If we build it, will they come? Sun Valley, Idaho area wonders where to put a new airport

Vail, Telluride warn airports key to success

Among the western ski resorts, the proximity of an airport proves critical in the minds of resort and airport managers.

"Vail/Eagle County airport is a lifeline critical to our destination," emphasized Kelly Ladyga, director of corporate communications at Vail Resort. "What we find with our guests is the whole concept of deficit leisure time. It gets down to a competitive factor . . . a competitive advantage to maximize finite leisure time."

But here in the Wood River Valley, the process of moving Friedman Memorial Airport further away from Bald Mountain is gaining momentum, with sites close to an hour’s drive from Sun Valley high on the list.

The airport board has stated they will not inconvenience citizens by demolishing a subdivision, closing the airport for an entire summer, or looking to the other compass points for the expansion of the safety zones of the runways, driving the relocation process.

By KATHLEEN L. TURNER

The Wood River Journal ~ Hailey

Full Story: http://woodriverjournal.com/