September 27, 2008

Showcase Retail Brand Expands To Two Locations In Whistler And One In Vancouver

Current Westbeach stores will evolve into SHOWCASE Snowboards stores
 
Whistler Blackcomb has announced the integration of the Westbeach retail stores under the banner of the well known Showcase Snowboards brand. Showcase Snowboards has been the premier snowboard retail brand on the Whistler landscape since 1989. It has grown significantly in the past nineteen years and is projected to deliver significant growth in the coming years. A piece of Whistler is being transplanted to Vancouver with the rebranding of the Vancouver Westbeach Store as a Showcase Snowboards location, as well as the Westbeach Whistler location.
 
Showcase Snowboards was the first snowboard shop in Whistler and has been a very strong brand for us at Whistler Blackcomb,² says Todd Friesen, vice president of retail and rental at Whistler Blackcomb. ³Combining two competing snowboard store brands will create a strategic advantage that we believe will enable Showcase Snowboards to reach its full potential and excel as a top retail experience.²
 
More than a retail store, Showcase features live DJ¹s, industry parties, and professional athletes, and is the connection to snowboard, surf and skate culture. The new Showcase stores will offer the most comprehensive selection of snow, skate and surf casual fashion in Canada.
 
Showcase Online is being redeveloped to integrate the Westbeach community site with the Showcase online store and the new store locations. The new format will be launched this fall featuring the products found in-store; hard-goods, outerwear, street wear and accessories. Showcasesnowboards.com allows snowboarders from across the globe to access the unique retail experience that Showcase Snowboards delivers.
 
Customers can expect the integration of the new stores to happen through the fall with the official launch date of early November. For more information on Showcase and other Whistler Blackcomb retail locations visit whistlerblackcomb.com.
 

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. With the landmark PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola opening in December 2008, the return of the popular Symphony Amphitheatre, and a host of other on-mountain improvements, this winter promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast  one vertical mile of incredible skiing.
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 ULC
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company has interests in ten resorts at North America¹s 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 <http://www.intrawest.com/>
 
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Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games