MCCALL, Idaho — Tamarack Ski Resort is almost complete. Seven years ago, a bank removed the Wildwood chairlift from the troubled resort.
Now, in a clear sign the area is on the rebound, the lift is going back in. A massive helicopter picked up chairlift parts and dropped them on the mountain Tuesday before heading back home for more.
"After seven years of missing our Wildwood lift is being put back in and it's a brand new lift, a dopplemeyer," said Jon Reveal, the president at Tamarack Resort.
Reveal was not here then, but he knows that the Wildwood lift meant to Tamarack. It was the only access to 200 acres of skiable terrain that sat unused for years.
"It was a tough time for the lift that people skied on for years to go away," said Reveal. "But here we go, back in."
It is a big move that is cause for celebration among residents who watched the future arrive by air.
"It's amazing, so amazing. I know everyone is extremely excited," said Maria Thompson.
The helicopter made 45 trips and each trip took about four minutes, so the whole job was done in a day.
If all goes as planned, the lift will open in November just in time for ski season, and crews have already cleared the ski runs.
