SAN FRANCISCO (October 2, 2007) – Esurance ICER AIR organizers are thrilled to announce a star-studded line-up of musical talent sure to thrill fans at the landmark urban big-air competition, taking place this year November 2 – 3 at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.  Headlining this year will be Mos Def and Talib Kweli, who will perform Saturday, September 3 on the Center Stage during the big-air competition.

Mos Def has been honored with several Grammy Award nominations, first for “Ghetto Rock” from his 2004 album The New Danger, and then in 2007, when “Undeniable” was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance.  He has also garnered critical acclaim for his numerous film and television appearances. 

Since his debut with Mos Def as Black Star, Talib Kweli has been one of rap’s most consistent artists, making commercially viable music that matters.  The Brooklyn-bred rapper’s hard-hitting music both educates and entertains.  At the peak of their fame, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent named Kweli as one of their favorite rappers.  This past August saw the release of Eardrum, his third solo effort and first release under his own Blacksmith Records label. 

“We are thrilled to have Mos Def and Talib Kweli onboard as our headliners this year,” said Glen Griffin, ICER founder and president.  “They are incredibly talented performers who evoke the free-spirited, urban authenticity of ICER AIR.  In just three years, this event has gone from a crazy idea of bringing snow to Fillmore Street to a two-day action sports, music and lifestyle celebration.  The fun and excitement that our musical guests bring to Esurance ICER AIR will be of central importance to the continued evolution and success of the event.”

Esurance ICER AIR also has a line-up of heavy-hitting DJs planned for the two-day festival.  Opening for Mos Def and Kweli on Saturday night will be DJ Spider, one of the most popular DJs in the world today.  DJ Spider has cultivated his sound to include an eclectic mix of cuts that draw from nearly every genre of music.  His current residencies include some of the most highly acclaimed venues in the country, including Pure in Las Vegas, Club Reserve in Chicago, and Stingaree in San Diego, he also makes frequent appearances at Hollywood hotspots such as Winstons, Area, and Les Deux. 

Kicking off the event on Friday at the ICER Village will be the growing phenomenon Team Canada DJs, who have been collaborating since late 2004.  The duo are well known for their original style of party-rocking and use of all types of music with the hip hop techniques of scratching and live ‘mashup’ remixing.  Reaching international critical acclaim, Team Canada DJs have been featured on MTV and have performed with De La Soul, Black Eyed Peas, Jurassic 5, D12, 2 Live Crew, Digable Planets, Naughty by Nature, Jack Johnson and others.  Rounding out the roster of DJs performing at Esurance ICER AIR 2007 are DJ Scene, known for moving crowds of thousands with his progressive style, and DJ Morse Code, voted best DJ in San Francisco.

Esurance ICER AIR, an action sports, music and lifestyle event, takes place November 2-3, 2007 at AT&T Park.  Following in the footsteps of previous years, Esurance ICER AIR is a unique and outrageous urban event that continues to push boundaries by merging urban and athletic communities with an exciting event to kick-off the winter season. In addition to the spectacular musical acts performing at Esurance ICER AIR, this year’s newly designed ski and snowboard jump will be afford spectators views of competing athletes flying through the air against the backdrop of San Francisco Bay.  The jump will rise over 10 stories in the middle of AT&T Park, extending over 350 feet in length, and will be covered with more than 200 tons of snow.  New for this year is the addition of a second venue, the Village, an extra day of festivities, and the addition of freestyle motocross, a skate and BMX park, wakeboarding, 60 vendors and exhibitors  a beer garden and a second concert stage.

This year’s event is also distinguished by a strong green consciousness, reflected in everything from solar panels supplying power to the stadium, to a host of green initiatives from ICER AIR’s sponsors. “A love of nature and the outdoors is an integral part of what attracts people to our sports,” noted Griffin.  “We appreciate that our sponsors are taking an active role in caring for our environment.”

Esurance ICER AIR sponsors include:  Esurance, Crocs, Toyota, PlayStation, Whistler Blackcomb, Head Skis, Freeskier, Transworld Snowboarding, Spin, Outside, and TV20.  The charity partner for Esurance ICER AIR is R.O.C.K. (Real Options for City Kids).

Tickets

Friday tickets to the Village are $10, Saturday tickets for the stadium and the Village are $24, and Friday/Saturday combo tickets are $30 (include admission to both venues).  Saturday and two-day tickets include a lift ticket to a major Lake Tahoe resort, a one-year subscription to Spin, Outside, Freeskier and TWSnowboarding magazines, as well as additional giveaways.  Tickets can be purchased at www.icerair.com.

About ICER AIR

The idea of skiing San Francisco became a reality two years ago.  On September 29, 2005, 15,000 people watched history being made as ICER AIR took to Fillmore Street for the first-ever urban big air ski and snowboard competition.  Realizing the potential for this type of event and always wanting to push the limits of creativity, ICER AIR founder Glen Griffin moved the jump to a larger venue, AT&T Park, and on November 4, 2006 turned Esurance ICER AIR into an action sports, music, and lifestyle experience.  The one-day event featured bmx, skate, and wakeboard performances and competitions, with the spotlight on the first big-air stadium ski and snowboard competition in the United States.  The world’s most talented skiers and snowboarders launched themselves off a jump over 100 feet high and 350 long as 28,000 spectators looked on in awe.  Continuing the mission of bringing the mountains to the city, Esurance ICER AIR 2007, to be held November 2-3, has evolved into a two-day, multi-venue series of events, action sports, concerts, and parties.  ICER AIR intends to grow into other cities and will announce its future plans soon. www.icerair.com

About Esurance

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents.  Through Esurance’s award-winning Web site, Esurance customers can get quotes, compare rates, buy policies, and manage their auto insurance quickly and easily.  Committed to innovation and healthy competition, Esurance is proud to support unique, one-of-a-kind events like Esurance Icer Air.  For more information on teams and sporting events sponsored by Esurance, visit https://www.esurance.com/aboutus/sports.asp

About ICER

ICER began in 2000 as a small ski and snowboard products company with aspirations to grow into a global sports brand.  ICER entered the marketplace by introducing a revolutionary new pocket-sized, spray-on liquid wax for skis and snowboards.  Building on the success of the ski and snowboard product lines, ICER plans to expand its line by rolling out products for sailing, surfing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, skateboarding and biking. www.icersport.com