Crystalline lake water, panoramic mountain views, historic hikes and world-renowned skiing: the region of Lake Tahoe remains an unparalleled outdoor destination for visitors and locals alike. In addition to these natural treasures, one company aims to build a water slide, roller coaster, and an indoor skydiving park. Developments such as these are currently some of the biggest threats facing the region.
Since 2011, Alterra Mountain Company, owner of Olympic Valley’s ski resort Palisades Tahoe, has aimed to make such plans a reality: the 247,000-square-foot development would include a recreation center of unprecedented scope, including water slides, indoor sky-diving, and artificial rivers. Environmental concerns such as improper water use and wildfire danger have been of the utmost concern to local nonprofits Sierra Watch and Mountain Area Preservation…