News Release

Girdwood, Alaska – March 8, 2004

Culture, Sports and Fun Unite at Alyeska Resort to Give the Nation a Real Taste of Alaska 2004 Chevrolet U.S. Alpine Championships Opening Ceremonies Scheduled for Friday, March 19

Alaska culture is the main theme of the opening ceremony for the Chevrolet 2004 U.S. Alpine Championships. Alyeska Resort, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and Pepsi Bottling Group are teaming up to provide its audience with a wonderful blend of sports and ethnicity at no charge. This free educational family experience will take place at Alyeska Resort on March 19, 2004 at 7 p.m.

Miracle Drummers and Dancers, an Alaska Native dance group since 1994, will captivate the crowd with dances and songs of Yup’ik tales passed on from generation to generation. The group has over 40 members ranging from age one to 86 that represent Yup’ik, Cup’ik, Athabascan, and Inupiaq tribes. There will also be Native artists with exhibitions of their work. Native American Music Award winner in 2003 and internationally traveled Alaska Native band Pamyua will perform songs of world sounds and rhythms fused with arctic indigenous traditions. Their act features Yup’ik Eskimo songs and dances with a touch of gospel, R&B and jazz.

Dog sled teams will highlight to the audience another popular winter activity in Alaska. Members of the Alyeska Ski Club sponsored Mighty Mites, a youth ski racing program, will excite the audience with torches. Members of the U.S. Alpine Team like Bode Miller will make their appearances as the official competitors of the races. Favorites such as Tommy Moe and Megan Gerety, who will compete in Return of the Champions, will also participate in the activities. Bill Marolt, president of United States Ski and Snowboarding Association, will be present along with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

The celebration will end with a display of fireworks and kicks off four days of intense athletic competition for the whole family to enjoy for free. The opening ceremony will be held in the finish arena mountain-side of the Alyeska Resort Daylodge. The entire event is expected to last approximately 2.5 hours and the public is encouraged to dress for winter conditions. The Daylodge will be open for extended hours and available to the public.

Contacts:

Gary Scott
907-754-2211
gscott@alyeskaresort.com
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