From Ranch to Resort

The History of
Sierra at Tahoe

The Entire 75 Year History of Sierra Ski Ranch / Sierra-at-Tahoe

Over 350 pages of photographs, historical stories, records, statistics, trail maps, personal anecdotes and behind the scenes secrets tell the story of Sierra Ski Ranch and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Everything you want to know about your favorite winter resort is included within these pages.

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Photographs

We have utilized historic photos, family snapshots and images from a host of excellent photographers to help tell the story.

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Memories

Throughout the book we relay the fond memories of Sierra’s founding families, its caretakers and their customers.

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People

We interviewed dozens of people, some in their 90s, to bring their stories of Sierra to you within these pages.

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Records

No box, archive, filing cabinet or closet was left undisturbed in discovering not only what occurred, but why, in Sierra’s history.

The Complete History

We start with an historic overview of the Echo Summit area and its role in the development of the region, delving next into how the Barretts started Sierra in 1946, before handing it off to the Sprock family in 1953. We extensively cover the development of Sierra into a world class resort by the Sprock family from 1953 to 1993 and the legacy that Sierra-at-Tahoe has enriched since their inheritance. We have also covered recent events including the Caldor fire and have gone behind the scenes to share some secrets and possible changes in Sierra’s future with you.

Book Overview

The Shared Experience

The book is arranged chronologically from the exploitation of minerals in the area, through the early development of ski resorts around Echo Summit, to modern current events. The development of Sierra is a story not only of vision by dedicated men and women, but of the environmental setting that defines the area and dynamically influences its evolution.