The Tally Lake Ranger District of the

Flathead National Forest is requesting public comments on a

proposed project to relocate the Chair 5 ski lift and extend the

Chair 4 ski lift at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The proposed project

is located on National Forest lands within the permit boundary of

the ski resort on Big Mountain.

The relocated Chair 5 would run from

near the bottom of MoeMentum up and over the East Rim to near the

bottom of Ant Hill.

The project proposes to improve skier

accessibility to more intermediate and advanced terrain, improve

skier safety and better utilize existing infrastructure. The

relocation of Chair 5 and extension of Chair 4 is anticipated to

increase skier circulation to the East Rim area while utilizing

existing terrain with minimal construction impacts to the

environment. The East Rim area encompasses over 300 acres including

runs, chutes, trees and bowls. The project would also relieve

congestion of the main Chair 1 ski lift on high traffic days.

Implementation of the project could begin summer of 2011 and it is

estimated to cost $700,000.  

Public comments regarding the proposed

project should be directed to the Tally Lake Ranger District by

Jan. 10, 2011. For more information about specifics of the project

and how to provide comments, please visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead

and click on projects, or contact Project Leader Bryan Donner at

758-4204.