"Endless Winter Snow"

***
Snowbird Launches Kids Jam at the Bird July 26 and Aug. 10
Rock & Blues Festival to Offer New Children’s Shows Aug. 1-2
Snowbird, Utah – The dance floor will look a little younger this summer at Snowbird with the introduction of the new Kids Jam at the Bird events July 26 and Aug. 10. The annual Rock & Blues festival will also feature children’s concerts for the first time this year.

“The goal of Kids Jam is to get children up to Snowbird to dance, play and have fun in the mountains,” said Snowbird Renaissance Center general manager Teri Mumm. “With fantastic music and lots of activities planned, this a great way for families to beat the heat.”

On Saturday, July 26, Milkshake will be performing its signature style of rock music for kids. Led by singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl, Milkshake’s songs have been featured on such programs as PBS Kids “Share the Earth Day.”

Kids Jam will also feature the unique rock and bluegrass sounds of the Banana Slug String Band Saturday, Aug. 10. Hailing from northern California, the band combines music, theatre, puppetry and audience participation to create an experience families won’t soon forget.

Kids Jam will combine entertainment, interactive games, dancing and hands on demonstrations to teach children how they can help improve the environment with Radio Disney’s Team Green.

Each day will feature concerts at noon and 3 p.m., allowing ample time to take in the music and explore Snowbird’s other summer activities. Tickets for each individual show time are $10 and can be purchased through Snowbird by calling (801) 933-2200 or online at www.snowbirdrc.org.

In addition to Kids Jam at the Bird, the Rock & Blues festival gives kids a chance to rock out with two free shows by the Hipwaders Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2.

Snowbird also offers summer Tram operations and daily summer activities including a new four-station climbing wall, Peruvian Chairlift and Tunnel rides, ZipRider, Alpine Slide, Bungy Trampoline, Kid’s Inflatables, Mechanical Bull, Horseback rides, ATV tours, biking and hiking. For more information, please visit www.snowbird.com.

\For media information, contact Julia Partain at (801) 933-2040 www.snowbird.com Kids Jam at the Bird is presented by the Snowbird Renaissance Center (SRC), a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization created to enhance educational and cultural opportunities at Snowbird. The SRC’s 2008 event line-up includes the presentation of musical performances as well as educational classes and other activities that foster appreciation and excellence in the arts, sciences and humanities. In addition, the SRC will assist in the preservation and beautification of our natural surroundings while providing the opportunity for physical development and recreation.
***

Mt Buller - Austraila
We’re expecting a fine and mostly sunny day with a light to moderate southerly wind. We are heading for a top of 0 degrees today. Thursday: Fine and mostly sunny. Light wind. Friday: Fine. Mostly sunny. Weekend Forecast: Showers tending to rain in the west and falling as snow later.
www.mtbuller.com.au
***

Cardrona - New Zeland
What's New at Cardrona?

A new express chairlift, snowmaking and cafe at Captain's Basin. A new half pipe (22ft walls), expert big air, and triple jump. The Kids' Centres have also been renovated

Big Crowd Enjoy Snow Sports Action Under Floodlights 17 July, 2008

The first ever Relentless Cardrona Games at night took place in front of 2000 people at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Brett Turlotte and Paul Thacker showed what could be done on a snowmobile with some 12+ metre jumps. Luke Smith stood out with a number of FMX motor bike back flips, with the landings on snow.

In the Ski Big Air, Australian Russ Henshaw won in his first run when he stomped a near perfect and unbeatable “straight ten” (three full turns) with a “double mute grab” (holding the front of the skis through the jump).

First Ever Snowmobile Backflip in New Zealand 18 July, 2008

The first ever snowmobile back-flip in New Zealand happened at the Relentless Cardrona Games tonight. Paul Thacker from the United States showed a crowd of 1500 people why he is known as one of the best riders in the world at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

“I’m super stoked”, said Thacker, “my adrenalin is pumping and I feel like a million dollars”.
On the second and last day of the games, jump height combined with tricks tended to result in podiums

The Mountain
Base Elevation: 1670m
Highest Lifted Point: 1894m
Vertical Rise: 390m
Terrain: 320 hectares

Lifts
1 quad fixed chairlift
1 quad express chairlifts
3 magic learner lifts
1 platter beginner lift
Lift capacity 7800 people per hour

***

FERNIE FULL THROTTLE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL WILL HEAT UP AUGUST

Calgary, AB – July 22, 2008– Fernie Alpine Resort is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Fernie Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival, taking place August 23 and 24, 2008. An annual event that has been steadily growing since its inception, this year’s activities will attract its share of competitors, spectators, and those looking to enjoy some fun in the sun.

The two-day festival is a showcase of Fernie Alpine Resort’s summer activities, while providing entertainment and live music for those taking a break from the mountain or guests eager to soak up the scenery from the comfort of the resort plaza. With 35 mountain biking trails to discover, there’s plenty to explore during the summer months at Fernie Alpine Resort.

The schedule of events is as follows:
Fernie Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival – August 23 and 24
Saturday, August 23rd

8:00am – 11:00am
Full Throttle Pancake Breakfast
Join us for a full breakfast (pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and coffee) on the Kokanee Deck between 8am and 11am. All proceeds will go to local charities.

9:00am Start
The Rossignol Challenge
The Rossignol Challenge is a multi-sport race that focuses on FUN for all levels of athletes! Enter as a 2-person team or challenge yourself and go solo! The course includes 2 stages – A trail run, followed by a cross-country mountain bike ride. Great competitor prizing from Rossignol!

12:00pm (Start Time)
Super D Downhill Race
Things will heat up on the mountain on Saturday afternoon with the Super D Downhill Race – A gruelling all-mountain event that incorporates technical singletrack riding with endurance and speed. For ages 13+, this race will test the full spectrum of mountain bike skills!

11:00am – 11:00pm
Kokanee Beer Gardens & BBQ Open
Big Screen playing in the base area!

10:00am – 5:00pm
Family Mountain PlayZone
Centrally located in the mountain plaza and base area of the resort, the Mountain PlayZone will be a hub of activity! Saturday and Sunday’s activities will include the Bike Trials Demonstration, and Kids PlayZone, complete with face painting, bike decorating, bouncy tent and more!

12:00pm – 4:00pm
Rockstar DJ

4:30pm – 7:00pm
LIVE BAND in the main plaza

7:00pm – 10:00pm
Reels of Wheels Mountain Bike Film Contest
The “Reels of Wheels” contest aims to provide amateur filmmakers the opportunity to showcase the region’s amazing mountain biking terrain and/or mountain biking talent. Entries should be submitted to the Resort in DVD format, and should be a maximum of five minutes in length. The deadline for entries is Thursday, August 21. The “Reels of Wheels” registration form will soon be available for download at www.ferniefullthrottle.com.

For more information, visit www.ferniefullthrottle.com.

***

News From New Zealand
NZS1 National Speed Ski Champs at The Remarkables Postponed The revival of the Speed Ski event in New Zealand has regretfully been postponed until 2009.

CHEAPSKATES and CUBA present JIB THE FOUNDRY This Thursday night there will be an epic jib event with tons of snow trucked in and the Mt Hutt Park Crew spinning their magic to produce a great night's entertainment, All welcome.

Popular freestyle series kicked off Wednesday The Cadbury Moro Slopestyle series for freestyle skiers and boarders is back and kicked off for the 2008 season this Wednesday, July 16 at The Remarkables.

RAINBOW NEWS FLASH Rainbow has opened with awesome conditions including average 65cm coverage over the entire mountain, groomed trails and powder off-piste.

***

Banff Center Summer Music

Music
July 22 & 29 — Concerts in the Courtyard
Every Tuesday in July, The Banff Centre brings musicians downtown to the sunny Bison Courtyard for an impromptu noon-hour performance.

July 22, 29 & August 5 — Serenade at St. George’s
A beautiful, calm, and intimate setting to enjoy a classical music concert — just a block away from the bustle of Banff Avenue.

July 24 & 31 — Casual Afternoon Concerts
Discover the stars of tomorrow, today. Featuring the finest emerging musicians in residence at The Banff Centre.

July 24, August 1 & 2 — Music for a Summer Evening
Drawing on the resources of over 40 guest faculty and 200 international participants, this series showcases the best in classical music from both established and up and coming artists.

July 25 — Music for a Summer Evening
SOLD OUT: Limited rush tickets available at the door. Anton Kuerti performs Beethoven’s Diabello Variations.

July 26 — Music for a Summer Evening
Faculty pianist Julian Martin performs on tonight’s program.

July 27 & August 3 — Music in the Gallery
A delightful afternoon concert at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, featuring the musicians of The Banff Centre’s Brass Residency

www.banffcentre.ca

***
Big White Events -Kelowna, BC, Canada

Annual Season Pass Sale!
Jul 8 - Sep 21

BC Summer Games
Jul 24 - Jul 27

Dockside Marine's "Aquapalooza"
Jul 27

www.bigwhite.com

Introducing flight service to Mammoth.
Get to Mammoth in 1 hour and with no speeding tickets on Horizon Air's new direct flight service from LAX. More runs, more fresh tracks, more après ski cocktails - it all begins December 18th.

News From Patrick Thorne of Snow365.com
Snowdome Bispingen Organising Summer Base Camp
From July 28th to August 3rd, snowboarders and skiers can sign up for the first camp to be staged at the Snowdome Bispingen in Germany. The centre will be offering a huge funpark, incorporating a rail line, a box line and a kicker line. Professional Snowdome coaches will act as guides and DJs will be there to ensure the right musical accompaniment is being played. A barbecue will be providing the catering and a camping-site will be set up for boarders and skiers to stay in. Tickets are available in different categories.
www.snowdome.de

Neveplast Installs All-Weather Tubby and Ski Slopes At Italian Resort

Neveplast has installed two Tubby slopes for year-round tubing at the Italian ski resort of Mottarone. One of the slopes runs straight and is 90 metres long, the other is 100 metres long and contains multuiple turns.
The straight run includes a launching ramp, and is covered by the Np30, the Neveplast material certified by Italian government tests as having the same slipperiness as real snow.
The turns on the 100 meters long slope are made of metal and also covered with Np30. The adjustable angles of the structure enable a perfect entry trajectory and directs the snow-tube in the best way at the end of the curve. The top part of the metal structure is covered by protective padding.
Most recently Neveplast has installed an artificial downhill ski slope 100 metres long and 10 metres wide at the resort. The slope has an average incline of 18% and again uses Np30 surface material.
Neveplast Np30 surface allow for easy turning of the ski as on snow. This has been obtained thanks to the low coefficient of friction between Np30/ski that allows the ski to maintain speed even when turning on its edge. The correct ratio between stiffness and concentration of the bristles allows an easy movement of the matting as if on snow allowing for “carved” skiing.
The slope also makes it possible for beginners to snow plough (wedge) their skis on gentle gradients and still move forwards.
Another Neveplast advantage is that it does not damage the skis at all as the very low friction of the surface avoids the generation of high temperature between ski base and the slope, so that the base does not wear over time.
***
Burton Sponsor Indoor Terrain Park in Beijing
Burton has become the main sponsor of China’s first indoor terrain park which opened at the capital’s Qiaobo indoor snow centre a few weeks ago.
The Chinese Olympic Committee had already said they wanted a year round training facility for their athletes ahead of the 2010 Games, but this facility is open to all.

“The drive behind the project is to get more people on the snow riding and having fun,” commented Steve Zdarsky,” Mellow CEO, who shares a surname with Mathias Zdarsky, the man who invented modern downhill skiing a little over a century ago in Austria. “With Burton as our partner and their LTR program in effect, the new park is really going to draw the crowds. Besides we are all just super stoked we can now ride in Beijing year-round!”

Indoor facilities are becoming more accessible in non-winter friendly environments around the world. The park, located just outside the city centre, boasts a kicker line, wallride as well as rail and box combinations. “The park will be as sick as we can make it,” explains Marco Huang, Park Designer ahead of its opening. “The snow in Qiaobo is surprisingly good, and the management is stoked to have a new Mellow Park, so it’s going to be a fun area for all levels of riding”.

From Patrick Thorne of Snow365.com Patrick Thorne from day one has been very generous with his story leads and current events regarding indoor snow and alternative synthetic slopes
Thanks

***
Camp of Champions
Camp of Champions for 2008 I think has been the best summer ever. The park was amazing, the coaching was amazing, having two buildings to ourselves stuffed full of campers and staff was also amazing. The tent with Rockband on the 2600 watt sound system and the mini ramp was so off the hook it was crazy. We're already thinking of improvements for 2009 based on all your input. We had more people that were here for 5 days change to 8 days after the first day than we have ever had before. That tells me that it was a really great summer. So many people have been hounding us for our dates for 2009, that we figured we should maybe figure out what they are, even though Camp 2008 is still on. If you want to sign up for COC 2009, you can sign up using our 2008 registration form. Ignore the dates, on the registration form as we haven't had time to change it to the new dates yet, although we will soon. Also once you sign up, you can switch dates as long as you want so you can make COC 2009 fit your next summer schedule. 2008 was insane with almost 60% of our campers from 2007 coming back for the same or longer. I think sign ups for 2009 will have an even higher return ratio. www.campofchampions.com