Ski Washington, the consortium of all Washington ski areas, is pleased to announce the launch of the official “Ski & Ride Washington” license plates. The “Ski & Ride Washington” license plate design will be unveiled at a press conference Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 11:30 a.m. at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle at an event that is open to the public.
Famed ski film director Warren Miller and former Washington Gov. Gary Locke will be on hand for a short presentation as well as representatives from all 10 Washington ski areas. The license plates will be available to the public and issued by the Washington Department of Licensing beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2006.
“Skiing and snowboarding are integral components of the Washington lifestyle to so many people in our state,” said Duncan A. Howat, chairman of Ski Washington and general manager of Mt. Baker Ski Area. “The new Ski & Ride Washington license plate now offers Washingtonians the opportunity to support the Washington ski industry in our state year-round.”
The special plates will cost $40, with $28 of the fee considered a tax-deductible contribution to the Northwest Winter Sports Foundation (NW-WSF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Chewelah, Wash. An educational and charitable organization, NW-WSF funds initiatives to promote youth winter outdoor activities and health; winter sports outreach programs providing opportunities for underprivileged and disabled children and their families; the development and training of Washington state competitive winter sports participants;! and loc al and state travel trade communities for the promotion of winter sports.
“The ‘Ski & Ride Washington’ license plates will not only benefit the entire Washington ski industry, but groups of people who might otherwise not be able to take advantage of Washington’s incredible ski areas,” said John P. Eminger, NW-WSF director and president and owner of 49° North Ski Area. “They are a beautiful design and will draw a lot of positive exposure to Washington skiing and riding.”
Approximately 1.8 million skiers and snowboarders visit Washington ski areas annually. The 10 Washington ski areas are conveniently located in all regions of the state and many provide easily accessible and affordable transportation options to and from the mountain.
Washington-based companies K2 and W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., makers of GORE-TEX® fabric, are sponsors of Ski Washington and the event.
Ski Washington is a consortium of all Washington ski areas with the goal of attracting new entrants to the sports of skiing and snowboarding and increasing the overall visibility of alpine sports in the state of Washington. Members include 49˚ North Mountain Resort, Crystal Mountain, Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area, Mission Ridge, Mt. Baker Ski Area, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Ski Bluewood, Stevens Pass Winter Resort, The Summit at Snoqualmie, White Pass Ski Area, Cascade Powder Cats2 LLC, and North Cascade Heli-Skiing. For more information, please visit www.skiwashington.com.
