Liftopia Apparently Sold to Skitude, Transferring Assets to Liquidator to Settle with Partners

According to SAM Magazine, Liftopia has been acquired by Skitude, a skier/rider mobile app. Evidently, the Norwegian-Spanish company purchased the lift-ticket site through an “assignment for the benefit of creditors,” or ABC, where Liftopia’s assets had been liquidated to settle with Alterra, Aspen Skiing Company, Arapahoe Basin, Mountain Collective, and others they owed money to.

According to SAM, Skitude “plans to invest in the [Liftopia] technology and service people are familiar with, and have maintained continuity of service through the transaction.”

Our Take

Over the past 15 years, Liftopia has made a name for itself selling heavily discounted online lift tickets. For advanced-sale tickets to some independent mountains, the site is the only game in town. At a glance, it looks like this acquisition will enable these critical services to continue uninterrupted for the foreseeable future.

Liftopia has faced serious pressure from mega-passes such as Epic and Ikon in recent seasons, which offer similar or better value propositions for very frequent skiers. Assuming this reporting is accurate, Skitude, which seems to boast a large European footprint but little North American presence, will have a substantial say in the site’s approach in the coming years. We’re especially keen to see whether the veteran app-building company can enhance Liftopia’s mobile experience.

We look forward to evaluating the changes the new owners promise.