Helicopter Skiing Company Close To Expanding

SILVERTON, Colo. -- Federal land managers have recommended a heliskiing operation get a five-year permit on more than 13,600 acres of public and private land in the Silverton area.

Telluride Helitrax takes skiers into the backcountry of Telluride by helicopter.

The Bureau of Land Management is recommending a permit that would allow the company to use eight jumping-off points and up to 300 service days a year. A service day is considered one person skiing in one day.

At the end of the five years, the permit would be re-evaluated for possible extension, and the company could apply for more than 300 service days.

Telluride Helitrax had asked for 10-year permit, 16 jumping-off points on 37,000 acres and up to 600 service days a year.

According to the Telluride Helitrax Web site, a single day of helicopter skiing in the Telluride area runs $1,195 for six runs. The company's Web site said heliskiing is not an extreme sport, adding that it can be done by adventurous intermediate skiers and snowboarders.