Hakuba Valley, Japan joins The Mountain Collective as a Global Affiliate for the 2015-2016 Season

NAGANO, Japan, THREDBO, Australia, SUN VALLEY, Idaho, BANFF, Alberta, WHISTLER, BC, ASPEN, Colo., JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., ALTA, Utah, SNOWBIRD, Utah, SQUAW VALLEY, Calif., MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. and VALLE NEVADO, Chile – May 27, 2015 – Hakuba Valley, Japan’s premier snow resort located in the Japanese Alps has joined The Mountain Collective™ as a global affiliate for the 2015-2016 season.

All passes sold to date for the 2015-2016 season now include two days of skiing and riding at Hakuba Valley. A limited number of Mountain Collective™ passes are on sale for only $379 USD, and currently feature a third bonus day at the Mountain Collective™ destination of your choice when purchased today.*Hakuba Valley is renowned for dry, deep and consistent snow quality.  It is made up of 10 distinct areas which encompass a huge variety of terrain from beginner areas for first time skiers and families to tree runs, guided off-piste tours, terrain parks, and challenging expert areas.A limited number of Mountain Collective passes are on sale for only $379 US. The Mountain Collective™ Pass includes two days of skiing or riding plus a 50 percent discount on all additional days with no blackout dates at each of the nine partner destinations (AltaSnowbird, Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Mountain, Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, Sun Valley, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Thredbo and Whistler Blackcomb).  Pass holders also receive two days at Hakuba and Valle Nevado, Chile. Pricing for the kids pass (ages 12 and under) is just $99 for the 2015-16 season, offering an incredible deal for families. In addition, spring pass purchasers will receive one bonus day at the destination of their choice*The Mountain Collective™ Pass grants access to 18 mountains with more than 41,000 acres of terrain and 244 lifts and an unmatched reputation for snow quality, quantity and variety of terrain. Passes are available online through an exclusive technology, distribution and marketing partnership with Liftopia at www.MountainCollective.com. A limited quantity of passes are now available at this lowest guaranteed price.“Hakuba Valley is regarded as one of the most attractive Japanese ski resorts by our loyal guests and new guests from around the world. We have recently seen a sharp increase of foreign visitors in particular last season’s inbound customers were up by more than 30% from last year. Admission in the alliance as the top Japanese ski resort by the Mountain Collective, whose membership criterion is “the best of the best”, has reconfirmed our potential. We hope to see more global guests taking the opportunity to enjoy Japanese snow, food and culture in this pristine alpine valley with the advantage of the Mountain Collective benefits.” said Tomohide Ohta, Chairman of Hakuba Valley Management Committee.“We’re thrilled to welcome another global affiliate to the portfolio of Mountain Collective destinations. Known for its prodigious snowfall and host of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Hakuba Valley, Japan brings an amazing reputation and aligns well with the other leading destinations in the Mountain Collective.” said Christian Knapp, VP Marketing, Aspen Skiing Company.In addition to being able to ski or ride at nine leading destinations, extra benefits available to Mountain Collective pass holders include exclusive lodging deals and a complimentary, one-year Protect Our Winters (protectourwinters.org) membership. The Mountain Collective is committed to being in business forever and proudly partners with Protect Our Winters with the mission of uniting the winter sports community on the important issue of climate change. The partnership also offers a 50 percent discount on lift tickets to premier season pass holders at the participating resorts throughout the season.

Visit www.MountainCollective.com or call (800) 705-6286 for more information. 

*Price and availability of bonus day subject to change while supplies last. 3^rd bonus day does not apply to Hakuba Valley or Valle Nevado.

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About Hakuba ValleyLocated in Nagano prefecture, on the mainland of Japan, Hakuba Valley has easy access to main tourist sites in Japan, such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Hakuba Valley, hosted 1998 Nagano Olympics, has long been regarded as one of premier snow resorts in Japan, especially famous for its light and rich powder snow and wide variety of ski terrains. GRAND NEW “Hakuba Valley All Area Season Pass” (just launched from 2015-16 season) enables customers to enjoy 10 individual adjacent ski resorts with 941ha of skiable terrains, 133km of ski runs with 144 courses in one pass. Media Contact: Hakuba Valley Management Committee: info@hakubavalley.jp http://www.hakubavalley.jp/

About Ski Banff-Lake Louise-SunshineLocated in Canada’s Banff National Park; the Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay caters to all abilities and offers astounding scenic beauty. The welcoming ski town of Banff is located only 90 minutes from Calgary International Airport. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features 8,000 acres of skiing and riding terrain, 2 gondolas, 26 lifts and 30 feet of light, dry Canadian Rockies powder; all accessible via one lift ticket. This is the land where Nature Rules. Media Contact: Alexandra George, Media@skibig3.com, 403-760-7746. www.SkiBig3.com, www.twitter.com/skibig3com, www.facebook.com/SkiBig3. 

About AltaSnowbirdJoined at the top by lifts and at the base by a free ski bus, AltaSnowbird has offered a shared skiing experience since 2001. AltaSnowbird is consistently recognized in the ski world for numerous “bests,” including the quality of the snow, the variety of terrain, accessibility, value and steeps. AltaSnowbird skiing encompasses 4,700 acres, 1,175 is beginner terrain, 1,755 intermediate and 1,770 advanced. Average seasonal snowfall is 560”.  An aerial tram, 18 lifts and a tunnel provide access to world-class skiing just 29 miles from Salt Lake International Airport. The AltaSnowbird community has nine base lodges and 22 restaurants. There are also a number of condominiums and private homes for rent located conveniently on the road between Alta and Snowbird.

Media Contacts:Connie Marshall, Alta Ski Area connie@alta.com, 801-799-2263 and Brian Brown, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, bbrown@snowbird.com, 801-933-2047.

About Aspen SnowmassAspen Snowmass includes four mountains - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen Snowmass. The resort boasts more than 5,500 acres of terrain, 40 lifts and over 300 inches of snowfall annually and is home to award-winning terrain parks and world-class events. Aspen Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (three miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information please call 800-525-6200, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com.  Media Contact: Jeff Hanle jhanle@aspensnowmass.com, 970-300-7022 

About Jackson HoleJackson Hole continues to famously deliver legendary powder snow, 4,139 continuous vertical feet, 2500 acres of beginner, intermediate and expert skiing and snowboarding and a genuine “Last of the Old West” atmosphere.  A gateway to the world renowned national parks of Grand Teton and Yellowstone, it’s now easier than ever to get to Jackson Hole with expanded airline service from thirteen major cities across the US and improved terrain to suit all abilities.  In a move to continue to broaden the appeal of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, in December 2012 a new, high speed, four passenger detachable chair opened at mid-mountain. Along with the new Casper Lift, the Casper intermediate trail network has received extensive summer grooming, expanding and improving this classic blue terrain, bringing a whole new experience to visitors. www.jacksonhole.com. Media Contact: Anna Coleanna.cole@jacksonhole.com, 307-793-2704 

About Mammoth MountainMammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.3 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented ski resort in the United States. The company owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage and retail. Specific businesses owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain include Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, June Mountain, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village Lodge and Sierra Star Golf Course in Mammoth Lakes, California. For more information on Mammoth Mountain, visit www.MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH. Media Contact: Joani Lynchjlynch@mammoth-mtn.com,760-934-0645 

About Squaw Valley/Alpine MeadowsLocated side-by-side in Lake Tahoe, Calif., together Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows offer skiers and riders access to 6,000 skiable acres, 43 lifts and 270+ trails all on one lift ticket or season pass. Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is internationally renowned for legendary terrain that ranges from an expansive mountaintop beginner area to unrivaled expert steeps, trees and bowls spanning six mountain peaks.  Alpine Meadows’ seven powder bowls, summit-to-base groomed slopes, and authentic hospitality are among the many attributes that have made the resort a favorite of the local community and visitors alike. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are proud to announce over $20 million in capital improvements for the 2012-13 winter season including snowmaking upgrades; a new high-speed, six-passenger chairlift and enhanced High Camp beginner experience; a mile-long terrain park at Alpine Meadows and more. For more information, visit www.squaw.com or www.skialpine.com or call 1.800.403.0206. Media Contacts: Melissa Brouse, mbrouse@squaw.com, 530-452-7105

About Sun Valley ResortFounded in 1936 as America’s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley Resort in the Idaho mountains is a four-season resort. Perennially ranked "best of" by major international ski, golf and travel media, outdoor adventure enthusiasts enjoy championship-level skiing, snowboarding, skating, hiking, biking, golf, fishing, shooting, concerts, shopping, world-class restaurants, and conference and special event space, ranking Sun Valley above other destination resorts for its array of active pursuits.   Sun Valley is a member of the Grand America Hotels and Resorts family. Sister properties include Snowbasin Ski Resort, Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel (all Salt Lake City, UT), The Westgate Hotel, San Diego, CA, Little America Flagstaff, AZ, Little America, WY, and Little America, Cheyenne, WY.  Sun Valley is served by Hailey's Friedman Memorial Airport  (SUN). The airport is located 14 miles from the resort and is easily accessed from the gateway cities of San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Denver (DEN). All Sun Valley Resort guests receive complimentary roundtrip airport transportation. For more information about Sun Valley Resort:  www.sunvalley.com  800.786.8259. Media Contacts: Jack Sibbach, Sun Valley jsibbach@sunvalley.com, 208-622-2183; Rebecca Cole, Wagstaff Worldwide rebecca@wagstaffworldwide.com, 970-429-4182

About Whistler BlackcombWhistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,164 centimetres (458 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.  Media Contact: Michelle Leroux, mleroux@whistlerblackcomb.com, 604 938 7381 

About Thredbo:Thredbo is Australia’s premier alpine resort. Located in the heart of the Australian Alps, only kilometres from the peak of Australia’s highest mountain, Thredbo boasts the country’s best snow terrain with Australia’s highest lifted point (2037m), almost double the vertical fall line of any other Australian resort (672m) and the continent’s longest runs.  This, combined with a bustling European-style village situated right at the base of the mountain with over 30 bars and restaurants and year-round access for back-country enthusiasts, mountain bikers and outdoor adventurers has cemented Thredbo as Australia’s premier alpine destination for over 50 years. To discover more about Australia and Thredbo visit www.thredbo.com.au. Media Contact: Angus Thomson,  angus_thomson@thredbo.com.au  + 61 414 407 778

About Valle Nevado:Valle Nevado is South America's foremost ski resort, offering access to the largest amount of terrain and the most modern lift system on the continent. The resort is just 90 minutes from the Santiago International Airport in Chile, located at 10,000 feet high in the spectacular Andes Mountains, the 2nd-highest peaks in the world. An interconnect ticket to neighboring resorts opens nearly 7,000 total acres of varied terrain, and Valle Nevado offers world-class heliskiing directly from the resort. Valle Nevado guests book half-week or 7-night stays in private condominiums, or all-inclusive packages in one of three modern hotels. The Valle Nevado complex offers guests a complete experience, including boutique shops, six restaurants, a full-service spa and fitness center, cinema, library, bars and lounges, a pub with live music, sports entertainment center, and breathtaking views of the magnificent Andes from every direction. The 2015 season runs from June 26 to Sept. 27. For more information, call toll-free from the US: 1-800-669-0554, or visit www.vallenevado.com/en.

Media Contact: Kristina Schreck, kristina@azurepr.com, (+569) 9128-1378.