July 3, 2007 (Whistler, BC) – Whistler teen Alex “Pro” Prochazka can vouch for the benefits of training on foam before hitting the hard stuff. Two weeks ago, he nailed a double back flip on dirt after perfecting the trick last summer in the Air Dome, Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s covered training facility, scheduled to open for the summer on July 6.

The Air Dome is a 8,400 square foot covered training facility featuring a variety of jumps, quarter pipes and a huge foam pit. Open since 2006, the Air Dome has put the Whistler Mountain Bike Park ahead of the game. The covered facility provides the ideal learning environment for mountain bike programs like Summer Gravity Camps and Richie Schley Freeride Camps allowing riders to perfect their moves before heading out on the mountain. The Air Dome is also used by international and local pros, including 16-year-old Alex, son of the bike park’s manager, Tom “Pro”. During the Braun 26Trix competition, held in Leogang, Austria, Alex became the youngest rider to ever stick a double back flip and the second rider ever to land it on 26-inch tires. The European competition was his first time ever throwing it down on dirt and he nailed it on the first attempt, creating a huge stir within the mountain bike industry.

“I found the Air Dome very beneficial,” says Alex. “I’ve learned a lot of tricks there – including flips, spins and flares on the ramps and into the foam pit. I never thought about attempting a double back flip until I tried it in the Air Dome.”

This summer, there will be a whole crop of new adrenaline junkies aspiring to huck like Alex. The Air Dome will offer two three-hour sessions per day from 2pm to 5pm and 5pm to 8pm until Summer Gravity Camps begin. From July 16 to August open sessions will run from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm. Only 30 spots are available for each session.

Riders can visit Whistler Village Guest Relations to purchase an Air Dome day pass for $15 or a seasons pass at $179. NSMB Bro Card holders, WORCA members and Whistler Blackcomb Season Pass holders will receive discounts on passes. Mountain Bikers who want to rent equipment can hit up the Mountain Adventure Centre in the Pan Pacific hotel for a custom single speed Kona Scrap jump bikes.

The Air Dome is located in Blackcomb’s parking Lot No. 8, and parking is available in Lot No. 8 as well. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is open daily until October 8. Extended hours run from 10am to 8pm until September 2. For more information on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park programs and special events, visit whistlerbike.com.

Whistler has the world’s most diverse offering of mountain biking terrain, attracting all disciplines of mountain biking. From 150 miles of single-track trails and 200 km of lift-accessed downhill runs in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, to jump parks and the 20+ miles of paved Valley Trail, there’s something for every rider.

Consistently ranked as North America’s top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain’s spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 winter season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.