The modernization of historic Dollar Mountain is off to a flying start with Sun Valley City Council approval on Thursday, May 10, for a landing and takeoff permit for Mountain West Helicopter.
The approved permit allows a helicopter to run for a total of two days between May 14 and May 31 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. A separate approval allows for up to four additional days of helicopter usage between July 1 and Aug. 31.
The designated landing area is located on the top of Dollar's tubing area known as the Poverty Flats ski run. The purpose of the helicopter is to assist in the demolition and subsequent removal of the existing Quarter Dollar and main Dollar ski lifts. It will also be used to pour the concrete foundations for the new lifts and for the installation of the detachable Doppelmayr Uni-G quad lifts Sun Valley Co. plans to put in.
Sun Valley Co. must sign a Hold Harmless and Indemnification agreement with the city to alleviate any and all liability on the city. In addition, Mountain West Helicopters must provide a certificate of insurance of at least $5 million before the project can move forward.
The new lifts will feature the latest in lift technology with new enhanced child-restraint bars, straps to enable children to lower the restraint bar, and tertiary as well as stand-by diesel engines to increase reliability. The lifts are slated to be installed, tested and approved for use by opening day of the 2007-2008 ski season.
