Whistler Blackcomb to be taken over by U.S. resort company in friendly deal
VANCOUVER — One of Canada’s most popular and internationally renowned ski destinations is being sold to an American resort operator with the architects of the nearly C$1.4-billion deal citing financing for expansion and a push to attract more international visitors as benefits of the sale.
Colorado-based Vail Resorts Inc. has reached an agreement to buy Whistler Blackcomb Holdings, owner of Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, saying Monday the transaction would give the British Columbia tourism hub access to both the money and the markets it needs to grow its status as one of the world’s leading, year-round ski havens.
“We have felt for a long time that Whistler (Blackcomb) is really the best positioned North American resort to benefit from the growth that we expect in outbound Chinese ski visitation, especially as China starts to ramp up towards the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,” said Vail CEO Rob Katz on Monday.
“For our company to have a strong entree into that opportunity is meaningful.”