IMG employs over 2,600 people in 30 countries. Forstmann Little & Co. purchased IMG in 2004.

IMG Sports & Entertainment includes: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motorsports, coaching, Olympic sports and action sports. In addition, IMG Academies is the world's largest and most advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport training and educational facility, delivering world-class sports training experiences to over 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult and professional athletes each year.

IMG Media, which includes our content production subsidiaries TWI, Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) and Tiger Aspect Productions (TAP), is recognized as a global leader in the delivery of traditional and new media content and services, with Internet, broadband and mobile expertise, transforming how audiences access and interact with content.

IMG Media produces and distributes over 11,000 hours of sports, documentary, drama, comedy, entertainment, popular factual and children’s content annually, over multiple platforms across 220 countries, including award-winning television and radio programming. It also represents the broadcast rights to many of the world's premier sporting events and has the world’s biggest sports archive with more than 250,000 hours of footage.

HELICOPTERS, CATS, HIGH SPEED LIFTS, PLUS NORTH AMERICA'S LONGEST SKIABLE VERTICAL, REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN HAS IT ALL (Revelstoke, B.C.)
Revelstoke Mountain Resort announced today that it becomes the official owner of Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, opening up 500,000 acres of skiable terrain. A $6 million agreement to purchase signed in January has been completed.
With the recent acquisition of CAT Powder Skiing and now ownership of locally-renowned Selkirk Tangiers – Revelstoke Mountain Resort joins the ranks of world class one-stop destinations for skiers from around the world.
“You can literally get up in the morning and have the world’s greatest adventure playground at your doorstep, with helicopter, snow cat and lift skiing all accessible from the village,” comments resort developer Don Simpson, Chairman of Denver based Simpson Property Group Canada.
In January, Simpson announced the signing of a $22 million gondola and high speed quad chairlift contract with Leitner Poma Canada Inc. that will make Revelstoke Mountain Resort North America’s longest skiable vertical at 1,829 m (6,000 ft). Lift construction and installation began last month so that the first 8-person gondola and high speed quad chairlift will be operational for next ski season.
“Revelstoke has been my favorite place to ski,” Simpson added. “This is the epicenter of world class helicopter and snow cat skiing, a one-of-a-kind resort.”
Peter Schlunegger, the previous owner/operator of Selkirk Tangiers, said his team of expert guides and professionals will remain with the company and he will assist Revelstoke Mountain Resort through the transition and pass on his 30 years of experience of the heli-skiing operation. Located just minutes away from downtown historical Revelstoke (population 8,500) and only hours from international gateway cities such as Vancouver, BC, Kelowna, BC and Calgary, Alberta, Revelstoke has long been a popular local, national and international ski getaway.
More than 8,000 heli and cat skiers flock the region annually to enjoy 40-60 ft of snow the height of a four-storey building and superb back country terrain.

Record breaking lift will revolutionize resort experience

WHISTLER, BC – Whistler Blackcomb, a mountain resort already renowned for daring innovation, has announced its boldest move yet with the construction of the Peak to Peak Gondola, for completion December 2008. The two mountains will be united by a gondola that will set world records for length and height while providing an unmatched experience for winter and summer resort guests.

The Peak to Peak Gondola will travel 4.4 kilometres in just 11 minutes, transporting winter and summer guests from Whistler’s Roundhouse Lodge to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain, giving them unprecedented access to both mountains’ expansive and unique high alpine terrain and spectacular vistas.

“The Peak to Peak Gondola will create a dramatically enhanced experience that no other mountain resort in North America, possibly the world, can offer,” says Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb’s Chief Operating Officer. “This link will effectively double, or more, the options for accessing the highest quality and greatest variety of terrain on any one day, from anywhere on the mountains. We are going to completely revolutionize our guests’ experience.”

Skiers and riders will have the opportunity to easily take advantage of 8,171 acres of terrain encompassed by both incredible mountains, via the world's longest continuous lift system. Moving freely between the high alpine areas of both mountains skiers and riders will spend more of their day in the best weather and snow conditions. The adventure for summer visitors will include spectacular views of glaciers and peaks as well as access to an expanded hiking trail network on both mountains.

“This lift is the catalyst for a sustainable economic future benefiting both Whistler Blackcomb and the entire resort community,” says Brownlie. “It will solidify Whistler’s position as the undeniable leader of mountain resorts in North America, while increasing our appeal as a top destination in the world.”

With 28 sky cabins each holding up to 28 people, total capacity will be 4,100 passengers per hour. The Peak to Peak terminal on Whistler Mountain will be located next to the Roundhouse Lodge and easily accessed from the valley by the Village Gondola. On Blackcomb Mountain the Peak to Peak terminal will be located next to the Rendezvous Lodge and accessed from the valley via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Express.

Construction will commence in May 2007, with the lift being manufactured and installed by the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group (Doppelmayr) of Austria The Doppelmayr 3S tri cable gondola will span 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in total distance from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain with the world’s longest unsupported (free) span of 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles) between the two towers furthest apart. The highest vertical point is over Fitzsimmons Creek at 415 metres (1,361 feet) – the world’s greatest distance above a valley floor.

Record breaking lift will revolutionize resort experience

Whistler Blackcomb, a mountain resort already renowned for daring innovation, has announced its boldest move yet with the construction of the Peak to Peak Gondola, for completion December 2008. The two mountains will be united by a gondola that will set world records for length and height while providing an unmatched experience for winter and summer resort guests.

The Peak to Peak Gondola will travel 4.4 kilometres in just 11 minutes, transporting winter and summer guests from Whistler's Roundhouse Lodge to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain, giving them unprecedented access to both mountains' expansive and unique high alpine terrain and spectacular vistas.

"The Peak to Peak Gondola will create a dramatically enhanced experience that no other mountain resort in North America, possibly the world, can offer," says Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb's Chief Operating Officer. "This link will effectively double, or more, the options for accessing the highest quality and greatest variety of terrain on any one day, from anywhere on the mountains. We are going to completely revolutionize our guests' experience."

Skiers and riders will have the opportunity to easily take advantage of 8,171 acres of terrain encompassed by both incredible mountains, via the world's longest continuous lift system. Moving freely between the high alpine areas of both mountains skiers and riders will spend more of their day in the best weather and snow conditions. The adventure for summer visitors will include spectacular views of glaciers and peaks as well as access to an expanded hiking trail network on both mountains.

"This lift is the catalyst for a sustainable economic future benefiting both Whistler Blackcomb and the entire resort community," says Brownlie. "It will solidify Whistler's position as the undeniable leader of mountain resorts in North America, while increasing our appeal as a top destination in the world."

With 28 sky cabins each holding up to 28 people, total capacity will be 4,100 passengers per hour. The Peak to Peak terminal on Whistler Mountain will be located next to the Roundhouse Lodge and easily accessed from the valley by the Village Gondola. On Blackcomb Mountain the Peak to Peak terminal will be located next to the Rendezvous Lodge and accessed from the valley via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Express.

Construction will commence in May 2007, with the lift being manufactured and installed by the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group (Doppelmayr) of Austria The Doppelmayr 3S tri‑cable gondola will span 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in total distance from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain with the world's longest unsupported (free) span of 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles) between the two towers furthest apart. The highest vertical point is over Fitzsimmons Creek at 415 metres (1,361 feet) – the world's greatest distance above a valley floor.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has introduced the Symphony Express, a new high speed quad accessing further into Whistler Mountain's spectacular high alpine this season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

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 nine 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

Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

April 12th signified the official signing of the Saddle Mountain Master Development agreement. This was perfectly set on the mountainside and officially documented the vision of Mike Wiegele and the governing agencies and the future growth. The gathering was hosted over a gourmet lunch surrounded by delegates, friends, family, and fellow heli skiers.

Photographed with the official document are Peter Walters-Executive Director of Tourism & Resort Operations, Bonnie & Mike Wiegele, and the Honorable Kevin Krueger- Kamloops MLA/Minister of the State of Mining. Jimmie Spencer-longtime President of the Canada West Ski Areas Association spoke proudly of how MWHS will be the first helicopter organization to develop a multi-dimensional snow resort with both lift, snow cat & heli access. Also in attendance and extending their support was Brent Harley of the Brent Harley & Associates Resort Planning Group, Martha Matthew-Simpcw First Nations Band Manager, Psyche Brown-Manager of Major Projects with the Resort Development Branch, Brian Ross-Fulton & Company and many more supporters.

The Saddle Mountain Resort, a new, world class ski resort and village master plan concept is now being created by well known ski resort designer Brent Harley and ski pioneer Mike Wiegele that does not exist anywhere else in the world. The master plan is innovative and creative for the establishment and sustainability of the skiing operation, the village development, the quality of life for the people who live and work here and for their families. This unique mountain resort will cater to the pursuit of powder skiing in the winter and a backcountry ambiance in the summer. The resort will be served by ski lifts, snow cats, helicopters and the village design will offer harmonious ski in/ski out lodging and private residences. All facilities will allow panoramic views overlooking the Thompson Valley into the Cariboo and Monashee Glacier Mountain peaks. The plan will also include education and career development facilities.

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007, North Vancouver BC – The campaign that introduced tens of thousands of new participants to winter sports has returned. Y2Play, Grouse Mountain’s highly anticipated season’s pass program is back for the 8th consecutive year.

Launching today, Y2Play offers a season and a half of skiing and riding for up to 85% off of the regular rate. Those purchasing 2007/2008 Y2Play passes will be able to enjoy the rest of this epic season and all of next winter season at the best rates in North America. Redeeming its value in just six visits, the Y2Play pass has proven to be popular among a wide-range of snow sport enthusiasts from first timers to professional athletes to entire families.

“We are extremely proud of what Y2Play has done to expand winter sports in Vancouver,” says Grouse Mountain General Manager, Michael Cameron. “We have not only introduced skiing and riding to a new generation, but we’ve reintroduced the sport to those who have found it cost prohibitive elsewhere. The value in undeniable.”

Enjoying one of the best seasons on record and with continued snow in the forecast, Grouse Mountain anticipates this years’ Y2Play program to be as popular as ever.

Y2Play passes can be purchased online at www.grousemountain.com or by calling Grouse Mountain Guest Services at 604.980.9311.

For more information, contact:

Kelly Aldinger
Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd.
Direct: 604.998.4255
Mobile: 604.551.3839

WEST VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Cypress Mountain has been busy preparing this summer for the up and coming 05/06 winter with great anticipation for a fantastic season ahead. With a new all access season pass to offer, huge upgrades on some of the downhill ski runs, a relocation of the Bell Power Park and a whole new rental fleet it is sure to be an exciting season ahead.

Ready for the 05/06 winter season we are RELOCATING THE BELL POWER PARK TO THE MIDWAY CHAIR! This will more than QUADRUPLE THE SIZE and allow riders to loop the park on the Midway Chair lift. The Park will include a NEW IN-GROUND BOARDER CROSS. Plus to top if off we are adding NEW LIGHTING to light up the new park at night time! We still have plenty of new boxes and rails that are brand new including a huge new wall ride.

During the summer months Cypress has been busy summer grooming BOWEN FACE so that it is super smooth which makes for excellent riding all season long! WINDJAMMER has been completely summer groomed out as well. And the bottom of TOP GUN has been groomed so that there is a by-pass to the section that you previously had to hike out of!!!!

For this up coming season we are excited to be replacing our full rental fleet with BRAND NEW skis, boots and boards from Salomon, Rossignol and Burton.

Right now is the best time to purchase your upcoming seasons passes. Almost all of our seasons pass are at a 30-40% off discounted early bird rate, so don't forget to buy before October 31st!

With all of the changes happening this summer and the on going preparation for the Winter Season Cypress is gearing up in anticipation. Whether it's Skiing, Riding, Cross Country Skiing, Snowtubing, Snowshoeing Tours or our NEW Summer Lift Accessed Mountain Bike Park, Cypress truly offers something for everyone.

For further details come visit us at the Vancouver Snow Show this weekend!

REVELSTOKE – A new world-class all-season resort Master Plan has been approved for Mount MacKenzie near Revelstoke, Wendy McMahon, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, announced today.

“The community has been waiting for this day since the 1980s,” said McMahon. “Through the combined efforts of all of those involved we will be home to B.C.’s newest all-season resort. We will create jobs and economic opportunities by attracting visitors into B.C.’s interior and enhancing the Golden-Revelstoke corridor as the Gateway to B.C.”

The plan calls for a modern all-season resort with more than 16,000 bed units, guest service facilities, an 18-hole golf course, a multi-use trail system, 25 lifts and 100 ski and snowboard trails. The resort will boast the fourth largest vertical drop of any ski resort in the world.

Approval of the plan came after extensive review by the public, local and provincial governments, and mediation to resolve issues around pre-existing tenures and land ownership.

“This is only the beginning,” said Minister of State for Resort Development, Sandy Santori. “This development is one of many that will be realized as a result of the new All Season Resort Strategy, and the framework it lays out for streamlining high priority resort development so we can take advantage of the increased profile that will come with the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

“This is an example of what can happen when parties come together. We have worked out effective land use solutions that will generate economic benefits throughout the region for years to come,” said Minister of Sustainable Resource Management George Abbott.

“The City of Revelstoke is pleased to have reached agreement to sell the land and ski operation at Mount Mackenzie to Mount MacKenzie Resort Limited,” said Mayor Mark McKee. “MMRL has the vision and means to maximize the potential of this incredible mountain resource and contribute to the economic renewal of our region.”

“The time is right for a new all-season resort in this area, and we are thrilled to have the master plan approved and all outstanding issues around land and tenure settled amicably so that we can proceed with certainty as we begin building the next world class resort for British Columbia,” said Hunter Milborne, chair of Mount MacKenzie Resort Limited. “We anticipate that revenue from real estate sales could boost the investment to $800 million.”

“We are pleased with the terms of the master plan and agreement that will allow us to continue our operation in a new location and in a new lodge,” said Clyde Newsome, owner of CAT Powder Ski Limited.

The Province and MMRL will now begin negotiations on a Master Development Agreement which is expected to be concluded early in the new year. The City of Revelstoke will approve an Official Community Plan to support the resort and extend its boundaries to include the controlled recreation area within the city.

The pre-selling of real estate will begin in 2005. Phase I construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

British Columbia’s resort industry includes more than 700 resorts, employs 26,000 people, and generates close to $5 billion annually in direct and related spending and tax revenues. Land and Water British Columbia Inc., the government corporation responsible for managing access to Crown land, has been given a mandate to stimulate resort-based tourism in B.C. and enable operators to compete more effectively in the international market.

Interesting article about the original plans from Mount Garibaldi.
Northwest Skier, 1959
Jan 1, 1959, p. 1: "Major Ski Resort Planned For BC's Mount Garibaldi" Adi F. Bauer, president of the Garibaldi Development Co., Ltd., announced plans for a major winter resort on the slopes of Mt Garibaldi. The $5.5 million development, on land to be transferred out of Garibaldi Provincial Park, would be seven miles by road from the town of Squamish and would include a six-mile-long tramway, a luxury hotel at 6,000 feet elevation, snowmobiles to carry skiers to nearby glaciers, ten square miles of skiing area served by a two-mile-long chairlift, a mountain top golf course, an enclosed swimming pool and a four-mile-long bobsled run. Future plans call for an additional tramway to the top of Mt Garibaldi, three miles from the proposed hotel.
Adi F Bauer went to jail after going bankrupt from this extravagant plan.
He or someone under his name filed in support of the new Garibaldi project in 1998:
Letter from A F Bauer (no address given) sent to David Johns of EAO Letter of support for the Garibaldi at Squamish resort proposal. 1998/03/12

Link