Early Bird Season Pass and Triple Play pricing expires Friday, June 19

WHISTLER, BC, June 17, 2009 – The Whistler Mountain Bike Park has announced that the highly anticipated Garbanzo Zone trails will open one week earlier than planned, this Saturday, June 20.

“Weather has definitely been on our side this spring with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures melting away snow and drying up the trails,” says Rob McSkimming, vice president of business development at Whistler Blackcomb. “We’re very pleased that the Garbanzo trails are good to go so early. There is minimal snow up there and crews expect to get most of the trails open for the weekend. Although some sections of some trails are still a bit wet and soft from the snow melt, the overall conditions are excellent for this time of year.”

At the end of last year, the Bike Park opened up several new sections of Blue Velvet, a major extension of Freight Train and a completely rebuilt No Joke single track, now called New Joke. All of these new trails will be open on Saturday. The addition of these trails provides experiences for a broader range of riders. With the opening of the Garbanzo Zone, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s total vertical drop is 3,314 feet, or just over 1,000 metres.

“I am so stoked for the Garbanzo to open,” says Richie Schley, pro rider and mountain bike legend. “First of all there is nothing like riding fresh trails at the beginning of the season and second, it is so much vert! Love the technical, and let’s face it Side Track has the sickest jumps out there. See you up there!”

The Garbanzo Express chairlift will access the zone Saturday and Sunday, and the Whistler Village Gondola will access the zone next Monday through Friday. Garbanzo hours of operation are 11am to 7pm daily. The Fitzsimmons Chair will access the lower Park from 10am to 8pm daily. Downhill bike rentals and lift tickets are available at the base.

The Early Bird Deadline for Bike Park Season Passes and Triple Play Passes ends this Friday, June 19, and can be purchased by phone at 1-800-766-0449, online at whistlerblackcomb.com/bike or in person at the Village Guest Relations in the Whistler Gondola building. Riders can purchase their Bike Park passes at an Early Bird rate of $435 before June 19, and $475 thereafter. Winter Edge Card and Season Pass holders are eligible to purchase a Bike Park pass for $425.

The Triple Play Card returns, offering three days of riding in the Whistler Mountain Bike for the adult Early Bird price of $115 if purchased before June 19, and $125 thereafter. Riders save on any additional days and can have the convenience of going directly to the lift by connecting their Triple Play Card to their credit card.

First-timers can test drive the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with the Sampler ticket, which provides three lift rides. If the sampling turns into a full-blown addiction, riders can upgrade to a full day ticket with options to receive discounts on riding in the Bike Park for the rest of the season.

For updated trail information, check out www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.

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 aerial sightseeing via the world’s longest continuous lift system featuring the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola; 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. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this all season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest ULC

Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company has interests in ten 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 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

-30-

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. Please credit the appropriate photographer and Whistler Blackcomb. http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/photo/index.htm

source: Michelle Leroux

With winter fading fast and the trails drying we’re getting geared up for a summer of riding!

I will be riding and reviewing the Norco A-line this year while I volunteer in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and for some of the more gnarly rides on the North Shore of North Vancouver.

I thought I would give you a preview of the Norco A Line for 2009.

Norco has completely revamped its DH line. Using the same hydroformed frame with adjustable 8-9inch of rear travel as the A-line Park edition and DH Frame the lower spec’d Aline makes up this worthy trio. Coming in three sizes for 2009 I was on the small frame which was a good fit for me for downhill riding.

Read the rest of this entry �

Bike Park Celebrates 10 year Anniversary with Mash Up Video Contest

WHISTLER, BC, November 7, 2008 – The Whistler Mountain Bike Park celebrated 10 years of success this year, and to thank die-hard park riders, launched a one of a kind contest. The Mash UP video contest ran July 1 through September 20 and gave away two prizes; a Whistler Mountain Bike Park Pass good for 10 years,  a Whistler Mountain Bike Park edition Kona Stab Garbanzo DH mountain bike. Vancouver Island’s Aaron LaRoque and Vancouver’s Eric So were the winners.

The contest consisted of a random draw as well as a video mash-up contest.  To be eligible to win the Mash-UP contest, entrants had to submit a short video comprised of mountain bike footage provided by The Collective and Freeride Entertainment. Ten minutes of footage was provided and no outside content was allowed. Each video was judged and scored based on how the video told the story of the bike park including branding, originality and stoke factor, with a low priority on editing.

LaRoque of Vancouver Island claimed top prize with his winning video and is now the proud owner of a Whistler Mountain Bike Park Pass good for the next 10 years. “There were tons of awesome entries and I am stoked to have been chosen as the winner,” says LaRoque. “I’m really looking forward to spending my summers riding in Whistler for the next 10 years!”  The winner of the draw was Eric So of Vancouver, who took home a brand new, special Whistler Bike Park edition Kona Stab Garbanzo DH mountain bike.

The contest was launched with a target of receiving 30 to 40 video entries but as the word got out and the videos started coming in, judges were tasked with viewing 120 entries in total.  “Obviously we are excited with the number of entries as it paves the way for us to continue with less traditional types of contests and promotions,” says Jeremy Olsen, Whistler Mountain Bike Park /Summer Marketing Coordinator and contest creator.

Since 1998 the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has been at the focal point of lift-accessed mountain biking and sustainable year-round resort operations.  10 years later, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is known world wide for its success, quality and innovation as well as being home to Kokanee Crankworx, the biggest and most anticipated mountain bike festival on the planet.

For more information on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and contest videos check out www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike

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 2 PEAK Gondola opening December 12, 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, Canada up the spectacular ‘Sea to Sky’ Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast  one vertical mile of incredible skiing. With over 17 alpine bowls, four 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 www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest ULC
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company has interests in ten 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 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

source: Ryan Proctor

Introduction

As Whistler is one of the premier mountain-biking destinations on the planet, it’s no surprise that there’s lot of information about rides and the trails available both on-line and in print.

However, there are no current comprehensive guidebooks for Whistler; the last effort was compiled circa 1997 (by Rob Cocquyt and Dave Kelly, “Squamish-Whistler Mountain Bike Guide) is difficult to find and not current. As one can discern from the many questions in online bike forums, the need for a comprehensive guide is evident. “Whistler Mountain Biking” by Brian Finestone and Kevin Hodder, a new guidebook on the topic, is current, comprehensive and fills this information gap.

Available from the Knee Deep Productions (Whistler Guidebooks) site or from your favourite book store the guidebook is priced at $ 22.95 if ordered directly.

Cheap Thrills on the West Side ~ rider Lee Lau

Read the rest of this entry �

Thanks to: Whafe and ebxtreme for pictures and text.

See original post: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Crankworx 2008 (Version 5.0) | 5 Jim Beam Air D |Slope Style

:: Day 1 ::

:: Dual Slalom ::

by ebxtreme

Crankworx 2008 (Version 5.0)

Spending the week up here with CBX and riding with a bunch of good friends.Friday got a little park time in after working most of the day. Conditions were beautiful and they were setting up the village and the boneyard is getting pimped.

Saturday, it rained a big chunk of the day, so we watched some bike pron and hung out for a bit. Whafe has a new Nicolai (look at the pics over in the Nicolai forum if you have a drool rag) and was chompin’ at the bit to get out for a spin on it and he needed to get some laps on the Garbo DH course, so he talked Muttonchops and me into getting out for some laps. The top was MUCKY and super sketch……but it was gonna be a fun race for sure. After, we hooked up with MattPatt and Goose to watch some dual slalom action.

Rachel Atherton. She ended up getting beat by Anneke Beerten (sp?) who might have one of the best gate starts I’ve ever seen.

( Cedric and Dan Atherton. Cedric won this matchup.)

(JD Swanguen and Sam Hill. JD ended up winning the whole thing and really put on a cornering clinic.)

Index:

Dual Slalom - part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4
Garbanzo DH - part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 | part 11 | part 12
Jim Beam Air DH - part 13 | part 14 | part 15 | part 16 | part 17 | part 18 | part 19 | part 20
Slope Style - part 21 | part 22 | part 23 | part 24 | part 25 | part 26 | part 27

Whistler mountain bike park celebrates 10th anniversary with

10-year season pass giveaway

Online Video Editing Contest Begins June 30

WHISTLER, BC, June 30, 2008- Whistler Blackcomb is making an unprecedented move and celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park by giving away a Bike Park pass good for 10 years. Also up for grabs is a Kona Stab Garbanzo full suspension mountain bike that can be won by simply entering online at whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.

Since 1998, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park has been the epicenter of lift-accessed mountain biking around the world. Year after year, the bike park has increased in popularity and size, offering more quality and varied terrain for all types of riders to enjoy. Now, with three lifts, nearly 50 trails and more than 5,000 vertical feet of riding available, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is looking forward to the next 10 years and beyond.

“It’s amazing to see how much the Bike Park has evolved over the last 10 years. When the Whistler Mountain Bike Park first opened, the sport was so niche and the concept of a bike park was still un-chartered territory,” says Rob McSkimming, Vice President of Business Development, Whistler Blackcomb. “Whistler Blackcomb has consistently broken new ground for lift-accessed downhill biking and helped the sport become what it is today. At this rate of progression, it’s exciting to envision how the Bike Park will evolve over the next 10 years.”

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park 10th Anniversary Mash-up Contest begins June 30 and runs until September 10. In order to be eligible to win the 10-year bike park pass, contestants must submit a bike video, 90 seconds to two minutes in length, edited from 15 minutes of unedited footage supplied by film companies, The Collective and Freeride Entertainment.

Videos will be judged based on originality, footage selection and the personal connection. Editing quality carries the least amount of weight to accommodate for all types of editing programs, but could easily be the difference between the top spots.

For more info on the Bike Park, the 10th anniversary contest and Kona Bike giveaway, visit whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.

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, introducing a world-record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain’s alpine. Opening December 2008, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will revolutionize the winter skiing and riding as well as summer sightseeing and alpine hiking experience. 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.

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.

source: Public Relations (WB)

WHISTLER, BC, June 19, 2008 - Kokanee Crankworx organizers are proud to announce the popular Mountain bike clothing company Sombrio as the official merchandise partner for the festival. Sombrio will be producing all the Kokanee Crankworx branded clothing including hats, T-shirts and hoodies.

“Having witnessed the evolution of the sport of mountain biking through the Whistler Mountain Bike Park over the past few years, I’m excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Kokanee Crankworx on such a unique and influential merchandise program,” says Dave Watson, Sombrio Founder, Owner, and Team Rider. “I’m stoked to have the creative freedom to develop a Sombrio-styled program that will be officially linked to such a progressive and talent rich festival.”

“We couldn’t be happier to be working with such a quality, Canadian company as the official merchandise partner for the festival,” says Jeremy Roche, General Manager of Kokanee Crankworx. “Sombrio has developed an incredible merchandise line for this year’s event and we can’t wait for it to arrive!”

Sombrio is currently in the process of manufacturing the Kokanee Crankworx branded goods for the event including a style of organic cotton T-shirts. All merchandise will be sold at the event through Garbanzo Bike and Bean and in the official Event Merchandise tent during the festival.

For more information on Kokanee Crankworx please visit www.crankworx.com.

http://www.sombriocartel.com/

source: Ryan Proctor

VANCOUVER and WHISTLER - June 18^th, 2008 - Race Face Components and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park announced today the completion of their first ever trail branding collaboration. Race Face is in its seventh year as the official components and armour sponsor for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and a new two year deal was inked in April of this year. As part of the new contract, Race Face chose to sponsor and brand the appropriately named trail Crank It Up, a great all round blue trail for all riding levels.

All the artwork was done freehand with no stenciling whatsoever. The concept behind the wall ride murals was to create something very flowy and organic while making a serious departure from the traditional branded stunt fare. In addition, the artwork was designed to ‘wear’ well over the riding season, incorporating the inevitable wall ride arcing tire marks.

“Race Face has a long history of bringing new and innovative ideas to the bike world and this is no exception,” said Craig Pollack, Race Face CEO. “We wanted to break out of the ’stenciled logo on wooden stunts’ look and try something fresh and vibrant.”

BC artist Scott Tobin was the man with the vision and the paint skills for this unique project. With the help of the Whistler Bike Park trail crew, Tobin set to work over 3 days to bring his art to the mountain. Each wall ride was painted flat black first and then the crew roped them off allowing Tobin to work his magic.

Rippers who normally light up that section of the trail were grabbing handfuls of brake to check out the action as it happened. Look for the time elapsed video of all the wall ride artwork in the videos section on the Race Face website around the last week of June.

Tobin has an extensive portfolio within the adrenaline sports realm, including Burton, Bell, Telus and Red Bull. Tobin’s passion is “to paint visual-antidepressants, to create beautiful work that has a positive impact on people and a positive contribution to the world.” Tobin’s work includes large-scale interior/exterior wall murals; fine art, and live painting performances. Eighteen years experience with spray paint has led him to be one of Canada’s top character graffiti artists. You can see more of his work on his website - www.tobinism.com.

The news article is available online here.

source: Julian Coffey

Race Face Components Inc., one of North America’s leading producers of high performance bicycle components and apparel, is stoked to announce that it has re-signed, for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, as the official components and armour sponsor for Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

In the two year contract that was recently finalized, Race Face will provide all Whistler guide and rental bikes with a sweet DH specific components spec, including Race Face’s new bombproof Diabolus D2 chain guide. Race Face will also supply a full line up of armour including the outstanding Rally DH Armour jacket.

“We have enjoyed a very successful, long standing affiliation with the Whistler Bike Park” says Race Face’s Julian Coffey. “They continue to lead the way in defining what a world class, lift assisted riding destination should be.

We’re extremely proud to be a part of that growth, and providing the Park with components that can withstand all the punishment that a fully armoured bike riding maniac can dish out has become a tradition here at Race Face. After six years of supplying components to the park, we have yet to see a single item fail. That’s a pretty impressive statement when you consider the amount of intense riding these bikes take each season.”

The build crews at Whistler will be at it again soon, getting the Park ready for some more epic shredding when they open in May. You can expect to see a ton of work on the Park with the No Joke rebuild and the continuation of Blue Velvet in the Garbo zone. The lower Bike Park will also receive some love in the form of extensive maintenance, a new blue trail and the opening of the much anticipated Ninja Cougar.

This year Race Face will be really be getting their hands dirty as the first company to support a trail in the Park, the aptly named ‘Crank It Up’. Crank It Up is a great, all round blue trail for all riding levels. Whether you need a good warm up run before the day’s slaying begins, or you want to wrap things up with some sweet air, this trail is as fast and flowy as they come.

For the 2008-09 seasons, Race Face will equip Whistler’s entire line of rental and guide bikes with a full component spec, including cranks, chainrings, chain guides, bottom brackets, headsets, seatposts, stems and handlebars.

“The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is thrilled that Race Face has chosen to be our partner for the 7th straight year.” says Rob McSkimming - VP Business Development. “Our guides and coaches ride more vertical than anyone on the planet and the Race Face components on their bikes have definitely stood the test of time. That’s a major reason why we have chosen Race Face components for our fleet of rental bikes this year as well.”

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park features more than 200km of lift-serviced trails, dropping riders more than 4,800 vertical feet. The park also features three skills centers and a Biker Cross Course.

About Race Face Performance Products:
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Race Face Performance Products designs and manufactures leading-edge performance cycling components, clothing, and protection. RaceFace products are distributed in more than 40 countries globally. The company sponsors a number professional teams and riders. For more information, visit www.raceface.com.

Julian Coffey, Race Face

Gravity Logic Employees Will Assume Ownership and All Assets

WHISTLER, BC, March 28, 2008 - Whistler Blackcomb has made the strategic decision to transfer ownership of Gravity Logic, an internal business operation offering a variety of mountain bike design, development and educational services, to three of Gravity Logic’s original employees.

Effective today, Tom Prochazka, Dave Kelly and Rob Cocquyt will assume ownership of a newly created, independent company under the name Gravity Logic Inc (GLI).

Whistler Blackcomb established Gravity Logic almost two years ago and in that short period of time has worked on more than 20 projects in over a dozen different countries. An annual mountain bike educational symposium called the Gravity Logic Forum was also developed.

“Since its inception, the interest in Gravity Logic has been overwhelming and has met, or exceeded, all of our expectations. It has grown to the point where it can more effectively achieve its original objective of acting as a catalyst to grow and develop the sport of mountain biking by becoming a stand alone company,” says Dave Brownlie, President and COO of Whistler Blackcomb. “We are thrilled to have come to an agreement with Tom, Dave and Rob to make this all happen without missing a beat.”

Whistler Blackcomb has also agreed to a five year contract during which GLI will supply trail design and layout services to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

“Tom, Dave and Rob, have been a key part of what has made the Whistler Mountain Bike Park the most successful lift-accessed mountain bike park in the world. Our agreement with GLI will ensure we are able to continue to tap into the best people in the business and keep our bike park at the forefront by providing the world’s most progressive riding experiences,” Brownlie continued.

Under new ownership GLI will continue to offer design and development services to ski resorts, summer resorts, municipalities and land managers from around the world.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to build on the solid foundation that has already been established,” says Tom Prochazka of Gravity Logic Inc.. “Having the chance to run our own business designing and developing progressive, high quality riding experiences is a dream come true for all of us.”

Jeremy Roche, one of Gravity Logic’s original members, has accepted a new position as Whistler Blackcomb’s Summer Business Development Manager which includes overall responsibility for the execution and development of the Crankworx Mountain Bike Festivals in Whistler and Winter Park, Colorado. As a result, he will not be involved in the new company.

Similarly, Rob McSkimming, Whistler Blackcomb’s VP of Business Development and Gravity Logic’s initial Managing Director will no longer have a role in the business.

“Both Jeremy and I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in launching and developing Gravity Logic. The worldwide response has been amazing. I am confident that Tom, Dave and Rob will continue to set the standard for mountain bike park design and development,” says McSkimming. “Even though we will not be directly involved, we still strongly believe that developing more great riding experiences is key to growing the sport.”

Gravity Logic Inc. will continue have its operations based in Whistler. GLI can be contacted through www.whistlergravitylogic.com

ABOUT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

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.

ABOUT INTRAWEST ULC

Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in ten resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter 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 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

source: Michelle Leroux, Intrawest