KETCHUM, Idaho — The U.S. Forest Service has approved a request by Sun Valley Co. for a 40-year extension of its operating permit for the central Idaho ski area on Bald Mountain, as well as additions that include a gondola and more snowmaking equipment.

Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Jane Kollmeyer signed a record of decision earlier this week. There will be a 45-day appeal period for the proposed improvements. The 3,332-acre ski area is on land administered by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

The 40-year permit, which begins Dec. 7, is not open to appeal, said Kurt Nelson, a district ranger with the Sawtooth National Forest. Sun Valley Co.'s 30-year operating permit for the ski area on 9,150-foot Bald Mountain on the western edge of Ketchum expires Dec. 1, he said.

"I believe my decision provides the best balance between the various social, resource and business needs on Bald Mountain," Kollmeyer told the Idaho Mountain Express. "My rationale for this decision is based on our desire to provide a greater range of recreational experiences within the ski area as users' expectations change, improve forest health and provide for long-term economic stability in the Wood River Valley."

About 2,000 acres of the ski area are on national forest lands, and another 1,287 are BLM. Officials with the BLM are expected to respond to Sun Valley Co.'s request in mid-December. That agency also has a 45-day appeal process.

The planned gondola would go from the River Run base to the Roundhouse, a day lodge midway up the mountain.

"The gondola is for year-round operation, not just winter operation," Jack Sibbach, director of sales for Sun Valley Co., told The Associated Press on Friday.

He said that during the summer it would be used to take people up the mountain for weddings, conventions, and for the restaurant.

The additional snowmaking equipment would cover about 99 acres.

"The snowmaking is vital to the winter operation," he said. "It's the quality of the experience that the guests demand now even if Mother Nature doesn't help us. The snowmaking is an insurance policy. It helps us open and keeps us open."

He said he couldn't comment specifically about the record of decision signed by the Forest Service as there are usually options involved in what has been approved.

Nelson said putting in the gondola would not be possible this winter because it's such a large project.

He said the record of decision was delayed for several months due to last summer's Castle Rock Fire. The blaze, contained Sept. 4, forced the evacuations of more than 2,000 homes and came within 50 yards of a $12 million Sun Valley ski lodge atop Bald Mountain.

That prompted the company to run its existing snowmaking equipment to fend off flames.