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GARBANZO
ZONE TO OPEN TWO WEEKS EARLY |
Whistler Mountain Bike Park opens additional 2,200 vertical feet June 11
WHISTLER, BC, June 7, 2005 - Riders rejoice, the Garbanzo Zone will open two
weeks early on weekends beginning this Saturday, June 11. Incredible weekend
rider numbers in the Bike Park has contributed to the decision to open the Zone
early, launching an additional 2,200 vertical feet of terrain in the Whistler
Mountain Bike Park.
"Riders will find early season conditions which means the trails are still
a little wet," says Dave Kelly, trail crew supervisor. "Our crews
have been working on the trails everyday and things are looking really good
for this weekend's opening."
With rider visits up 20 per cent so far this year, opening the additional vertical
of Garbanzo Zone will ensure shorter lift lines, more space on-hill for riders
of all ability levels, and access to a greater diversity of trails. The Garbanzo
Zone will open for weekends starting June 11 and will begin seven day a week
operations on June 24. On Extended Play nights the Zone will be open until 7pm.
Jamie Wakeling enjoying the Garbanzo Zone last year. Photo ~ David Ferguson
All Garbanzo Zone trails, with the exception of Freight Train (slated to open
some sections June 25) will be ready to go this Saturday. Riders can look forward
to tearing into Fatcrobat, Too Tight and Angry Pirate, three of the newest Zone
trail additions. Intermediate to expert riders will experience trails with an
'old school' single-track feel as well as almost twice as much vertical.
"The popularity of our park is sky-rocketing and being able to open the
Garbanzo Zone early is a fantastic opportunity for us," says Rob McSkimming,
Managing Director of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. "The Garbanzo Zone
will spread riders out on the mountain, and will provide expert and advanced
riders with additional terrain to explore and master."
With a 33 per cent growth in biker visits over the previous year, and 700 per
cent growth since Whistler Blackcomb opened for biking in 1999, the Whistler
Mountain Bike Park is a world leader in delivering revolutionary lift-accessed
downhill riding. Trails for all ability levels wind throughout the lower mountain
forests, meadows and ski runs offering wide-open meandering beginner trails,
the legendary A-line and Dirt Merchant trails packed full of jumps, tight turns
and steep terrain, and everything in between.
Whistler Blackcomb is an Intrawest resort. Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE;
ITW:TSX) is one of the world's leading destination resort and adventure travel
companies. Intrawest has interests in 10 mountain resorts in North America's
most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue
for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company owns Canadian
Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and a 67
percent interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure
travel. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
in Florida and Club Intrawest - a private resort club with nine locations throughout
North America. Intrawest is developing five additional resort village developments
at locations in North America and Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver,
British Columbia. For more information, visit intrawest.com.
Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
