A judge has recognized an unsigned will as the "testimentary intention" of the now-deceased part-owner of Powder King Mountain Resort to hand over the operation's reins to his widowed wife.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Briana Hardwick signed an order to that effect during a hearing in Kelowna on Monday, clearing the way for Heidi Robyn Salisbury to take ownership.
According to a petition filed in mid-August, Christopher James Salisbury had been in the process of drafting a primary and secondary will when, ailing from a long-running lung disease, his health took a turn for the worse and he was admitted to hospital in April 2022.
Due to his condition, he was unable to sign the wills before he died.
In instances where a written will has not been signed by the will-maker and two witnesses, the court can still determine it is valid on the basis of other records, according to the petition.
Through a holding company, the couple held complete ownership of the ski resort with the shares split on a 50-50 basis.
Powder King Resort Inc. also operates a campground and store at nearby Azouzetta Lake and a gravel pit in the District of Mackenzie, according to the petition.
Since at least this past March, the resort has been up for sale with a current asking price of just under $7.5 million.
