Denver's Alterra Mountain Company closes on second Canadian helicopter skiing operation

Denver-based ski-pass giant Alterra Mountain Co. has closed on the purchase of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing (MWHS) in Blue River, British Columbia, Canada, the company announced Thursday.

The purchase will further expand the company’s premium heli-skiing portfolio, complementing Alberta, Canada's Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, the company said.

Alterra, owner of the Ikon Pass, now has 18 destinations in its portfolio for skiers and riders to access for outdoor adventures in both summer and winter.

“With the acquisition of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, we are excited to add another premier heli-skiing operation to the Alterra family,” Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Co., said in a news release. “We intend to continue the legacy that Mike Wiegele and his family built that helped set the standard for the extraordinary guest and employee experiences, which directly aligns with our values at Alterra.”

Alterra and the Wiegele family share an immense respect for the wilderness and mountain environment, and will continue to prioritize environmental sustainability, capital investment, and efforts to make mountain sports more accessible, according to the release. In addition, Alterra recognizes that MWHS lies within the territory of the Simpcw First Nation and has worked closely with the Nation throughout the acquisition process.

“Alterra Mountain Company is the ideal partner to celebrate and preserve the legacy that Mike Wiegele left behind,” Elias Ortner, general manager of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, said in the release. “Becoming a part of the Alterra family will propel this operation to new heights, allowing us to enhance the guest experience further and deepen our existing community and loyal guest partnerships.”

Established in 1970, MWHS is located in the heart of the Cariboo, Monashee, and Rocky Mountains ranges. This unique area of British Columbia is renowned as one of the world’s most productive regions for high-quality, reliable powder snow.

The 1.5-million-acre ski terrain and its 1,000 peaks offer varied terrain that appeals to all levels of snow enthusiasts. The operation consists of 22 handcrafted log chalets, a 20,000-square-foot main lodge, the exclusive Albreda Lodge, and a full-service sports shop.

Alterra is also currently working to finalize the purchase of Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, and includes Winter Park Resort and Steamboat Resort in its portfolio.