Copper hosts USASA National Championships

Nearly 2,000 Competitors Vie for Top Honors

Copper Mountain, CO…March 25, 2008…Copper is the host venue for the largest snowboarding and freeski event on earth - the 2008 USASA Nationals, from March 30 – April 4. Each year, nearly 2,000 of the top regional finishers are invited to attend the USASA Nationals to compete against some of the best male and female athletes from around the country in slopestyle, superpipe, boardercross, slalom and giant slalom in their quest to become National Champions.

Throughout USASA Nationals, competitors and guests will be treated to several evening events, including skateboarding competitions (Monday, March 31 – Friday, April 4) in Woodward at Copper – The Cage. Woodward at Copper – a first of its kind winter action sports training facility – will debut winter 08/09 to provide skiers and riders the same progressive learning opportunities previously available only to summer action sports like skateboarding and BMX. Woodward at Copper will offer year-round programming, with summer camps starting in 2009. To learn more, visit www.woodwardatcopper.com. Copper Mountain will also host the 20^th annual USASA Nationals next year, April 3-12, 2009.

Schedule of Events (subject to change):

Saturday, March 29 (Practice Day)

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration in the Copper Conference Center

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for practice

5 p.m. Opening Ceremonies and Athlete Parade in Burning Stones Plaza

8 p.m. Brilliant fireworks display over the mountain

Sunday, March 30 (Day 1 of Competition)

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for competition

4 - 6 p.m. Awards Ceremony in Burning Stones Plaza

Monday, March 31 (Day 2 of Competition)

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for competition

4 - 6 p.m. Awards Ceremony in Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. Skateboard competition in Woodward at Copper – The Cage

Tuesday, April 1 (Day 3 of Competition)

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for competition

4 - 6 p.m. Awards Ceremony in Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. Skateboard competition in Woodward at Copper – The Cage

Wednesday, April 2 (Day 4 of Competition)

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for competition

4 - 6 p.m. Awards Ceremony in Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. High Cascade & Oakley Boombox Rail Jam above Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. Skateboard competition in Woodward at Copper – The Cage

Thursday, April 3 (Day 5 of Competition)

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for competition

4 - 6 p.m. Awards Ceremony in Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. Smith Limo Rail Jam above Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. Skateboard competition in Woodward at Copper – The Cage

Friday, April 4 (Day 6 of Competition)

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venues open for competition

4 - 6 p.m. Awards Ceremony in Burning Stones Plaza

7 - 9 p.m. Skateboard competition in Woodward at Copper – The Cage

Due to the USASA National Championships March 30 – April 4, Catalyst Terrain Park, Main Vein Superpipe, Vein Glory, Copperopolis and the NASTAR course will be closed to the public at varying times Friday, March 28 – Friday, April 4 (terrain openings and closures are subject to change). Copper apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause but invite guests to enjoy the event during this time. Other Freeride locations include Eagle Jib Park, High Point Park, Jibberish Park and the Kidz Terrain Park – The Playground. Guests can inquire at the Ticket Windows or Guest Services locations for information regarding spectator access, foot passenger lift access or other details regarding the USASA National Championships.

When close to 1800 snowboarders from all over the country descend on Copper Mountain for the 2008 USASA National Championships they can expect to see the most elite group of riders in the US face off for National Title honors. In order to step up the level of competition, the 2008 USASA Open Class Halfpipe and Slopestyle Events will be 3 Star TTR (Ticket to Ride) events. TTR is the premiere international competition series in the world featuring hundreds of events across the globe culminating in a final TTR World Champion.

The USASA is a grassroots snowboard organization with over 5000 members who compete in more than 500 events in 36 regional series across the US. Competitors range in age from 7 - 70 and represent a group of riders passionate about the sport of snowboarding. The USASA National Championships have been the final event of the season for these riders for close to 20 years. This year will mark the 19^th annual USASA Nationals and promises to be the biggest and best yet. For more information including detailed schedules, competition groups and more, visit www.usasa.org.

USASA Nationals is sponsored by: Red Bull, Pacsun, Chaos Headwear, Dakine, Skull Candy, Woodward at Copper, High Cascade, Windells, Transworld Snowboarding, Fuel TV, Go211.com and Oakley.

UNLIMITED, UNRESTRICTED, UNREAL

Epic Season Pass Now Available through Saunders Travel 501-744-6353

Most skiers and snowboarders dream of an 'epic' season. Now, Vail Resorts is making that dream a reality with the Epic Season Pass, a new unlimited, unrestricted season pass that's valid for the entire 2008-2009 ski and snowboard season at five of the top-rated resorts in the world: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly Lake Tahoe, all for an initial price of only $579.

The new Epic Season Pass offers an epic amount of skiing and riding across five world-class mountain resorts with 17,400 acres of terrain, 128 chairlifts and 722 trails, for each moment of our season from the day we open until we close, normally November until April. No one will be able to out-ski this pass.

The Epic Season Pass is priced initially at $579 for adults and $279 for children ages 5-12. The Epic Season Pass will be valid for the 2008-2009 ski season and will only be available for purchase through Nov. 15, 2008. The Epic Season Pass is non-transferable and non-refundable.

Call Saunders Travel to purchase your Epic Season Pass today.

Harrah's Tahoe

Harrah's is by far the premier casino hotel at Lake Tahoe. The picture above is the standard King room. In addition to a large casino floor, Harrah's offers multiple restaraunts and bars as well as a full service spa.

Friday's Station

When it comes to fine dining in Lake Tahoe Friday's Station, located on the 18th floor of Harrah's casino is among the best. Entrees start at $29.00.

Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe

For guests who are looking for a business class experience The Embassy suites offers a full breakfast included and a free cocktail hour for guests.

End of a Heavenly Ski Day

Today I skied from California to Nevada - 3 times!

The conditions have been good, but variable. Heavenly has slopes facing multiple directions so you may have slightly icy terrain on on trail, and powder on another.

Heavenly has much to offer for the intermediate and advanced skiier, but there is enough beginner terrain to entertain first time skiiers for a short trip.

The single largest atraction of skiing heavenly? The views. Pictures (at least mine) just don't capture the beauty.

Elevation 10,040 feet

In a word: Perfect. No time to write anymore. The powder is calling.

Have A Cigar while in Tahoe

Inside Montbleu hotel and casino cigar lovers will find the Lake Tahoe Cigar Company.

Complete with leather chairs and friendly service, this store has a good selection of premium cigars from many great cigar makers including: Fuente, CAO, Padron, Rocky Patel, and Padilla.

Say hello to Brandon Smith while you are in and tell him Hogski sent you.

The Montbleu Hotel

Originally Ceazar's Palace, the Montbleu is a work in progress. The lobby, restaraunts, and public areas have been renovated to reflect a modern cool theme. Room renovations could begin this year.

From Reno to South Lake Tahoe

As with most ski destinations you have two options for transportation between the airport and mountain: Rent a car, or take the shuttle.

My hosts have provided me with shuttle transportation via the South Lake Tahoe Express. It takes about an hour and a half to make the trip on the shuttle.

Navigating through Reno / Tahoe airport

For travelers who use large airports such as O'Hare or LAX as their regular departure, Reno/Tahoe will feel tiny. If you are used to flying out of smaller airports like Love field or Little Rock, you will find Reno slightly larger.

With two commecial terminals and a total of about 20 gates, and rental car counters conveniently located accross from the baggage claim area, Travelers flying into Reno Tahoe will appreciate its convenience.

Getting to Heavenly

Depending upon your route and the location of your seat on the plane, Reno/Tahoe can sneak up on you. It wasn't until our final approach that these snowcapped mountains came into view. Reno/Tahoe is served by several airlines including Southwest, United, and Delta,

Lake Tahoe Trip

I'll be in lake tahoe from Thursday March 13th through Monday March 17th. Check back here regularly for updates on where to stay, where to eat, and where to ski and play in Lake Tahoe.

Copper Employees create fund to support local youth environmental projects

Copper Mountain, CO…March 5, 2008…Copper Mountain introduces the Copper and Frisco Employee Fund, dedicated to the environmental sustainability of Copper, Frisco and the surrounding areas. Founded in November 2007 by employees from Copper and the Town of Frisco, the fund supports projects that promote environmental sustainability through education, scientific research or community-based initiatives in our mountain community.

The Copper and Frisco Environmental Fund’s Spring 2008 grant cycle kicks off now with a focus on providing funding for youth (ages 5-18) environmental programs or projects in Summit and Lake Counties. Projects should have both environmental education and action components and those which have a positive impact on the environment and the potential to be replicated or continued in future years are encouraged. Finally, projects benefiting the community, not just the organization requesting funding, will also be given favorable consideration. Potential projects include: reducing waste through composting or zero-waste initiatives, actions to impact a school or organization’s green practices and projects that positively impact the environment in our community. To request a grant application, please email environment@coppercolorado.com or visit www.coppercolorado.com/environment to download an application.

Copper and Frisco employees voluntarily contribute to the fund, with all employee contributions matched at 100% by the contributor’s employer. In addition, Copper is contributing an additional $5000 to assist in starting the fund. All funds are currently managed by the High Country Conservation Center and a committee of Copper and Frisco employees will make decisions on grant awards.

Please email completed applications to environment@coppercolorado.com. Copper is only accepting email submissions. The deadline for grant applications is Friday, April 11 at 4 p.m. Copper anticipates typical grant awards in the $200-$1000 range. The maximum funding per project is $2500. Eligible recipients may be private and nonprofit organizations, government agencies or individuals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to call Jen Schenk, Copper’s Environmental Manager, at 970-968-3264 by March 21 to discuss potential projects before submitting an application.

About Copper - Copper Mountain is a full inclusive resort with three distinct villages (The East Village, The Village at Copper and Union Creek) that are ideally suited for different personalities, all within easy walking distance of the slopes and activities. Copper has 17 mountain establishments located in the East Village and The Village at Copper for coffee, fine dining, quick bites and grill options. For après, Copper offers a wide variety of bars including JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern and the Storm King Lounge. For those guests preferring other recreational pursuits, Copper offers snow tubing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, scenic and dinner sleigh rides, snowmobiling, an athletic club and ice skating. For up-to-date lift ticket rates, weather, daily photos, surface conditions and more, visit www.coppercolorado.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 Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—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.