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The 2nd Annual Spring Grüv takes over The Canyons Resort

Celebrate. Compete. Watch. Ski. Ride. Grüv.

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Press Release

Schweitzer Mountain Resort Goes Green


Sandpoint, ID - Schweitzer Mountain Resort has announced several initiatives intended to reduce the Idaho ski and snowboard resort’s impact on the environment. Schweitzer hired an environmental coordinator, signed the National Ski Area Association’s Sustainable Slopes Initiative, purchased wind energy to operate several chairlifts, enlisted an environmental committee to work on improvements resort wide, and implemented a contest to see how much energy the resort could save last summer.

“It’s important that we in the ski industry recognize the importance of supporting the environment that supports us,” said Tom Chasse, Schweitzer’s President and CEO. “I am glad that we’ve found ways over the last year to take some significant steps to lighten our impact on the environment.”

By signing the Sustainable Slopes Initiative, Schweitzer committed to improving their environmental performance in all aspects of their operations. One step in that direction was to purchase 1000mwh of “Green Tags” that pay for energy to be purchased from regional wind energy producers through a partnership with Northern Lights, Inc. After an assessment of past energy use it was determined that the wind energy credits could be used to completely power Schweitzer’s Basin Express Quad, Great Escape Quad and Lakeview Triple chairlifts for the entire 2008-09 ski and snowboard season.

“Not only is Schweitzer able to reduce our energy consumption by buying the green tags, but also we reduced our energy consumption in August and September by 27% through a resort wide energy challenge,” said Kerri Kuntz, Schweitzer’s environmental coordinator. “It’s really cool to see people from every department on the mountain come together as an environmental committee and come up with great ideas to implement resort wide.”

The committee is working to improve recycling, reduce energy use, improve land use practices, provide transportation options, and increase guest awareness of ways they can contribute.

Press Release

What’s New At Stratton For 2008-09 Winter Season

Stratton Mountain VT - Crow’s feet, memory loss, stiff joints, hair loss in desired places, hair growth in unwanted places. Getting older is not always pretty for humankind. But like a fine wine or Brady Bunch re-run, Stratton Mountain seems to get better with age. After experiencing one of the snowiest winters in recent history, the resort couldn’t be more excited for the 2008-2009 ski season. In preparation, a number of changes, additions, and overall improvements to the terrain, equipment and events calendar will have the place looking and feeling better than ever when the first skiers and snowboarders arrive in November.

Terrain

New Trails: Two new (yet to be named) intermediate trails in the Sunbowl area of the mountain, located off skiers right off of Sunriser Supertrail. The trails will be treated as glades this season with no snowmaking.

Glades: The largest off season glade project has been the creation of natural terrain features (ie: jumps, rails, banks, rollers etc) in the Emerald Forest glade. This process, originally used in the Test Pilot glade, utilizes logs, felled trees, rocks and other naturally occurring obstacles to create organic counterparts to features normally found in terrain parks. Stratton’s longest and most innovative glade, Test Pilot, is also receiving some attention this off season as some of the more densely treed areas are being thinned out to create better lines and more space to rip. All of the harvested timber will then be used to create features within the glade.

A New Way Down: Easy Street will be a newly launched, three mile long, family friendly trail that starts at the summit and winds down to the base through Mike’s Way, West Meadow, Drifter Link and Old Log Road. Mountain Patrol will be stationed along the route as a reminder that this trail is designed for an easy-does-it style of skiing and riding. The route delivers big time views of the surrounding area and will cater to families, beginners and everyone looking to take it easy.

Retooled and Revamped Parks and Pipes:
* Suntanner trail will no longer host a terrain park but will instead have a Boarder-X course on its lower reaches
* Tyrolienne will be the beginner/ intermediate park and will play host to a Saturday night, under the lights, series of events
* East Byrneside and Old Smoothie will be the intermediate/advanced parks and will be updated with newer features for 08’/09’.
* An 18 foot Superpipe will be built on Sunriser Supertrail (in the Sunbowl area) by MLK day or before if conditions permit.
* Betwixt/Beeline will be a rail/jib park with multiple lines designed for all abilities of park riders.

Equipment

New and Improved Machines: The grooming fleet is enhanced with a new Prinoth Sherpa Winch Cat (for grooming steep pitches) and a Prinoth BR350 terrain park cat with more horsepower and range of motion for better functionality when creating terrain park features.
Better Efficiency and Lower Enviromental Impact: Stratton is investing half a million dollars in snowmaking energy efficiency programs including…
* 40 new low E tower guns which increase snow particle size leaving flakes less susceptible to wind, reducing air consumption and saving energy dollars, increases snow output, and reduces small snow particle fog.
* The installation of a more efficient VFD pump which provides up to 30% energy savings with an Efficiency VT rebate attached to it.
* A New 1700 cfm air compressor which creates 20 – 30% more energy efficient and better overall output.

Events

Under The Lights: New this year to the events calendar is a series of amateur snowboard and freeskiing events that will be held on Saturday nights, under the lights on the Tyrolienne Slopestyle course. Events are open to all and are currently scheduled for December 27, January 17, and February 7. Details to come!

Being one year older and one year wiser, it should be obvious that time is best spent at Stratton Mountain Resort; A blend of traditional with cutting edge and a place of mixed generations where both Generation Y’ers and Octogenarians can co-mingle amongst terrain park features and boutiques in the Stratton Village. Where terrain expansion does not come at the expense of the natural environment and mountain advancements complement the traditional features that have made Stratton great for many years.

Press Release

HOTEL DE CHARME LES AIRELLES COMPLETES FINAL STAGE OF $51 MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION

Unveiling The Most Expansive Apartment Suite In the French Alps, Reopening December 12

Courchevel, France (September 17, 2008) - Situated in the heart of the Jardin Alpin, Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is one of the most exclusive ski destinations in the world and will complete a two year $51 million dollar renovation to coincide with the reopening of the winter season on December 12. The five-star ski resort has hosted royalty and the world’s most illustrious guests and debuts the largest apartment suite in Courchevel. This luxurious 5,900 square-foot four-bedroom accommodation sits atop the fourth floor of the hotel, featuring a private Spa, sound proof screening room and a stunning terrace with a whirlpool bath overlooking the French Alps.

The extensive renovation brings Les Airelles’ accommodations to a total of 37 guestrooms, 14 suites and a private apartment. All rooms and bathrooms have been upgraded with refined decorations inspired from Italian and Austrian chalets of the past, including hand-painted wooden panels, Frey and Rubelli materials, along with Dedar and Declerc soft furnishings and silks. Units are fitted with the latest hi-fi and video technologies and wireless high-speed Internet access. Bar and lounge area have all received a facelift, now including a roaring fireplace, cozy and intimate alcoves, a smoking parlor and lunch buffet restaurant with a sunlight drenched terrace.

Accommodations
This December, the new top fourth floor private apartment will make its debut with breathtaking views over the Courchevel ski resort.

Prestige Junior Suites on the hotel’s south side offer 700 square-feet of space overlooking the ski slopes. All feature a bright, vast living areas and bathrooms equipped with hammam-shower and large dressing rooms. Some Prestige Junior suites are equipped with two bathrooms. On the west side at snow level are Les Airelles’ Junior Suites. The 430 square-foot suites feature a separate lounge, guestroom and bathroom with hammam shower, plus balconies that peer over the Jardin Alpin.

Dining and Entertainment
The La Table du Jardin Alpin restaurant opens onto a sunny terrace with direct access from the ski slopes to the Gloriette and the Relais des Skieurs. A skier valet is available to help guests remove boots and ease into warm carpet slippers.

After skiing or in the evening, there is the Bar des Airelles, completely renovated for intimate gatherings. Refined sweets await, accompanied with the finest teas and the hotel’s famous hot chocolate. Highlighted by soft piano or contemporary lounge music, the Bar des Airelles becomes the essential evening meeting place for the hotel’s clientele. An elegant smoking room is available for those who love enjoying a cigar while sipping vintage spirits after a meal or relaxing after a day on the slopes.

At dinner time, Pierre Gagnaire for Les Airelles serves up sumptuous décor and the cuisine of famed chef Pierre Gagnaire. The restaurant pays tribute to Sissi of Bavaria, in a warm atmosphere of Austrian charm. In the center of the room hangs a majestic chandelier from the Cristallerie St Louis. The art de table is by the partner houses Hermès (crockery), Puiforcat (silverware) and Cristallerie St Louis (glassware), all punctuated with contemporary touches including Olivier Gagnière armchairs and modern artwork.

The La Table du Jardin Alpin restaurant features traditional Bourgeoise cuisine stamped with the seal of authenticity. At Le Coin Savoyard restaurant, guests will discover a genuine Carnotzet, a unique place to taste regional specialties prepared with the best local cheese products: Tartiflette, Raclette and Fondue, all in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Spa
Well-being and relaxation can be found at the Valmont for Les Airelles health spa. 7,000 square-feet of public space include soothing waterfalls, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool bath, hammam and saunas. Physiotherapists-osteopaths, aesthetician, hairdressers and a barber for the men, are all on hand to serve guests needs.

Adding to the spa is an aromatic jet shower system, a fruit juice and herbal-tea bar, five sound proofed cubicles fitted with showers (one of which offers balnéo-therapy and a solarium) and a modern fitness room with the innovative “Kinesis Personal” system.

Emerge from the steaming sauna into the spa’s one-of-a-kind snow cave. Covered with natural and pure powder snow, the cave creates and idyllic atmosphere in a crystal-clear glacier world. Guests experience the stimulating and cooling -10°C temperature in between two trips to the sauna, creating a truly purifying sauna experience.

By Terry, an exclusive upscale line of cosmetics catering to the world’s social elite is also available at Valmont for Les Airelles spa. Founded by Terry Gunzburg, formerly of Yves Saint Laurent, these cosmetics are built on principles of fashion and luxury. The line emphasizes texture, quality, a staggering array of color choices, and presentation. The line is packaged in “Jewel Cases” reflecting the treasure inside.

Children
The Children’s Kingdom is a new 1,076 square-foot transparent game room. A play castle invites the youngest ones and a second room with arcade video games, two Wii consoles and curling game, cater to older kids. Children also have the option to view films in a private cinema room. All activity is under the benevolent and capable watch of the hotel’s “Super Nanny”.

The family-friendly hotel also features an old-world wooden carrousel and children’s entertainment for holidays including Christmas with Santa Claus and Easter activities such as an Easter egg hunt. Les Airelles is truly a children’s paradise, paying attention to every need of younger guests as much as is paid to the hotel’s adult guests.

Ski Boutique/ Skating Rink
On your way to the ski slopes, visitors will pass Placette Italienne with a new Valentino Haute Couture Boutique, and a little further, the Nouvel Espace Ski to rent or buy the latest innovative in ski equipment and accessories. A private ice-rink will delight the young and not so young alike, from the beginning of the season until mid-January. The hotel’s famous Skier Valets are at guests’ disposal, providing assistance and access to the biggest ski resort in the world, Les 3 Vallées. In addition, free transfers by barouche, a horse drawn carriage, are available to guests throughout their stay.

For more information about Les Airelles, please visit www.airelles.fr.

About Les Airelles
Les Airelles also features a business center, meeting space, children’s program, fitness center, pool, ski in ski out facilities and WiFi access. The property is located five minutes from Courchevel Airport, thirty minutes from Moûtiers Rail Station and is a two-hour drive from Geneva and Lyon International Airport.

Press Release

Kirkwood Investing In The Future With Renewable Energy Resources

Resort Signs Letters of Intent with Synergy Power Corporation to Construct Twenty Wind Turbines and with True Energy, Inc. to Install Waste Heat Recovery Systems

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Boreal’s Park to Get New Lift

The new Castle Peak Quad will replace the existing Gunnar’s double chair, increasing base area capacity on beginner/novice runs and evolution terrain parks.

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New High-Speed Chairlift To Be Installed This Summer At The Summit at Snoqualmie

The Summit at Snoqualmie has received the green light from the United States Forest Service to begin the installation of a new high-speed quad chairlift, named Silver Fir Express.

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Press Release

Patricia Ryan Promoted To Killington Director Of Sales And Marketing

Killington Resort President and General Manager Chris Nyberg announced today the promotion of Patricia Ryan to Director of Sales and Marketing.

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Press Release

12 Inches of fresh snow at Perisher Blue

New South Wales, Australia - The long awaited snowfalls finally arrived in a big way. The falls began yesterday afternoon and have continued throughout much of today, adding further cover to the slopes and bringing smiles to the faces of snow lovers around the resort.

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Press Release

Jay Peak Resort Sold to Long Time Resort President Bill Stenger and Group of Private Investors

Immediate plans call for new lifts, improved snowmaking and evolution of Resort infrastructure totaling more than $100 million in capital improvements over the next several years

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