Wildfire Damaged US Resort To Remain Closed into 2022
A ski area that sustained damaged in the massive Caldor forest fire that reached Laker Tahoe has announced it won’t now open for the season until the new year, but hopes to be able to early in the year.
Sierra at Tahoe was the first of the three ski resorts impacted by the blaze which burned through in early September. It initially appeared not to have sustained much damage thanks to mitigating measures as the fire approached, including cutting firebreaks and turning snowmaking cannons to fire water on lifts and buildings.
“We have substantial work ahead of us before we are able to announce our opening day for this season and it is unlikely that we will open in 2021,” stated Sierra-at-Tahoe officials in an announcement to their patrons. “We have set our sights on resuming operations in early 2022.”
“Detailed inspections of the entire resort have revealed that we will not be able to offer you the same ski experience you have come to expect from Sierra,” the resort stated. “The work ahead of us includes evaluating the damage to trees throughout the resort property, particularly those along ski trails and lift lines, and continuing to repair chairlifts that were impacted while simultaneously navigating global supply chain and shipping challenges that are slowing that progress.”
The two other ski resorts impacted by the fire, Heavenly and Kirkwood, appear to have escaped unscathed with the blaze held at their terrain borders.
