GPI in talks to purchase Grouse Mountain

The company that runs the major lodges in Glacier National Park confirmed last week that it has been in talks to purchase Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, though a final deal hasn’t been struck.

“Viad and Glacier Park, Inc. are in discussions to buy Grouse Mountain Lodge. However, there is no definitive agreement at this time and no guarantee that a sale will be completed,” said Alicia Thompson, director of marketing a business relations for Glacier Park Inc. Viad is the parent company of GPI.

She said she could not disclose terms of the negotiations, price or timing of the sale, but she did say GPI is “very interested in owning Grouse Mountain Lodge to complement the other properties it operates in and near Glacier National Park, including Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Glacier Park Lodge.”

“My family and Tim Grattan have been involved with Grouse Mountain Lodge since its beginning more than 26 years ago. I’m always looking for ways to improve Grouse Mountain Lodge, my employees’ well-being and our guests’ experience,” Buzz Crutcher, co-owner of Grouse Mountain Lodge said last week. “Exploring relationships with other like-minded companies is an option we’re considering at this time. Any other comment at this time would be premature.”

Built on U.S. 93 in Whitefish adjacent to the Whitefish Golf Course, Grouse Mountain has 145 guest rooms. Depending on the time of year, rooms rent from $109 in the fall to $205 in the peak summer season.

If the deal comes to fruition, it would add another dimension to GPI’s holdings. The company not only runs the lodges inside the Park, it also owns the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier and operates the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park.

GPI’s parent company, Viad, also owns Brewster, a Canadian tourism company. In addition Viad owns three companies that specialize in events and special marketing displays and campaigns.