Mountain Capital Partners and Chilean resort Valle Nevado announced Thursday that MCP will become the majority owner of Valle Nevado, the largest ski resort in the Americas.
For more than two decades, MCP has acquired, built, developed and grown 10 resorts in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Texas.
Last fall, MCP introduced a new geographical region to the company with the addition of Willamette Pass Resort near Eugene, Oregon. The Valle Nevado acquisition is MCP’s first international resort and 11th ski area.
“Our company purpose, Give People the Freedom to Ski, truly knows no boundaries, and I couldn’t be more proud to introduce our vision to South America,” MCP managing partner James Coleman said. “I’ve been bringing friends and family to Valle Nevado for years, and I love the incredible beauty, the amazing people and the unparalleled skiing that this resort offers.”
Since 2015, MCP has invested more than $65 million at its ski areas and bike parks to deliver the company’s signature “Skiing First” improvements including new chairlifts, Arizona’s first and only gondola, trails, snowmaking and other capital improvements. Coleman added that future investments at Valle Nevado will be announced later.
“Our company is made up of authentic skiers who, like me, have a relentless passion for skiing, and we consistently focus on improvements that enhance the skiing experience,” he said. “While we are still getting to know Valle Nevado in this new relationship, there’s no question that we’re committed to maintaining and elevating Valle Nevado’s reputation as the premiere ski resort destination on the continent.”
Located in the heart of the Andes mountain range just 37 miles from Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile, Valle Nevado is the largest ski area in the Americas and boasts the region’s best snow, thanks to the resort’s base elevation of 9,925 feet and annual average 276 inches of snow.
The resort includes 23,000 acres; 17 lifts that make up South America’s most modern lift system; 25 miles of skiing via 44 trails; a world-class village; three ski-in, ski-out hotels and more.
The addition of Valle Nevado to MCP’s collection of resorts more than quadruples the skiable terrain.
Valle Nevado wanted an experienced operator to help the resort elevate its world class status. The resort shareholders and owners agreed that Mountain Capital Partners shared their vision for the future of Valle Nevado and they are the best ski resort management company to help them achieve this goal, Valle Nevado CEO Ricardo Margulis said.
“We are excited and happy, the entrance of a first-class strategic partner like Mountain Capital Partners is a milestone achievement in our 35-year history and an unprecedented step forward for the Chilean industry,” he said. “Valle Nevado shares MCP’s vision and business strategy, and MCP brings a unique culture that will strengthen us as a mountain destination and consolidate our regional leadership. MCP is the perfect partner to continue Valle Nevado growth and development.”
“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with James, whom we have known for so many years; we talked with many times to reach this partnership,” said Ricardo Senerman, Valle Nevado Chairman. “James and his team love this mountain, and their vision and strength will be a very valuable asset for Valle Nevado. We are sure that having ski resorts in the northern and southern hemispheres with top quality services and products is a win – win for all.”
MCP has a long history of working with resort owners, leaders and teams and, consistent with past acquisitions, will continue to retain the Valle Nevado leadership team and all support staff.
“I have been truly impressed by the Chilean market but also specifically the Valle Nevado team,” he said. “The Senerman family, Ricardo Margulis and so many others have been instrumental in creating South America’s most popular – and most impressive – ski resort. Our entire team looks forward to working alongside them as we move forward to a new future at Valle Nevado.”
