Squaw Valley Mountain Bike Park Opens July 16

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STORY SUMMARY: [Squaw Valley USA] July 14, 2010 – Squaw Valley’s renowned mountain bike park will reopen on July 16, 2010 for the first time in almost a decade, with over twelve miles of dedicated downhill single track and mountaintop cross-country trails.

FOOTAGE INCLUDES: Broll of mountain biking and terrain at Squaw Valley USA, and soundbites, shot July 13-14, 2010 at Squaw Valley USA.

SUPPORTING COPY: [Squaw Valley USA] July 14, 2010 – Squaw Valley’s renowned mountain bike park will reopen on July 16, 2010 for the first time in almost a decade. Lake Tahoe’s legendary mountain bike park is back in action, with over twelve miles of dedicated downhill single track and mountaintop cross-country trails. The bike park will be open Friday through Sunday from 10:40am to 7pm from July 16 to August 21, 2010—remaining open through mid-September with an adjusted schedule.

Previously the venue for the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Fat Tire Festival and Downhill Mania events, Squaw Valley’s bike park crew has worked tirelessly to improve the flow of the trails and incorporate more freeride elements using the mountain’s natural terrain. Bikers can access the bike park via Squaw Valley’s scenic Cable Car for $39 a day for adults and $22 a day for kids 12 and under.

“Squaw Valley’s terrain lends itself to exceptional downhill mountain biking,” said Kyle Crezee, Squaw Valley’s Director of Human Development and the organizer of the bike park. Crezee continues, “Specifically, the ‘Moab-style’ granite formations provide smooth and unique trails unlike anywhere else in the world.”

Squaw Valley offers the longest lift-served trail in Lake Tahoe, which takes bikers from High Camp, el. 8200’, all the way down to the mountain’s base at 6200’. The trail’s name, Thunder Mountain Trail, derives from the famous, twisting rollercoaster that Walt Disney modeled after Squaw Valley’s distinct rock formations.

Squaw Valley is also opening three intermediate cross-country trails on top of the mountain. Bikers can enjoy scenic loops through fields of wildflowers with views overlooking Lake Tahoe and the Sierra peaks. The trails vary in length and pitch to offer something for every rider.

To accommodate bikers, Squaw Valley has also opened a brand new bike rental shop located at the base of the mountain. Open daily, Squaw Valley Bike Rentals is renting downhill and park bikes as well as comfort cruisers for use on the scenic Truckee River Bike Path. Helmets, body armor and other safety equipment are also available for rent.

Site of the VIII Winter Olympic Games, Squaw Valley USA is located five miles north of Lake Tahoe along the Truckee River on Highway 89. The year-round resort offers 4,000 acres of lift-served terrain including superpipes and terrain parks, ice skating, snowtubing, indoor rock climbing, an Olympic Winter Games Museum, shopping, dining and more. For more information call 530-583-6985, or visit www.squaw.com.
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SOUNDBITES/INTERVIEWS:
- Jim Severt, Mountain Bike Park Manager, Squaw Valley USA
- Christopher Hounsell, Trail Crew Member, Squaw Valley USA

LOCATORS:
- Squaw Valley USA, Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe, CA.
- Zip Code: 96146

FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY:
Squaw Valley USA
Contact: Amelia Richmond
(530) 581-7130
arichmond@squaw.com

TAPE COPIES AND DUBS:
To request a hard copy/dub of any segment on BetaSP or Mini DV, please call (530)583-4206 or email eric@tahoemediacenter.com