A Triumphant Return: Sierra-at-Tahoe Opens West Bowl
A Triumphant Return: Sierra-at-Tahoe Opens West Bowl, Jack’s Bowl + Top to Bottom Skiing Access Just 13 Days After Reopening Post-Caldor Fire
The highly anticipated, once thought impossible day, is here. A new chapter begins in Sierra-at-Tahoe's 75-year history. West Bowl opens today, the area of the resort that was the most severely impacted by the 2021 Caldor Fire, just 13 days after the start of the 2022/23 winter season.
TWIN BRIDGES, California. – Thursday, December 15, 2022
Major momentum + milestones have been achieved at Sierra-at-Tahoe since its reopening on Saturday December 3, 2022, following a year of closure from the impact of the Caldor Fire.
Graced with multiple early season storms, including an impressive weekend storm, the comeback year for the treasured ski resort is off to an incredible start due to the 167” of total season snowfall. Impressive snow totals and seasonally cold temps have allowed the mountain to open over 70% of its trail network including key areas such as Grandview and Easy Street as well as off-piste terrain in Jack’s Bowl- and today Thursday December 15, the triumphant return of West Bowl will open at 12:00 PM.
“West Bowl was the hardest to see after the fire- it was hit directly and the devastation was heartbreaking” says General Manager, John Rice. “To see it filled with soft snowy pillows on a wide-open landscape with completely different views is cathartic and reaching this point is emotional. There have been an array of emotions by anyone who has set eyes on the changed terrain but seeing it ready to ski — is incredibly exciting.”
Many of the areas that were once inaccessible due to tree density have now opened up, creating a true bowl experience. Not only are there uncovered lines, but entirely new pockets of terrain that have never been touched before await. “The tree skiing at Sierra has always been legendary” Katie Hunter, Director of Marketing stated. Hunter continued “But what I think may surprise many of our Sierra family members, just as it did for me, is that it actually skis even better than it did before.”
West Bowl Express chair will begin loading public at noon, with access to 11 additional trails including 8 groomed runs. The remaining trials will be ungroomed, allowing skiers and riders the opportunity to ski untouched snow throughout West Bowl. Early season conditions and unmarked obstacles do exist, especially off-piste, and everyone is encouraged to ski with caution while learning the new landscape. The feedback received from guests this season will be instrumental in the direction that Sierra takes for potentially creating new trails.
“Tahoe has a new ski resort to explore, when was the last time you skied something for the first time?” said Hunter.
To mark this triumphant reopening, plans are in motion for a celebratory event on Sierra’s 76th anniversary on December 21, 2022. The event will be held at the base of West Bowl and is open to the public for anyone with a valid lift ticket or season pass. Activities will include music, giveaways and a vendor village with community supporters and partners such as the United States Forest Service and the El Dorado Resource Conservation District, who were instrumental in Sierra’s restoration efforts.
With a smile and a sense of pride, Rice said “We’ve done the work, and now, it’s time to have some fun. Come join us, discover the new landscape, share your feedback, and say you were part of history in Sierra’s 2022/23 comeback season.”
Additional resources
Those looking to support remediation efforts can donate to The El Dorado Community Foundation
Press Contact
Shelby Dunlap
530-543-3138
About Sierra-at-Tahoe
Play is the name of the game at Sierra-at-Tahoe, where 2,000 acres and 2,212 vertical feet of skiable terrain offer skiers + riders the freedom to explore their style at any level. With restoration efforts complete for phase 01, after a season off due to damage sustained from the Caldor Fire, Sierra welcomes long-time loyalist and new friends back to explore. Whether it’s sending big mountain terrain via Huckleberry Canyon, carving down new sunbathed groomers in West Bowl, learning a new trick in the Sierra Playgrounds or the exhilaration of making one’s first turns on Sierra’s Sculpted Learning Terrain, there is a new landscape and a place for you here, that is just waiting to be discovered. Welcome back to Sierra, #WherePlayReignsFree. For more information please visit, sierraattahoe.com.