New Gondola Installed At Lutsen Mountains

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's not easy to replace the gondola at Lutsen on the North Shore.

A video taken Monday shows a helicopter was brought in to help install 11 steel towers on the ski mountain.

The construction crew said the terrain is too rugged to bring in heavy equipment on the ground. So the helicopter is more practical. But, it is difficult for the ground crew to climb the tower and attach other parts with all that wind created by the helicopter.

They expect to have the new $7 million gondola up and running by the middle of November. The old one is still in service if you want to see the fall colors through October 18.

These new cars hold eight people. That's twice as many as the old ones which will be sold at  auction for $500 – $1,000 each.

Some of that money will go to charity.