New York, NY – Fortress Investments, owner of Intrawest LLC, is reportedly considering an initial public offering of shares in its flagship Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia as a potential solution to Intrawest’s financial woes.nIn a story published in Tuesday’s Globe and Mail, the Toronto newspaper reports that the IPO is Fortress’ latest solution after efforts to sell North America’s largest ski resort were unsuccessful. Shoppers who reportedly kicked the tires but opted to pass on purchasing include Alberta’s billionaire oil baron Murray Edwards, who also owns Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, parent company to several Canadian ski resorts including Lake Louise, Fernie, Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham. The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan also reportedly considered buying Whistler Blackcomb before backing out.

Despite Whistler’s popularity, its limited future development opportunities are preventing New York-based Fortress from commanding top dollar for the ski resort. Company officials told the newspaper that they’re optimistic that Whistler Blackcomb’s high-profile role in hosting the alpine skiing events during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games will make the resort easier to market to the public in the form of an IPO.

Fortress has been strapped for cash since acquiring Intrawest in 2006 for C$2.8 billion. Creditors threatened high-profile foreclosure proceedings on Whistler Blackcomb right in the midst of the Olympics last February, a move that was forestalled by Intrawest’s restructuring of its debt.