Whistler Mountain Bike Park Opening May 16

Bike Park Season Passes Now On Sale

Whistler Blackcomb’s famed Whistler Mountain Bike Park is scheduled to open May 16 with plans for continued expansion in the Garbanzo Zone; completely redesigned Slopestyle, Giant Slalom and Dual Slalom courses; and new lesson and rental packages for all levels of mountain bikers.

At the end of last season a few lucky riders were able to experience new trail sections on Blue Velvet and Freight Train as well as the completely redeveloped No Joke trail in the Garbanzo Zone. “We opened these trails on the very last weekend last season,” says Brian Finestone, Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager. “They have had the winter months to compact and should be in fantastic condition when Garbanzo opens this summer.”

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park has stepped up its lesson and rental programs to make mountain biking more accessible for all levels of mountain bikers. Bike Park 101 is a daily clinic that offers the “never-ever” mountain biker a chance to learn about downhill techniques while exploring the bike park with a qualified guide.

More experienced riders buying a lift and rental package can add a lesson with the Lesson Upgrade option for only $5 (half day) or $10 (full day). The Lesson Upgrade is a perfect way for riders to get to know the bike park better while fine tuning their intermediate and advanced downhill riding technique with an expert guide.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park passes are now on sale. Season passes offer unlimited access for $435 plus GST. Passes can be purchased online at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike, by phone at 1-800-766-0449 or in person at Guest Relations at the base of the Bike Park in Whistler Village.



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 to Peak Gondola project underway, 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 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

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

MEDIA NOTE: Whistler Blackcomb is pleased to provide high resolution photographs available for editorial use, downloadable at the following link http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/photo/index.htm Please credit – Photographer Listed, Location: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia.