HANCOCK, Massachusetts ??” Introducing Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park opening for the summer on Memorial Day Weekend, May 27, 2006. New this summer is the Mountain Coaster, the first and only on the East Coast, and the 2nd in the nation. The Mountain Coaster joins eleven other summer activities at Jiminy Peak that make up the newly named Mountain Adventure Park.

The Mountain Coaster is 2600 feet of twisting, turning, roller coaster-like fun through the woods. The Coaster can seat two people and pulls you 1,000 feet up the mountain before releasing you to reach speeds up to twenty-five miles per hour. The rider controls the speed so the ride can be thrilling or just a cruise through the trees.

The Alpine Slide is Jiminy’s original summer activity. The Slide is a 3,000-foot long summer bobsled run down the mountain. The rider controls the speed, so people can go as fast or as slow as they would like. The slide is accessed via a scenic chair lift ride up the mountain, and the sleds travel one of two tracks – beginner or advanced. Children ages five and younger are welcome to ride the slide with their parents.

The Zip Line is a 700 foot long ride at twenty-five feet off the ground and forty miles per hour through the trees. The Zip Line holds two people at a time as it pulls it’s riders up the hill before they are released to zoom to the bottom. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall and weigh less than 300 pounds.

The Giant Swing was introduced last year and quickly became a Jiminy favorite. Not for the faint of heart, it raises four passengers at a seventy degree angle more than thirty feet above the ground before dropping through the arc for a ride that goes far beyond any other swing. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall and weigh less than 300 pounds.

The 4 in 1 Euro-bungee trampoline is a set of four trampolines that you bounce on while wearing a special harness attached via a swivel clamp to bungee cords. The Euro-bungee enables bouncers to fly higher than without a harness, and practice tricks and flips in the air. The maximum weight for the trampolines is 250 pounds and the minimum weight is 35 pounds.

Other activities at the Mountain Adventure Park include a Climbing Wall, inflatable ‘bouncy-bounce’ enclosed trampoline for children and the Jiminy Peak miniature golf course featuring nine challenging holes in a beautiful natural setting. There is also a playground area for children, and the entire mountain is open for hiking.

The Berkshire Express is the only high-speed chair lift in the Berkshires. The lift transports riders to the summit of Jiminy Peak, where they can enjoy spectacular views of the Berkshires, including Mount Greylock and the Jericho Valley. At the top, guests are invited to lunch or snack at the Hendricks Summit Lodge. The scenic ride is open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from noon to 5 pm from July 1 to mid-October, and the lodge is open most Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 5 pm.

Berkshire Bike and Blade of Great Barrington, MA, will operate the mountain bike program, at Jiminy Peak again this summer. Downhill, dual suspension, comfort and youth bikes will be offered for full day or hourly rentals. Bike trails are open at the mountain Fridays through Mondays. Jiminy Peak offers the most extensive lift-served mountain biking in the Berkshires including single track trails and downhill cruisers. Mountain Biking experience is necessary to ride at Jiminy Peak. Biking is serviced by the Berkshire Express lift, providing access to all 21 trails, on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm – 5 pm beginning on July 1st. Prior to July 1st and on Fridays and Mondays all season, access to the lower mountain only is available via the Grand Slam double lift. Helmets are required at Jiminy Peak. An all day trail and lift access pass is $24.00 and season passes are available for $180.

The Mountain Sports Shop by Potter Brothers will be open all summer, and features outdoor gear, and clothing and will have ski and snowboard equipment and apparel on sale all summer. Mountain Sports is located in the Upper Courtyard of Village Center and is open 11 am – 5 pm every day Mountain Adventure Park is open. Other shops open in Village Center this summer include the Just Jiminy logo shop, and the Berkshire Bike and Blade Mountain Bike Rental Shop.

Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park operates on weekends from Memorial Day weekend 11 AM to 6 PM through June 11. Seven day a week operation from 11 AM to 9 PM begins on June 17 and continues through Labor Day, September 4, 2006. Jiminy Peak is open on weekends after Labor Day through mid-October, 11 AM to 6 PM. Operating hours are weather permitting.

Various ticket options are available at Mountain Adventure Park including 1 ?? hour, 3 hour and full day passes as well as Universal Packs and single tickets. 1 ?? hour passes are $29, 3 hour passes cost $39 and a Full Day ticket is $46. Universal Packs contain twelve points each, are fully transferable and cost $36. Single points are $3.75. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are just $35 for a full day all season and special E-Coupons will be offered during the summer at WWW.jiminypeak.com. Group rates are also available for groups of twenty or more.

Dining options available at the resort include, Christiansen’s Tavern opening for the summer in June, Hendricks Summit Lodge which operates most weekends and holidays and John Harvard’s Restaurant and Brewery, located on the 3rd Floor of the Country Inn, offering a variety of menu options including lunch, dinner entrees, and desserts as well as their own signature brews.

Jiminy Peak offers family fun for all ages and is located in the heart of the Berkshires – America’s premier cultural resort. The Country Inn at Jiminy Peak features one hundred one-bedroom suites and a number of condominiums and town homes for lodging. There are swimming pools, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and tennis courts available for use by overnight guests. Lodging packages start at $149 per night and children 12 and younger stay free with their parents.

During the winter months, between mid November and mid April, Jiminy transforms into the largest ski and snowboard resort in Southern New England.

JIMINY PEAK SUMMER 2006 EVENTS:

Shaun Thornton Memorial Bike Race Saturday May 6
The Jiminy Peak Road Race has become a spring classic in New England. It regularly draws racers from all over the Northeast, including professionals and amateurs from some of America’s top teams. The unpredictable New England weather is often a factor, but many consider this part of the race’s appeal. Visit www.berkshirecycling.org for more information. This race is put on by the Berkshire Cycling Association.

Berkshires Biggest Garage Sale Saturday May 27
Whether you are looking to get rid of stuff after your spring cleaning rampage or looking for a great bargain, the Berkshires Biggest Garage Sale is for you. We put on the sale – you keep the profits and find the great bargains. Contact Katie by May 19th at (413) 738-5500 ext. 3060 to sign up. Cost is $20.

Chamber Night Wednesday June 14
Please join us for this popular after-hours event sponsored by Jiminy Peak and Boston Culinary Group. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served. 5 pm – 7 pm. Visit www.berkshirechamber.com for more information.

Mountain Adventure Park & Mountain Coaster Grand Opening Saturday July 1
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Mountain Adventure Park and the brand new Mountain Coaster at Jiminy Peak with this all day family fun event.

Pedros Festival July 28-30
A weekend of Mountain Biking with special lift ticket rates offered to participants all weekend. Visit www.pedrosfest.com for more information.

Epicurean Weekend featuring Mike Russo Saturday September 9
Join us for a day of food and fun with Cooking for Kids chef Mike Russo. Details coming soon. Visit www.cookingforkids.com for more information on Mike Russo and Cooking for Kids.

Annual Fall Festival October 7-9
Jiminy’s Annual Fall Festival will be held this Columbus Day Weekend featuring a craft fair, the Hancock Fire Department Swap Sale, an outdoor BBQ, huge sales at Mountain Sports by Potter Brothers and more.

More events and promotions may be added throughout the summer. Please check jiminypeak.com for updates and details. Jiminy Peak is the premier four-season resort in the Berkshires and the largest ski and snowboard resort in Southern New England.