Section Contents - Quick Links to Articles

• 1 - SUN PEAKS EXPANSION TOTALS $4 MILLION

• 2 - MOONLIGHT BASIN CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

• 3 - SILVER MOUNTAIN GROWS as IDAHO’S NEW STAR

• 4 - WILD, WONDERFUL WHISTLER

SUN PEAKS EXPANSION TOTALS $4 MILLION

New Lifts, New Terrain and New Facilities Enhance World-Class Resort

SUN PEAKS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA – Sun Peaks Resort is the largest ski area in British Columbia, apart from Whistler, with close to 4,000 acres of diverse terrain ranging from powder-filled alpine bowls to award winning groomed cruisers and unique glade skiing. But the mountains and the terrain are only the beginning of the Sun Peaks experience.

What sets Sun Peaks apart is vast terrain combined with an intimate, family-friendly, ski-through resort village, where nothing is farther than a short walk or ski a way. Add endless options off the slopes from skating to spa treatments and exceptional dining experiences, and you have a complete and unique winter destination resort. This past summer Sun Peaks was pleased to announce a $4 million expansion to help enhance its world class resort experience.

Sun Peaks is excited to enhance its lift system with a brand new quad chairlift. The new lift allows for faster access to the deepest driest powder, glade skiing and advance/expert terrain on Tod Mountain and provides direct and faster access to popular runs such as Chute, Spillway, Green Door, Cariboo, Bluff and many more. The lift will serve as a third route to the top of Tod Mountain and as the primary lift for the Nancy Greene International Race Center. This area of Sun Peaks is home to the Austrian Ski Team for early season race training for the 2010 Olympic Games.

Crews were busy this summer building four new intermediate runs on the lower part of Orient Ridge. This will provide more options between Sundance and Mt. Morrisey and easier access to the East Village and residential area. The ever-popular run on Sundance Mountain, Rambler, will be widened to increase the resort’s novice teaching terrain and improve access to Mt. Morrisey. That’s not all, improvements and expansions on the Terrain Parks will include more features and enhanced grooming.

Sun Peaks Resort is continuing its commitment to providing a great experience for all members of the family with a new Kids Ranch for families and children. The new leading-edge facility has an animated theme park with dedicated terrain and fun features, especially designed for kids 3 to 12 years old. It will be conveniently located at the top of the village platter next to the schoolhouse building and accessed by a carpet lift.

Nestled at the base of three mountains is the intimate and welcoming ski-through village, where you can enjoy a completely vehicle-free winter vacation. You will find a wide variety of accommodation options from hotels and condos to townhomes all within an easy ski or walking distance of the slopes. The owner operator restaurants create character and ambience with plenty of choices for dining from family menus to fine cuisine. Or spend some time shopping with over 15 shops for you to choose from with a wide selection of clothes, rentals and demos, ski and hiking gear, souvenirs, specialty gifts, stylish boutiques with designer brands, gourmet chocolates and the basics such as groceries and spirits.

A visit to Sun Peaks Resort is an exceptional weekend or vacation in itself, but planned around one of its signature events, the experience moves to a whole new level. The ninth Annual Ice Wine Festival, Jan. 17-20, 2007, is Sun Peaks’ most popular and successful event year after year. Thrill your taste buds at this unique event by sampling dozens of wines on the Progressive Tasting Tour, or experience the delight of pairing exceptional Canadian cheeses with a variety of sparkling wines and ice wines. Other events include Sinful Chocolate and Heavenly Wine, the Wine Masters’ Dinner and fine dining events.

Another event unique to the resort is the Sun Peaks Velocity Challenge/FIS World Cup – March 1-4, 2007. This is the only FIS World Cup Speed Skiing race in North America where racers reach speed over 100mph. For more information on these exciting events and more visit www.sunpeaksresort.com.

Sun Peaks is easy to get to with two airport gateways, Kamloops (45 minutes away) and Kelowna (2.5 hours away). Choose from daily direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle and Toronto. Daily shuttles to the resort service both airports.

For more Sun Peak’s info log on to Sun Peak’s web site at www.sunpeaksresort.com or call 1-800-807-3257.

MOONLIGHT BASIN CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

NEW SHOPS, DINING, TERRAIN PARK and WELCOME CENTER

MOONLIGHT BASIN, MT — Moonlight Basin has many faces, all of which contribute to create a year-round resort with world-class amenities and recreation. Three partners formed Moonlight Basin Ranch in 1992. They purchased 25,000 acres of land from Plum Creek Lumber, and Moonlight Basin sprung to life in the Montana wilderness next to Big Sky. Since then it has evolved into a four-season resort with world-class skiing and riding, spectacular real estate opportunities, slopeside lodging, fine cuisine, and soon will welcome the area’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.

On the mountain, guests enjoy long, groomed runs, open bowls and chutes in a truly spectacular alpine setting. For the experts, last season Moonlight Basin added the Headwaters Lift which services terrain that previously was only accessible by a 30-minute hike. Others can enjoy the tranquility of Moonlight Basin’s long, groomed runs that are perfect for intermediates or beginners and ideal for families.

If the biggest skiing in America sounds appealing, skiers and riders can purchase the Lone Peak Pass lift ticket between Moonlight Basin and Big Sky Resort and explore more than 220 trails on 5,512 acres. This is the largest interconnected network of skiable terrain in America, and it offers terrain for everyone and freedom unlike anywhere.

This winter, Moonlight Basin welcomes a new terrain park, the new Moonlight Mercantile retail shop, new Moonride rental shop, new dining at the Headwaters Grille, a revamped ski school and new resort Welcome Center. All this goes along with what already makes Moonlight Basin so special, unparalleled service in a welcoming atmosphere.

For those eager to get away and treat themselves to something special, Moonlight Basin offers a variety of the area’s finest slopeside lodging. Guests enjoy breathtaking views and amenities including private hot tubs and full kitchens as well as access to the renowned Moonlight Spa. All of this is coupled with the “Biggest Skiing in America” right out your door.

At Moonlight Basin you can let the Mountain Concierge assist in arranging all of your on-mountain needs, including day and evening child care, equipment rentals and ski or snowboard instruction for adults and children. The Mountain Concierge can also assist in arranging any of the area’s off-mountain activities. This includes tours of Yellowstone Park, dog sledding, dinner sleigh rides and more.

Moonlight’s next masterpiece will be unveiled in 2008 with The Reserve at Moonlight Basin, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Located in the heart of Moonlight Basin, this course perfectly integrates the spectacular beauty of the area with the natural contours and challenging alpine terrain of this revitalized landscape. Elegant facilities, from a luxurious clubhouse to a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center, will meet every need, while altitude will be your best friend on the over 8,000-yard course.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT

When Moonlight Basin Ranch was formed in 1992 it was tattered from decades of commercial logging and ravaged by a pine beetle infestation. Nonetheless, the partners loved the land and they immediately set about to resurrect it and its habitat.

The partners had a simple, three-fold goal. They wanted to save the critical wildlife habitat that they grew up with, carefully preserve what made the region so unique and leave a legacy for future generations. To achieve this, a vigorous revitalization effort commenced. Access was restricted to minimal traffic and most hunting ceased. A wildlife biologist was contracted and they unveiled a revolutionary plan to develop a small percentage of the land and leave the remainder untouched.

This decision surprised many people, especially those expecting the partners to sell large tracts of land to developers in order to make greater profits.

“One group wanted to put in a highway from Big Sky to Ennis, Mont.,” recalls Lee Poole, managing partner. “We could easily have made larger sections of the land available. But in the end, we stuck with our philosophy, which was ‘Listen to the land.’ The land was telling us to return it to what it should be.”

The partners also listened to experts, including foresters, wildlife professionals, and water resource experts. By consulting with specialists, the partners began to engage in limited development that actually enhanced the natural systems of the region.

“Working with our forester, we developed techniques to carefully reclaim this land without contributing to erosion. There are areas that are now mountain meadows supporting wildlife, and other areas that are developing as bio-diverse forest sections incredibly fast,” said Mr. Poole.

Today, Moonlight Basin is thriving. With over half of the original purchase protected in perpetuity through conservation easements, wildlife corridors, and open space. With other plans to preserve the remainder underway, Moonlight Basin and its partners are meeting their goal to leave the majority of the land untouched. Surveys reveal that wildlife populations are quickly recovering on the property.

“This is a sort of mini- Yellowstone National Park,” says Mr. Poole. “It’s home to almost every large animal found in Montana, and offers some of the most important elk and moose calving grounds in the Northern Rockies. We felt we had to save it. We owe it to the land and to ourselves.”

In the end, Moonlight Basin is more than a world-class destination ski resort. It’s a unique company involved with responsible stewardship. And it’s a company in balance with its environment.

Get to Moonlight Basin by flying into Bozeman, Mont., a major airport with several daily flights from all major hubs. It is an easy 47-mile drive to the resort either by shuttle or rental car.

For more info visit them online at www.moonlightbasin.com or call 1-877-822-0430. You can also link to their web site from an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com.

SILVER MOUNTAIN GROWS as IDAHO’S NEW STAR

Easy Accessible Base Area Adds to Great Skiing with More Lodging and Year-Round Water Park

KELLOGG, ID — When most skiers think of Idaho they think of Sun Valley, the classic ski resort located in southern Idaho. Silver Mountain is now developing the base of their great terrain into a great four-season destination resort, giving skiers another Idaho resort to consider.

With convenient access off Interstate 90, getting there is easier than any other resort in the northern part of the state.

The ski area began as Jackass Ski Bowl in 1968. Now Silver enjoys its colorful past as it sets the backdrop for today’s ski vacation experience. The search for gold, silver and lead in the Silver Valley began in the 1880’s shortly after Noah Kellogg’s jackass kicked a rock that turned out to be a large chunk of silver. That discovery became the Bunker Hill Lode, it eventually became Idaho’s largest mining operation.

Today Silver Mountain is home to some of the finest skiing in the beautiful Northwest. Where miners once dug for gold and silver, you can mine powder or relax on a beautifully groomed trail. Once a rough and tumble mining community, Kellogg now caters to the outdoor enthusiast. The ski resort features 67 named trails, plus glades on nearly 1,600 acres, over 300 inches of snow annually, and a vertical of 2,200 feet. The network of lifts includes a quad, two triples, two doubles and the world’s longest Gondola. The terrain is 20 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate, 30 percent advanced and 10 percent expert. Combine that mix with the “Grooming Guarantee,” and it makes for an unbeatable day on what is genuinely one of skiing best-kept secrets.

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT

A new Village has been developed and is continuing to expand with new shops, residences and restaurants in a pedestrian village. Morning Star Lodge, “The Heart of It All,” was the first offering, and it sold out in five days. The second phase of Morning Star Lodge sold out in just 5 hours, and the third phase sold out in 1 day. Plans for the future call for new high-speed lifts and terrain.

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT LAUNCHES WATERPARK Silver Mountain started construction on their new indoor water park at the resort’s Gondola Village in October 2005. The approximately 55,000-square-foot facility will feature several water slides, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, a FlowRider surf wave and other major aquatic attractions. The water park is projected to open in September 2007.

“This will be a recreational amenity unlike anything at any resort in the United States,” said Jerry Andres, president and CEO of Eagle Crest and Silver Mountain Resort. “This project will not only put Kellogg on the map, but also allow Silver Mountain to operate 365 days a year and compete as a national destination.” Andres added that the company is looking for construction help in all phases of the resort’s projects, which will add to the local economy.

As the future unfolds, Silver Mountain’s comprehensive master plan for the next five years includes the highly-anticipated real estate release and construction of new phases of the Morning Star Lodge; an expanded Village Plaza; master planning and likely real estate release within the new golf course community; and a complete remodel of the Gondola Base Lodge.

The Gondola Village will feature new shops, a conference center, restaurants and an entertainment plaza. Beyond extensive expansion and construction at the base area, the resort also has many on-mountain improvements planned. These include new high-speed chair lifts, new trails and a state-of-the-art snowmaking system. “This is the new Silver Mountain,” said marketing director, Stephen Lane. “The planning and vision will take this resort to levels beyond what could have been imagined.”

ABOUT SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT

Rated by Ski Magazine as one of “Skiing’s Biggest Secrets,” Silver Mountain Resort is taking the next step in an exciting evolution to a multi-season destination resort. Two of the most respected companies in the Pacific Northwest are leading Silver Mountain’s historic transformation. Eagle Crest® and JELD-WEN® enjoy a proven track record of creating successful resort communities and are committed to the vision of the new Silver Mountain Resort.

Located minutes off of northern Idaho’s I-90, Silver Mountain Resort is easily one of the nation’s most accessible four-season destinations. The resort’s Gondola Base and Morning Star Lodge are an hour east of downtown Spokane, Wash., and Spokane’s major airport (GEG) just off of I-90. Silver Mountain Resort also serves as a popular summer destination for world-class mountain biking, scenic rides on the world’s longest gondola, concerts, and cool alpine escapes to a high-mountain playground.

For more details on how you can enjoy the present day or be part of Silver’s future, please call 1-800-208-4791- or log on at www.skisilver.com.

You can also log on to Silver Mountain’s web site from an easily found link on the right side of the homepage of ww.skiernews.com.

WILD, WONDERFUL WHISTLER

UNSPOILED MOUNTAINS, VERY PAMPERED GUESTS

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA – By now, it is unanimous. Whistler is the No. 1 ski resort in North America, if not the world. The votes and accolades have been piling up like a gleaming blanket of crisp snowfall for years, from every powder-crazed corner of the globe. Among the endorsements, there’s the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Mirror (UK), Sunday Herald (Scotland), Skiing Magazine, Ski Magazine, TransWorld SNOWboarding, Forbes (USA), Bravo Ski Magazine, Blueguide Ski (Japan) and even the Australian Financial Review. Oh, and let’s not forget the International Olympic Committee. They were so impressed with Whistler that they chose it to host the 2010 Winter Games.

A WONDERLAND OF WINTER ACTIVITY

With the longest vertical drop on the continent, 12 magnificent bowls, 200 marked trails and one of the most advanced lift systems in the world, any resort’s status as one of the world’s premier downhill ski spots would be unmistakable. But variety is the spice of life, and Whistler just isn’t content with one dimensionality.

Alongside downhill skiing, there’s cross-country skiing, heli-skiing, heli-boarding, snowcat skiing, snowcat boarding, backcountry dog sledding, ice-climbing, ice-skating on the lakes, snowshoeing and snowmobiling excursions. And at the end of the day what could be more fun than a horsedrawn sleigh ride or cowboy sing-along over hot chocolate? Winter’s enticements are countless. The ski season generally runs November to May and Summer Glacier skiing on Blackcomb runs from June 1 to July 31st.

The skiing is phenomenal. The après is just as good. For those seeking relief after a hard day on the slopes, or even a getaway of nothing but rest and rejuvenation, Whistler Village offers a wide selection services. These include spas, distinctive 200 boutiques and galleries, over 90 international restaurants, popular bars, pubs and nightclubs, including the warmest service you will find anywhere.

When it comes to vacation rental homes – easily the best and most satisfying way to enjoy a ski trip – ResortQuest is the undisputed title-holder in North America. With over 1,000 privately owned, fully furnished homes, condominiums and hotel suites available for rent in Whistler, ResortQuest ensures that your indoor experiences will be as exceptional as your outdoor one. They have the finest quality, best locations and widest range of options you will find in all of Whistler. ResortQuest is the leading vacation-home rental specialist in North America, and they operate with a strict set of quality standards. But because ResortQuest also employs a local staff of professionals, you will get the personalized service and first-hand area expertise you’d expect from a mom and pop establishment.

THE PICK OF THE POWDER

Because ResortQuest is located in 11 of North America’s top-rated resort destinations, they offer you the industry’s only Snow Guarantee®. Whenever you book one of ResortQuest’s thousands of great vacation rental homes, condominiums or suites, you will have the snow you want for an incredible mountain adventure. Let’s say you don’t like the snow reports for your upcoming Whistler trip. Call ResortQuest up and they will move your reservations to another of their premier locations in Colorado, Utah or Idaho. Never again will you be left high and dry without the white and fluffy. For more information, visit www.ResortQuest.com/snowguarantee.

LUXURY AND LOCATION, JUST THE WAY YOU WANT IT

The views of the two massive mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb and the greatest vertical rise of any ski area on the continent are spectacular. From one of ResortQuest’s great properties, you can gaze out over the picturesque valley, charming village or view the immense, snow-capped peaks. You can enjoy both vistas as you soak in the soothing warmth of your private hot tub after a long day on the slopes. ResortQuest has a wide selection of ski-in/ski-out locations, giving you more time to actually ski and less time fretting about skiing.

True to British Columbia’s famous West Coast-style of architecture, the homes are warm, welcoming and geared for easy living. You will enjoy luxurious space, tasteful décor, comfortable sitting rooms, multiple bedrooms, fully appointed kitchens and baths, and quality amenities such as dishwashers, coffee makers, ice-makers, microwaves, televisions, VCR/DVD players, washing machines, dryers, and oftentimes steam showers, jetted tubs, hot tubs, saunas and heated garages.

When you decide to visit, you can be certain that exhilarating fun and action would be continually afoot. Play as hard as you like. Because your rest is assured, with luxurious, gratifying ResortQuest accommodations, views that are easy on the eyes and landscapes that soothe the soul.

Isn’t that what a vacation is all about? Whistler is an easy, scenic drive north of Vancouver along Highway 99. To plan or book your next great vacation, please log on to www.resortquestwhistler.com.

You can get to their website from an easily found link on the homepage of www.skiernews.com and mention promo code DIR SKN for great deals.