DEER VALLEY REVS UP FOR 2003 FREESTYLE FIS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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January 29 - February 2, 2003

Tickets Now On Sale!

With temperatures in Park City downright chilly and snowflakes on the fly, Deer Valley kicks its preparations to host the 2003 Freestyle World Championships into high gear. The event, to be held January 29 - February 2, 2003, marks Deer Valley's 5^th anniversary of hosting freestyle competition at the Resort, including last year's 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The World Championships is the single highest athletic competition outside of the Olympics, with the best freestyle skiers from all over the world taking part in the competition. Spectators will witness stunning maneuvers similar to Jonny Moseley's 'dinner roll' in moguls and big multiple twisting and turning airs like those done by Ales Valenta (CZE) when he won the Olympic gold medal in aerials last February. America's Olympic silver medalists Joe Pack, Shannon Bahrke and Travis Mayer are expected to challenge the reigning world champions Alexi Grichin (BLR), Kari Traa (NOR, also 2002 Olympic gold medalist) and Mikko Ronkainen (FIN), to name a few athletes anticipated to attend.

Deer Valley is organizing a fun-filled, community-wide weekend with lots of exciting events both on and off the slopes, and offering a number of special event ticket options.

The event schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, January 29 will feature mogul qualifying rounds on Deer Valley's Champion run for women from 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and men from noon - 1 p.m. General admission seats are free, and bleacher seating is $10/person.

Thursday, January 30 will feature aerial qualifying rounds on Deer Valley's White Owl run for women from 11 a.m. - noon, and men from 12:30 - 2 p.m. General admission seating is free and bleacher seating is $10/person. Thursday night begins three nights in a row of "Magic on Main Street," featuring celebrations along lower Main Street in Park City. "We wanted to make this a great community event by including really festive and fun elements," says Resort Marketing Director Coleen Reardon. "The "Magic on Main Street" events will feature street entertainment, activities for all ages, and fireworks each night around 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public." Thursday night's "Magic on Main Street" will include the official opening ceremonies, a parade of nations, street entertainment and fireworks.

Friday, January 31 will feature the mogul finals competition. The women will compete from 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., and the men will compete from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. General admission seating is $8 and bleacher seating is $20. Friday night's free "Magic on Main Street" will run from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and include the official awards ceremonies for the moguls competition, street entertainment, a concert featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and fireworks.

Saturday, February 1 will feature the dual moguls finals on Deer Valley's Champion run from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The aerial finals for both men and women will take place from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. General admission seating is $8 and bleacher seating is $20 for both events. The free

"Magic on Main Street" will take place on Saturday from 1 p.m. - 9 p.m., including the official awards ceremony for dual moguls at 4 p.m. Street revelers can watch the aerial competition live on the video board amidst music and street entertainment from 6 - 9 p.m. The evening will again conclude with fireworks around 9 p.m.

Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Restaurant, normally open for breakfast and lunch only, will remain open until 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 1 so that event goers can enjoy Deer Valley's acclaimed gourmet cuisine. The buffet-style restaurant kitchen will offer its regular collection of delicious fare such as gourmet burgers and sandwiches; hot items like Deer Valley Turkey Chili and soups; the famed Natural Buffet salad bar including grilled, marinated vegetables, fruits and breads; and desserts and beverages of all types.

Sunday, February 2 we will be hosting a "Freestyle Celebration" including a Big Air exhibition from Noon - 1 p.m., followed by an autograph session from 1 - 2 p.m. with the U.S. Freestyle Team and other athletes from the international field. The first 2,000 spectators will receive a free commemorative event poster. This day is also reserved as an official "weather day" in case any of the week's events need to be postponed due to weather conditions.

For those who miss the actual event, Deer Valley's 2003 Freestyle FIS World Championships will be televised by NBC on February 1, 2003 from 4 - 6 p.m. E.S.T. and on February 2, 2003 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. E.S.T.

Ticket Information

Deer Valley expects the 2003 FIS Worlds to be a sell-out, so ticket information is of the utmost importance. Tickets can be purchased now at all Smith's Tix locations and the three Deer Valley Signatures store locations at 625 Main Street, Park City, in Snow Park Lodge or Silver Lake Village at the Resort.

General admission tickets for men's and women's mogul and aerial qualifying rounds are free, and bleacher seats are $10/person. General admission for men's and women's mogul, dual mogul and aerial finals is $8/person, and bleacher seating is $20/person. All of the "Magic on Main Street" events are free. Children ages 6 and under are free.

2002/2003 Deer Valley season pass holders and day pass holders will receive free entry into the general admission area during the daytime events on both Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. A general admission or bleacher seating ticket will be required for all Season Pass or day lift ticket holders for the night aerial competition.

VIP Packages

Those who would like VIP status at the upcoming 2003 FIS Freestyle Worlds can join the 2003 Club. A donation of $2003.00 to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation will support the athletes and include the following insider access during the event: five days of skiing for two at Deer Valley Resort, January 29 - February 2, 2003; on-hill hospitality and seating for two at event finals, January 31 - February 1; VIP parties and receptions for two, January 30 - February 1; and two exclusive 2003 Club gifts. For reservations or further information on the 2003 Club package, contact Janine Alfano at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation at 435-647-2071 or jalfano@ussa.org.

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