November 13, 2007

The 24h de Tremblant: new and exciting program for the 7th consecutive running!

Mont-Tremblant, November 13, 2007 – From December 7 to 9, Tremblant will host the 7th annual mega-party called the 24 heures de Tremblant. In the few years of its existence this event has become Canada's biggest industry fundraiser.

Along with a host of personalities from the worlds of the arts, business and sports, some 1000 ski-o-thon participants will race down the slopes for 24 consecutive hours to raise this year's objective of $700,000 for children. For the fourth year, the cancer foundation called the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, dedicated to the fight against cancer in children, will benefit from the generosity of event participants. The Ottawa Senators Foundation is joining the organization for its second year. And a portion of the funds raised will go to the Fondation Tremblant, which works to help area young people.

Origins of the event
Initially, the 24h de Tremblant was brought to Quebec by race car driver Jacques Villeneuve, who had launched this kind of event in Villars, Switzerland, in 1999. Since then, the Tremblant event has seen dazzling development, so much so that the 24h de Tremblant now brings in almost double the money raised by the Villars event. Event promoter Simon St-Arnaud says, "You have to pay tribute to the generosity of the many Quebecers who, year after year, show up to participate in the ski-o-thon and generate hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's incredible to see how far this new idea – originally from Jacques Villeneuve and Craig Pollock, who started the Formula Charity – has come!"

Faithful ambassadors
Under the honorary chairmanship of Luc Sabbatini, president of Astral Media Affichage, a number of Quebec personalities are joining the 24h de Tremblant to help raise funds. The four faithful ambassadors will be with the 24h de Tremblant event again this year. Geneviève Borne will team up with Benoit Gagnon, Philippe Fehmiu and Mélanie Turgeon to encourage the population to give generously on behalf of sick or underprivileged children.

Well known artists who support the 24h
The 2007 edition of the 24h will enjoy the extraordinary support of a number of well known artists whose generosity has them participating in the event or giving performances over the weekend. Singer David Usher has confirmed that he'll be playing on the outdoor stage on Saturday evening, to the huge delight of skiers and Quebec fans. And Dumas, Xavier Caféine, Pascale Picard, Alfa Rococo and Hugo Lapointe, along with their friends – including 24h veteran Martin Deschamps – will also be at the party, either onstage or in the pedestrian village. It's extremely generous of these artists to participate in the 24h de Tremblant and the organizers would like to emphasize the extent of their contribution to the success of the weekend.

A 24h where everyone can participate
Whether you're a bigtime skier or tend to do your best skiing in the chalet, everyone can participate in the 24h de Tremblant! There is, of course, the ski-o-thon category where skiers hurtle down the slopes as a relay team for 24 hours to raise money. And yes, of course it's crazy, but it's so exciting! But there's also the Without Skis option, in which spectators can donate money all weekend while attending free concerts. And there are all kinds of other activities all weekend long in the pedestrian village as event partners and many retailers mount their own initiatives to contribute to the party atmosphere and the fundraising. As well, people who would like to support the 24h cause can do so while keeping their ears warm under the official event tuque, a Bula initiative from which all money made will be handed over to the fundraising.

Thanks to the partners
For a second year, Volkswagen is stepping up to the plate as presenting sponsor and is already involved in the fundraising: the public is invited to participate in a lottery for a chance to win a 36-month lease of a Passat Wagon 2008, and all funds raised will go to the Fondation of the Centre de Cancérologie Charles-Bruneau. Collaborating sponsor TELUS will make up a team with members of the Charles Bruneau family, and the team will be sponsored by several personalities including Steve Podborski, of the famous Crazy Canucks. The organizing committee would also like to thank its proud sponsor organizations which will contribute to fundraising during the event: Bordeaux Bordeaux Supérieur, which is organizing wine tastings on the event site, with the funds raised going to the Foundations; Swiss International Airlines, which is providing six airline tickets to the team that raises the most money, to go to the Grand Prix 24h de Villars; Molson Dry, BULA, Van Houtte, Rossignol, Vacances Transat and l'Artographe. 

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Virginie Barbeau | Coordinator, Public Relations and Communication |
Mont Tremblant Resort | 819-681-3000 extension 46553 | vbarbeau@intrawest.com |