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November, 2024

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Caldor fire absolutely roasted Sierra :(

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betz
Posts: 250 - Karma: 2,041
Poached these pictures from @Skibum96 on instagram.

Looks like Sierra is way worse than I thought. All of the trees between Grandview and preachers passion have been totally cleared already. Preacher's trees are absolutely scorched. And the west bowl, oh fuck the west bowl. There are like 10 living trees left. It's actually going to be a bowl now I guess. You can see they've started to take out the trees. Man. The only surviving areas seem to be from Grandview to Nob hill and maybe the backside. Fire literally took out some of the best tree skiing areas. And looks like they are just going to cut down all of the dead trees so I think we will be seeing a completely different resort when this is all over. I was dreaming of no tree wells skiing through the dead trees but I don't think that will be a reality.

Don't know how many of you rode Sierra but it's low key one of the best resorts in Tahoe. Amazing tree skiing, boundless pow stashes, great parks and an incredible side country area huck canyon. Gets some of the best snow in Tahoe. Super reasonable season pass prices and perks and just an overall awesome fun and friendly mountain.
Nov 3 2021 12:27PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9791 - Karma: 72,407
Ah bummer. I've always wanted to ski through a burned forest (fire that started naturally of course).
Nov 3 2021 12:28PM
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betz
Posts: 250 - Karma: 2,041
HypeBeastAh bummer. I've always wanted to ski through a burned forest (fire that started naturally of course).

I'm still hoping it's possible here. But it's not looking great. Those brown trees are all pretty much dead, but maybe they are structurally sound and they will leave them in place? I'm hoping they are able to leave some of the dead trees. It would make for great and unique skiing, for a resort at least.

Grandview to Jack's bowl is still a great tree area. Same with the backside. But damn, preacher's trees is such a huge loss. It's a huge, steep tree area.
Nov 3 2021 12:50PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
So sad. Probably some of the best tree skiing in the country.
Nov 3 2021 3:35PM
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betz
Posts: 250 - Karma: 2,041
Looking back through some pictures. Almost every tree in these pictures... just gone. Man.
Nov 3 2021 3:54PM
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powpatrol
Posts: 1703 - Karma: 11,032
why did i think this was a skier i didn’t know about roasting sierra quitits
Nov 3 2021 4:07PM
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Deez_Mcskis
Posts: 382 - Karma: 3,791
Dude the fire also got all the best mtb trails in tahoe. Toads, Corral, cold creek all got burned. so sad

Luckily the trails are all sand and rocks so the trails themselves are not hurt, just a ton of fire debris and fallen trees
Nov 3 2021 4:41PM
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gravel
Posts: 5520 - Karma: 42,295
damn, that's crazy, sorry that it won't be the same. coming from CO where a lot of the resorts are above treeline, there is still opportunity for the loss of those forests to reveal some fun skiing in a different sort of way.

would be sick if they left the trees, but burned areas with standing dead are pretty hazardous, especially if the wind picks up. i'm sure they have no other option as far as liability and insurance goes. which is usually like a "smh america insurance and liability ruining skiing" or whatever but in this case it's probably for the better, those burns could be dangerous in the long run otherwise.
Nov 3 2021 4:50PM
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betz
Posts: 250 - Karma: 2,041
graveldamn, that's crazy, sorry that it won't be the same. coming from CO where a lot of the resorts are above treeline, there is still opportunity for the loss of those forests to reveal some fun skiing in a different sort of way.

would be sick if they left the trees, but burned areas with standing dead are pretty hazardous, especially if the wind picks up. i'm sure they have no other option as far as liability and insurance goes. which is usually like a "smh america insurance and liability ruining skiing" or whatever but in this case it's probably for the better, those burns could be dangerous in the long run otherwise.

It's true, the resort previously was very much like. Nice long groomers, good vertical, good lifts and had a facade of family friendly and close to sacramento. But if you knew what's what, you know it has the best damn trees in all of Tahoe hands down. You could ski the entire day in the trees and barely touch a groomer. All types of tree skiing- tight, loose, steep, mellow- and lots of it. A couple tucked away bowls also, but basically no wide open areas outside of the groomers.

But now, I'm imagining we will see a lot more wide open areas. And the visibility of the resort will definitely go up. Like, when you're there usually it's hard to scope out the good spots. You kinda have to know, find it for yourself, or just explore. I think that's going to change quite a bit. I imagine it will make the resort more well rounded. But it won't be the same magic tree skiing place like before.

The ski resort has been awesome during this process I have to say- and have even offered refunds or extensions to all season pass holders and are giving regular updates. Still, I think we are in for more bad news to come. They recently announced the opening day will likely be in 2022.

https://www.sierraattahoe.com/blog/general/caldor-fire-update/
Nov 3 2021 7:22PM
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Lukegnar
Posts: 189 - Karma: 1,239
corral is so sick, shuttling the dh is so fun, what a shame :/
Deez_McskisDude the fire also got all the best mtb trails in tahoe. Toads, Corral, cold creek all got burned. so sad

Luckily the trails are all sand and rocks so the trails themselves are not hurt, just a ton of fire debris and fallen trees
Nov 4 2021 2:51AM
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