SKI MAGAZINE RELEASES HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED 2008

“TOP 50 RESORT GUIDE”

The Ultimate Ski Vacation Planner Places Deer Valley Resort in Top Spot For Immediate Release: Boulder, Colo.–Sept. 7, 2007–

SKI Magazine’s annual “Top 50 Resort Guide,” the definitive ranking of North American ski resorts, names Deer Valley, Utah as the No. 1 ski resort in its October issue, on newsstands September 25. Deer Valley returns to the top spot after being ranked second in last year’s survey. Perennial favorite Tremblant, Que. is again ranked No. 1 on the East Coast, a tribute to consistent standards of excellence.

Luxury favorite Deer Valley, Utah, captured the top spot for the third time in the survey’s 20-year history. Much lauded by SKI readers for its topnotch service, grooming and dining, Deer Valley received top ten finishes in 11 of the 18 categories ranked. Deer Valley was also voted the best spot for a Luxury Ski Trip in the lifestyle rankings. Utah resorts heavily dominated the lifestyle rankings with Snowbird, Utah being voted the Best Skier’s Mountain and Alta, Utah coming in as the best Weekend Escape.

 

“SKI readers are an astute, not to mention well-traveled, bunch and their consensus is convincing,” says SKI Magazine’s executive editor Greg Ditrinco. “You’d do well to consider them advance scouts as you plan this year’s ski vacation. They won’t let you down.”

On the overall rankings Vail, Colo., came in at No. 2, leading a group of six Colorado resorts in the top ten, more then any other state. Whistler Blackcomb, B.C., moved up one spot to No. 3 on the list. Tony Aspen, Colo., saw the largest increase of any of the resorts in the top ten, moving up three spots to No. 4 with sister resort Snowmass, Colo., coming in at No. 5.  Beaver Creek, Colo., Steamboat, Colo. and Sun Valley, Idaho maintained their previous top ten rankings at No. 8, No. 9 and No. 10 respectively.

In the Eastern Coast the top three spots were maintained by the previous year’s winners but there was plenty of movement among the remaining slots. Stowe, Vt., moved up two spots to No. 4 while Holiday Valley, N.Y., moved up four spots to No. 5. Sugerbush , Vt., coming in at No. 7, was a new addition to the top ten list. Bretton Woods, N.H., the only New Hampshire resort in the top ten, moved up one spot to No. 9. Smuggler’s Notch, Vt., raking No.2 for the second year in a row, also pulled top honors as the nation’s top resort for a Family Ski Trip in the lifestyle rankings.

The top 10 resorts according to SKI Magazine’s readers:

 1.Deer Valley, Utah                      6.   Park City, Utah.

 2.Vail, Colo.                                7.   Breckenridge, Colo.

 3.Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C.         8.   Beaver Creek, Colo.

 4.Aspen, Colo.                            9.   Steamboat, Colo.

 5.Snowmass, Colo.                      10. Sun Valley, Idaho

The top 10 resorts in the East according to SKI Magazine’s readers:

 1.Tremblant, Que.                   6.  Sugarloaf, Maine

 2.Smugglers Notch, Vt.            7.  Sugarbush, Vt.

 3.Whiteface, N.Y.                     8.  Killington, Vt.

 4.Stowe, Vt.                           9.  Bretton Woods, N.H.

 5.Holiday Valley, N.Y.              10. Okemo, Vt..

                   

For a complete look at the “Top 50 Resort Guide,” pick the October issue of  SKI Magazine or visit www.skinet.com

 

Nearly 7,000 SKI Magazine subscribers responded to the “Top 50 Resort Guide” survey, which was conducted by an independent research firm. It is the most comprehensive and longest-running ski resort survey in the winter sports industry. Resorts are ranked in 18 categories: Overall Satisfaction, Access, Après Ski, Dining, Family Programs, Grooming, Lifts, Lodging, Off-Hill Activities, On-Mountain Food, Scenery, Service, Snow, Terrain/Challenge, Terrain/Variety, Terrain Parks, Value and Weather by SKI subscribers who have skied the resorts for the past two seasons, skiing an average of 23 days a year.

SKI Magazine (www.skinet.com) is published by Mountain Sports Media, a Boulder-based division the Bonnier Corporation. The Bonnier Corporation (www.bonniercorp.com) is one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events

 

 July 16, 2007 02:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time

              AMERICAN SKIING COMPANY ANNOUNCES SALE OF

                                    THE CANYONS RESORT

PARK CITY, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Skiing Company (OTCBB: AESK) announced today that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell its subsidiary ASC Utah, Inc., the owner and operator of The Canyons resort, located near Park City, Utah, to Talisker Canyons Finance Co. LLC, an affiliate of Talisker Corporation, for $100.0 million in cash. The purchase price is subject to various adjustments, as outlined in the purchase agreement. The transaction is not expected to result in any change in the status of currently pending litigation between The Canyons and Wolf Mountain (a landlord at The Canyons). The announced sale represents the planned disposition of the last major resort asset of American Skiing Company.

“This sale will complete a necessary step for American Skiing Company to wind down its affairs,” said ASC President and CEO B.J. Fair. “We at ASC and The Canyons have worked tirelessly to position the resort for success in the years to come. I am very proud of what we have accomplished, and look forward to the energy and vision that I expect Talisker to bring to the resort and community,” added Fair.

The Canyons is Utah’s largest winter resort. Its 3,700 skiable acres (fourth largest in the nation) are serviced by 17 lifts spread across eight mountain peaks. The AAA Four Diamond Grand Summit Hotel, Sundial Lodge and numerous other lodging, dining and retail options are located at the base of the resort. An 18-hole championship golf course and numerous resort amenities are expected additions to the resort in the coming years.

Talisker is a private real estate development and investment company in the resort development, residential, retail and commercial sectors operating in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Talisker has significant assets in Park City where it has been developing resort real estate since 2000. In 2003 it added to its portfolio in Park City by acquiring United Park City Mines, a NYSE listed company. For more information on the company’s developments in Park City go to www.taliskerclub.com.

 

The transaction is subject to several closing conditions, including certain consents, Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust approval and stockholder majority approval of American Skiing Company. The transaction is expected to close on or before September 29, 2007.

 

          PARK CITY'S NEWEST LUXURY RESORT TO FEATURE

                    FULL-SERVICE GOLDEN DOOR SPA

          World-Renowned Spa Will Open Slopeside At Dakota Mountain Lodge In 2009

 

New York, NY --January 25, 2007-- A new level of luxury is coming to The Canyons® Resort in Park City, Utah, with the world-renowned Golden Door Spa slated to open a 26,000 square foot, state-of-the-art health and wellness facility on-site at Dakota Mountain Lodge--one of Park City's largest and most luxurious condo-hotel projects currently under development.  The Golden Door Spa and Dakota Mountain Lodge are scheduled to open Ski Season 2008-2009.

The stunning new resort, featuring spacious studio to four-bedroom condominium-hotel accommodations, is ideally located--just steps away from the ski trails at The Canyons® Resort in Park City, adjacent to the planned Frostwood ski lift and surrounded by a planned 18 hole golf course.  Skiers and spa-goers alike will be pampered with amenities and services including a full-time ski concierge, as well as the highly trained Golden Door Spa and fitness professionals.  Guests will also enjoy access to spectacular "couples' suites" with private soaking tubs and Zen-Inspired meditation lounges, perfect for relaxing after a long day on the slopes.  The spa will feature approximately 25 individual treatment rooms, a high-performance fitness center featuring the latest cardiovascular centers, and full menu of fitness classes ranging from yoga to Tai Chi.  A signature Golden Door Spa Cafe will feature delicious and nutritious spa cuisine under the creative direction of Golden Door's award-winning Executive Chef Dean Rucker.

"This spa will be unlike anything ever seen in the Park City area," says Tom Posey, president and CEO of Golden Door.  "We are so excited to have the opportunity to work with DuVal Development and to open our newest facility on the grounds of what is sure to be the most spectacular new luxury resort in the area."

Located just 10 minutes from the heart of downtown Park City and 30 minutes from Salt Lake City Airport, Dakota Mountain Lodge will offer an unparalleled quality of design, materials and amenities to both hotel guests and condo owners.  All units feature Sub-Zero refrigerators, Wolf Ranges and oversized steam showers.  Highlights of the resort include a large open courtyard with mountain views, a free form pool, multiple hot-tubs, a fire pit and even a putting green.  Overlooking the courtyard will be a terrace offering seating at one of Dakota's two incredible restaurants.

"With the increased demand for luxury accommodations in one of the world's premier ski resorts, we look forward to opening not only the finest property in the area, but the only one with a branded spa known as one of the best in the world," says Lee M. Hinden, President and Founder of DuVal Development, the company that owns Dakota Mountain Lodge.

 

Specializing in offering luxury spa resort vacation retreats in unrivaled settings, Golden Door has long been considered the pioneer of the destination spa concept, which began 50 years ago with its flagship property in Escondido, California.  Today, in addition to the planned opening in Park City, Golden Door operates spas at The Boulders Resort in Carefree, Arizona; The Peaks in Telluride, Colorado ; and the El Conquistador in Las Croabas, Puerto Rico.  Additional Golden Door Spas are expected to open in the future at luxury resorts throughout the world.  For more information regarding Golden Door and properties within the collection, visit www.GoldenDoorSpas.com.

 

                                      BUY DEER VALLEY TICKETS IN ADVANCE!

 Planning to ski with your family at Deer Valley®  Resort during the 2006-2007 ski season? 

To make your ski day more pleasurable and to prevent overcrowded trails, Deer Valley® Resort limits the number of skiers on the mountain and at peak times can reach capacity. The peak periods are typically between Christmas and New Years and the Presidents' Day weeken, as well as the Spring Break weeks in March.  Deer Valley® Resort, true to their mission to offer their guests the ultimate in ease and quality of visitor experience, provides guests who plan ahead the following opportunity to insure availability of day passes.

Deer Valley has launched an advance ticket sales program for the first time in their 25 year history.  This program allows you to pre-purchase your tickets for peak ski-periods, providing you the confidence and security that you'll be able to get a lift ticket, even if you sleep in!   For more details on the program, click here and follow the instructions on the page.  Way to go, Deer Valley!

                        TALISKER GOLF AT TUHAYE RANKED IN GOLF DIGEST TOP 10

December 6, 2006: Golf Digest handed out their annual awards for Best New Courses in America this morning.  For the past 23 years, Golf Digest readers have looked forward to this annual coronation of the top new courses in America.  One of the most highly coveted awards of its kind, the magazine sifts through the hundreds of new courses built every year, and narrows the field to the creme de la creme for their loyal readers. 

The Mark O'Meara designed Tuhaye signature course in Park City, Utah was recognized as one of the Top-10 Best New Private Courses, to the delight of its Talisker Club members.  Members enjoy access not only to the award-winning O'Meara course at Tuhaye, but also a basket of world class amenities that range from pristine blue ribbon private fly-fishing waters to exclusive ski-in/ski-out clubhouses along the immaculate ski slopes of Deer Valley Resort. 

Congratulations to the Talisker Club for making a big splash with the first of their golf courses! The timing of the award heightens the members' anticipation of the grand opening of the Tower Club in Empire Pass later this month.  The Tower Club is the crown jewel of the private, members-only amenities at the top of Deer Valley Resort, the #2 rated ski area in North America by Ski Magazine.