All Photos: Alain Sleigher, Courtesy of Heli
Considered one of 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 few years. Along with Mustang Powder Cats, the group now additionally owns Nice Canadian Heli Snowboarding, positioned off Rogers Move, 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.
Because of an annual snowfall of over 60 toes and numerous terrain, this operation has earned a stellar fame 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. Nevertheless, Heli co-founders Andy Culp and Brock Strasbourger are conscious of this. When FREESKIER requested them a couple of questions in regards to the deal, the 2 have been assured they might have the ability to protect the elements which have made Mustang such a crowd favourite.
“Our objective is to guard and help 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 course is easy: proceed to help the crew in delivering that very same world-class expertise, whereas exploring methods to raise what’s doable for visitors.”
To make good on this objective, Culp assured us that the workers at Mustang can be staying in place from the highest down, even going so far as saying that holding 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 every day circulate of these operations. Whereas the corporate coordinates dozens of journeys from kite browsing to fly fishing and, after all, snowboarding, the latter is of the best precedence for Culp and Strasbourger.
Each are avid riders, with Culp with the ability to lay hip and deal with a pillow line higher than most, as seen within the pictures above. Hopefully, the duo will have the ability to make the most of the corporate’s development 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 supplied to the life lengthy mountain guides that decision these locations house.
Take a look at extra from Mustang Powder Cats and see about reserving a visit, or discover different choices from Heli.
