Public input sought on Silver Mountain land swap proposal

The public comment period on a proposed deal to increase the available terrain for helicopter skiing on Silverton Mountain is coming to a close. The Durango Herald reports that the plan by Silverton Mountain Ski Area owners to modify helicopter skiing access has been a point of contention in the small community. People can provide input on the proposal until Dec. 12. Silverton Mountain owners Aaron and Jen Brill are requesting a change in their helicopter-access permit from the Bureau of Land Management. They want to swap backcountry territory for about 10,000 more acres of heli-skiing terrain. Opponents say the deal will only benefit Silverton Mountain and not the town’s economy. Aaron Brill disagreed, calling the land swap a “well thought out proposal.”