June 21, 2005

Peak Adventure Launches

WHISTLER, BC, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - Whistler Blackcomb launches summer operation of the Peak Chair for sightseeing on Saturday, marking the company's highest achievement to date in the quest towards becoming North America's number one four season mountain operation.

It was just two short weeks ago that the 3,300 foot long chairlift whisked its last snow-seeking skier to the summit. Now, after a two-week holiday, the Peak Adventure is ready for its big summer reveal on June 25th.

"The Peak Chair is one of the world's most spectacular high alpine lifts, and for the first time we're going to open up the magical vistas and thrilling ride to our summer visitors," says Rob McSkimming, vice president of business development. "It's all part of our goal to enhance our guests' overall summer experience, and round out our four season offerings. And as a bonus for locals on Sunday, June 26, residents of Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish and Mt. Currie can experience the Peak Adventure for free."

The journey from the valley to the alpine begins on the Whistler Gondola, a 25-minute ride in an enclosed gondola up to the Roundhouse Lodge at 6,000 feet. The Peak Adventure begins after a 10-minute walk to the base of the Peak Chair. The open-air chairlift soars to 7,160 feet, the highest point on Whistler Mountain.

From there, as the snowpack melts into July, guests can choose to access the 48 kilometre network of hiking trails on their own, take a guided hike, or enhance the thrill by downloading back to the chairlift base. Each experience offers spectacular views of ancient glaciers, dormant volcanoes, the beautiful Coast Range and Whistler's famed Black Tusk.

"Our guests have told us over the years that they want new ways to discover our alpine environment," says McSkimming. "This year we're also adding an interpretive trail, alpine yoga classes, watercolour workshops, photography hikes, and a Via Ferrata excursion where guests ascend parts of the mountain via a series of ladders."

Back in the valley and on the lower two-thirds of the mountain, new developments in lift-accessed downhill mountain biking also offer more options for guests. The upper and lower sections of Freight Train, a 2,200 vertical foot trail modeled after the notorious A-Line, will officially open on June 25th. The new Kona Jump Farm, designed by world famous Kona Clump rider John Cowan, will help riders build skills on dirt jumps. And the Magic Bike Park is the new lift-accessed park adding to the excitement of the family Adventure Zone at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. The Magic Bike Park features two trails designed with beginner riders, kids and families in mind.

Winter can still be found high above the summer scene on Blackcomb's Hortsman Glacier where guests head to get a summer skiing and snowboarding fix. For visitors who want to put their summer and winter toys to work, Whistler Blackcomb will offer the first ever "Uber Pass", a ticket that allows guests to bike in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, hike via the Peak Chair on Whistler Mountain, and ski or ride on Blackcomb Mountain, all on the same day.

 

Whistler Blackcomb is an Intrawest resort. Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is one of the world's leading destination resort and adventure travel companies. Intrawest has interests in 10 mountain resorts in North America's most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and a 67 percent interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest - a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest is developing five additional resort village developments at locations in North America and 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.