Mike Wiegele, the late owner of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River (Image Credit: Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing).

By Aaron Schulze

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing sold to Colorado mountain company

Oct 11, 2023 | 9:40 AM

BLUE RIVER, B.C. — A tourism business in the North Thompson will continue to hover under new ownership.

In a news release issued Wednesday (Oct. 11) morning, the ownership of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing announced its intent to sell its operation to Alterra Mountain Company based out of Denver, Colorado.

The helicopter skiing business based out of Blue River says the sale transaction is expected to close in late 2023, subject to certain conditions. It comes following the death of its founder Mike Wiegele in 2021.

Mike’s wife Bonnie and their daughter Michelle continued to lead the tourism business.

“Mike and I were always committed to an enduring future for the business,” Bonnie Wiegele says. “A future that would honour our commitments to mountain safety and stewardship, to an exceptional powder skiing experience, to our committed guides and staff, and to the relationships we have formed with partners and guests from around the world. The sale to Alterra ensured [Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing] will continue to be one of the most unique powder skiing experiences in the world for the next 50 years.”