NELSON, British Columbia - 9/6/07
A group of investors including Oakley's freeskiing superstars Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall has acquired cat-skiing and boarding company Retallack Resort and Alpine Adventures Ltd. The new Retallack now will be based in Nelson, British Columbia.
The investors – all of whom are expert skiers, snowboarders or other adventure sports enthusiasts – are already working hard on improvements to Retallack’s winter operations, as well as a major overhaul of the company’s summer business.
Retallack Managing Director, Chris McNamara, said that the new owners were thrilled to have acquired some of the best terrain in the backcountry skiing and boarding industry, and excited about their plans to realise the company’s full potential.
“Retallack is now 100 per cent owned by skiers, snowboarders and other adventure sports enthusiasts – that means our decisions are made by riders, for riders,” he said.
“Our first priority is to build on Retallack’s reputation for outstanding terrain by providing exceptional service to both new and existing customers.”
The new owners would take care to ensure that the revamp of Retallack’s operations was in keeping with the company’s status as the greenest backcountry skiing and boarding destination in Canada, Mr McNamara stressed.
Retallack Director Sales and Marketing, Phil Pinfold, said that the company was honoured to welcome Mr Morrison and Mr Hall on board as investors.
“Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall are two of the greatest freeskiers the world has ever seen – the fact that they are willing to invest in Retallack is a testament to the legendary quality of our terrain and snow,” he said.
“We are stoked that they have joined the Retallack team and we feel that their involvement and input will be a massive benefit to us.”
In addition to Mr Morrison and Mr Hall, Retallack’s new ownership also includes a strong local contingent.
Retallack Director Mountain Operations, Kevin Arcuri – who was born and raised in Nelson – said he was delighted at the high level of local investment.
“It’s wonderful to see local interests reclaim this jewel of the Kootenay Rockies region,” he said.
“Nelson, Kaslo, and New Denver’s business communities really threw their support behind our bid to acquire Retallack – and in return we want to make it a company that they are proud to call their own.”
Mr Arcuri said that Retallack was set to become one of Nelson’s most high-profile businesses, thanks to the planned development of the company’s winter and summer operations and the involvement of Mr Morrison and Mr Hall.
Retallack’s outgoing General Manager, Harry Berlow, said that he and the rest of the company’s former owners had worked hard with the new management team to ensure a smooth transition for customers.
“After many months of close cooperation with the new management team, I am confident that we are leaving Retallack in excellent hands,” he said.
“It is clear that they have the skills, talent and commitment necessary to take Retallack forward, while ensuring that the company remains an industry leader in terms of environmental practices and policies.”
The new owner’s have committed to a multi-year improvement plan. Immediate plans include a revamped guiding program, new staff accommodation, and the purchase of two new biodiesel-powered snowcats for the 2007/08 winter season. Further details will be announced with the launch of company’s new website next month.
About Retallack: Retallack is situated on the banks of the Kaslo River deep in the heart of the Selkirk Mountain Range, approximately one hour’s drive from Nelson. Located 3,000 feet (1,000 metres) above sea level and surrounded by majestic peaks reaching as high as 10,000 feet (3,000 metres), the lodge holds a three-and-a-half star rating from the Canada Select Accommodations Rating Programme, which reserves its three- and four-star ratings for “above average” and “exceptional” accommodation respectively. Retallack is also the only cat- or heli-skiing operation to be awarded four green keys from the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating program, meaning that it has been judged as showing “national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through wide-ranging policies and practices”.
About Seth Morrison: Colorado, US-based Seth Morrison has been at the forefront of skiing for more than a decade, after bursting on to the scene with a win in the 1996 Extreme Skiing Championships. In that time, his talent for integrating new freestyle tricks into big mountain lines has earned him a level of respect from his fellow professionals that is second to none. He is also one of the most well-known and visible athletes in skiing, winning Powder magazine’s readers’ poll in 2004 and starring in a host of skiing films.
About Tanner Hall: Montana, US-based Tanner Hall has established himself as one of the most influential – and imitated – skiers of his generation in his seven years as a professional athlete. Best known for his big air and slopestyle prowess, he was named as one of the top skiers of the past 35 years by Powder magazine. He is co-founder of ski manufacturer Armada; co-producer and star of ski films Pop Yer Bottlez (2005) and WSKI106 (2004); and winner of a fistful of medals at the ESPN Winter X Games
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