Resorts of The Canadian Rockies, the Calgary based company that owns Fernie Alpine Resort, have entered into discussions to potentially acquire Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, based in Golden, B.C.
Subject to certain regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
“Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is currently in the 11th year of operations and has quickly established itself as one of the premier destination resort brands in the North American ski market. The possible inclusion of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort brand within the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies family is a strong, strategic fit and establishes a great platform for the future of the resort, ” notes Kicking Horse Mountain Resort President and CEO, Steve Paccagnan.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the first, four-season resort to open in the Rockies in over 25 years and is one of the only ski resorts in Canada that has had continuous growth in recent years. The resort recently obtained Provincial approval of a 40 –year Master Plan which calls for a world class, destination mountain resort with an expanded controlled recreation area, 20,000 bed units, an 18-hole signature golf course, a multi-use trail system with two proposed lifts and 4,188 acres of skiable terrain. The 2011-12 Season introduces the first phase of a softer side of the mountain including a new Learning Centre to accommodate families and beginner skiers, a new partnership with Brewster Travel Canada, WestJet Airlines, and Budget Rent A Car combined with a new state of the art booking system powered by VacationRoost.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, coined The Champagne Powder Capital of Canada, opened for the 2011-12 season on Dec. 9, 2011 for seven-day-a-week winter operations. Since opening, the resort has received over 300 cm of snowfall.