October 29, 2003 – Now is the time for skiers and snowboarders to get a team together for the largest on-snow charity event series in North America. The BIOGEN Snow Express for MS hosts events in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, as well as 17 resorts in the United States. This year, it includes a stop at The Toronto Ski Club at Blue Mountain in Collingwood on February 5th, 2004.

Taking the reigns this year is Harry Dolan. Harry's plans include expanding and developing corporate team involvement. Karen Willison, who is responsible for bringing this event and The Heuga Centre program to Canada, has returned as the co-director, bringing with her plenty of experience and flare.  So, get your team of three together and register on-line at www.snowexpress.org.

Now in its 8th year in Canada and it's 19th year in the States (known as the Mercedes Snow Express), the BIOGEN Snow Express is the largest source of funding for The Heuga Centre, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) through medical/wellness programs and ongoing research. Proceeds from the Canadian events are used to help Canadian residents attend the Centre's acclaimed program, where they learn strategies to manage the disease and have more fulfilling lives. A portion of the proceeds also help support the programs of the Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing (CADS), which are designed to assist individuals with a disability lead richer and fuller lives through active participation in recreational and competitive skiing and snowboarding.

Each year over a 1,000 participants join together to raise money to help people with MS.  Teams of three raise $1,000 minimum to compete in the unique day of skiing and snowboarding where they challenge the clock, the mountain and other racers. Prizes are awarded based on a combination of on-snow results and successful fundraising efforts. The top Canadian Fundraising team wins an expense paid trip to Vail, Colorado for the International Finals in April. All participants will receive a generous SWAG bag with commemorative items and product samples from sponsors.  As well, there will be lots of prizes for all levels of fundraising, skill and presentation.

The BIOGEN Snow Express also is made possible through generous support from the following national sponsors: Atomic, Big Rock, Boeri Helmets, Daymen Outdoors, Grandoe, Karbon, Kneissl, Merit Travel, Nexfor, Noranda, Smartwool, Swany, UTC and Yakima.

The Heuga Centre was founded in 1984 by former Olympic ski racer, Jimmie Heuga. Diagnosed with MS at the height of his racing career, Jimmie and his doctors pioneered an MS management program centered on exercise, mental wellness and motivation. This approach has since been endorsed by both the Canadian and American national MS Societies, as well as the American Neurological Association. To date over 6,500 people have attended one of the Center's signature programs, a five-day medical/wellness program that promotes health and offers hope to those with the disease.