March 17/07 9:10 am - Whistler Hosts Euro Bike Parks

Posted by Editor on 03/17/07
 

Whistler Shares Bike Park Knowledge with European Resort Operators

Whistler-Based Study Tour Provides On-Site Opportunity to Learn from World Leader in Bike Park Operations

Gravity Logic, designer and developer of the world-renowned Whistler Mountain Bike Park, in conjunction with its European ally, Allegra Tourismus, will host European resort operators in a unique study tour from May 24-25, 2007. The tour will take place in Whistler, British Columbia shortly after the official opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

The Whistler study tour was designed in response to overwhelming European interest to learn more about the development and operation of mountain bike parks with a focus on year-round economic diversification.

"The European market has more ski lifts per capita than any area in the world, and therefore, the potential to create unique lift-accessed mountain bike experiences is unparalleled" says Rob McSkimming, Gravity Logic's Managing Director. "By harnessing existing lift and operations infrastructure, ski resorts have the ability to diversify their winter operations and create profitable and sustainable summer businesses."

The Whistler study tour will provide European resort representatives with the opportunity to use the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Whistler Resort as a case study for the development of mountain biking tourism. European lift company executives, members of local governments, tourism boards and private mountain bike stakeholders will leave the study tour with actionable lessons that will help them develop mountain bike related businesses at their home resorts.

"Recently the economic impact of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park was pegged at over $16 million per year. Gravity Logic's mandate is to use the lessons learned from Whistler to help design and develop more high quality riding experiences around the world," continues McSkimming.

"We believe Whistler will continue to grow its mountain bike revenues and more importantly, that there are opportunities for other areas to realize the same success," continues McSkimming. "The Whistler study tour can help guide resorts in this pursuit."

For more information or to register, visit www.whistlergravitylogic.com/europe.