Vail, CO (Monday, July 29, 2002) - Blaise Carrig will be the new chief operating officer of Heavenly Ski Resort effective September 1, Vail Resorts President Andy Daly announced today. Carrig is currently president and managing director of The Canyons ski area in Park City, Utah.

Carrig will have complete general managerial authority at Heavenly Ski Resort and will oversee all summer and winter resort operations. He also will work closely with the Tahoe community to drive the revitalization of the ski area into what Vail Resorts is terming "a world-class mountain resort." Vail Resorts recently added Heavenly to its portfolio of U.S. ski resorts by purchasing the mountain from American Skiing Company, Carrig's present employer at The Canyons, and has announced plans to invest approximately $25 million in on-mountain improvements over the next five years above an estimated $3 million per year in annual maintenance capital. Improvements will include upgrading existing facilities, building new on-mountain restaurant facilities, upgrading and replacing lifts and snowmaking systems and enhancing the resort's environmental efforts.

Carrig's distinguished career in ski resort operations and management makes him especially suited for taking the helm at Heavenly, says Vail Resorts spokesperson Kelly Ladyga. "His operations have received numerous industry awards for environmental excellence and worker safety, both important initiatives within Vail Resorts. He led the Master Plan approval process during the start up and redevelopment of The Canyons, and he successfully implemented an aggressive multi-year capital improvement program. Also during his tenure, the resort's skier day numbers and revenues grew significantly. Before The Canyons, Carrig led similar development and expansion efforts at Sugarbush Resort in Vermont."

"In addition to his management expertise, Blaise is well respected for developing excellent community and governmental relationships," said Daly. "By taking an active role in the community, he is able to build coalitions and find consensus among numerous constituencies. We are committed to working well and responsibly with our neighbors in South Lake Tahoe and I believe Blaise's experience will be instrumental in making our revitalization efforts a successful and positive venture for everyone involved."

In commenting on his new position, Carrig said, "I am enthusiastic about joining the Vail Resorts team and especially the opportunity to take the lead at Heavenly. Heavenly is already considered to be among the top ski and snowboard resorts in the United States and I'm looking forward to building on and improving the experience there for our guests, the employees and the community."

Carrig, his wife Leslie and three children, Morgan, Avery and Colin, are planning to relocate to the South Lake Tahoe area in the near future.