Before heliskiing, there were only two ways to get to the top of the mountain: a slow lift or an even slower walk. Enter the 1970s, when the Beatles broke up, the Concorde took flight, and the ski gods gave us two more choices: Canadian Mountain Holidays or Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing.
Now, heliskiing’s two pioneering operators, Wiegele’s and CMH, the original dynamic duo, have come under the umbrella of one owner, Alterra Mountain Company. The Colorado-based Crown Family-KSL Capital outfit is owner-operator of 17 recreation, hospitality, real-estate development, food and beverage, and retail businesses including Deer Valley, Mammoth and, as of 2017, CMH.
Since Mike Wiegele died in 2021 at the age of 82, his wife Bonnie Wiegele and daughter Michelle had been searching for a buyer for their iconic Blue River, British Columbia operation – a powder mecca for discerning skiers from around the globe that’s included royalty such as Princess Caroline and the Aga Khan, and such celebs as Kiefer Sutherland and John Denver. But not just any buyer for this national treasure – they wanted the right one.
“Mike and I were always committed to an enduring future for the business,” said Bonnie Wiegele. “A future that would honour our commitments.” After consulting her staff, Bonnie determined who the next owner should be. She announced in October the intention to sell for an undisclosed amount, effectively anointing Alterra – not the highest bidder in the process – as custodian of Wiegele World.
The legendary destination was built from the ground up by Mike and Bonnie over more than 50 years, an achievement duly recognized by their historical competition. “We are thrilled and honored that Bonnie and Michelle Wiegele chose Alterra Mountain Company to carry on the amazing legacy they and Mike built together,” said Rob Rohn, President and COO of CMH. “We share a deep commitment to our employees, our guests, our communities, and safety as the top priority. With over a century of combined experience, we look forward to collaborating with the MWHS team as we chart the future of the best skiing experience on the planet.”
Alongside the creation of a heli-village large enough to host the nearly a dozen helicopters that ferry guests across 1.5-million-acres of Cariboo, Monashee and Rocky Mountain powder, Wiegele’s established their own guiding certification, built an avalanche research programme, and were instrumental in the development of the fat ski – saviour of the modern-day heliskier. A legacy worth safeguarding if ever there were one.
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