October 10, 2007– BEAR VALLEY, Calif. – Skiers and snowboarders of all ages have even more reasons to visit Bear Valley Mountain Resort this season. Bear Valley, one of California’s premier family destinations, will be kicking off the 2007/2008 winter season with new and improved facilities and programs. From expanded terrain parks to new visitor services, the winter season at Bear Valley promises to be better than ever. And at the helm of Bear Valley’s 2007/2008 operations will be the new CEO of Bear Valley Resort Group, Martin Wegenstein. A seasoned executive, snow sports enthusiast, and long-time Bear Valley homeowner, Wegenstein will spearhead efforts to strengthen connections with our customers and deliver on the resort’s commitment to providing the whole family with the ultimate mountain experience.

Bear Valley

“I am honored to have been appointed CEO of Bear Valley Resort Group and I look forward to welcoming our returning season pass holders as well as new guests as they take advantage of the unparalleled access, convenience, and phenomenal customer experience that our resort provides,” said Martin Wegenstein, CEO, Bear Valley Resort Group. “Bear Valley has the same feel as the intimate Swiss mountain villages that I grew up skiing with my family. That atmosphere was based on a charming and cozy spirit with excellent customer service and pleasant employees; where I grew up we call that ‘Gemuetlichkeit.’. I look forward to bringing that same welcoming spirit to Bear Valley this season!”

Wegenstein brings vast leadership and management experience from companies ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. Most recently Wegenstein was Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Autodesk, headquartered in San Rafael, California. Wegenstein will lead Bear Valley through the completion of the Environmental Impact Research phase and guide the Company’s efforts to recruit a full-time executive for Bear Valley’s next growth phase.

“It is a pleasure to be around Martin, he is strong positive leader, a visionary, with a guest perspective and vast experience to effectively lead the team and develop a solid strategic direction and excellent corporate culture,” said Chuck Toeniskoetter, executive spokesperson for Bear Valley’s ownership team. “Wegenstein will be invaluable during this phase of our growth as he focuses on building the foundation for Bear Valley’s development plans and preparing the organization for its next executive, so s/he can hit the ground running.”

Focus on the Family
Bear Valley Mountain Resort has a long tradition of providing family-friendly services. New this season are the following programs and amenities:

  • Fresh Tracks – Bear Valley will unveil its secret stash of untracked powder this season with a brand new “First Tracks” guided tour. Giving guests the insider’s view of Bear Valley’s diversified terrain that offers something for everyone in the family from groomed beginner runs to advanced steeps and chutes.
  • New Communication Centers – three 47” plasma screen monitors located throughout the lodge and a new 8’ x 8’ communication center located in the Hungry Bear entryway provide guests with up-to-the-minute access to critical information, including updates on weather conditions, or other important emergency communications.
  • Healthy Menu Options – Bear Valley Mountain resort is proud to offer new healthy café options, including a fresh salad bar, a fresh Mexican food bar, as well as entrées made to order.
  • New Children’s Equipment – featuring Rossignol skis and Dalbello boots, more than 50% of the equipment in children’s rental fleet is new for 07/08.
  • Ski Team Scholarship – also new this season is a scholarship for a junior Bear Valley Ski Team participant. Honoring the life of long time friend and patron of Bear Valley, Hank Morris, a junior ski team member is eligible for this sponsorship.

    • Customer Service Excellence
    Bear Valley Mountain Resort has also made significant enhancements to its customer service program to provide visitors with the best experience possible – both on and off the mountain:

    • Bear Valley Express Rental Reservation Center – this revolutionary rental service is designed to capture prior reservation information and quickly outfit repeat visitors with state of the art equipment. This new system eliminates the time needed for check-in and equipment rental and speeds the time from the car to the mountaintop.
    • Expanded Services for Season Pass Holders – Bear Valley season pass holders enjoy 10% off retail purchases at REBA Sports, child care, equipment tune-ups, group lessons (ages 9+), ski and board demos, plus food and drink purchases. The new Resort Charge option enables season pass holders to attach a credit card to their season pass for convenient cashless spending throughout the resort.
    • Easy Access to “Direct-to-Lift” Discounted Tickets – a wide variety of grocers along the coast, throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Tri-Valley and Central Valley, will be offering discounted tickets for the 2007/2008 season. Customer’s will find great deals at participating Andronicos, Lunardis, Nob Hill, Raleys, Safeway and SaveMart and will love the convenience of heading straight to the lifts.
    • Ski /snowboard Check-in Service – Bear Valley customers will enjoy a new check-in service conveniently located at the mid mountain lodge. Customers can pop out of their gear and quickly go from snow to “check-in”, rest assured that their equipment is safe and secure as they enjoy a little relax time in the lodge.

    Expanded Capacity
    Within easy driving distance from most Northern California locations, Bear Valley Mountain Resort is situated on all-weather Highway 4, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. New services will enable visitors to take full advantage of the mountain’s 1,280 acres of varied terrain, 67 runs, 1900 vertical feet and 30 feet of average annual snowfall:

    • Improved Terrain Parks – now featuring four terrain parks, skiers and snowboarders will enjoy increased opportunities for jumps, boxes and rail play. Three of the terrain parks will be located on the front of the mountain to take advantage of one of the resort’s most spectacular views and offer entertainment for the many Bear Valley spectators.
    • Expanded Teaching Staff – widely regarded for its world-class ski and snowboard instruction, Bear Valley has increased its teaching staff by 10% for the 2007/2008 winter season. Customers will enjoy increased availability to children’s and private lessons.

    New Perks for Season Pass Holders
    Bear Valley is celebrating 40 years and is excited to introduce the “New CEO” special, which will give customers $40.00 off the full season pass price of $499.00. During the 40th year celebration, guests will enjoy the regular benefits of being part the Bear Valley community, such as 10% discounts at all Bear Valley food and retail outlets and a number of new amenities that have been added to this year’s offering:

    • Preferred parking discount – Season Pass Holders will receive a 25% discount off preferred parking, located at the mid-mountain lodge for faster access to the mountain.
    • Additional day pass tickets – All pass holders can save up to $19.00 per day on a day ticket for friends & Family, just bring your pass and your guest to the ticket window and save up to 33% on peak days.

      • Thanks for 40! – Bear Valley is celebrating 40 years – but the surprise gifts are for the pass holders. Throughout the 07/08 season, pass holders will receive “40th Anniversary Specials”. Including discounts and deals on lessons, at retail and food and beverage outlets at the resort. Pass holders can check bearvalley.com for current deals after season opens.

    • Bear Valley Lodge & Cross Country benefits – In addition to ski area discounts and benefits, season pass holders can take advantage of 2 for 1 lodging at Bear Valley lodge and 2 for 1 on cross country season passes and 2 for 1 on snowshoe season passes. Check bearvalley.com for details and restrictions.

    About Bear Valley
    Conveniently located on scenic Highway 4 in the central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range of California, Bear Valley Mountain Resort is the premier year-round family destination. The area boasts 1,280 acres of varied terrain, over 67 runs including four terrain parks, 1900 vertical feet and 30 feet of average annual snowfall. More information is available at www.bearvalley.com.