ABC of Skiing News Feed

Construction Commences on Peak 2 Peak Gondola

After a snowy six-month hiatus, the construction on Whistler Blackcomb's Peak 2 Peak Gondola has commenced, with completion of the record-breaking lift slated for this December, just before the busy winter season swings into high gear.

Phase one of the two-year construction schedule concluded last November with the two tallest towers completed, and concrete poured for the foundations of the remaining two towers. Phase two has kicked off with the clearing of over 10 feet of snow around the lift terminals to prepare for construction. Access roads have been cleared of snow on Whistler and Blackcomb, and the steel for the towers is being moved into place.

"We couldn't be off to a better start as this second phase of construction has got underway," says Rick Temple, Peak 2 Peak Gondola Project Manager. "The site is cleared and prepped, the Doppelmayr team has arrived from Europe, and we've just placed the first piece of steel on the Blackcomb Terminal, which is a major milestone."

While formwork crews have begun work on the lift terminals, a very important shipment has begun its journey to Whistler from across the Atlantic Ocean. Five spools of cable, weighing close to 100 metric tonnes each, as well as four "smaller" reels, were loaded onto the Rhine Barge "Pecaro" at the Basel Rhine Port on April 10.

The barge connected with the ocean-going vessel "Star Indiana" in Vlissingen, The Netherlands on April 23 and has begun its trans-Atlantic journey to the Port of Vancouver in Washington State. This US port has a heavy-lift mobile harbour crane and was the closest port with the ability to handle the extremely heavy spools. The cable is estimated to arrive in the US on June 5, when it will be transferred to rail cars to make the journey across the border and up to Whistler. When the cable reaches Whistler, the spools will be lifted onto a special low-bed truck and transported up the mountain.

Once the cables are at the top of the mountain, the cable stringing process begins. The entire process is scheduled to take 12 to 13 weeks. The plan is to fly a small cable across the valley by helicopter. After that cable is strung, progressively larger and larger cables - five in total - will be pulled across the line until the actual cable is finally pulled across.

Upcoming major milestones for the spring construction phase include final concrete pours, construction of the tower head for Tower 3, erection of Towers 1 and 4, and building of the winch platforms on Towers 2 and 3. Watch it all happen at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/peak2peak with webcams, construction updates, photographs, and videos.

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 to Peak Gondola project underway, 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 up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains � Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain, and a one-mile vertical rise, 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 restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries, and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four-season resort is spectacular. Check it all 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.

Snowbird Extends Season, Opens Little Cloud Lift

SNOWBIRD, UTAH - With more than 11 feet of snow on the ground at mid-mountain, Snowbird announced yesterday that it will extend its season to June and possibly beyond.

Snowbird President Bob Bonar said he feels confident that the resort will be able to offer skiing and riding daily through Sunday, May 11, and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through June 1 (including Monday, May 26, Memorial Day).

"With last week's storm and additional precipitation this week, it looks like we'll have plenty of snow for great skiing through the last weekend of May, beginning of June,� said Bonar. "We will continue to offer skiing and riding as long as the conditions are safe, enjoyable, and there's interest.�

Snowbird lifts have run as late as July 4 in two previous seasons. Bonar said this week, it is too early to know if that's a possibility this year.

Previously not scheduled to operate for the remainder of the spring schedule, the Little Cloud chairlift began operating yesterday and will continue to do so for the remainder of the spring schedule along with Peruvian Express, Mineral Basin Express, and Peruvian Tunnel. The resort is open for skiing and riding 9am to 3pm through Sunday, May 11. Beginning May 16, the hours of operation will be 8am to 2pm. Lift tickets are $59.

The Aerie and Atrium restaurants, both located in the Cliff Lodge, celebrate Mother's Day with brunches beginning at 9am in the Aerie and 10:30am in the Atrium. For reservations, call (801) 933-2181.

Spring vacation packages and additional information about operating days and hours are available at www.snowbird.com.

For media information, contact Dave Fields at dfields@snowbird.com or (801) 933-2041.

DTS Now Offers SPOT - First Satellite Messenger

Lafayette, LA - SPOT - the world's first satellite messenger is now available at Data Technology Solutions.

Data Technology Solutions, a leader in satellite communications, will carry the new SPOT Satellite Messenger at their corporate headquarters in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. SPOT will also be available online at www.dtsstore.com this fall, just in time for hunting season.

SPOT's message and tracking functions enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based on varying levels of need and to visually track the location of the SPOT Satellite Messenger:

Alert 9-1-1 dispatches emergency responders to an exact location
Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family
Check In lets contacts know where you are and that you are okay
Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows contacts to track your progress using Google Maps�

Weighing just over seven ounces and priced at less than US $150, the SPOT Satellite Messenger provides consumers with the ability to send for emergency assistance in time of need; notify employers, friends or family of their status; and allows them to visually track the messenger's location and progress on a computer using Google Maps� and the SPOT website. SPOT uses convenient, easy-to-replace AA size lithium batteries for complete portability and when powered on, has a standby battery life of approximately 12 months. SPOT floats and its rugged waterproof construction is engineered to withstand a wide variety of extreme environmental shock and temperature conditions.

SPOT is ideal for the growing market of outdoor enthusiasts, specifically when they are backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, ice and rock climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or participating in recreational maritime activities. SPOT is also ideal for those who need to notify others of their status after a natural or man-made disaster. The National Association for Search and Rescue estimates more than 50,000 search and rescue missions are initiated each year in the United States alone. Many of these missions are undertaken without search and rescue knowing the exact location of the missing party. SPOT removes this unknown by providing GPS location coordinates that are accurate to within 20 feet.

SPOT can also be used for commercial lone worker safety applications for those businesses with employees operating in remote areas outside the range of cellular and other wireless communications. It is also a valuable safety tool for any person who drives their automobile outside of cellular coverage or for emergency messaging during natural disasters such as hurricanes or other situations when cellular or land-based communications may be damaged or unavailable.

Coverage
SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern Asia, and hundreds or thousands of miles offshore of these areas. SPOT uses the GPS satellite system to determine a user's location and the SPOT network to transmit that location and the user's status. The SPOT network features satellite technology with a proven 99.4% reliability while processing over six million messages a month - the equivalent of 2.3 messages per second.

Product Specifications
Approximate Dimensions: 4.38 X 2.75 X 1.5 inches
Operating Temperature Range: -40 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit
Weight: 7.37 ounces

For more information on SPOT - Satellite Messenger device, visit www.dtscom.com.

About Data Technology Solutions
Data Technology Solutions (DTS) was founded in 2002. Based in Breaux Bridge, LA., with a sales office in Houston, TX, DTS is a full-service telecommunications company. DTS' portfolio includes satellite products and services designed for the oil and gas industry, commercial shipping, maritime, disaster recovery, recreational boating, and government & military markets. For more information, please visit www.dtscom.com. (PR.com)

NAMCO BANDAI Games Gets the Gold with We Ski

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Make every day a snow day as NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced that We Ski� has gone gold for Wii�. Step onto the Wii Balance Board� or grab your Wii Remote� and Nunchuk� and hit the slopes for single or multi player downhill action! Up to four skiers can experience the sweetest mountain runs like never before, as they enjoy We Ski's highly responsive and intuitive controls. We Ski will carve its way into stores on May 13.

"NAMCO BANDAI has worked to create the most intuitive and responsive skiing game available, giving players a fully immersive experience,� said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc."We want players to feel the fun and intensity of real downhill skiing from the comfort of their living rooms."

It's winter fun all year round as We Ski allows up to four skiers to enjoy a huge mountain resort with more than a dozen runs from the bunny slopes to the most challenging Black Diamonds. Not only can players shred through the trails using the motion-based controls, but they can also mix in the Wii Balance Board for a whole new level of realism. Players can even ski using their own Mii� or create customized characters that can be outfitted with different attire, poles, goggles, and costumes.

The thrill doesn't stop there, as a host of other activities will be available to enjoy including races, slaloms, moguls, freestyle challenges, ski school, and more! Players can even try their hand at night skiing while enjoying the spectrum of fireworks that color the sky. Skiing aficionados can also check out the game's dedicated website, www.weskipatrol.com, to view interactive trail maps, check out photos, watch movies and download wallpapers, banners, and more!

We Ski is rated "E� for everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information on We Ski, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com or www.weskipatrol.com.

Source:
www.mcvuk.com

Luxury on Snow at Snow Park NZ

New Zealand's only luxury apartments on snow are open for business this winter at Snow Park NZ, offering guests the chance to ski/board to their front door and enjoy the unique experience of waking up to the spectacular scenery of the snow-capped Southern Alps.

The apartments are part of the Snow Park Village which incorporates backpacker bunkrooms and a restaurant and bar open all hours to cater for the guests. Accommodation bookings for the coming season are now being taken and can host up to 76 overnight guests.

The luxury apartments are architecturally designed to suit the alpine environment and furnished to a high specification with a spacious living area, large fireplace, and grand northwest facing windows to allow the sun and stunning views to flow in. The kitchen is equipped with all the mod cons and a large dining area which leads to the private deck, complete with barbeque and private hot tub.

For those on a tighter budget, the backpacker bunkrooms, New Zealand's highest, can sleep up to 44 people. Bunkroom packages are available which include a hearty meal in the Woolshed Restaurant and a bed for the night.

The modern Woolshed Restaurant and Bar serves fine Kiwi cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The large dining area combines with an expansive sun deck overlooking the action in the terrain park and the breathtaking mountains beyond. The late-night bar has two large open fires and screens for live sporting events and movies.

Sam Lee, manager of Snow Park NZ, believes the facilities are ideal for families or groups of friends looking for a holiday or short break in the mountains. "It's a relaxing environment in the mountains, after an action-packed day in the terrain park, guests can enjoy the merriment in the bar or take in the tranquility and majestic views from their private deck,� he said.

For snow enthusiasts looking for an alternative workout from the terrain park, the Snow Farm is next door offering 55km of groomed trails for x-country skiing.

Out of season, the Snow Park Village is a unique venue for a wedding, birthday party or work function. With exclusive use of the Woolshed restaurant and bar, and accommodation facilities, it is great for small groups or larger parties.

Snow Park NZ, the Southern Hemisphere's only dedicated freestyle terrain park, is scheduled to open on June 13. For more information, visit www.snowparknz.com.