Whistler attracts the most influential skiers and riders in the world. Why? According to Mike Douglas, 'Godfather of the New School,' it's because Whistler Blackcomb's natural and human-made terrain features create a mountain experience with the "best of everything.' In a move to support the highest level of athletes who call Whistler Blackcomb their home mountains, the resort introduces the Whistler Blackcomb Pro and Legends Teams.

"Whistler is the center of ski and snowboard culture, and the talent pool in Whistler is very deep. Choosing six skiers and six snowboarders for the Whistler Blackcomb Pro Team wasn't easy," said Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We went to industry insiders and asked the athletes themselves - 'who represents the best of what Whistler has to offer?' We have chosen a team that symbolizes all of Whistler Blackcomb's strengths - the biggest vertical in North America, some of the most creative terrain parks in the world, and venues that will be featured in the 2010 Olympics."

Five of Canada's most recognized skiers are confirmed for the 2003-2004 Whistler Blackcomb Pro Team. In addition to Mike Douglas, Whistler Blackcomb welcomes the world's premier big mountain skier Hugo Harrisson, two-time International Freeskiing Association Title winner Jen Ashton, four-time X-Games gold medallist Aleisha Cline, and Olympic hopeful Britt Janyk to the team. A sixth skier will be introduced later this fall.

The Whistler Blackcomb Pro Team riders include five of the top male snowboarders from Canada and one of Canada's best known and respected female riders. Maelle Ricker, international pipe competitor joins young freestyle superstar Chris Dufficy, powder-god Shin Campos, multi-competition winner Kevin Sansalone, and French Canadian legends JF Pelchat and Gaetan Chanut. This combination of skiers and riders makes for one of the most progressive and knowledgeable teams in North America.

To honour some of the most accomplished names in mountain sports, Whistler Blackcomb has also developed the Whistler Blackcomb Legends Team, which includes industry greats like World Cup winner Rob Boyd, big mountain ski legend Eric Pehota, Olympic snowboarder Ross Rebagliati, big mountain snowboard legend Brian Savard, Olympic skier John Smart, and one of the most distinguished female mountaineers in the world, Lee Anne Patterson.

"We're really excited to work with all of these athletes," Rempel went on to state. "We wanted the best, and I'm convinced we have them."

Information about the Whistler Blackcomb Pro Team will be available on Whistler Blackcomb's new Ride Tribe youth site, http://www.RideTribe.com, which will be launched in mid-October.

Whistler Blackcomb is owned and operated by Intrawest Corporation. Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is the leading developer and operator of village-centered resorts across North America. The company owns nine mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, North America's most popular mountain resort. Intrawest also owns Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and has a premier vacation ownership business, Club Intrawest. The company has a 45 per cent interest in Alpine Helicopters Ltd., owner of Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.intrawest.com.