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Cue The Valkyries, Whistler Buys Heli-Ski Outfit

By J.D. O'Connor
September 04, 2006

There are a number of ways to increase your ski terrain: direct acquisition, special use permits, lease agreements. Whistler Blackcomb decided to attack the problem from the air - purchasing a local heli-skiing company.

The BC ski area giant has purchased Whistler Heli-Skiing in a move Whistler says will increase its skiable terrain to over a half million acres of ski and boarding playland, according to Chief Operating Officer David Brownlie.

"There are huge opportunities for us to market heli-skiing alongside our current in-bounds experiences," Brownlie said.

Addition of the "air arm" melds Whistler Heli-Skiing's tenure of 494,000 acres throughout the Whistler backcountry to Whistler Blackcomb's 8,171 acres of in-bounds skiing, creating a ski area of 502,171 acres or 785 square miles. Whistler Heli-Skiing has been airlifting ski clients to the slopes since 1981.

The four previous owners of Whistler Heli-Skiing - Doug O'Mara, John Hetherington, Andrew Wilkins and Ken Hardy - will continue to participate in the business, providing management and guiding for Whistler Heli-Skiing while Whistler Blackcomb will provides added sales, marketing and operational support.

"There are very few places in the world where a world class ski resort can provide its guests with a heli-ski experience on glaciers within a five minute flight from the village," O'Mara said. "With Whistler Blackcomb's strong sales and marketing efforts, the opportunities to create unbelievable packages and attract new guests to the resort will be significant."

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