Need To Ski

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO—January 15, 2010 — The Bud Light Cowboy Downhill has been stampeding down the slopes of Steamboat Ski Resort for almost four decades,  this year riding takes on a whole new challenge as the competition moves to 4 pm on January 19th. Professional cowboys and cowgirls from around the United States will now tackle the obstacle course and Stampede event in the alpenglow of evening.

The 36th annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill has professional rodeo cowboys trading their bulls and broncs for skis and snowboards in the race at the base of Mt. Werner. Each competitor participates in a dual slalom, where side by side courses test the racers speed, agility and rodeo skills. After racing through gates and surviving a large jump, the cowboys must lasso a Steamboat Ambassador, saddle a real horse and cross the finish line, in the fastest time. Just surviving the course is tough enough for many cowboys, as they are bucked from their equipment. The slalom course is followed immediately by the fan favorite, Stampede. It’s every cowboy for themselves as the racers storm down the mountain in a winner-takes-all race.

“The Cowboy Downhill is a legendary event that has everyone watching to see what the professional cowboys will do,” says Andy Wirth, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Steamboat Ski Resort & Corporation. “We moved the event to the evening to bring more excitement, as well as make the event more accessible for spectators. The later evening format leads perfectly into a FREE Bud Light Rocks the Boat concert.”

The resort will feature family friendly activities from 12:00pm – 4:00 pm, prior to the Cowboy Downhill. Gondola Square will be activity central with booths from the Community Agriculture Alliance, 4-H farm animal petting zoo and a learn-to-rope clinic. Commemorative Cowboy Downhill logo wear will also be on sale in Gondola Square. After the Cowboy Downhill, Reckless Kelly will take to the stage at approximately 5:30pm in Gondola Square and perform a free concert for fans. American Music Association 2009 nominee Reckless Kelly has making waves on the music scene for more than a decade with their Texas-roots music. Their unique style and strong lyrics have attracted the attention of audiences in New York, Chicago, the Southeast and even industry-hardened Nashville.

The Cowboy Downhill is the brainchild of Billy Kidd, Steamboat’s Director of Skiing, and Larry Mahan, six-time All-Around World Champion cowboy, when 35 years ago they decided to invite a few ProRodeo stars to Steamboat for a day of skiing.  Three and a half decades later, the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill has become one of the most popular and unique ski rodeos in North America featuring cowboys from ProRodeo World Champions and first-timers on skis and snowboards. Billy Kidd and Larry Mahan are still an active part of the event.

The Bud Light Cowboy Downhill is always scheduled in January to coincide with the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. Participants must be entered at the Stock Show and be a member of the ProRodeo Cowboys Association or the Professional Bull Riders to compete in the event.

www.steamboat.com
 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO-January 14, 2010-As the new year unfolds, Steamboat Ski Resort & Corporation continues its commitment to safety on and off the slopes by celebrating National Safety Awareness Week, January 16-22 with special seminars, demonstrations, programs and contests for all ages of skiers and snowboarders.

“Steamboat’s commitment to safety is one of the key priorities of the resort and allows us to remain in the top tier of ski resorts in North America,” said Chris Diamond, president & chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Each year we look for new initiatives and ways to educate guest and employees to make the slopes as safe as possible. National Skier Safety Week is an opportunity for Steamboat to showcase these unique initiatives and programs, while reminding every winter enthusiast how enjoy the mountain.

The highlight of this year’s National Skier Safety Week at Steamboat is the 2010 Grand Opening Celebration and Dedication of Beacon Basin, an avalanche transceiver training area located on the mountain. The Beacon Basin helps guests and employees learn the skills necessary for successful beacon recovery, by providing access to buried transceivers whose signals can be picked up by an individual’s personal beacon.  The Steamboat Beacon Basin currently has 4 buried transceiver stations, and anticipates adding an additional four. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday January 16-18, Steamboat Ski Patrol and Ski Haus will host special 2 hour seminars on snow awareness at the Beacon Basin. The seminars are free to the public. Meet at the Beacon Basin at the top of Pony Express Chairlift at 1pm each day.

Another highlight of every National Skier Safety Week is the annual Safety Awareness Poster Contest for elementary school children with visits by patrol over the coming weeks. Posters must be based on one or more of the seven elements of the “Responsibility Code” or the three elements of Smart Style, which is the foundation for the ParkWise initiative. In addition to prizes, overall winning entries will be displayed at the resort and will then be submitted to the National Ski Area Association’s national contest.

Steamboat Ski Area will host a variety of safety programs during National Safety Awareness Week, including:

- Know the Code Contest: Skiers and Riders will randomly be stopped on the slopes by members of Steamboat’s Ski Patrol. If they know at least three of the seven parts to the Responsibility Code they’ll receive a prize.

- FREE NASTAR racing all week for any guests who can tell the attendant one of the seven slopewise codes.

- Gondola Square Safety Booths: Patrol, Olympians and the Steamboat Springs Fire Department will be in Gondola Square sharing safety tips and offering helmet demonstrations. Register to win a free Smith helmet at the Fire Department tent.

- Take your picture with Bear, the Steamboat Safety Dog for $5. Funds will go towards additional beacon set ups in the new avalanche transceiver training basin, Beacon Basin.

- Jib Jam: Join Ski & Snowboard School as they teach park and pipe skills during the public Jib Jam session in Lil’ Rodeo.

- Free Mountain Tours with Ambassador with SlopeWise & Safety Information from Patrol

- Billy Kidd One O’Clock Run: Free clinic by Kidd, who will be joined by Patrol during Safety Week

- ParkWise tent at Lil’ Rodeo Terrain Park promoting Smart Style, Steamboat’s ParkWise program, handing out safety tips and stickers.

- Grooming Reports, daily snow reports and individual chairlift message boards will feature safety messages throughout the week.

- New Signage across the mountain promoting safe riding, jibing and slow zones

Steamboat’s SlopeWise program is an overarching program built upon safety programs in place as well as ParkWise (terrain park program), SafetyWise (employee program) and the resort’s Code of Conduct, in conjunction with the NSAA Responsibility Code, which makes it extremely clear that every user of the mountain, regardless of ticket or pass type, understands what is expected, and how the consequences of their actions can impact their ability to enjoy the slopes.

-www.steamboat.com-

Thursday, January 14, 2010

VANCOUVER, BC and MAHWAH, N.J.– January 14, 2010 – Intrawest and Land Rover North America today announced a new strategic partnership that will see Land Rover serve as the year-round automotive partner at three of the premiere mountain resorts in North America—Stratton Mountain in Vermont, Winter Park Resort and Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, both in Colorado.

Under the terms of the agreement, Land Rover vehicles will be on display at each resort and included in on-site and web-based promotions throughout the year. On-line videos featuring Land Rover vehicles will feature winter driving tips for consumers and Land Rover will be the presenting sponsor of the Snow Report page on each resort’s website as well as the email notifications that help resort guests plan their winter vacation experiences.

“We are proud of this opportunity to showcase one of the world’s most popular automotive brands as an extension of our commitment to deliver memorable and unique experiences for our resort guests,” said Andy Wirth, SVP of sales & marketing and strategic alliances at Intrawest.  “Our resorts provide unparalleled access to an active and affluent customer base for the world renowned Land Rover brand. We look forward to a successful partnership.”

Land Rover Experience Days will provide resort guests with the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of driving off-road in the world’s most capable all-terrain vehicles. Participants will have an opportunity to learn off-road driving and handling techniques as they test drive vehicles with a driving instructor on specially constructed off-road courses at each resort. A complete schedule for Land Rover Experience Days at Stratton Mountain, Steamboat and Winter Park can be found at each resort’s website.

“Forming a relationship with Intrawest and their award-winning resorts provides the opportunity for us to further connect with adventure-minded people who seek world class experiences,” said Finbar McFall, Vice President Marketing, Land Rover North America.  “Intrawest’s first-class resorts and top-ranked terrain parks provide the perfect setting to showcase Land Rover’s breadth of capabilities.”

About Intrawest
Intrawest is a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts.  The Company has a network of resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world.  In addition, Intrawest markets and sells real estate at its resorts in North America. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com

About Land Rover North America
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true ‘breadth of capability’ across the model range. Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR3 (Discovery 3), Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world’s 4×4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.

Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with all new models and, together with Jaguar, it is investing £700m on technology specifically aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions.  Also, since September 2006, carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset program run by Climate Care.

For further information, contact Ian Galbraith, Intrawest Corporate Communications, at (604) 695-8317 or igalbraith@intrawest.com
Or
Leah Watkins-Hall, Corporate, Brand and Interactive Communications, Jaguar Land Rover North America, at 201.760.8578 or lwatki40@jaguarlandrover.com