Intrawest reports eighth consecutive year of earnings growth with strong 2001 fiscal year-end results

All dollar amounts are in U.S. Currency

Listed: NYSE TSE Symbols: IDR (NYSE) ITW (TSE) (common) ITW1N (preferred)

Press Release: Intrawest Corporation
September 11, 2001
VANCOUVER, BC -- Intrawest Corporation, the leading operator and developer of village-centered resorts across North America, yesterday announced record results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, marking eight consecutive years of earnings growth. Driven by strong performances in resort operations and real estate, income per share from continuing operations increased by 20.8 per cent to $1.45 from $1.20 in 2000 as income grew to $63.5 million from $52.1 million. Total revenue for the year increased 13.9 per cent to $922.8 million from $810.5 million. Total Company EBITDA increased 21.1 per cent to $200.3 million from $165.4 million.

``We have had an excellent year on all fronts,'' said Joe Houssian, chairman, president and chief executive officer. ``Our core businesses, real estate and resort operations, are performing well in spite of the current economic slowdown. Barely into the new fiscal year, we already have real estate pre-sales worth $620 million due to close in 2002 and 2003. This provides a solid foundation for another successful year of growth ahead.''

For the 12 months ended June 30, 2001, revenue and operating profit from real estate sales increased 21.6 per cent and 28.3 per cent, respectively, compared with last year. Ski and resort revenue and EBITDA were both records for the Company, increasing 10.0 per cent and 15.6 per cent, respectively, from the prior year. Full-year resort operations margins increased to 22.0 per cent from 20.9 per cent in 2000, and real estate margins increased to 18.4 per cent from 17.5 per cent.

``Once again we have achieved record annual results in both revenue and EBITDA,'' said Daniel Jarvis, executive vice president and chief financial officer. ``At the same time we have improved margins in both real estate and resort operations, which speaks to the success of our business model and cost- management initiatives.''

Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2001 was $6.0 million, or 14 cents per share compared with $3.3 million or eight cents per share for the three-month period ended June 30, 2000. Revenue for the quarter increased 5.2 per cent to $246.1 million from $234.0 million last year. Total Company EBITDA for the period increased by 11.1 per cent to $42.9 million from $38.6 million.

Real estate revenue in the fourth quarter was $175.4 million, an increase of 9.9 per cent over the same quarter in 2000. Although fewer units were closed during the quarter (496 in 2001 compared with 649 in 2000), average revenue per unit was significantly higher, reflecting unit type and resort mix as well as price escalation. In addition, revenue from the Resort Club increased 14.7 per cent in the quarter to $7.8 million. Operating profit from real estate was $37.7 million in the fourth quarter compared with $26.8 million last year.

For the fourth quarter, resort operations revenue was $66.8 million, down from $72.8 million in the comparable 2000 period. The decline was mainly due to a slower end to the season at Whistler Blackcomb, particularly compared with the very strong season ending last year, and reduced early season golf revenue. In addition, the timing of recognition of season pass revenue was more accelerated in 2001 than in 2000 because of the stronger start to the season. The decrease in revenue for the quarter caused ski and resort operation EBITDA to fall to a loss of $2.2 million compared with income of $6.0 million last year.

A conference call is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2001 at 4:00 pm EDT (3:00 pm CDT, 1:00 pm PDT) to review Intrawest's fiscal 2001 year-end results. Access to the call may be obtained by calling 1-888-303-1861 (media and retail investors) and 1-888-413-1986 (analysts and institutional investors) before the scheduled start time. A playback version of the conference call will be available until September 14, 2001 at 1-800-558-5253. The password to access the playback version is 19650076. A live webcast can be accessed from Intrawest's Web site at www.intrawest.com under About Us/Investor Relations/Webcasts.

                            INTRAWEST CORPORATION
                    Consolidated Statements of Operations


                                   Three months ended          Year ended
                                         June 30                 June 30
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   2001          2000        2001       2000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)

    Revenue:

        Ski and
         resort operations    $  66,793     $  72,849   $ 492,202  $ 447,350
        Real estate sales       175,367       159,585     415,336    341,455
        Rental properties         3,022         1,944       8,935      6,905
        Income from equity
         accounted investment       731          (998)      3,547     12,449
        Interest and other
         income                     976           633       2,790      2,333
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                246,889       234,013     922,810    810,492
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Expenses:

        Ski and resort
         operations              68,960        66,821     383,864    353,662
        Real estate costs       137,694       132,769     338,856    281,845
        Rental properties         1,515         1,199       4,426      3,641
        Interest                 12,835        11,205      44,490     35,217
        Depreciation and
         amortization            14,224        12,877      57,934     51,399
        General and
         administrative           2,818         2,542       9,793      7,985
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                238,046       227,413     839,363    733,749
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Income before
     undernoted                   8,843         6,600      83,447     76,743
    Provision for
     income taxes                 1,446         1,647      10,014     15,394
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Income before
     non-controlling
     interest and
     discontinued
     operations                   7,397         4,953      73,433     61,349
    Non-controlling
     interest                     1,419         1,621       9,904      9,258
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Income from continuing
     operations                   5,978         3,332      63,529     52,091
    Results of discontinued
     operations                  (2,899)         (634)     (2,942)       (99)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Income for the
     period                   $   3,079     $   2,698   $  60,587  $  51,992
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Income per common
     share:
        Income from
         continuing
         operations           $    0.14     $    0.08   $    1.45  $    1.20
        Net income            $    0.14     $    0.08   $    1.45  $    1.20
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Weighted average
     number of common
     shares outstanding
     (in thousands)              43,891        43,448      43,665     43,362
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            INTRAWEST CORPORATION
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets


    As at June 30
    (in thousands of US dollars)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     2001            2000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Assets
    Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents              $     86,430     $    78,985
        Amounts receivable                           82,536          72,233
        Other assets                                105,545          78,966
        Properties:
            Resort                                  329,177         254,801
            Discontinued operations                    -                103
        Future income taxes                           4,168           4,445
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    607,856         489,533
    Ski and resort operations                       813,741         784,725
    Properties:
        Resort                                      371,451         314,481
        Discontinued operations                       7,080           9,521
    Amounts receivable                               50,416          35,262
    Other assets                                     86,640          67,999
    Goodwill                                         19,128          15,834
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $  1,956,312     $ 1,717,355
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Current liabilities:
        Amounts payable                        $    146,464     $   146,648
        Deferred revenue                             81,537          70,832
        Bank and other indebtedness,
         current portion:
            Resort                                  201,558         158,144
            Discontinued operations                      82              84
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    429,641         375,708
    Bank and other indebtedness:
        Resort                                      804,991         670,539
        Discontinued operations                       3,363           4,394
    Due to joint venture partners                     8,818          16,963
    Deferred revenue                                 26,750          26,974
    Future income taxes                              83,771          82,522
    Non-controlling interest
     in subsidiaries                                 30,616          28,983
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1,387,951       1,206,083
    Shareholders' equity:
        Capital stock                               414,220         413,719
        Retained earnings                           187,922         131,953
        Foreign currency
         translation adjustment                     (33,780)        (34,400)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    568,362         511,272
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $  1,956,312     $ 1,717,355
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            INTRAWEST CORPORATION
                Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings


                                   Three months ended          Year ended
                                         June 30                 June 30
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   2001          2000        2001       2000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (in thousands of US dollars)


    Retained earnings,
     beginning of period      $ 187,138     $ 123,979   $ 131,953  $  77,088
    Income for the period         3,079         2,698      60,587     51,992
    Reduction in
     redemption price
     of non-resort
     preferred shares              -            7,588        -         7,588
    Dividends                    (2,295)       (2,312)     (4,618)    (4,715)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Retained earnings,
     end of period            $ 187,922     $ 131,953   $ 187,922  $ 131,953
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            INTRAWEST CORPORATION
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                   Three months ended          Year ended
                                         June 30                 June 30
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   2001          2000        2001       2000
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (in thousands of US dollars)
    Cash provided by (used for)

    Operations:

        Income from
         continuing
         operations           $   5,978     $   3,332   $  63,529  $  52,091
        Items not affecting
         cash:
           Depreciation and
            amortization         14,224        12,877      57,934     51,399
           Future income
            taxes                 6,303        12,109       1,027     12,109
           Income from equity
            accounted
            investment             (976)         (633)     (2,790)    (2,333)
           Net gain on asset
            disposals and
            write-offs           (2,671)       (5,777)     (2,671)    (5,777)
           Non-controlling
            interest              1,419         1,621       9,904      9,258
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Funds from continuing
         operations              24,277        23,529     126,933    116,747
        Recovery of costs
         through real
         estate sales           137,694       132,769     338,856    281,845
        Acquisition and
         development of
         properties held
         for sale              (132,123)     (125,766)   (469,816)  (365,249)
        Increase in amounts
         receivable, net         (5,067)       (3,610)    (13,670)    (8,890)
        Changes in non-cash
         operating working
         capital                (27,320)          265     (29,948)    34,385
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Cash provided by
         (used for)
         continuing
         operating
         activities              (2,539)       27,187     (47,645)    58,838
        Cash provided by
         (used for)
         discontinued
         operations              (1,642)        2,892       2,323     10,699
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (4,181)       30,079     (45,322)    69,537
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Financing:

        Bank and other
         borrowings, net         24,770       (31,230)    184,565     97,088
        Issue of capital
         stock                    1,748          (211)      4,289      1,254
        Redemption of
         non-resort
         preferred shares          -           (3,575)     (3,788)   (19,520)
        Dividends paid           (2,295)       (2,312)     (4,618)    (4,715)
        Distributions to
         non-controlling
         interests               (4,490)       (1,932)     (5,773)    (3,234)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 19,733       (39,260)    174,675     70,873
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Investments:

        Proceeds from
         (expenditures on)
         revenue-producing
         properties, net         (1,481)       (2,127)     (5,642)     1,315
        Expenditures on ski
         and resort operation
         assets, net            (17,912)      (15,887)    (93,986)  (119,133)
        Expenditures on
         other assets, net       (6,122)       (4,928)    (19,545)   (11,026)
        Proceeds from asset
         disposals                8,216         4,243       8,216      4,243
        Expenditures on
         business
         acquisitions,
         net of cash
         acquired                (4,541)         (376)    (10,951)   (19,281)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (21,840)      (19,075)   (121,908)  (143,882)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Increase (decrease)
     in cash and cash
     equivalents                 (6,288)      (28,256)      7,445     (3,472)

    Cash and cash
     equivalents,
     beginning of
     period                      92,718       107,241      78,985     82,457
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Cash and cash
     equivalents, end
     of period                $  86,430     $  78,985   $  86,430  $  78,985
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    INTRAWEST CORPORATION
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


    Total Company EBITDA
                                   Three months ended      12 months ended
                                        June 30                June 30
                                   2001         2000      2001        2000
                                  US$000s      US$000s   US$000s     US$000s

    Income before tax               8,844        6,600    83,447      76,743
    Depreciation and
     amortization                  14,224       12,877    57,934      51,399
    Interest expense               12,835       11,205    44,490      35,217
    Interest in real
     estate costs                   8,755        7,588    20,722      16,767
    Less interest and
     other income                  (1,708)         365    (6,337)    (14,782)
                                  ---------------------  --------------------
    Total Company EBITDA           42,950       38,635   200,256     165,344
                                  ---------------------  --------------------
                                  ---------------------  --------------------


    Breakdown of Ski and Resort Operations Revenue

                                   Three months ended      12 months ended
                                         June 30               June 30
                                   2001         2000      2001        2000
                                  US$000s      US$000s   US$000s     US$000s

    Mountain operations            18,116       20,407   192,142     177,060
    Retail and rental              10,087       12,557    84,040      72,854
    Ski school                      3,279        3,413    29,782      25,791
    Food and beverage              10,046       10,860    64,144      60,105
    Lodging and property
     management                     7,708        9,242    58,013      48,726
    Golf                            9,695       10,890    32,992      30,899
    Other                           7,862        5,480    31,089      31,915
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                   66,793       72,849   492,202     447,350
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                   ------------------------------------------


Intrawest is the leading developer and operator of village-centered resorts across North America. The company owns 10 mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, North America's most popular mountain resort. Intrawest also owns Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and has a premier vacation ownership business, Club Intrawest. The company has a significant investment in Compagnie des Alpes, the largest ski company in the world in terms of skier visits and a 45 per cent interest in Alpine Helicopters Ltd., owner of Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. Intrawest Corporation's shares are listed on the New York (IDR) and Toronto (ITW) stock exchanges. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is located on the World Wide Web at www.intrawest.com.

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Intrawest's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, seasonality, weather conditions, competition, general economic conditions, currency fluctuations and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: Intrawest Corporation