Killington, Vermont (Monday, October 30, 2000)
Ten women officially kicked off the eastern ski and snowboard season, taking the first runs at Killington yesterday morning. The resort opened to the public for skiing and snowboarding yesterday.

"It really is exhilarating to be back on snow," said Killington skier Nicole Kesselring. "We've got fresh natural snow, good friends and all day to play!"

Kesselring joined 11 other Killington locals: Heather Atwell$ Jennifer Fox, Lori Weissman, Courtney Clark, Gretchen Fry, Annie Walsh, Nancy O'Connor, Helen Bruno, Barbara Wood, Kate Anthony and Amy Phalon to make the first official turns of the season.

Killington is delighted to have these local women get things going this season as the resort is increasing its efforts to attract women and girls to snowsports.

"For the past few years, the number of females participating in snowsports has been flat industry-wide," said Gillis Lynn, Killington Vice President of Marketing and Resort Sales. "Killington is stepping up its efforts to talk to women and to provide them with what they are looking for in a vacation."

Among the initiatives that Killington is putting forth to attract women to skiing and snowboarding is the Women's Turn Program. Women's Turn is a ski and snowboard instructional program that has been designed by women for women. The program features on-mountain coaching, video analysis, off-mountain activities and seminars in fitness and equipment. During past sessions, Killington coaches have been joined by skiing greats including Olympic and World Cup Freestyle Champion Donna Weinbrecht and PSIA Examiner, Holly LaFontain. Women's Turn long-weekends are scheduled for January 26-28, March 9-11, 2001. An additional weekend will be held at Pico on February 8-10, 2001. Women's clinics are also offered daily upon request through Killington's Perfect Turn(R) Ski and Snowboard School.

Killington is also sponsoring several new promotions with various publications that target the female market. The resort will also participate in the Snowsports Association for Women's Take your Daughter to the Snow Week on January 29, 2001- February 4, 2001. For information about these or any other Killington programs, guests can log on to Killington.com or call (800) 621-MTNS.

Killington is an American Skiing Company resort. Based in Newry, Maine American Skiing Company is the largest operator of ski, snowboard and golf resorts in the country. Other resorts include: Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA in Maine; Sugarbush and Mount Snow in Vermont; Attitash/Bear Peak in New Hampshire; Heavenly in California/Nevada; Steamboat in Colorado; and The Canyons in Utah. This press release and other Killington news can be downloaded from Killington.com.

Ends.