Whistler Blackcomb 2009.10 Ski/Ride Season Wraps Up With The Exciting Return Of The Crud 2 Mud Race

Competitors tackle snow and dirt crowning the dual sport champions

May 23, 2010 – After a four year hiatus, the classic season-transition event mixing the end of the ski and snowboard season with the start of the bike season returned with rave reviews from participants and organizers.

In teams and individually, Crud 2 Mud competitors skied and snowboarded from the top of Whistler Mountain to the bottom of the snow line (about mid-mountain), where bikes and equipment laid waiting. Some ditched ski and snowboard boots while other competitors hopped straight on their bikes and raced through the Whistler Mountain Bike Park on their way to the finish. While most participants were focused on getting to the bottom as quickly as possible, others were just out to have a good time. One patriotic participant even rode from top to bottom in nothing but a pair of union jack patterned boxer shorts.

Riders can also get some indoor practice in the Air Dome starting May 15. The Air Dome, an 8,400 square foot indoor bike training facility with foam pit and wooden ramps, is open Friday to Sunday until June 13; then daily until September 6.

“We are really excited to be able to host the Crud 2 Mud with such an incredible turnout after a long hiatus,” says Jeremy Roche, Whistler Blackcomb Summer Business Development Manager. “The last two weekends will go down in history as some of the best biking ever in the bike park, what a great start!”

Top honors in skiing this year went to Robin Courcelles (Men – 10:04.65) and Jennifer Ashton (Women – 11:07.73) who flew down the course, finishing in the best overall times for singles, while the best of the snowboarders were Christopher Young (Men – 11:32.36) and Kerry Martin (Women – 12:16.87). Top team spots went to Paul Stevens (Men – 9:56.37), Kari Mancer (Women – 11:07.82) and Alan Golds (Mixed – 9:49.61). With 14 different event categories there were plenty of other winners on the day as well.

This year was also a special one for the event, in that it marked some of the best conditions yet with a snow base over 200cms in the alpine and over 20 trails in terrific condition in the bike park.

To plan a trip, in winter or summer, to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America, visit whistlerblackcomb.com. Packages this summer start at $60 per person per night and they are available at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.



About Whistler Blackcomb
Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb gets ready to welcome the world in 2010 as a host venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. With uninterrupted skiing, riding and sightseeing available throughout the winter, season two of the highly acclaimed PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and the best deals of the season guaranteed before November 15, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver, Canada up the spectacular, newly-finished Sea to Sky Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast one vertical mile of incredible skiing and riding. With over 16 alpine bowls, three 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, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest
Intrawest is a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts. The Company has interests in a network of resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. In addition, Intrawest markets and sells real estate at its resorts in North America and at other third-party locations around the world. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a portfolio company owned primarily by private equity funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com

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

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