Whistler Bike Park opens May 16th, or as I like to say the happiest day of the year.

While spring skiing and riding is still going strong at Whistler Blackcomb, mountain bike enthusiasts are gearing up to take over Whistler Mountain for the opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, scheduled for Friday May 16, 2014. As of today, dirt lovers and mountain bike enthusiasts are able to get one step closer to riding, flowing, jumping or pumping their favourite trail as Early Bird Season Passes, Twilight Passes and Triple Play Cards go on sale.

"We are excited to offer extended play right from the beginning of the season. Every Monday and Wednesday from May 16 until June 13 the Bike Park will be open until 8pm, allowing bikers to maximize their experience in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park right from the get-go. The Bike Park will be open for extended play from 5-8pm nightly from June 14 to September 1," says Brian Finestone, Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager. "The snowpack below 900 metres is melting rapidly, which means our guests can look forward to lots of open trails for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park's opening day on May 16."

As part of the gear up for the 2014 Whistler Mountain Bike Park season, Whistler Blackcomb has doubled its fleet of mini excavators with tilt rotators, allowing for faster and more efficient trail building and trail maintenance. Whistler Blackcomb is also excited to introduce the Child Bike Park Pass for children aged 5 to 12 years, promoting mountain biking and the active outdoor mountain lifestyle for the younger generation.

Early Bird Bike Park Season Pass – available for purchase April 14 while quantities last

Price: Limited number of Early Bird Season Passes $569 (CDN plus tax); Regular Season Pass $669 (CDN plus tax) | Limited Number of Early Bird Child Season Passes $399 (CDN plus tax); Regular Child Season Pass $429 (CDN plus tax).

Includes:

• Unlimited riding from May 16 to October 13, 2014.

Early Bird Incentives:

• One free Top of the World ticket. Top of the World begins at the peak of Whistler Mountain and offers riders a total of over 4,900 feet of vertical.
• One free early season Bring-A-Friend Whistler Mountain Bike Park ticket valid until June 13.

Early Bird Triple Play Card – available for purchase April 14 to June 13

Price: Early Bird $149 (CDN plus tax); After June 13, $159 (CDN plus tax)

Includes:

• Three full days in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Early Bird Triple Play Card Incentives:

• Purchase before June 13 and receive a free early season Whistler Mountain Bike Park day ticket for use before June 13.
• Load additional days on to the Triple Play Card for only $39 (CDN plus tax) until June 13, load up now and use anytime this summer.
• Purchase a minimum of 5 days in advance for the best possible rate.

Early Bird Twilight Pass – available for purchase April 14 to June 13

Price: Early Bird $199 (CDN plus tax); After June 13, $229 (CDN plus tax)

Includes:

• Ride evenings only 5-8pm.
• Extended play on Monday's and Wednesday's from May 16 to June 13
• Extended play nightly from June 14 to September 1

Early Bird Twilight Pass Incentives:

· Load full days for only $39 (CDN plus tax) until June 13, load up now and use anytime this summer.

Guests who purchase a Season Pass, Twilight Pass or a Triple Play Card are also eligible for additional season long discounts including 15 per cent off food at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC), up to 20 per cent off retail at Garbanzo Bike & Bean, 20 per cent off rentals at the Garbanzo Bike and more. Guests looking to purchase a pass or card product can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/bike or call 1-800-766-0449.

As well as downhill mountain biking as of May 16, skiers and riders can continue to enjoy some amazing spring skiing conditions in Whistler Blackcomb's snowy alpine. Winter operations continue through to April 21 on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and until May 26 on Blackcomb Mountain only.

To celebrate this remarkable time of year when guests can enjoy snow and dirt fuelled by gravity, the Crud 2 Mud race is back Saturday May 24, 2014. Crud 2 Mud competitors ski or snowboard from the top of Whistler Mountain to the bottom of the snow line, and then continue the race on their bikes through the Whistler Mountain Bike Park to the village below. More information on Whistler Blackcomb's Crud 2 Mud race can be found at http://bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/events/2013/05/crud-2-mud.aspx

Whistler's new spring festival GO Fest, Whistler's Great Outdoors Festival will feature a GO Enduro Mountain bike race on Friday, May 16. This mountain bike race will take place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and will feature three timed downhill stages as well as two liaison stages featuring uphill or cross country sections. GO Enduro will challenge riders' technical bike handling skills and test their endurance. Registration is $30, in advance online, and a full face helmet is required

Guests looking to plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages or call 1-888-403-4727.