Press Release
January 29, 2001
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- American Skiing Company (NYSE:SKI) Saturday announced it has opened the first Nike (NYSE:NKE)
All Conditions Gear store in the United States at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah.
Nike ACG also announced its three-year sponsorship of the U.S. Snowboard Team during a media and industry event
held at The Canyons last evening. Together, these announcements represent the growing preference for Nike ACG's
performance-driven products amongst athletes of all levels.
American Skiing Company operates the new 1,900 square foot store, located in the Forum area of the rapidly expanding
Canyons Resort. American Skiing Company's retail division has become an official retail licensee and operator of
Nike ACG-branded stores and concept shops. This brings one of the world's most recognized brands to The Canyons'
retail operations and greatly expands the availability of a full range of Nike ACG products to outdoor enthusiasts
visiting the resort.
``The Forum is becoming the vibrant center of activity we envisioned when we began bringing The Canyons to life
three years ago,'' said Blaise Carrig, president of the resort. ``The new Nike ACG store will be surrounded by
Olympic celebrations in 2002, and the location will provide even greater opportunities as the resort continues
to grow.'' According to Carrig, The Canyons is now one of the five largest ski resorts in the nation, and the resort
will be seeking a limited number of additional retailers to take advantage of retail spaces as they become available
in the future.
Not only are Nike ACG products becoming more widely available at the retail level, but the brand is also gaining
peak exposure with a growing number of world-class snowboard athletes. During last evening's event, Nike ACG also
announced its sponsorship of the U.S. Snowboard Team. U.S. Development Team riders Claire Cetera and Grant Watanabe
were on hand representing the team and served as apparel models while Nike ACG announced it will provide the U.S.
alpine and freestyle team riders with DRI-Fit base layers, gloves, and both knit and baseball caps for the next
three years.
News of this sponsorship follows Nike ACG's recent announcement of a full apparel partnership with the Canadian
Snowboard Federation (CFS). Both the U.S. and Canadian snowboard teams will be wearing Nike ACG apparel during
their quest for gold at the 2002 Winter Games.
``With the entire outdoor sports community gearing up for the 2002 Winter Games, all eyes are going to be on Utah
for the next two years,'' said Bobbie Parisi, marketing director for Nike ACG. ``Now that these elite athletes
have chosen to wear our performance apparel as they prepare for the Games, and American Skiing Company has opened
an exclusive Nike ACG store, we are poised to do what we do best for athletes of all levels -- deliver performance
product,'' she said.
Headquartered in Newry, Maine, American Skiing Company, founded by Leslie B. Otten, is the largest operator of
alpine ski, snowboard and golf resorts in the United States. Its resorts include Steamboat in Colorado; Killington,
Mount Snow and Sugarbush in Vermont; Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA in Maine; Attitash Bear Peak in New Hampshire;
The Canyons in Utah; and Heavenly in California/Nevada. The Company recently announced plans to merge with Meristar
Hotels and Resorts (NYSE:MMH) and form a new 4-season leisure and hospitality company to be named Doral International.
The merger is expected to be completed during the first calendar quarter of 2001. More information is available
on the company's website at www.peaks.com.
Nike ACG is a Division of NIKE Inc., based in Beaverton, Oregon. Nike ACG takes Nike to the outdoors with the creation
of outdoor athletic footwear and apparel infused with the flavor and attitude of the outdoor athlete. Nike ACG
Performance products focus on mountain biking, snowboarding, water sports, trail running and outdoor cross training.
For additional information about Nike ACG, its products and business practices, visit www.nike.com.
More information on USSA Snowboarding can be found at: http://www.usskiteam.com/snowboard/snowboard.htm
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Contact:
For Nike ACG:
Nike ACG
Nate Tobecksen, 503/671-8044
nate.tobecksen@nike.com
or
Cole & Weber
Libby Nolder, 503/548-3312
libby.nolder@coleweber.com
or
For American Skiing Company
American Skiing Company
Skip King, 207/824-8100
skip@sundayriver.com
or
The Canyons
Katie Eldridge, 435/615-3308
keldridge@thecanyons.com