October 7, 2008

Whistler Blackcomb Launches "Ride of Your Life" Competition To Give Away 20 First Rides on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

Inspired by letter to the editor, long time local George Huxtable secures first "first ride", with 20 more spots available

Whistler Blackcomb has launched the "Ride of Your Life" competition inviting Whistlerites to nominate who they think should be on the first sky cabin when the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola opens December 12. In a recent letter to the editor in Pique Newsmagazine, Tavia "Tavalanche" Pursell shared why she thought that 89 year-old George Huxtable should be one of the first to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Whistler Blackcomb jumped at the suggestion, and has launched a competition to find out whom else the community believes should ride first on opening day.

"This competition provides us with an opportunity to get the community's input into who should ride first," says Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb's president and chief operating officer. "It's always the biggest question, and always the biggest challenge in determining who should be there. This competition puts the onus on the community to decide, and to nominate those unsung heroes that we don't necessarily hear about every day, but that are filled with passion for our mountain playground."

Whistler Blackcomb is looking for 20 individuals who best exemplify Whistler and Blackcomb mountain spirit. "We want people to tell us why they believe the person they're nominating should earn a seat in the first Sky Cabin. Tell us their story and make us believe that they should be one of the select few who can claim that they were the very first to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola on opening day. It will be a historic occasion, and those bragging rights will live on for years," continues Brownlie.

The cabin reserved for the nominees will depart from Blackcomb Mountain's PEAK 2 PEAK terminal at 11am on December 12, immediately following the official launch ceremony. The nominees will load on the first cabin and will ride across the 4.4 kilometre span to Whistler where they will be greeted as the very first members of the public to make the connection from one side to the other.

The Ride of Your Life competition runs from October 9 to November 14, 2008. Winners must be available to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Chair on December 12, 2008 at 11am. Nomination forms and full competition rules are available at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/gondola (available on October 9th). Nominators must have permission from the nominee before submitting the nomination.

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 12, 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, Canada 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, and 8,171 acres of skiable terrain, 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 award-winning après bars,  restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four-season resort is spectacular. For more information 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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