All Photos: Alain Sleigher, Courtesy of Heli
One in all Canada’s most storied cat snowboarding operations is now beneath new possession. Mustang Powder Cats has been purchased by journey journey firm Heli. The transfer marks Heli’s third buy of a significant ski operation over the previous couple of years. Along with Mustang Powder Cats, the group now additionally owns Nice Canadian Heli Snowboarding, positioned off Rogers Cross, British Columbia, and southern Colorado’s infamous Silverton Mountain.
Mustang has been working within the distant areas of British Columbia’s Monashee Mountains since 2003. North of Revelstoke, these thunderous hills cascade for miles, with Mustang working on 30,000 acres of skiable terrain.
Due to an annual snowfall of over 60 toes and numerous terrain, this operation has earned a stellar popularity over time. Simply check out this 2017 Oakley quick movie that includes Sammy C and Tatum Monod for proof.
At first look, the announcement raises eyebrows; a family-owned staple of freeskiing is bought by an Aspen, Colorado-based journey journey conglomerate. Nonetheless, Heli co-founders Andy Culp and Brock Strasbourger are conscious of this. When FREESKIER requested them a couple of questions concerning the deal, the 2 had been assured they might be capable to protect the elements which have made Mustang such a crowd favourite.
“Our purpose is to guard and assist what makes Mustang Powder so particular,” stated Culp. “We’re not right here to reinvent—it’s about continuity, not change. Mustang has set a excessive bar for cat snowboarding, and our path is straightforward: proceed to assist the crew in delivering that very same world-class expertise, whereas exploring methods to raise what’s attainable for friends.”
To make good on this purpose, Culp assured us that the workers at Mustang can be staying in place from the highest down, even going so far as saying that maintaining the present crew collectively was “non-negotiable.”
And naturally, a deal like this goes two methods. Mustang founder Nick Holmes-Smith emphasizes that, “This partnership permits us to remain true to our roots whereas reaching new audiences who share the identical ardour for deep powder and wilderness journey.”
Thus far, Heli’s earlier purchases of Silverton Mountain and Nice Canadian Heli Snowboarding haven’t interrupted the each day stream of these operations. Whereas the corporate coordinates dozens of journeys from kite browsing to fly fishing and, in fact, snowboarding, the latter is of the very best precedence for Culp and Strasbourger.
Each are avid riders, with Culp with the ability to lay hip and sort out a pillow line higher than most, as seen within the pictures above. Hopefully, the duo will be capable to make the most of the corporate’s progress and supply continued enterprise for the heli and cat snowboarding operations which have etched their names in freeski historical past, each due to the epic segments they’ve offered to the life lengthy mountain guides that decision these locations residence.
Take a look at extra from Mustang Powder Cats and see about reserving a visit, or discover different choices from Heli.
