Sierra-at-Tahoe Has Reopened With a Radically Transformed Footprint. Here Are Our Initial Thoughts.
Sierra-at-Tahoe was forced to close for the 2021-22 season due to a wildfire that wreaked extensive havoc across the resort in August 2021. The resort reopened with considerable changes this December.
Background
After being devastated by the destructive Caldor Fire in August 2021—and a season of rebuilding and clearing the aftermath—Sierra-at-Tahoe has been reborn. The resort opened for the season last week, and with it, revealed the extent of the changes to the mountain necessitated as part of the recovery efforts.
The most stark changes have occurred in the West Bowl area, where the zone is now actually a true bowl. Gone are the acres of trees from the West Bowl area, replaced by fresh, open slopes to explore—although the former tree areas are technically off-piste with no grooming or snowmaking. The Grandview area still has its trees—for now—but more recovery work is required in this zone, and the majority of glade areas under this lift will remain closed for the 2022-23 season. Only Jack's Bowl, which has been significantly thinned, and Huckleberry Canyon, a variably open expert-only area, will remain open for glade skiing this winter.
Sierra-at-Tahoe’s 2022-23 trail map, which shows the extent of the changes caused by the Caldor Fire. The Off-Piste and Gladed Areas Closed areas were un-thinned tree zones prior to the fire.
Implications for Sierra-at-Tahoe
While we haven’t visited Sierra yet this winter, the trail map suggests that resort guests will be in for a radically altered resort experience. Sierra’s tree terrain has historically been one of its most distinguishing aspects, and with it mostly off the table this year, returning visitors will be missing a key aspect that made the pre-Caldor Sierra so special.
That said, the Caldor Fire also created a new opportunity to rebuild and reshape the resort into something more unique. The fully open West Bowl looks to provide a true treeless bowl experience, allowing Sierra to offer this type of terrain, which is often found in high-alpine areas, for the first time ever. In addition, it looks as if this year’s glade closures are temporary, and that at least some degree of tree terrain will return to the Grandview area next season. But the fact that Sierra has been able to reopen at all is a miracle in and of itself, and the family-friendly slopes, progression-oriented terrain parks, and reasonably-priced tickets of years’ past look to once again be available for all.
Ultimately, there’s only so much we can glance from a trail map. We’ll be sure to stop by Sierra this season to assess the transformed overall mountain experience for ourselves.
Considering a ski trip to Sierra-at-Tahoe this year? Check out our full Lake Tahoe rankings, as well as our comprehensive Sierra-at-Tahoe review from the 2020-21 season. You can also check out our Tahoe rankings in video form below.
