VAIL OBSERVES NATIONAL SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK FOCUSING ON “PLAY IT SAFE CAMPAIGN”

Vail, Colo. – January 14, 2008– “Play It Safe” is the theme this year at Vail Mountain for National Safety Awareness Week which is set for Jan. 19-25. In addition to highlighting its commitment to slope safety for employees and guests, Vail’s “Play It Safe” campaign includes a number of daily programs and activities. Throughout Safety Week skiers and snowboarders will also see heightened Vail Ski Patrol and Yellow Jacket presence on the slopes; an emphasis on skier and rider courtesy; distribution of “Pork Chop the Safety Pig” trading cards and a continued focus on season-long safety enforcement, which includes revoking skier days for safety violations. So far this enforcement has resulted in 325 revoked skier days and two individuals have lost their skiing and riding privileges for the season.

New this winter, the Pork Chop trading cards are designed to highlight the seven points of Your Responsibility Code among a younger audience and offer a great take-away for kids as well as adults. The trading cards will be distributed during Safety Week at the Vail Yellow Jacket Safety Booths and all on-mountain Yellow Jacket and Ski Patrol personnel will carry them.

Vail Safety Week activities are designed to raise guest awareness about various personal measures that can help reduce certain elements of risk while skiing and riding. All activities emphasize the seven points of Your Responsibility Code and skiers and riders are invited to participate in the many on and off-mountain events. One lucky guest during Safety Week will be the recipient of the Great Yellow Jacket Giveaway, which provides free lift tickets and lunch for five. All skiers and riders are eligible and individuals will be recognized for their safe practices on the slopes during Safety Week and entered into the Great Yellow Jacket Giveaway drawing. Vail’s 2008 Safety Week Calendar of Events is as follows:

JANUARY 19:

· Vail Yellow Jacket Safety Fair: Check out the booths near the lifts in the Lionshead/ Vail Square and Vail Village base areas, 9-11 a.m.

· Ski and snowboard registration to prevent theft with the Vail Police Department, 9-11 a.m. at the base of the lifts in Lionshead and Vail Village.

· Vail Mountain Safety Pig meet and greet at the top of Chair 4, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

· Hot Chocolate hosted by the Vail Ski Patrol

· Vail Ski Patrol Open House at Patrol Headquarters (PHQ) at the top of Chair 4. Call 970-479-4610 for more information.

· Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Sign up at Patrol Headquarters at 2 p.m., top of Chair 4.

JANUARY 20:

· Vail Yellow Jacket Safety Fair: Base of the lifts in Lionshead/ Vail Square and in Vail Village 9-11 a.m.

· Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Sign up at Patrol Headquarters at 2 p.m., top of Chair 4.

· Free Adult Ski Tips offered by the Vail Snowsports School – intermediate or advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail at 11 a.m.

JANUARY 21:

· Flight for Life Helicopter Viewing: Informative look at the helicopter and its crew. Top of Avanti Express (Chair 2) 11 a.m. (Subject to change based upon weather.)

· Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Sign up at Patrol Headquarters at 2 p.m., top of Chair 4.

JANUARY 22:

· Free Adult Ski Tips offered by the Vail Snowsports School – intermediate or advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail at 11 a.m.

· Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Sign up at Patrol Headquarters at 2 p.m., top of Chair 4.

· Vail Slope Maintenance Snow Cat viewing at Mid-Vail 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

JANUARY 23:

· “Take Care of Your Body” seminar presented by the Howard Head Sports Medicine Clinic. Go to the on-mountain restaurants, Market Place at Eagles Nest, Look-Ma Level at Mid-Vail, or Two Elk Restaurant at the top of Sourdough Express Lift (Chair 14) for information about taking care of your body, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

· Vail Snowsports School presents “Terrain Park Etiquette”: Get tips and information about park use at Sky Way, Flight Zone, and Aviator parks. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

JANUARY 24:

· High Angle Rescue Training: Vail Ski Patrol will perform very visible rescue training under the Mountaintop Express Lift (Chair 4), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

· Vail Slope Maintenance Snow Cat viewing at Mid-Vail 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

· Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Sign up at Patrol Headquarters at 2 p.m., top of Chair 4.

· Free Adult Ski Tips offered by the Vail Snowsports School – intermediate or advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail at 11 a.m.

JANUARY 25:

· Beacon Basin Challenge: Test your skills with an avalanche beacon at Beacon Basin by Patrol Headquarters. Sign up all week long at Patrol Headquarters. Call 970-479-4610 for more information.

· Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Sign up at Patrol Headquarters at 2 p.m., top of Chair 4.

All events are subject to change, please check with Vail Ski Patrol or Vail Yellow Jackets personal about daily activities. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to watch TV8 or check the daily grooming report for the Safety Week activity of the day. For more information on Vail’s National Safety Awareness Week activities, please see www.vail.com or www.safetyvail.com.