The more I ski, the more I understand the possibility of an avalanche at a ski area like Alpine Meadows. I’ve even set some off myself in the side country around Alpine. There’s been a couple of fairly recent inbounds avalanche deaths at our favorite mountain, one taking the life of Cole Comstock and one taking the life of patroller Bill Foster. But the one that you’ve most likely heard of took place on March 31st, 1982, killing seven people. We’re coming up on the 40th anniversary.
I’m pulling together a post for March 31st. I’ve been collecting some pictures, reading stories and talking to people who were around for the event. It’s not an easy thing to think about, knowing that several of my friends were right there. But tonight I wanted to share with you that on Thursday, March 31st, 2022 at 8pm, the film Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche will be shown at the Alpine Meadows lodge. I’m not sure that I will be there myself. I’ve been waiting for a time when I can view the film via Blue Ray or streaming so I can watch it in in short bursts, taking the time to pause and reflect.
The film is the creation of Alpine Meadows locals Steven Siig and Jared Drake. Over the last year, it’s made the circuit of film festivals around mountain towns of the US. It wins awards every time. Overtime, the creators took a step back and made adjustments to the film. It tells an important story, one that is difficult to understand by just looking at pictures of the aftermath. I would expect that the Alpine Meadows showing will be sold out.
That’s why I wanted to give you this heads up that ticket sales started today. Tickets are $15 and are available online at the Tahoe Arthaus Cinema website. There is no indication of whether tickets will be available at the door, or what number of tickets are available. If you want to be certain of getting a ticket, I would not delay.
Update: As of Thursday 3/3, only 30 tickets of the original 200 tickets were still available.
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I was there skiing the day before the avalanche. My 2 yr. old son was in day care as I skied. Bernie Kingery was my boss at Sugar Bowl in 1964 where I worked on the professional ski patrol staff .
Hello Dave
I skied the nose under Victoria station that morning also. I woke up the next morning planning on looking for a snorkel.
Wayne
Was living in Alpine Meadows that winter. Skied about 5 feet of powder the day before at the mountain fka Squaw Valley.
Thanks for covering this event. It is great that people view the movie and realize exactly what Mother Nature can do. Out of those dark times, Alpine Meadows ski area and the “survivors” have thrived :))