Mustang Powder Acquired by Adventure Travel Company Heli

All Images: Alain Sleigher, Courtesy of Heli

One of Canada’s most storied cat skiing operations is now under new ownership. Mustang Powder Cats has been bought by adventure travel company Heli. The move marks Heli’s third purchase of a major ski operation over the last few years. In addition to Mustang Powder Cats, the group now also owns Great Canadian Heli Skiing, located off Rogers Pass, British Columbia, and southern Colorado’s notorious Silverton Mountain.

Mustang has been operating in the remote regions of British Columbia’s Monashee Mountains since 2003. North of Revelstoke, these thunderous hills cascade for miles, with Mustang operating on 30,000 acres of skiable terrain.

Thanks to an annual snowfall of over 60 feet and diverse terrain, this operation has earned a stellar reputation over the years. Just take a look at this 2017 Oakley short film featuring Sammy C and Tatum Monod for proof.

30,000 acres of picturesque pow

Heli CEO and co-founder Andy Culp braces for a soft landing while skiing with Mustang Powder Cats

At first glance, the announcement raises eyebrows; a family-owned staple of freeskiing is purchased by an Aspen, Colorado-based adventure travel conglomerate. However, Heli co-founders Andy Culp and Brock Strasbourger are aware of this. When FREESKIER asked them a few questions about the deal, the two were confident they would be able to preserve the factors that have made Mustang such a crowd favorite.

“Our goal is to protect and support what makes Mustang Powder so special,” said Culp. “We’re not here to reinvent—it’s about continuity, not change. Mustang has set a high bar for cat skiing, and our direction is simple: continue to support the team in delivering that same world-class experience, while exploring ways to elevate what’s possible for guests.”

To make good on this goal, Culp assured us that the staff at Mustang will be staying in place from the top down, even going as far as saying that keeping the current team together was “non-negotiable.”

And of course, a deal like this goes two ways. Mustang founder Nick Holmes-Smith emphasizes that, “This partnership allows us to stay true to our roots while reaching new audiences who share the same passion for deep powder and wilderness adventure.”

Skier: Andy Culp | Location: Mustang Powder Cats, Monashee Mountains, British Columbia

So far, Heli’s previous purchases of Silverton Mountain and Great Canadian Heli Skiing have not interrupted the daily flow of those operations. While the company coordinates dozens of trips from kite surfing to fly fishing and, of course, skiing, the latter is of the highest priority for Culp and Strasbourger.

Both are avid riders, with Culp being able to lay hip and tackle a pillow line better than most, as seen in the photos above. Hopefully, the duo will be able to utilize the company’s growth and provide continued business for the heli and cat skiing operations that have etched their names in freeski history, both thanks to the epic segments they’ve provided to the life long mountain guides that call these places home.

Check out more from Mustang Powder Cats and see about booking a trip, or explore other options from Heli.