Crankworx, Expands Dates in 2006

World's Best Freeriders Descend on Whistler July 22-30, 2006 WHISTLER, BC, February 8, 2006, – The third annual Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival, one of the world's largest freeriding events, is set to go off July 22 – 30 in Whistler this summer.

Expanding to nine days of serious excitement both on and off the hill, the festival will be bigger and better then ever with an exciting lineup of freeride events and Canada Cup cross-country and downhill races.

Crankworx showcases Whistler as the ultimate downhill biking playground by combining impressive stunt sessions and mind-blowing speed events with the world's best mountain bikers competing for cash and prizing totaling over $30,000. The event line-up which takes place on Whistler Blackcomb's famed mountain bike park and throughout Whistler Village also includes an outdoor expo, pro riding demonstrations, free music and entertainment.

"The who's who of mountain biking will be here in July," says Rob McSkimming, VP of Business Development at Whistler Blackcomb. "Four more days were added to the festival in response to the talented riders who demand more each year from the Park and the competitions we host."

Events and competitions at this year's Crankworx are not to be missed. From the cutting edge Slopestyle Expression Sessions to the classic Air Downhill. Spectators whether young or young at heart, hard core enthusiast or cross country ripper – Crankworx 2006 offers a calendar of events for everyone.

"We are really excited to feature a Canada Cup cross country and downhill race on opening weekend," continues McSkimming. "The Whistler Super D, a hybrid of all the best cross country and downhill racing has to offer, will also be added to the festival line-up."

The third annual Crankworx, July 22-30, 2006, is presented in partnership by Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. At centre stage of Crankworx is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Withover 200 km and 3,600 feet of lift-serviced gravity-fed, adrenaline-fueled descending trails, the Bike Park is the unequivocal leaderof lift-accessed mountain bike parks in the world.

About Whistler Whistler is a year-round adventure destination located 75 miles north of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and site for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Consistently rated among the top ski resorts in the world, Whistler is a cosmopolitan and diverse community that welcomes travelers seeking recreation and natural beauty four seasons of the year. Whistler has the world's most diverse offering of mountain biking terrain, attracting all disciplines of mountain biking from cruising to cliffs. From 150 miles of singletrack trails and 200 km of lift-accessed downhill runs in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, to trials parks and 20 miles of the paved Valley Trail system, there's something for every rider.

For more information about Whistler's premier freeride mountain bike festival, Crankworx, please visit www.crankworx.com