VPS-Fest At Mount Washington

Calling all Norco mountain bike owners! The Norco travelling road show, otherwise known as VPS-Fest, is coming to Mount Washington Alpine Resort on the weekend of July 17 and 18. And for Norco owners, admission to the Mount Washington Bike Park is absolutely free for both days.

Towering above the Pacific at 1588 metres, Mount Washington is home to Vancouver Island's only lift-accessed Bike Park. And this year there are two "birds of play" operating to ensure speedy return to the trailheads. Both The Eagle Express Quad, which travels to the summit, and The Hawk High Speed 6ix Pak lift, which opens up new trails to the west, are running in support of the Bike Park. With a rapidly growing bike scene, Mount Washington Alpine Resort was a logical choice for industry-leading brand Norco to bring its "party" to the mountain. "We've always loved the vibe on the Island and we've been hearing about the quality trails and programs that Mount Washington was running for its Bike Park", says Pete Stace-Smith, VP Marketing for Norco Performance Bikes. "When we first approached the crew at the resort about bringing VPS-Fest, the questions weren't 'what's in it for us', but 'how can we make this bigger and better'".

VPS-Fest, normally a one-day, VPS-bike only program, is expanded at this Island stop, one of three in the entire country this summer. Other bike parks include Canada's Olympic Park (COP) in Calgary and Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario. To showcase the famous Island hospitality, Mount Washington Alpine Resort has offered VPS Fest to ALL Norco owners for two days, Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18. To arrange lift and rider passes, bikers can check out www.vpsfest.com, the Norco VPS-Fest website. Complete the easy entry form and questionnaire, print off the lift pass coupon and present it to the crew at the Norco tents Saturday and/or Sunday to sign in and qualify for the free passes. Riders can also sign up at the event as well. The free-ride offer is good for both days. And to sweeten the pot, Norco is bringing the entire support team to offer free tune-ups and flat repairs to Norco owners riding that weekend. Look for the Norco "circus" set up in the cobblestone courtyard in front of the Eagle Express Quad. Lifts open at 11 am and will run till 8 pm. Swag meisters rejoice: Norco is bringing over $4000 of prizes to give away to Norco owners and this includes a $1400 Norco Shore frame set!

Come to the Island and ride above the ocean on over 30 km of super sweet trails as well as a Dual Course. Lots of accommodations are available at very affordable summer rates. Overnights begin at $51. Check out the resort website at www.mountwashington.ca For those wanting to pre-register for any of the Norco VPS Fests, including the one at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, surf to http://www.vpsfest.com Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located above the Comox Valley and is just over an hour and fifteen minutes from the BC Ferry terminal at Nanaimo.

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