June 18, 2008 (Panorama Mountain Village, B.C.) – In less than two weeks, riders will explore the trails of Panorama’s Bike Park to prepare for the Mad Trapper Downhill Mountain Bike Race, which returns to Panorama on June 29th.

The Mad Trapper is the third B.C. Cup Race of the year and the first lift-accessed downhill mountain bike race of the season in British Columbia. So dust off your bikes and get those wheels turning, as this year’s chosen course requires some endurance!

Running the entire length of Lookout for the second year, riders have another chance to attempt this fast-paced race down a twisting single-track trail, which requires quite a bit of peddling to keep up to the pros. The race course ends with a drifting roller that beckons for big air, followed by a final mad dash through the 4X to the finishing line. Although the entire trail has technical sections for spectators to watch, the end of the race is definitely the action zone!

Sponsored by Kona and Coca-Cola, this is one race not to be missed, with cash prizing and awesome schwag for the winners.

2008 Mad Trapper Registration & Schedule

Registration
– Online registrations accepted until Friday, June 27th (11:59pm)
– On-site registrations accepted until Saturday, June 28th (5:00pm). A $10 late registration fee will apply.
– The registration fee is $50 per competitor and includes a lift pass for Sunday, June 29th

Friday, June 27th
– 10:00am to 5:00pm – Mile 1 Quad open for mountain biking

Saturday, June 28th
– 10:00am to 5:00pm – registration in Ski Tip Lodge

Sunday, June 29th
– 9:00am to 11:00am – rider sign-in and mandatory training run (new registrations will not be accepted)
– 10:45am – professional riders only loaded on chair
– 11:00am to 11:30am – professional riders training run
– 12:00pm – race starts
– Note: awards to follow half an hour after completion of the race

The Mad Trapper Downhill race isn’t the only thing happening at Panorama on opening weekend. From sightseeing chairlift rides to whitewater rafting, Panorama offers a host of summer adventures. Families are invited to join the fun on Saturday evening for a Summer Fiesta on the Great Hall Deck, featuring roaming entertainers, carnival games, magic shows, and much more. Later that evening, check out live music by 47 Parker in the T-Bar.

Make the most of the long weekend and enjoy Canada Day festivities and performances by Crimson Star and the “Shine” Youth Singers and Dancers of Calgary, in conjunction with the Mountain Mosaic Festival of Invermere.

Panorama opens for the mountain bike season on Friday, June the 27th, with the Mile 1 Quad operating between 10:00am to 5:00pm from Sunday to Friday, and until 8:00pm on Saturday’s . For more information about mountain biking at Panorama or the Mad Trapper Downhill Race visit www.panoramaresort.com.

Panorama Mountain Village, located in the Purcell Mountains, has one of the largest vertical descents in North America. Quad chairlifts give access to the summit and over 100 trails, including former Heli-Ski terrain in Taynton Bowl. Panorama is also home to Greywolf, ranked British Columbia’s best golf course by Golf Digest. For more information, visit www.panoramaresort.com.