SAM Magazine—Olympic Valley, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014—Squaw Valley plans to enhance skiable terrain through a month-long, ecological forest thinning project beginning this week. More than 5,000 dead or diseased trees will be removed to improve the natural habitat, reduce the risk of wildfire, and, just as importantly, provide unprecedented access to tree skiing and riding in the targeted area.

SAM Magazine—Olympic Valley, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014—Squaw Valley plans to enhance skiable terrain through a month-long, ecological forest thinning project beginning this week. More than 5,000 dead or diseased trees will be removed to improve the natural habitat, reduce the risk of wildfire, and, just as importantly, provide unprecedented access to tree skiing and riding in the targeted area.

Lower-level vegetation that could potentially serve as fire fuel will be removed from the East end of the ski resort from Red Dog Face to Poulsen's Gully. Squaw will remove dead and diseased trees from the targeted area via helicopter rather than skidding the trees in sensitive areas, minimizing environmental impacts. Most of the trees will be processed for timber; remaining materials will be chipped for future use.

As a result of the project, skiers and riders can expect nearly 100 acres of enhanced upper-intermediate to expert terrain, including three newly designated glade areas as well as a new connector trail to ease access back to the lifts. This terrain was previously inaccessible, or extremely limited, due to dense standing and fallen trees, which made it difficult for skiers and riders to negotiate the terrain safely. The project “will ultimately feel like a terrain expansion due to the new access,” said Mike Livak, executive vice president of Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows.

“The current drought and the King Fire bring into sharp focus the issue of forest health and how it affects our community right here in Squaw,” said Peter Bansen, Squaw Valley fire chief. “Thinning provides valuable benefit by effectively utilizing the available water for the most viable trees, and the removal of dead or diseased trees dramatically reduces the risk of fire. … Our community will benefit from Squaw/Alpine's investment in fuels reduction and forest health and I commend the company for doing the right thing.”

“Although this project is costly, it's worth the investment to improve the environment while also improving skiing and riding at the resort," Livak added.

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