Caldor Fire

Sierra-At-Tahoe was devastated by the Caldor Fire of 2021. The blaze destroyed nearly 80% of the trees and terrain, and damaged the ski area’s lifts and facilities.

Sierra-At-Tahoe was closed all of last season besides two days back in April, and the recovery efforts have been relentless from employees and volunteers of the beloved Sierra-At-Tahoe.

It’s been exactly 1 year since Sierra-At-Tahoe was engulfed by the flames of the Caldor Fire and they published a blog and video to update their guests on what’s been done to recover the beloved ski area.

Cheers to all of the people that have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into recovering Sierra-At-Tahoe. Here’s to hoping we see the ski area returned to its former glory soon!

Watch/read below.

Blog by Sierra-At-Tahoe:

One Step Closer to Coming Home: West Bowl Goals Complete on 1-Year Caldor Fire Anniversary

They say that time heals all wounds. And as our once open and vulnerable wound turns to a scar, we wear it like a badge of honor — showing that we fought hard and survived. And will thrive — again.

The Caldor Fire began August 14, 2021, almost 30 miles southwest of Sierra-at-Tahoe. Just 15 days later, the once far off orange glow transformed into raging flames as the sky grew dark. On August 29th, exactly one year ago today, our deepest fear became a reality. The Caldor Fire had arrived at Sierra.

Thinking back to the days leading up to that infamous night, there were many desperate attempts to slow the blaze to give the firefighters on the ground a fighting chance. And if it did come knocking at Sierra’s doorstep, it was thought that the runs and parking lots would act as mega fire breaks to give the crews on the ground the respite necessary to begin to push back. But, despite heli operations, dozer lines 6 blades wide, and back burning, the howling winds + lack of humidity made all attempts seem futile. The fire had taken off and Sierra was its target.

With eyes glued to the webcams, hearts from around the globe started breaking as the flames engulfed your favorite run… your secret stash, your Sierra — it was as if all those memories were on fire, transforming to ash before your eyes. We felt it too. Every person with a love for this mountain felt it. And in that moment, it seemed as if that wound could never heal.

The 3000-degree fire ripped through our beloved trees crawling through the canopies and the forest floor affecting 1,600 of our 2,000 acres, damaging lift towers, haul ropes, disintegrating terrain park features and four brand new snowcats and practically melted the Upper Shop — a maintenance building which housed many of our crews’ tools and personal belongings, some that had been passed down through generations. It would not have been uncommon to think that that was the end of Sierra, but to us, it was the beginning of a comeback story like you’ve never seen. As Paul Beran, passed Director of Mountain Operations said, “This will be a place of new adventure and rediscovery, West Bowl will now truly be a bowl.”

Armed with an arsenal of dedicated partners, many who’ve grown up with Sierra as their playground, before the smoke has even begun to clear we got to work — to heal the wound. Through the holidays, around the clock, after hours and overtime, the plan for execution was created and the expert team to get it done was assembled. And when the boots hit the ground, the energy was palpable. There would be no stopping this train.

In just 55 days, we’ve done what first seemed insurmountable and many touted as impossible- we’ve accomplished the goals set for Phase 1 — and more. West Bowl was given priority attention having suffered the most severe impact from the fire. The expert crews from Atlas and the RCD worked through restoration with a ‘minimal environmental impact’ philosophy, however Mother Nature’s impact was fierce. Many roads had to be carved across the mountain to allow for hand fallers, heavy equipment + trucking crews to access the steep and difficult terrain. And when the incline was so drastic that accessibility was near impossible — we called in the bird. With every passing day, every triumph overcome, + every obstacle eliminated, the momentum towards opening is in full swing.

With over 14,000 fire damaged trees abated in Phase 1, amounting to an estimated 5 million board feet of timber removed from Sierra’s slopes to date [more coming soon on ‘where the timber goes’], the area that so many have come to know like their back of their hand, has changed. From Highway 50, quick glimpses of the daily transforming landscape will take you back. But standing at the top of West Bowl Express looking down onto unchartered trails and revealed lines, will take your breath away.

This has been no easy feat. It’s been a true testament of our community rising from the ashes to take action, and not settling for anything less than a job well done. West Bowl will have a new look, but harness the same feeling you know and love as the place ‘where play reigns free’. Where you can ski/ride the beloved sun-kissed long laps your way— a new way. What used to be a place where tricks were hidden backstage in the trees, now will be your stage to perform. A place to let your off-piste side hit/180’s shine for the chairlift crowd above. A place where old memories + new adventure unite.

Images Credit: Sierra-At-Tahoe

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