SKIING: Resort gains access to huge area of backcountry
Wendy McLellan
Province
Whistler Blackcomb — already North America’s best ski resort — has gained another attraction with the purchase of Whistler Heli-Skiing and its access to nearly 200,000 hectares of backcountry terrain.
In announcing the deal Friday, Intrawest Corp. said Whistler Heli-Skiing has operated on the mountain for 25 years and holds tenure to use the provincial lands bordering the resort.
The four partners who previously owned the company will continue to manage the business and offer guiding to skiers and snowboarders looking for untracked snow.
“We are very happy with the deal, and this is really good for the resort,” said Doug O’Mara, one of the owners of Whistler Heli-Skiing. “It is now the only resort in North America with significant heli-skiing right next to the resort.”
Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb’s chief operating officer, said the resort will market its new attraction internationally, with ski packages to lure adventurous guest to the mountains.
“We’re going to incorporate the heli-skiing experience into pretty much everything we do,” Brownlie said. “There are tremendous opportunities, but a small business like Whistler Heli-Skiing can’t afford the marketing that we do.
“This is a big deal. We will be able to offer heli-skiing right off the top of the mountain or from the village. That is unique.”
O’Mara said Whistler Blackcomb may offer flexible multi-day ski passes that could include a day of heli-skiing as well as a couple days on the resort’s 3,300 hectares of in-bounds terrain. A day of heli-skiing costs upwards of $700.
“You don’t have to be an expert — if you can ski the blue runs, you can go heli-skiing.”
He said the company has relied on word-of-mouth and a website to sell its services.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Whistler Blackcomb, it will have access to potential customers across North America and Europe.
© The Vancouver Province 2006