“Surviving the Inferno: How Mountain High Ski Resort Escaped the Bridge Fire”

WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. — The Bridge fire that ravaged the Angeles National Forest in early September brought Mountain High ski resort to the brink of destruction. Ben Smith, the resort’s general manager, found himself in a race against time as the flames closed in on the property.

Smith, who is also the vice president and treasurer of the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council, had a gut feeling that the fire posed a serious threat to the resort. As the fire rapidly grew in size, Smith and his team sprang into action, strategically placing snowmaking guns around the perimeter of the resort in an effort to protect the property.

Despite the intense heat and smoke, Smith and a small group of employees stayed behind to activate the snow guns and defend the resort. The situation quickly escalated as a wall of flames over 300 feet tall descended upon the property, forcing Smith to make the difficult decision to evacuate.

In the aftermath of the fire, the resort sustained minimal damage, with only one ski lift damaged and a few structures lost. Smith credits the quick thinking and hard work of his team for saving the majority of the resort.

Now, nearly a month later, the resort is on track to reopen by Thanksgiving. Crews are working tirelessly to clear debris and restore power to the property. Despite the challenges they faced, the team at Mountain High remains optimistic about the upcoming winter season.

In the town of Wrightwood, residents have shown their gratitude to the firefighters and emergency crews who worked tirelessly to contain the Bridge fire. Homemade signs thanking the first responders can be seen throughout the city, a testament to the community’s resilience in the face of disaster.

As Mountain High prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the resort is offering a special season pass promotion to commemorate the milestone. Customers who purchase a season pass will receive a special hat and pin, with a portion of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

The partnership with the Red Cross is just one way that Mountain High is giving back to the community that supported them during their time of need. The resort is looking forward to welcoming guests back to the slopes and continuing to be a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.