September 19, 2006 – The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Gold Pass is a golden opportunity providing “rock star” treatment for Pass holders and their friends to more than 260 mountains around the country, making it the ultimate season pass to winter ski and snowboard fun.

“The Gold Pass is the best way to have fun supporting the future of the U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding,” said 2006 Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso. “Not only is it the only season pass good at some of the best ski areas in the nation but you’re also helping Olympic hopefuls as they pursue their gold medal aspirations.”

Only Americans send Americans to the Olympics, unlike competing nations, which receive support from their governments. As a fundraiser for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Foundation, the Pass program raises $2 million that helps support the training, development and competition needs of America’s future Olympians making it possible for young athletes to follow in the footsteps of 2006 Olympic gold medalists Ted Ligety, Julia Mancuso, Seth Wescott, Hannah Teter and Shaun White who together won a record five gold medals in skiing and snowboarding for the United States.

The Gold Pass is fully transferable – the only such lift ticket program of its kind – allowing friends, family and corporate clients to take full advantage of the Pass. For $7,000, part of which is tax-deductible as a charitable donation, it “is one of skiing’s real bargains.” While most resorts simply scan the Gold Pass and hand you a lift ticket, other areas – including many in Colorado like Vail, Aspen and Beaver Creek allow you to head right to the lift, no ticket needed – just the Pass around your neck.

Through a partnership with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) for more than 30 years, a limited number of Gold Passes are available each season. You can join an elite club of past Gold Pass purchasers like the “patron saint of snowboarding”, Jake Burton Carpenter, founder Burton Snowboards, talk show host Montel Williams, tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, as well as the head of the Heinz Foundation – Teresa Heinz Kerry – who each year requests pass # 57.

Contact the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Gold Pass hotline toll-free at 1.800.9PICABO or visit http://goldpass.usskiteam.com to participate in this unique program.