Winter Park Pumps up Park & Pipe Focus

PRESS RELEASE

WINTER PARK, Colo., Dec. 3, 2003 - Winter Park Resort is quickly establishing its own freeride scene with a twist. The resort provides a comfortable and laid-back atmosphere where young freeriders can develop and polish skills in the park and pipe before they launch into competition in professional events. With a new Freeride Team, a Superpipe, and more and larger parks, Winter Park is in prime position to attract those new to the sport and the competitive up-and-comers. And that's where the Winter Park/Shell Amateur Freeride Series comes in.

Now in its seventh season, participation in the Freeride Series has increased each year. There are nine events, with separate divisions for skiers and riders. The cost to participate in the entire series is $175. Competitors also have the option to pre-register for each event for $25 or pay $35 on day of event. Cost for participants 13 and under for the entire series is $105 or $10 off single-event prices. For information or to register, call the Competition Center at (970) 726-1590. Online
registration is available at www.winterparkresort.com/freeride. See below for competition dates. More evidence of Winter Park's commitment to the freeride movement is the town's first-ever snowboard competition, the Jingle Rails - Jail Ram, in downtown Winter Park on Dec. 27, and a new Ride Festival, just for snowboarders, on Feb. 29. The resort paired with the town of Winter Park to present Jingle Rails. From 4 - 8 p.m., Cooper Creek Square in downtown Winter Park is transformed into a rail-bending, jail ramming, rock-'n-rolling good time as invited professional and amateur snowboarders compete on a unique layout of rails to win more than $1600 in cash and prizes. A DJ and emcee spice up the event. Prior to the competition, a short demonstration and rail overview educates guests and aspiring rail riders on safety, beginner and advanced tricks, and the history of rails.

The Ride Festival is a six-hour clinic just for snowboarders, focusing on pipes, parks, bumps and freeriding. Check-in is from 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. in upper Balcony House. Participants are on the slopes by 9 a.m. Snowboarders must be comfortable on blue trails. Cost is $70 and includes an aprè³ party. Lift ticket is not included. For details, call the Guest Contact Center at (800) 729-7907.

For more information on the series, Jingle Rails event or the Ride Festival, visit www.winterparkresort.com.

Freeride Series competition dates:

Jan. 3, Winter Rail Jam. This is the first of nine events in Winter Park Resort's season-long freeride series. Competitors battle it out on selected rails to stake their claim as the best rail rider on the mountain.

Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and March 6, Halfpipe. The series continues with an event in the Superpipe on the face of Allan Phipps trail. Competitors are judged on style, amplitude and trick selection, and difficulty.

Feb. 1 and 8, and March 7, Slopestyle. In Rail Yard terrain park, competitors are judged and scored on their maneuvers through a course that includes rails and a variety of jumps.

Feb. 29, Powder Tools 6th Mogul Annual. This dual mogul race is a judged event with one jump at the end of the run. It is one of the few mogul events in the state with separate divisions for skiers and snowboarders.

April 3, Spring Rail Jam. This is the final event of the Freeride Series as competitors battle it out on selected rails in hopes of being judged the best rail rider on the mountain.

For the latest terrain updates and snow report, visit www.winterparkresort.com or call 970.726.5514.