Sierra-at-Tahoe Fire Recovery: An Honest Update

[@glassslippergourmet]

I learned to ski at "Sierra Ski Ranch" (the old name) in the early 70s, and have skiied there almost exclusively my whole like. My mom learned to ski at the original location 70 years ago. Our family cabin, built in 1953, is just a few miles down the highway... and, with incredible luck and *amazing effort* from the firefighters BARELY survived the massive Caldor Fire. 80% of our neighborhood was lost to the fire, sadly. I can see Westbowl, my favorite runs to ski, from our bedroom window and watched from a distance, the crews at SAT tirelessly work, to clear the rubble in the years since. Its been a heartbreaking recovery and we miss our beautiful forest dearly. That being said, I skiied for the first time since last week. It was a visible shock to be honest, even though I tried to prepare myself mentally watching from afar. However, after a few runs i began to recognize a bit more and see the new features SAT has built. Soon, i felt joy to still have "my" resort, in any condition. Above all, i am SO proud of SAT for their incredible work and inspiring spirit to rise from these ashes. They have embraced the challenge and are truly an inspiration. THANK YOU SIERRA AT TAHOE for your perseverance! 🫶💞 Great video, glad i came across it!

[@pinnacleskier0552]

Really is incredible what they endured and painstakingly recovered from. Great job Sierra!

[@PeakRankings]

Truly is! Absolutely wild they made it to where they currently are.

[@christophercarberry]

Great to see the recovery!

[@PeakRankings]

Agreed!

[@bobgarcia182]

Thanks for this excellent video. Sierra-at-Tahoe has indeed risen from the ashes of the horrible Caldor Fire. The resort has a special place in my heart due to all the wonderful memories I have of skiing there back when it was still named Sierra Ski Ranch. I haven't been back in years but I'll definitely go next winter. They deserve our support.

[@mr2fyre]

I feel like the value should be emphasized a little bit more. The season pass for Sierra-at-Tahoe was almost $1000 cheaper than the epic or ikon pass for myself and my 2 children. The new foot print is very different, but it is still a great place to ski and progress. Out of the major Tahoe resorts Sierra-at-Tahoe is by far the most family friendly resort. (I haven't been to Sugar Bowl, so i don't have a comparison for that one).

[@nishbaleri379]

I'd say Sierra-At-Tahoe has that similar "family friendly" vibe as Sugar Bowl does, if not even more so.

[@nathanjanuszewski]

It is so cool to see how the bowl transformed. Would love to visit.

[@Gary-np7hl]

Thanks for the update!!! Wasn’t able to make it up to Tahoe to check out sierra this year. They’re definitely on the top tier of local mountains. You will see some of the best freestyle skiers in America at this resort. It was a gem and apparently still is. Great news.

[@PeakRankings]

They definitely are, it's worth a visit next winter if you can make it up!

[@c-LAW]

clearly, you put in much effort in making these vids. Thank you!

[@JollyLamaCom]

I went to SAT in Feb 2016 and loved it. Big kickers on the backside. Awesome long cruisers, a half pipe with a devoted chair lift and great prices on tix with a lot of deals like ski free the same day you fly. Can't wait to go back. It may look like a different mountain but I'm sure it will still be great.

[@skifast_takechances]

This looks incredible. I have such fond memories skiing here in 2017 and I really hope to revisit this area some place soon, even if it means paying more out of pocket.

[@S-jw2wv]

I love Sierra and their team. Was so sad when they were affected by the fire. Need to get back there this season.

[@diego_amador]

thank younfor making these cool videos

[@PeakRankings]

Thank *you* for your support!

[@SquareOneForge]

Un real. I worked here in the 12-13 season. I can’t believe the difference in the bowls. I used to hide in the woods all day. Not anymore. Crazy

[@johnklaus9111]

on net, I would say this is a huge improvement. I just love wide open skiing spaces! That's so cool! 😊

[@nishbaleri379]

While I do think the bowl is a cool addition, but it really sucks to lose some of the awesome Sierra terrain that I learned to ski on. Especially the tree-skiing and nostalgic terrain.

[@brian.walker]

Was such an awesome season there last year for the reopening!

[@brian.walker]

Those are my photos! Nice to see them used more and more.

[@iMiike69]

Peak Rankings is about to take off this summer I can feel it :)

[@shaunganley]

This is a great video! Thanks for sharing with us the new look. So glad this resort was able to recover so well.

[@luckmc2874]

Is there a belleayre review coming soon?

[@josephstratemeier8619]

This almost happened to China Peak, CA. The creek fire in Aug. 2020 swept throught the Shaver and Huntington Lake areas. Luckily the fire just missed the China Peak boundaries, but you can see fire-scarred terrain just on the other side of the parking area. Driving up there from Fresno is pretty surreal.

[@josephrosner905]

I think it would be cool if u did reviews for europe and japan

[@jakefrost7108]

Looking to this video to get an idea of ski apache

[@nicholaslesage6896]

it's sad. The tree runs on the west bowl of Sierra were some of my favorite skiing in Tahoe. Park at the end of the lot near the dumpsters and snowboard through the trees right down to Baja. Why did the fire have to burn down the best part :( I'm glad they've been able to recover and return to operations relatively quickly though. Great locals resort

[@nicholaslesage6896]

Obviously no resort is better with its trees burned down. However, IMO the main selling point for Sierra at Tahoe was the trees. That old growth forest was the best in Tahoe.

[@cmacblue42]

Losing west bowl trees is heartbreaking, but can be an opportunity to do something cool. BX course to compete with the likes of Banff? Woodward South Lake? Whole thing looks like an arena. Laax & Zermatt find ways to stay interesting without trees 😊

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Interesting. Great review as always. Have never skied there.

[@JasonAndersen7]

I’m wondering if avalanches will be more of a threat in the west bowl since all the trees are gone

[@djc7039]

First the Caldor fire could and should have been contained to 50 acres in 24 hours. Second the lack of trees has exposed Sierra to sun and wind. Last year we had a 7 foot storm and some thin patches in West Bowl were still exposed while the Solstice roof was drifted 30' high all the way over to the ski school building. In past year this snow would have stayed on the runs

[@frankyang5681]

Hi. I have some footage of some of the runs in West Bowl literally one season before the fire. My son is in the beginning of them though, and I can't catch up to him. Feel free to use them!

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you!

[@jamesbrett5010]

I drove by last weekend and they have a helicopter hauling out burnt trees near the face.

[@kingjulian420]

6:15 "The substantial terrain transformation has had notable impacts on Sierra's terrain." Yep, that's how that works.

[@PeakRankings]

Lol yep

[@kingjulian420]

lol@@PeakRankings

[@HUGO2005DJ]

Dang, West Bowl looks like a European resort now

[@AK-bw8xk]

Before and after pics would have been nice. Probably to much work

[@diego_amador]

sup