Alterra Mountain Company announced today that it has closed on the purchase of Purcell Heli-Skiing in British Columbia, Canada. The business and ski tenure will be incorporated into the company’s premier mountain experience, CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, adding nearly half a million acres to the already largest heli-skiing operation in North America.
Purcell Heli-Skiing was established in 1974 by Rudi Gertsch, a former CMH guide, and has been a family business for nearly 50 years. The operation is the closest major heli-skiing offering to Calgary and includes a 13-acre lot with a day lodge and heliport, and a tenure license for 495,000 acres of wide-open glaciers, high alpine bowls, and gladed subalpine forest in Golden, British Columbia, adjacent to CMH’s current Bobbie Burns tenure.
A letter from former owner Katie Gertsch details that many of the beloved aspects of Purcell Heli Skiing will remain the same, including the lead guide, Jeff Gertsch, and the six-client to two guide format.
“At Alterra Mountain Company we continually look for opportunities that offer guests unique mountain experiences and exceptional guest service,” said Rusty Gregory, President & CEO, Alterra Mountain Company. “We found that ideal combination in Purcell Heli-Skiing and look to preserve and continue its unique culture within the CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures operation.”
Current Purcell trips include one, two and three-day packages for up to six people with two guides, excluding lodging and transportation. All confirmed bookings will be honored and managed by CMH, and any available spaces will be incorporated into CMH’s current product offerings and sold for upcoming winter seasons. CMH President & COO Rob Rohn will oversee the transition and all operations.
“Purcell Heli-Skiing is a storied and respected outfit, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue founder Rudi Gertsch’s legacy and history of creating incredible memories. New and loyal guests of Purcell and CMH will have the opportunity to explore both outstanding experiences under one managed umbrella,” said Rob Rohn, President & COO, CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures. “The CMH team will observe and assess current operations to determine our long-term plans after the first winter season.”
