ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PEAK 2 PEAK GONDOLA GRAND OPENING CHALKS UP A YEAR OF HIGH POINTS

Discovery Channel Canada to air PEAK 2 PEAK documentary December 23

WHISTLER, BC, December 12, 2009 – December 12, 2009 marks the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of Whistler Blackcomb’s world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. In just one short year the gondola has forever changed the way skiers and snowboarders use the mountains, totally revolutionized the summer experience at Whistler Blackcomb, and is the subject of two documentaries telling the stories of how it came to be.

“We have been incredibly pleased with all the great guest feedback we’ve received about the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and how the experience of riding it has been awe-inspiring,” says Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Through winter and summer, the comments are the same. Guests are blown away with the views, the smooth ride and the feat of engineering, and most importantly, the incredible access it provides to the high alpine terrain on both mountains.”

PEAK 2 PEAK ridership has now exceeded 1.2 million crossings, and guests continue to flock to experience it whether as sightseers or skiers/snowboarders. “We saw some incredible results this summer from sightseers who were attracted to the Whistler Blackcomb alpine as a result of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola,” continues Brownlie. “And as we look ahead to the Winter Games, and all the exposure we’ll gain through that, the PEAK 2 PEAK will draw even greater interest.”

Another coup for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is Discovery Channel Canada’s hour-long documentary about the construction of this record-breaking project. After dedicating two-and-a-half years to this project, Discovery Channel Canada will present their documentary “Peak to Peak: Building the World’s Biggest Gondola” on December 23 at 9pm EST/6pm PST. True to Discovery Channel form, this film will feature stunning videography and dramatic action while taking viewers through the challenges and triumphs of building one of the highest, longest and most technically challenging ski lifts in the world.

The Garibaldi Lift Company, Merlin’s and Dusty’s Bar & BBQ will all air “Peak to Peak” on their televisions for the après crowd when it airs at 6pm in Whistler. Check out Discovery Channel Canada’s website for a sneak preview of “Peak to Peak” http://www.discoverychannel.ca/Showpage.aspx?sid=22763.

And finally, Whistler Blackcomb’s own tribute to the PEAK TO PEAK Gondola, written, filmed and directed by an entirely local crew lead by long-time Whistler filmmaker Jim Budge of Longrun Video, is currently on-line. “On the Shoulders of Giants” tells the story of how visionaries, athletes, and innovators have been inspired since the beginning to step up to the challenge of Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain, and move progression a notch ahead, again and again. Featuring footage from well-known filmmakers, the skiing and snowboarding footage is second only to the inspiring story told by some of Whistler’s most beloved and well-known trailblazers who share their experiences of living in the ultimate testing ground, and how it inspired them to conceive the inconceivable. Check it out at: http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/p2pg/video/documentary.asp

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb gets ready to welcome the world in 2010 as a host venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. With uninterrupted skiing, riding and sightseeing available throughout the winter, season two of the highly acclaimed PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and the best deals of the season guaranteed before November 15, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver, Canada up the spectacular, newly-finished Sea to Sky Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast one vertical mile of incredible skiing and riding. With over 16 alpine bowls, three 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, visit http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest

Intrawest is a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts. The Company has interests in 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 and at other third-party locations around the world. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a portfolio company owned primarily by private equity funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC. For more information, visit http://www.intrawest.com