Black Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend; Ski Resorts Catering to Women's Quest for Fun.

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Right now, some girl is trapped on a blind date, when she could be having the time of her life skiing, shopping and relaxing at a winter resort with her in mind. Gone are the days of male-dominated skiing and snowboarding. The latest trend at ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia; Mountain Creek in New Jersey; Stratton Mountain in Vermont; Copper Mountain and Winter Park in Colorado (all members of the Intrawest family of resorts) is catering to women's quest for fun by scheduling special events, ski camps and activities designed just for them.

The Lady Velvet Rail Jam, Mountain Creek, New Jersey, January 29, 2005,

Mountain Creek will host The Lady Velvet Rail Jam, a ladies-only rail jam competition featuring a full day of rail riding for girls of all ages. This unique competition brings women together for one-on-one interaction and support and to promote snowboarding as a fun activity for all. Girls of all ages and abilities will compete in a jam format (random order), multiple rail event for over $2,000 in prizes. Representatives from Velvet Eyewear and K2 Snowboarding will be there scouting for the potential new additions to their team rosters. The event is free, with an optional $2 donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Boarding for Breast Cancer Board-A-Thon, Copper Mountain, Colorado, February 4-6, 2005

Organized by Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) and sponsored in part by Copper Mountain and Op Girls Learn to Ride(TM), the Board-A-Thon aims to promote the non-profit group's objective to increase awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the value of a healthy lifestyle. The event kicks off Friday, February 4 with a celebratory "Pink Party," a pink-themed affair including a raffle, live entertainment, appetizers, prizes and more. The fun continues on Saturday with a half-pipe jam contest, festival, music and a free women's health symposium.

Women's Week, Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, February 5-13, 2005

It's all about women during Whistler Blackcomb's resort-wide Women's Week. On the mountain, women can join a "no-men-allowed" ski or ride camp with levels ranging from Burton's Learn to Ride for beginning snowboarders to the advanced ski program Women on the Edge that "breaks the powder ceiling by pushing women beyond their comfort zone." Off the slopes, Whistler village comes alive with women-focused apres-ski events, Ladies Nights at local bars and eateries, sunrise yoga sessions, and spa specials. Specially priced lodging packages are available from 2-4 nights, in addition to Intrawest's 5-night Home & Away Offer (see sidebar below.)

Sisterhood Winter Rally, Stratton Mountain, Vermont, February 28-March 2, 2005

Designed by women for women, Stratton Mountain's Sisterhood Winter Rally features ski, snowboard and snow blade workshops for women only. Participants receive personalized coaching, video analysis, camaraderie, enhanced strength, skill and style on the slopes through a variety of clinics for beginners, such as Magic Trax for would-be skiers to the advanced Girls Go for Gates. Included in the sessions are daily breakfasts, catered lunches, private meeting rooms, stretching sessions, equipment tuning talks and product demonstrations.

Kim Reichhelm's Women's Ski Adventure Clinic, Winter Park, Colorado, February 28-March 5

US Ski Team veteran and two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion Kim Reichhelm hosts this all-inclusive ski vacation for women of every level of ski ability. The 5-night, 4-day adventure is designed to teach women to overcome their fears, get a new outlook on life's challenges and have more fun skiing. Participants ski in small groups with individual attention, which helps to raise their ski level and ski with more confidence. In addition to daily instruction, the trip includes accommodations, lift tickets, video analysis, breakfast and lunch daily, a welcome and an awards dinner, apres-ski parties, reception, airport transfers, fun race and gift bag.

For more information on any of the events listed, call Suzan French, MSCO, 914-251-1500, ext. 14 or visit www.intrawest.com.

SIDEBAR: Final Days for Intrawest's Home & Away Deal

Skiers and boarders have just over a month left to take advantage of Intrawest's Home & Away Offer, which includes 4 free lift tickets per person to Stratton Mountain in Vermont or New Jersey's Mountain Creek.

Those who book a 5-night 4-day package, including luxury lodging and lift tickets (prices start at $273 per person) to Tremblant (QUE), Whistler Blackcomb (BC), Copper Mountain (CO) or Winter Park (CO) can use the free tickets to Stratton or Mountain Creek before the big trip to get warmed up or after to keep the vacation going (with no blackout dates!)

Reservations must be made via Intrawest's call center by calling 1-888-INTRAWEST or through the company's website at www.INTRAWEST.COM/SKIFREE.

About Intrawest

For nearly 20 years, in every season, Intrawest has been providing travelers the most extraordinary adventure vacation experiences in the world. At the heart of the Intrawest network is the company's assortment of year-round, village-centered destination resorts. The growing Intrawest world also includes interests in luxury, adventure travel outfitter Abercrombie & Kent, Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing/heli-hiking operator in the world; Intrawest Golf, responsible for the development and management of leading golf courses around the globe, including its premier brand, Raven Golf Clubs; and Club Intrawest, a unique vacation ownership program. For more information, call Tim McNulty at 604-623-6620 or visit the company website at www.intrawest.com.