The plan to replace the Red Dog Chair lift originally came to the MAC on Oct 4^th. The plans showed the lift’s new location (amongst the old buildings housing dispatch, ski teams, ski patrol, etc), type of lift (detachable 6-pack), and capacity (2400 skiers per hour, up from the current 1800 skiers per hour on the fixed grip chair).

At the review, the MAC requested that Ski Corp consider increasing the uphill capacity because Red Dog is a key lift on the mountain, especially on storm days when the upper mountain may not be accessible. The MAC members also expressed concerns about tree removal, impact of the upper terminal on its adjacent space, and access to the bottom terminal (considering the need to contour Red Dog face and that there is already an access road cut across the slope).

On Dec 6^th, Ski Corp returned to the MAC for approval of the project. Key to this revised presentation was an increase uphill capacity to 3200 skiers per hour, which would require the possible addition of one or two more towers, create some increased land disturbance in order to install the towers, and cause increased noise at the neighboring Red Wolf Lodge (1db above County limit).

The MAC continued to express concerns about the space available for unloading at the top terminal (hill re-contouring will be required) as well as access to the bottom terminal from lower Red Dog Face. Ski Corp stated that the timing of the lift replacement was uncertain, but most likely occurring in 1 to 2 years. 

The MAC considered the lift replacement a very necessary improvement to the Squaw skier experience and voted 5 to 0 to approve the project, with one member abstaining.