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WINTER PARK AND THE FRASER VALLEY 2009 SUMMER EVENT SCHEDULE

Media Contact: 
Jenn deBerge, (970) 726-1573

WINTER PARK RESORT OPENS FOR THE SUMMER
June 13
Escape to the Fraser Valley high country for a summer full of fun and festivities starting with Winter Park Resort's opening day.  Whether riding Colorado's longest Alpine Slide; playing on one of the many base area activities; or exploring over 30 miles of lift-serviced freeride mountain bike trails, there's something for everyone.  Open through Labor Day (weather permitting), play to your heart's content from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  For more information on day-to-day events and activities call, 970-726-1564 or visit www.winterparkresort.com. 

WINTER PARK MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE SERIES
June 13, 27, July 11, 12 and Aug. 1, 2, 15, and 29
Lance Armstrong's done it. So have the biggest and best mountain bikers in the region.  The Winter Park Mountain Bike Race Series is Colorado's largest mountain bike race series because it's the best racing Colorado has to offer.  Featuring eight races throughout the summer, this race series challenges riders on varying courses with hill climbs, mountain circuits, point-to-points, and cross country super loops.  For more information on this one-of-a-kind series, including times and registration, contact the Winter Park Competition Center at 970-726-1590 or visit www.epicsingletrack.com. 

TRESTLE BIKE PARK EVENING RACE SERIES
June 26, July 10, 24, Aug. 21, and Sept. 19 and 20
The Winter Park Competition Center is launching a new Trestle Bike Park mountain bike evening race series designed for gravity and cross-country riders.  Featuring shorter routes within Winter Park Resort's trail system, this race series is a great way for new riders, including kids, to try racing.  For more information, including registration fees, evening race times, and course details, visit www.trestlebikepark.com or call 970-726-1590.

SEVENTH ANNUAL GRAND COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL
June 27 - 28
"Blues from the Top" continues into its seventh summer.  This two-day festival takes place in downtown Winter Park and has featured such artists as Tab Benoit, Tommy Castro, Jimmy Hall, Zac Harmon, Deanna Bogart, Mike Zito, Trampled Under Foot, Dolores Scott Gospel Group, and John Nemeth.  NEW! Exclusive after-party evening blues show at Doc's Roadhouse, located at the base of Winter Park Resort, June 27.  For a complete update of performers, lodging information, and ticket prices, contact the Grand County Blues Society at www.grandblues.org. 

NEW! WILD NIGHTS AT WINTER PARK - NATURE AND WILDLIFE SERIES
Wednesdays July 1 - Aug. 19
As a resort located high in the Rocky Mountains, Winter Park Resort has its share of wild animals.  This new nature and wildlife series, Wild Nights at Winter Park will feature family-friendly educational presentations by area experts including the US Forest Service, Division of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park, Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery, Colorado Field Ornithologists, Raptor Education Foundation and more.  This free program is available Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the Discovery Center Plaza.  For more information, contact Winter Park Guest Services at 970-726-1564 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.

GRAVITY GODDESSES DOWNHILL CAMP
July 2 - 3, July 23 - 24 or Aug. 5 - 6
Winter Park Ride School presents a downhill mountain bike experience exclusively for women. Take your riding to the next level with top-notch coaching covering topics from fundamental skill development to trail riding. Work in small groups from one to seven women for six hours a day, with Winter Park's mountain bike coaching staff. For more details, visit www.trestlebikepark.com

FREERIDE FRIDAYS, FREE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT ALL EVENING
Fridays July 3 -  Sept. 4
Winter Park Resort is kicking the weekend off with a new family-focused evening program, Freeride Fridays, starting July 3 and continuing through Sept. 4.  Beginning at 4:30 p.m. enjoy extended Trestle Bike Park hours, live music, an evening barbecue on the decks of the mountaintop restaurant, The Lodge at Sunspot, and family activities in The Village at Winter Park, including outdoor movies and live music acts.  Plus the new Trestle Bike Park race series is available all summer long.  For more information, contact Winter Park Resort Guest Services at 970-726-1564 or visit www.trestlebikepark.com.  

FRASER VALLEY RUN FOR INDEPENDENCE AND EVENING FESTIVITIES
July 4
The Fraser Valley Fourth of July Celebration is a community event that draws over 4,000 Grand County residents and vacationers. Start the day off with a 5 mile run/walk from Winter Park Resort, along the Fraser River Trail, and then down into the town of Fraser for a post-race party filled with food, prizes and lots of fun. Then relax those weary legs at the Fraser Valley Sports Complex for an evening filled with free family fun, including games, kids' activities, a horseshoe tournament, community picnic and live music by The Informants.  The festivities start at 3 p.m. and culminate at dusk with a spectacular fireworks display against the backdrop of the Continental Divide.  For more information on this event, contact the Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce at (800) 903-7275 or at www.playwinterpark.com.

HI COUNTRY STAMPEDE RODEO
Saturdays July 4 - Sept. 5
Kick the city off your shoes at "the best little rodeo in Colorado." The High Country Stampede Rodeo Series is a summer Saturday night classic, returning to the Fraser Valley for the 26th straight season. This year's rodeo series does its rootin'-tootin' thing Saturdays from July 4 through Sept. 5. Western barbecues offer their distinct flavors and aromas to round out evenings of barrel racing, team roping, rodeo clowns, brono riding, and family entertainment.  For more information, visit www.highcountrystampede.com.

KIDS' BIKE CAMP, AGES 10 - 16
July 8 - 9 or Aug. 5 - 6
Winter Park Ride School presents a downhill mountain bike experience exclusively for junior riders. Your child's riding will improve to the next level with top-notch coaching covering topics like fundamental skill development and trail-riding. You'll work in small groups ranging from one to seven students for six hours a day, working directly with Kona bike's Willy Warren and his all-star coaching staff. For more details, visit www.trestlebikepark.com

NEW! CLUB DISCOVERY
Saturdays, July 11 - Sept. 5
Parents, enjoy a night out in the Village at Winter Park with free babysitting available for ages four to 12.  Offering a supervisor ratio of 1:5, this program is loaded with fun indoor and outdoor activities and includes dinner and s'mores by the fire pit!  Club Discovery is held Saturday nights at the Discovery Center in the Village at Winter Park from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30  p.m. from July 11 - Sept. 5.  This is a free childcare service offered to parents on the condition that $30 per child is spent in any commercial outlet at Winter Park Resort or The Village at Winter Park during the hours that your children are in the program.  Original receipts are required to verify the expenditure. If less than $30 per child is spent, parents will be charged the difference.  Reserve your child's space by 4 p.m. Saturday by calling Winter Park Guest Services at 970-726-1564.  Enrollment is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

NEW! GRAND COUNTY ARTS FESTIVAL
July 11
Local artists will be showing off their talents in The Village at Winter Park on Saturday July 11.  Purchase one-of-a-kind photography, stained glass, jewelry and more.  A variety of these artisans will be offering "hands-on" classes during the day.  For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com or call 970-726-1564. 

NEW! STAR SAFARIS
Thursdays, July 16, 23, 30 and Aug. 13, 20
Star Safaris are an exciting two-hour program featuring the University of Colorado at Boulder's Fiske Planetarium.  Hosted by The Village at Winter Park, start times will vary with sunset, but the program will generally begin around 8:30 p.m.  Enjoy pinpointing stars and planets by laser, while learning about the science of stars in our dark mountain sky.  Guest speakers will include staff and students from the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  For more information, contact Winter Park Guest Services at 970-726-1564 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.

AMERICAN RED CROSS FAT TIRE CLASSIC
July 17 - 19
Once again, the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter has teamed up to host the Fat Tire Classic.  Mountain bikers from across Colorado and the nation converge at Winter Park Resort for a weekend of scenic trails and high altitude fun. It's a celebration of the committed, compassionate, and caring people who, since Fat Tire first rolled out in 1990, have raised more than $4 million for the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross. For more information, call the Denver Chapter of the American Red Cross at 303-722-7474, or visit them at www.fattireclassic.org.

WINTER PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL
July 25 - 26
Starting Saturday, July 25, Winter Park Resort and the Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host two days of incredible jazz music in downtown Winter Park.  Located amidst the town's hub of shopping and dining, Hideaway Park will feature some of the best names in jazz, including: Boney James, Fourplay, War, Warren Hill, Sax for Stax, and the Rippingtons, with more artists to be announced.  NEW! Exclusive after-party evening jazz show will be held at Winter Park Resort, July 25.  Winter Park Central Reservations guests staying at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge will receive two free VIP tickets with room rates starting at $84/person.   For more information on the Winter Park Jazz Festival and Winter Park Central Reservations lodging package, call 866-239-3994 or visit www.skiwinterpark.com/deals/packages.

ALPINE ARTAFFAIR
July 25 - 26
The 35th annual Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair features fine arts, crafts, jewelry, photography, sculpture, food, and entertainment. Proceeds from this non-profit event fund art sscholarships and arts-related projects for Grand County students and aspiring artists. The Alpine ArtAffair takes place in a pine forest setting in downtown Winter Park.  For more information on the Alpine ArtAffair, or for a vendor application, visit www.alpineartaffair.com.

THIRD ANNUAL CRANKWORX COLORADO MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL
July 30 - Aug. 2
Crankworx Colorado Freeride Mountain Bike Festival returns for its third year to Winter Park Resort July 30 â€" Aug. 2.  Building on two years of momentum, Crankworx Colorado will be this year's home to the North American Championships, attracting the best slopestyle riders from around the world.  Crankworx Colorado competitions include Slopestyle, Big Air, Cross Country, Super Downhill and more. This year's event will serve as the qualifier for the Kokanee Slopestyle Event at Whistler Blackcomb, where the Crankworx event series originated. For more information, visit www.crankworxcolorado.com.

FRASER RIVER DAYS AND LUMBERJACK SHOW
Aug. 8 - 9
Winter Park Resort and the Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to celebrate their wide-open spaces.  The Scheer Lumberjack Show will be in town demonstrating logrolling, axe throwing, chainsaw cutting and more.  The Raptor Education Foundation will be here with several live raptors on-hand to provide education throughout the day.  Stop by The Village at Winter Park on Sunday for a free children's environmental fair, Native American performances, and the second day of the Scheer Lumberjack Show.  For more information, contact the Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce at 800-903-7275 or visit www.playwinterpark.com.

THE 17TH ANNUAL SALUTE TO AMERICAN VETERANS RALLY AND FESTIVAL
Aug. 14 - 16
The American Veterans Rally has a 16-year history and first came to Winter Park in 2007 with more than 10,000 participants. Weekend highlights include a remembrance ceremony honoring past Veterans and active duty members, a military parade, guest speakers, live music, and flyovers. The traveling Vietnam Wall will also be on display for this special event at the Fraser Valley Sports Complex. The American Veterans Rally is a free event.  For more information on the American Veterans Rally and Festival, contact the Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce at 800-903-7275 or visit www.playwinterpark.com.

TASTE OF GRAND COUNTY FESTIVAL
Aug. 15
Lovers of gourmet food, fine wines and hand-crafted beers shouldn't miss the annual Taste of Grand County on Aug. 15, where guests can sample a wide array of food and beverages at picturesque Winter Park Resort.  Highlights include wine, beer and food tasting, and a huge silent auction. The Taste of Grand County proceeds benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled which provides over 23,000 sports and recreational lessons annually for adults and children with almost any type of disability.  Tickets and general information are available at www.nscd.org.

FAMOUS FLAMETHROWER'S HIGH ALTITUDE CHILI COOKOFF
Aug. 22 - 23
Chefs don their best costumes and fire up their tastiest recipes in this back-to-back sanctioned cook-off.  Winners will represent Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region at the International Chili Society World Championship Chili Cook-off.  Prizes are awarded in several categories, including traditional red, chili verde, and salsa.  Proceeds benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled which provides over 23,000 sports and recreational lessons annually for adults and children with almost any type of disability.  For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com or call 970-726-1564. 

WINTER PARK RESORT CONCLUDES DAILY OPERATIONS, OPEN WEEKENDS
Last day Sept. 7, Open weekends Sept. 12 - 13, 19 - 20, 26 - 27
Winter Park Resort will conclude daily operations of all base activities including Colorado's longest alpine slide and chairlift service on the Olympia and Zephyr Express on Sept. 7.  However, all base activities, shops and restaurants will be open each weekend from Sept. 12 through Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  For more information on day-to-day events and activities, call 970-726-1564, or visit www.winterparkresort.com. 

GRAND COUNTY PARADE OF HOMES
Sept. 12 - 13 and 19 - 20
The sixth annual Grand County Parade of Homes features the best in builders and real estate that Winter Park and the Fraser Valley have to offer.  Highlighting the finest in local craftsmanship, these properties are examples of the latest in kitchen, great room, bedroom, and outdoor-area design.  For more information, contact the Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce at 800-903-7275 or at www.playwinterpark.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on any of these events, visit www.winterparkresort.com or contact Guest Services at (970) 726-1564.  Note that event dates, times, and details are subject to change or cancellation. 

For all media inquiries, including digital images and b-roll film, contact Jennifer deBerge at (970) 726-1573. 

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About Winter Park Resort
Home to over 600 miles of cross-country mountain bike terrain, 30 miles of chairlift accessible mountain biking trails, Colorado's longest Alpine Slide, an entire village and base area of family-friendly activities, and the summer's most anticipated event â€" Crankworx Colorado, Winter Park Resort's location provides a place for adventure, fun and culture for the young and young at heart.   For more information on Winter Park Resort, visit www.winterparkresort.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 Holiday-  the largest heli-skiing operation in the world; Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida; and Club Intrawestâ€"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.