July 7, 2008

Kokanee Crankworx Announces Largest Prize Purse in Festival History – Over $70,000

Village Expo and Animation Bigger and Better for 2008

Kokanee Crankworx announces the largest prize purse in the festival's five-year history. Totaling more than $70,000 in cash a prizes, Kokanee Crankworx has increased prizing for all events while adding a "Cash Grab" element to the VW Trick Showdown.

The VW Trick Showdown has been added to the Kokanee Crankworx line-up this year.  The event will take place in Whistler Mountain Bike Park's Boneyard and will include two, 45-minute free-ride sessions on different features in the lower park.  The format for this event is winner-take-all, but also includes a cash-grab for on-the-spot-sickness recognition.  The head judge and announcer will hand out up to $100 to individuals who leave that on the spot impression during the contest.

"Kokanee Crankworx has been the leader in the Freeride Mountain Bike event scene since it's inception in 2003," says Jeremy Roche, GM of Kokanee Crankworx. "We continue to evolve every year, and for 2008 we have stepped up the prize money to ensure we attract the best athletes in the world."

Prizing Breakdown:

Monster Energy Slopestyle - $30,000.00

VW Trick Showdown - $8,000.00

Jim Beam Air Downhill - $6,000.00

Monster Energy Garbanzo DH - $6,000.00

Dual Slalom - $6,000.00

WomenzWorx - $3,200.00

Canadian Open - $6,000.00

Giant Slalom - $6,000.00

Kokanee Crankworx is also home the biggest bike event Expo in Canada.  Check out all the latest gear while talking with industry leaders to get the inside scoop on the latest in the bike industry. Nearly 50 expo tents will be staged throughout Whistler Village, including Camelbak, Kona, SRAM, Marzocchi, Oakley, Mavic, Hayes and many more.

More than 250,000 guests are expected to visit Whistler during the nine-day event.  There is something for the whole family to enjoy during the festival, including village bike demos, live entertainment and, of course, the action on the mountain, making this the most entertaining and animated week of the year in Whistler.

For more info on Kokanee Crankworx visit www.crankworx.com.

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