The Red Bull Illume unveiling took place August 31st in Dublin, Ireland

Chris Burkard’s image of Peter Mendria riding waves on Chile’s West Coast in golden sunlight was named Overall Winner of the world’s biggest action and adventure sports photography competition. When the guests exited the 16th century ceremony hall onto Trinity College Dublins’ front square, a packed plaza with over 2000 visitors were anxiously awaiting them. General public and media accorded them with more excitement and admiration than the men behind the lens are normally used to, but they all clearly enjoyed being the stars of this night!

Red Bull Illume 2010 winners are:

Experimental – Daniel Grund (GER)

New Creativity – Eric Berger (CAN)

SanDisk Sequence – Miguel Lopez-Virgen (MEX)

Energy – Stuart Gibson (AUS)

Illumination Chris Burkhard (USA)

Playground Tim Korbmacher (GER)

Culture Vincent Perraud (FRA)

Spirit Adam Kokot (POL)

Wings Marcel Lämmerhirt (GER)

Close up Nathan Smith (AUS)

Please find attached the press release, winner interview and quotes of the night, as well as some first impressions of this unbelievable evening. Also attached are the links to access all high resolution winning images. Please visit www.redbull-photofiles.com to receive the Top 50 images and lifestyle photos from the night including portraits of the 10 winners. Access the moving images directly via www.redbullcontentpool.com

Check www.redbullillume.com for any and all background on Red Bull Illume you might be looking for!

Utah Ski Resorts Roll Out a Storm of Improvements for the 2010-11 Winter Season

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Turning the corner into September is a sure sign that another incredible Wasatch winter is on its way. Utah’s 13 ski resorts have been hard at work all summer adding new terrain, on- mountain enhancements, luxury accommodations, programs and packages to complement the destination’s astonishing accessibility and 500 annual inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth(r). Entering the 2010-11 winter season, Utah’s resorts boast some of the most significant resort improvements in the US.

NEW TERRAIN
The Canyons Resort will add new terrain to the southern end of its resort property. Iron Mountain, adjacent to Dream Peak, will open 300 acres of northwest facing terrain. Ten runs ranging from intermediate to advanced intermediate will be cut and nearly 300+ acres of naturally gladed tree skiing will be available. The new terrain brings the resort to 4,000 total skiable acres and makes it the fourth largest ski resort in the US.

Park City Mountain Resort will add three new Adventure Alley runs allowing intermediates the thrill of skiing or riding through the trees. The Resort has also continued to glade Crescent Ridge, enhancing the advanced skiing experience.

Powder Mountain will add 1,000 additional acres of expert chutes and bowls to the 2,000 acres of terrain already in use by the Snowcat Powder Safari. The new area, known as La Plata, is named after a nearby ghost town that was founded in the silver rush of the 1890s. Additionally, Powder Mountain will offer guests the opportunity to take a guided backcountry tour of Wolf Creek Canyon with more than 1,000 acres of pristine snow which includes wide open bowls, glades and steep chutes.

Snowbasin will add a 22-foot superpipe to its already incredible terrain.

ON-MOUNTAIN ENHANCEMENTS
Alta planted 1,500 trees, 500 shrubs and spread 500 pounds of indigenous mountain flower and grass seeds through its annual environmental vegetation program.

The Canyons Resort has installed North America’s first, and one of the most technologically advanced, chairlifts in the world. The Orange Bubble enclosed quad lift is like riding up inside a ski goggle. It also has heated seats. The new lift increases the uphill capacity from the base by 47 percent, and it whisks skiers to the top in just nine minutes. Additionally, The Canyons is rebirthing its base area by
realigning the gondola. Guests at The Canyons can relax and enjoy an après ski cocktail on the Resort’s new après ski beach.

Deer Valley Resort again invested $4.5 million to refresh the interiors of its three main on-mountain day lodges: Empire Canyon, Silver Lake and Snow Park. In addition, it invested heavily in on- mountain equipment including high efficiency snowmaking, new snowcats, snowmobiles and a new winch-cat to groom the steepest slopes.

Park City Mountain Resort added new snowmaking on the highly popular intermediate Assessment run.

Park City Mountain Resort has also expanded its night skiing and riding with more lights and longer hours. Brian Head, Brighton, Powder Mountain, Sundance and Wolf Creek Utah also offer great night skiing.

Snowbird’s Cliff Spa (on the 9th and 10th floor of the Cliff Lodge) is currently undergoing its first major renovation since the Spa opened in 1987. Revamped areas include the reception space, salon and retail store, the men’s and women’s locker rooms, solarium, steam room and treatment rooms. Renovations are scheduled to be completed by December.

Solitude has installed three new quads over the past three years making lift lines even shorter.

Sundance will open its new Redford Conference Center with environmentally friendly 3,500 square feet of meeting space, wrapping patios, a large group fireplace and a full service catering kitchen. Sundance is also in the midst of a multi-million dollar lodging room renovation project.

GREAT PACKAGES AND VALUES
Alta Lodge and freeskiing champion Gordy Peifer team up to offer an All Mountain Ski Adventures camp for advanced skiers. Alta Ski Area continues to offer Ski Free After Three.? The iconic ski area opens the RFID gates at 3 p.m. on the Sunnyside lift, allowing skiers to access five beginner runs, two intermediate and one advanced run for free.

Beaver Mountain continues to operate as one of the nation’s only family owned and operated resorts. The Resort offers great value, terrain and a laid-back atmosphere.

At Brighton Resort, kids 10 and under ski free when the adult buys any season pass or pack of discount tickets. Busy women will also love the new, one day all-women’s workshops.

Jump off the plane and ski. A same-day boarding pass lets visitor’s ski free that afternoon at The Canyons, Deer Valley or Park City
Mountain Resort. The Park City QuickSTART program continues to capitalize on the incredible accessibility of Utah’s resorts, saving guests both money and time.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort’s Early Bird Stay and Ski Packages start at $99/person, based on double occupancy, and include lodging at the Cliff and a Tram pass. Valid from November 18-December 22, 2010, with a minimum three night stay. Kids 12 and under ski free for each night’s stay.

Ski Utah will continue to feature incredible packages and deals from its resort and industry partners on the White Sale? microsite and Hot Deals? section of SkiUtah.com

NEW HOTEL
Montage Deer Valley will open in December 2010 with true ski-in/ski- out access to America’s No.1 ski resort, as rated by readers of SKI magazine three years in a row (2010, 2009, 2008). It features 154 deluxe guestrooms and more than 66 suites and private residences ranging from one to four bedrooms.

FEATURED EVENTS
The FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships come to Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort from February 2-5, 2011. Aerial, moguls, dual moguls and ski cross competitions will be held at Deer Valley Resort, and the halfpipe competitions will be held at Park City Mountain Resort.

Snowbasin will host the final stop of the Winter Dew Tour, the world’s premier season-long winter action sports tour, on February 10-13, 2011 with top world athletes in both freeskiing and snowboarding.

Snowbird will host the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships March 9-12, 2011.

For more information on Ski Utah or its 13 uniquely amazing resorts visit www.skiutah.com.

For media information, contact Ski Utah Director of Communications Jessica Kunzer at 801.433.2016 or by email at jessica@skiutah.com.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Weary snow enthusiasts afraid they have missed their chance to enter the search for the Ultimate Powderhound and join the Ski Utah blogging team will be happy to learn the contest will continue to accept submissions through September 17, 2010. As part of the blog team, the Ultimate Powderhound will be awarded a Ski Utah Silver Pass which enables them to ski 30 days at every Utah ski resort. Although the contest has received a number of high quality applications, Ski Utah has decided to extend its run two additional weeks due to the high volume of applications still being submitted.

We are so thrilled by the enthusiasm expressed through the application videos and essays, said Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty. The Ultimate Powderhound will be an integral part of the Ski Utah team and we look forward to selecting the winner soon.

Ski Utah has never before awarded a Sliver Pass as a contest prize. In exchange for the coveted Silver Pass, the Ultimate Powderhound will be required to contribute 1-2 weekly blog posts throughout the 2010-11 winter season. Entrants are required to fill out a short application and submit a 30-second video on why they should be selected as the Ultimate Powderhound.

Ski Utah is looking for a Utah ski or snowboard enthusiast with a passion for The Greatest Snow on Earth® and the state’s 13 incredible resorts. Entrants should prove their ability to communicate their resort experiences through writing and video production. All entries must comply with the rules specified in the application. The deadline to enter is September 17, 2010 at midnight MDT.

For information on the Ultimate Powderhound search or to view submissions visit: www.skiutah.com/powderhound.

For media information, contact Ski Utah Director of Communications Jessica Kunzer at 801.433.2016 or by email at jessica@skiutah.com.

Sugarloaf announces terrain expansion to Burnt Mountain and 10-year development plan Expansion will make Sugarloaf largest ski area in the east, provide boost to Maine tourism

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine – A longtime dream for many Sugarloafers became a reality on Tuesday, when officials at Sugarloaf announced a massive terrain expansion onto Burnt Mountain, the resort’s neighboring peak. Sugarloaf also unveiled a comprehensive, ten-year vision for development at the resort, called Sugarloaf 2020.

Stephen Kircher, President of Boyne East, joined Sugarloaf General Manager John Diller in making the announcement on Tuesday. In attendance were several local business leaders and Maine tourism officials.

The terrain expansion to Burnt Mountain was the centerpiece of today’s announcement, and will create up to 270 acres of new terrain for the upcoming season, and 655 new acres when the entire project is complete. This will double Sugarloaf’s current skiable acreage and make it the largest ski area east of the Rocky Mountains.

The new terrain will all be gladed, “sidecountry” terrain, offering skiers and riders a one-of-a-kind backcountry style experience, with the security of patrolled, inbounds terrain. A glade refers to any wooded area where trees have been thinned, rather than cleared like a traditional trail. The expansion will be completed in three phases, the first of which will be the 270 acre “Brackett Basin” area, which will begin to open during the upcoming season. The second phase will encompass 135 acres, including the summit of Burnt Mountain, and will open a second above-treeline area to accompany Sugarloaf’s legendary SnowfieldsTM. The third and final phase will be 250 acres, and will open the north face of Burnt Mountain. When the expansion is complete, skiers will enjoy a vast, 655 acre glade and an experience unlike anything else in the East.

Access to the new terrain on Burnt Mountain will be via a cross-cut from the top of the existing King Pine Quad. At this time there are no plans to install lifts on Burnt Mountain, thus preserving the backcountry-style, wilderness experience. The new terrain will feature different styles of terrain, from tight, steep eastern tree skiing, to wide open western style glades, to cliff bands and more. With an entire mountain to explore, skiers will experience quiet solitude in the vast wilderness area, providing the sensation of a true backcountry experience, similar to what one would expect at a large western resort.

“This is really a revolutionary type of ski area expansion, and uniquely Sugarloaf,” Diller said. “No grooming, no snowmaking, no real estate – just pure skiing, which is what we think the core Sugarloaf skiers and riders are ultimately looking for.”

Although the Burnt Mountain expansion was the biggest piece of today’s announcement, officials also unveiled a new, comprehensive ten-year vision for the resort, called Sugarloaf 2020. The vision outlines future plans for capital improvements at the resort, including new chairlifts, huge upgrades to the resort’s snowmaking system, base lodge and facility improvements, as well as plans for summertime offerings including the popular new zip lines, which were installed this summer.

Renovations to the exterior of the Sugarloaf Base Lodge are currently underway, as are several snowmaking improvements, including over 600 feet of new snowmaking lines to key areas such as Lombard Crosscut and Tohaul, which will allow the resort to open terrain on the east side of the mountain earlier in the season.

“Since we joined the Sugarloaf family in 2007 we’ve spent lots of time getting to know the place, and what makes Sugarloaf so unique in this industry,” Kircher said. “Now that we feel we have a good grasp on what that is, we think we have a very solid vision for the future. Every resort is unique and what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another. In the Sugarloaf 2020 plan we’re confident that we have a good vision, uniquely tailored to fit the true DNA of Sugarloaf.”

The massive expansion of terrain and plans for future investment are expected to make Sugarloaf a more noticeable destination for skiers, providing a boost to the local economy and to the Maine winter tourism industry.

“There’s no question that this is a game changer,” said Brad Larsen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sugarloaf. “With this new terrain Sugarloaf becomes the largest ski area in the East, with some of the most unique terrain and an unrivaled overall experience. It instantly puts us on every skier’s ‘must-do’ list.”

The first phase of the expansion is expected to open this winter, as soon as natural snowfall allows.

For more information on Sugarloaf’s terrain expansion and the Sugarloaf 2020 vision, please visit www.sugarloaf2020.com.

Snow Chart: Snowfall Totals For Sugarloaf In Inches

Pacific Crest Heli-Guides Announces Plans to Offer Helicopter
Skiing and Snowboarding in Lake Tahoe for the 2010-11 Season
New Operation to Access More Than 100,000 Acres, Include Backcountry Snowcat Option

Truckee, CA (August 26, 2010) – Pacific Crest Heli-Guides in partnership with HeliTahoe has announced plans to offer helicopter skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe for the upcoming 2010-11 winter season. The operation will be based out of the Truckee Airport and access more than 100,000 acres of privately owned lands located along the spine of the Pacific Crest. By comparison, the combined total skiable acreage at all 14 ski resorts surrounding Lake Tahoe is less than 25,000 acres.

Besides a few small heliskiing enterprises in the early 1970′s, this will be the first full-fledged helicopter skiing operation launched in the Lake Tahoe region or in the entirety of the Sierra Nevada for that matter. The ambitious undertaking will include a number of year-round
recreational options accessed by helicopter such as sight-seeing, mountain biking, fishing and hiking.

“To say this is a dream come true is an understatement. More accurately it is a culmination of my lifelong passion for skiing powder, my extensive experience within the ski industry and good timing,” said Dave Rintala, owner/operator of Pacific Crest Heli-Guides. “I can’t wait for the season to start given the prospect of skiing first descents on a daily basis, naming new runs and exploring fresh terrain with clients.”

The operation will be limited to a maximum of 16 guests per day with a ratio of one guide per four guests. The cost structure will be based upon flight time rather than vertical feet allowing like-minded guests to customize their experience based on their budget, their desire to ski/ride as much vertical as possible and/or their desire to explore a variety of different zones. Full day trips will start at $899 per person.

The biggest variable typically affecting the success of a helicopter skiing operation is weather. Pacific Crest Heli-Guides, however, plans to dovetail its daily operations with its existing snowcat operation to ensure clients who book in advance are guaranteed a day of backcountry skiing or snowboarding even during storm cycles. Pacific Crest Snowcats has been in business for nine seasons and operates on 3,000 acres of reserved terrain located between Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl Resort. California’s only backcountry-based snowcat operation, Pacific Crest Snowcats boasts some of the best expert terrain accessible via snowcat in North America.

The terrain accessed via helicopter will be no different with an endless variety of open bowls, perfectly spaced trees, steep chutes and technical couloirs geared towards the advanced to expert skier or snowboarder. The north-facing aspects will hold their snow days after a storm while the south-facing aspects will provide for ideal corn conditions in the spring. The maritime snowpack found in the Sierra Nevada typically provides for stable conditions, not to mention the side benefit that the typical Sierra snowstorm is measured in feet rather than inches.

In fact, last season Lake Tahoe reported more than 600 inches of total snowfall which resulted in the region reporting its second busiest season on record. Additionally, backcountry skiing and snowboarding continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of the ski industry which has resulted in a return to the roots of the sport with skiers and snowboarders now placing a premium on untracked powder and the solace of being in the mountains.

“The timing couldn’t be better to open a business rooted in outdoor adventure with its main goal focused on sharing the beauty of the Sierra Nevada one powder turn at a time,” said Rintala.

“Our approach is simple: we found incredible terrain, added a crew consisting of the most qualified guides in the industry and created an affordable, flexible price structure.”

In addition to founding Pacific Crest Heli-Guides, Dave “Happy” Rintala has been operating Pacific Crest Snowcats for close to a decade and is also one of the owner/operators of Alaska Backcountry Adventures, the original heliskiing operation located atop Thompson Pass near Valdez, AK. Rintala serves as the lead guide and primary avalanche forecaster for both of these operations. The guide staff for Pacific Crest Heli-Guides will draw heavily upon current guides at both Pacific Crest Snowcats and Alaska Backcountry Adventures bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and local field experience to ensure seamless operations. Guests can relax and enjoy their powder turns knowing that the individual guiding their group is an experienced avalanche forecaster with EMT certifications that has helped to set the industry standards for both client safety and customer satisfaction.

Rather than position the operation as a competitor to the existing Lake Tahoe ski resorts, both Pacific Crest Snowcats and Pacific Crest Heli-Guides view their unique offerings as products that complement the variety of world-class skiing and snowboarding options already available in Lake Tahoe.

“The addition of a helicopter skiing operation to the region allows Lake Tahoe to position itself as a complete winter destination on par with locations such as Whistler, Jackson Hole, Utah and Colorado,” said Rintala. “Pacific Crest Heli-Guides looks forward to being part of the ultimate Lake Tahoe skiing or snowboarding experience.”

For further information regarding Pacific Crest Heli-Guides, please visit www.pacificcrestheliguides.com, email info@tahoegravityguides.com or call 888-792-9222.

Short film celebrating the story of Sugarloaf to coincide with 60th Anniversary

Click here to view the full trailer     |     Click here to download the full trailer (.mov)

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine. From the early days of Amos Winter, to the World Cup in 1971, to homecoming celebrations for Seth Wescott, Sugarloaf’s place in the American ski industry has been as unique and storied as the colorful characters who call the mountain home. On October 9, during the resort’s annual Homecoming Weekend, Sugarloaf will celebrate its incredible story when it debuts a new feature film Big Mountain. Big Love.

Featuring high definition skiing and snowboarding action shot at Sugarloaf during the 2009-10 season, Big Mountain. Big Love. showcases Sugarloaf’s history and celebrates the unique personalities that helped to shape the resort.

It’s first and foremost a ski movie, with some incredible HD footage from this past season, said Brad Larsen, Sugarloaf’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. But it’s also an interesting look at Sugarloaf’s past, present, and future. Sugarloafers will love it, and we hope that it helps to inspire new generations as well.

To produce the film, Sugarloaf teamed up with Kurt Miller of Synergy Productions, and Chris Keig of WebEye Group. Miller, who produced Big Mountain. Big Love., is the son of ski movie legend Warren Miller and was owner of Warren Miller Entertainment from 1980-2007, where he produced many of the most iconic and memorable ski movies in history. Keig, who directed the movie, is a film producer based in Boulder, CO and a former Head of Production for Warren Miller Entertainment. In 2010 Keig produced the snowboarding action sequence featured in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics, which was viewed by millions around the world.

I’ve worked in the ski industry for years and was struck by the allure of this mountain up in northern Maine, Keig said. After talking with the people in the area, I realized that this Sugarloaf mentality was not a contrive marketing idea, but an actual personality of all who call the mountain home. I was struck by the strong sense of pride and the family mentality of all who refer to themselves as Sugarloafers.

The world premier of the new film will take place at 8pm on Saturday, October 9, outdoors on The Beach at Sugarloaf. The official trailer for the film is now available here. http://www.sugarloaf.com/TheMountain/movie.html

Sugarloaf will host additional screenings of the movie throughout the fall and winter, and DVDs will be available for purchase at all Sugarloaf retail locations throughout the winter.

For more information please visit www.sugarloaf.com