Eds: APNewsNow.

ANACONDA, Mont. (AP) Two additional ski lifts at southwestern Montana's Discovery Ski Area are among $750,000 in improvements due to be completed for the 2009-2010 season.

General manager Peter Pitcher says the lifts, including a triple chairlift on the northwest side of Rumsey Mountain, will expand the area significantly by adding 1,000 feet of vertical drop.

One lift comes second-hand from Sun Valley, the resort in central Idaho that's adding a gondola it expects to have running either this month or in early December when skiing begins.

In addition to this year's projects, Montana's Discovery is also doing preliminary work on a new road to cut 20 to 30 minutes off the drive for skiers coming to area from Missoula.

Before that's reality, however, resort officials must resolve public land issues.

Information from: The Montana Standard, http://www.mtstandard.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-15-09 1138CST | save this article / add to your favorites list