PRESS RELEASES

Morning Eagle Opens At Big Mountain Resort

New Lodge Sets Standard in Emerging Glacier Village

12/2/2003

WHITEFISH, Mont. -- The international real estate developer Hines has announced the opening of Morning Eagle – the first new condominium lodge to open in the growing Glacier Village at Big Mountain Resort. The landmark Morning Eagle building features ski-in/ski-out condominiums and 10,000 square feet of retail space with new local shops. A roof-top deck with a fireside lounge, barbecue pit and outdoor hot tub overlooks the lower slopes to the north and offers "wide-screen" views of the Flathead Valley, Swan Mountains and Flathead Lake to the south.

“It’s exciting to see the village grow while retaining so much of the flavor everyone loves at Big Mountain. The architectural detail is influenced by the great lodges of the National Parks and the natural materials really enhance Glacier Village. The additional shopping and retail will provide extra energy to the area," said Bayard Dominick, project manager for Hines.

Hines has experienced brisk sales of its real estate offerings at Big Mountain with only 3 condominiums remaining to be sold in Morning Eagle. Seattle-based Callison, one of the largest architectural firms in the United States, collaborated with Hines to design Morning Eagle. Retail space in the main floor of Morning Eagle is 100% leased and includes Crazy Bear and Co., Mountain Photography, Snow Ghost Outfitters, Stumptown Snowboards, Perkin’ Beans Cafe, Montana Tom’s Chocolates, Remedies Day Spa and Big Mountain Club.

Morning Eagle will set a new standard for comfort and convenience in the growing Glacier Village. The fully furnished condominium lodge homes offer direct ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes of Big Mountain and include features like granite-slab countertops, alder wood cabinetry, slate flooring and gas fireplaces surrounded by natural stone. The pedestrian-friendly design provides a covered boardwalk at the ground level to access the resort shops.

Purchasers in the new Glacier Village receive a membership opportunity in the Big Mountain Club. Big Mountain and Northern Pines Golf Club recently formed this year-round lifestyle and recreation club that includes premier access to championship golf facilities located on the renamed Big Mountain Golf Club south of Whitefish and alpine amenities on Big Mountain. Until a permanent clubhouse is built, the club will operate on the top floor of Morning Eagle.

In March 2001, Winter Sports, Inc., owners and operators of Big Mountain Resort selected Hines to develop Glacier Village. The project represents more than $300 million of improvements over an eight-to-10-year period. Plans call for more than 700 residential/lodging units, at least one hotel, condominiums and town homes, employee housing, as well as approximately 80,000 square feet of commercial space and a conference center.

Besides Morning Eagle’s success, Northern Lights, the first new neighborhood developed within the Glacier Village master plan, sold out 18 home sites in less than a year. Last April, Hines released 13 new home sites called The Glades and sold 11 on the first day. Phase I is now sold out and only one lot of four of phase II remains. The private, wooded neighborhood is located below the finish area of the Ursa Major Downhill racecourse, site of the 2001 US Alpine Championships. Nordic and mountain bike trails surround the half-acre to 2-acre parcels and the home sites offer views of the slopes of Big Mountain with ski-in/ski-out access.

Hines is an international real estate firm with more than 2,800 employees. Founded in 1957, the privately owned firm has developed more than 700 properties representing 233 million square feet of office, mixed-use, industrial, retail and residential properties as well as large master-planned communities and land developments.

Winter Sports, Inc. (WSI) has owned and operated Big Mountain Resort, located eight miles north of Whitefish, Montana, continuously since its organization in 1947. With over 3,000 acres of terrain and 91 marked trails, Big Mountain is one of the largest resorts in North America. The resort is reporting a 44-inch settled base with 64 marked runs and began the ski season on Thanksgiving Day.

For more information on Glacier Village at Big Mountain Resort, call (406) 862-1751 or visit www.glaciervillage.com.