Whistler joins list of Vail properties

DENVER — The largest resort operator in North America is buying the continent’s biggest ski area, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vail Resorts Inc. announced Monday that it was purchasing Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc., the Canadian ski-resort company, for $1.06 billion, adding to its aggressive expansion.

Vail also operates the Lake Tahoe-area Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood ski areas as well as ski resorts in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Brownlie will stay as Whistler Blackcomb’s chief operating officer and will become a member of the senior leadership team of Vail Resorts’ mountain division, the companies said.

“Vail Resorts intends to retain the vast majority of Whistler Blackcomb employees, while only impacting a few select areas where there may be duplication in corporate functions,” the companies said.