courtesy of Sara Gardiner / Whistler/Blackcomb

June 21, 2002, Whistler, BC – Whistler Blackcomb has just announced another
world class mountain biking competition: the Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Air Downhill will be held this July 5, and some of the best mountain bikers
in the world are on the line up. Presented Kona, Marzocchi, Race Face and
the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

With the cancellation of Grouse Mountain’s World Cup downhill and 4
cross, there was worry that the West Coast would go through the summer
without a world-class downhill mountain biking competition. But thanks to
some fast and furious work by Whistler Blackcomb, Joyride Productions and
Freeride Entertainment, the fastest and most aggressive freeriders,
downhill racers, bikercross racers and BMXers will have the chance to
compete in not one, but two world class downhill competitions.

In cooperation with Kona, Marzocchi, Race Face, and the Resort
Municipality, Whistler Blackcomb is presenting the Whistler Mountain Bike
Park Air Downhill. The race will be held just two days after the Whistler
Mountain Bike Park plays host to the Joyride Biker X. In total, there is
over $16,000 in prize money up for grabs.

“We are expecting some of mountain biking’s best,” said Jason Roe,
Manager of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. “Whistler Blackcomb hosts some
of skiing and snowboarding’s most high-profile competitions and we believe
we have the facilities and expertise to create the same level of excitement
and entertainment with mountain biking.”

The competition will be amazing. The race is open to professionals
and amateurs alike, and with an incredible line up already in place for the
Joyride Bikercross, the Whistler Blackcomb Air Downhill is expected to
attract the same mountain bikers that are travelling to Whistler from all
over the globe. International mountain bike stars like Cedric Gracia (FR),
Kurt Vories (US), Scott Beaumont (UK), Anne Caroline Chausson (FR), Tracey
Moseley (UK), and Mick Hannah (AUS) are already confirmed. Local and North
Shore mountain bike pros are coming out too, including Andrew Shandro,
Richie Schley, Dave Watson and Gareth Dyer.

“The competitions are an excellent opportunity for athletes to come
and see how much the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has to offer,” said Andrew
Shandro, Chief of Course and former Canadian Downhill Champion. “The
Whistler Mountain Bike Park is changing mountain biking by being a leader
in trail and track design, and catering to the gravity fed movement of the
sport. Both the Bikercross and the Air Downhill showcase the facilities
that the park has to offer.”

The Air Downhill will take place on Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s
most popular trail, A-line, which is complete with 1,200 feet of vertical
and more than 60 man-made features. With large and small jumps, including
table-tops, doubles, rock drops and steeply banked corners, A-line is much
like a BMX course. But instead of being on flat ground, the trail is tipped
up on a mountainside and gravity fed. A-line is a venue unlike any
Mountain Biking competition in the world has ever seen.

“A-line is in impeccable condition,” Shandro went on to state.
“Both the course and the athletes that are coming are so diverse; the
action is going to be like nothing we’ve ever seen.”
For more information and to register, please call 1.800.766.0449 or
1.604.932.3434 or check out whistler-blackcomb.com.

Whistler/Blackcomb is owned and operated by Intrawest Corporation.
Intrawest is the leading developer and operator of village-centred resorts
across North America. The company owns ten mountain resorts, including
Whistler/Blackcomb, North America’s most popular mountain resort. Intrawest
also owns Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and has a premier
vacation ownership business, Club Intrawest. The company has a significant
investment in Compagnie des Alpes, the largest ski company in the world in
terms of skier visits and a 45% interest in Alpine Helicopters Ltd., owner
of the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. Intrawest Corporation’s
shares are listed on the New York (IDR) and Toronto (ITW) stock exchanges.
The company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is located
on-line at www.intrawest.com http://www.intrawest.com.