I don't recall whether it was posted here, or I heard by e-mail that Nick and Ali Holmes-Smith had separated and were selling Mustang.
They also own Great Canadian Heliskiing in the northern Selkirks/Purcells.
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Mustang Snowcat Sold to Same Aspen Duo that Bought Silverton
- Thread starter Tony Crocker
- Start date
I don't recall whether it was posted here, or I heard by e-mail that Nick and Ali Holmes-Smith had separated and were selling Mustang.
They also own Great Canadian Heliskiing in the northern Selkirks/Purcells.
ChrisC
Well-known member
I found this part of the email really funny:
WHAT’S NEW
With Heli behind us, we gain access to world-class technology, a smoother booking experience, and upgraded guest services—all designed to enhance your time with us behind the scenes, without changing what makes Mustang special. Our guests will also have inside access to Heli’s collection of premier backcountry destinations.
Totally irrelevant for successful heli/cat operations.
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WHAT’S NEW
With Heli behind us, we gain access to world-class technology, a smoother booking experience, and upgraded guest services—all designed to enhance your time with us behind the scenes, without changing what makes Mustang special. Our guests will also have inside access to Heli’s collection of premier backcountry destinations.
Totally irrelevant for successful heli/cat operations.
Yes. We learned all this during our February tour. Most staff seemed pretty comfortable with the new owners. We also heard that Nick might remain involved in operations in the coming season. Having talked to Heidi many times over nine tours, I trust she is not just putting a good face on things. However, so much of Mustang's culture can be credited to Nick's personality and management style, it is difficult not to suspect there will be some significant change to the culture. Maybe it shouldn't, but the fact that the new owners are not from BC concerns me just a little bit as well.
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ChrisC
Well-known member
This is also very humorous to me: LINK
My brother tells me one of the owners bought a house in Telluride and commutes by helicopter to Silverton when in town. He does not want Silverton's clientele of more hardcore skiers to know that his daily commute is a 5-to 10-minute helicopter ride. Hence, they can offer this as a 'service'. More like a NYC business exec taking a heli to JFK or the Hamptons. Silverton would be too boring for the owners to live in.
They are a bit ridiculous. At least they are not building businesses; they are simply buying semi-successful/cash flow positive ones and running them for fun/from afar.
At least the Brills struggled, built something, and rebuilt a town. However, Aaron is not the most customer-centric guy in the world.
My brother tells me one of the owners bought a house in Telluride and commutes by helicopter to Silverton when in town. He does not want Silverton's clientele of more hardcore skiers to know that his daily commute is a 5-to 10-minute helicopter ride. Hence, they can offer this as a 'service'. More like a NYC business exec taking a heli to JFK or the Hamptons. Silverton would be too boring for the owners to live in.
They are a bit ridiculous. At least they are not building businesses; they are simply buying semi-successful/cash flow positive ones and running them for fun/from afar.
At least the Brills struggled, built something, and rebuilt a town. However, Aaron is not the most customer-centric guy in the world.
ChrisC
Well-known member
The new owners will fly in from Revelstoke or Whistler to 'check' on their purchase.
My observation is that cat skiing clientele is majority Canadian and nearly everyone else US. Heli has some international clients and I'd guess a higher proportion US than cat has. I'm sure there is much variation by specific operation and how they market. I've sampled a much higher proportion of cat.
I feel blessed to have enjoyed a nearly flawless decade of skiing at Mustang under Nick's direction. I commented once that 2/3 of days at Mustang would rank among the top 3% of my lift serviced experiences.
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EMSC
Well-known member
+1
This was well discussed even back in January when I was there. Based on Silverton experience I expect minimal initial change. Will wait see about the long term though.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Silverton Mountain Ski Area was purchased for $6.7 million by Andy Culp and Brock Strasbourger, according to The Colorado Sun. The sale was finalized in February 2024, with the Aspen-based adventure travel company, Heli Adventures Inc., acquiring the ski area from Aaron and Jenny Brill.
I am cynical about new owners, but I respect the Brills for building something unique that went entirely against the grain.
Generally, whenever I go to Telluride, my brother and a few friends book Thursday for Silverton, as you have Sunday PM to Thursday AM with new snow potential. I will have to dig out photos for year one of its operation. I have been about 10 times, over the years... I'm still trying to ski the backside via heli once.
coloradosun.com
I am cynical about new owners, but I respect the Brills for building something unique that went entirely against the grain.
Generally, whenever I go to Telluride, my brother and a few friends book Thursday for Silverton, as you have Sunday PM to Thursday AM with new snow potential. I will have to dig out photos for year one of its operation. I have been about 10 times, over the years... I'm still trying to ski the backside via heli once.
Silverton Mountain ski area sold to Aspen-based adventure travel company
Aaron and Jenny Brill are selling their expert-only, single-lift Silverton Mountain ski area to an Aspen-based adventure travel company
coloradosun.com