Homewood Ski Area, California

Homewood has always been homey, like its name, since 1962. But the views are life-fulfilling, called “the gem of Lake Tahoe”. Unfortunately, Homewood will not operate for 2024-25 ski season. Homewood, privately-held, has been “operating at a deficit” while it awaits the approval of changes to its Master Plan. Homewood’s big plans including a shareholder format like that of Mad River Glen in Vermont and a more comprehensive resort village and four season community. Opposition groups fear Homewood would become an exclusive price-restrictive private ski resort like Yellowstone Club or Vermont’s Hermitage Club – but management assures that locals will not be denied access to “their mountain” and that the Lake Tahoe ski area will “always be public.”

Homewood Mountain Resort was a deal compared to other Lake Tahoe ski areas, full of locals, you felt right at home. The slopes are gentle, the lake views – sublime. Homewood earns a top spot among our Retro Western Ski Areas for families. Stay tuned as the recent proposal includes a new eight-person gondola, which would start near the North Lodge, to mid-mountain, replacing the Madden Chair. Next to the gondola’s top station would be a learning area with a magic carpet. The Ellis Chair would be replaced by a high-speed quad chairlift. A new snowmaking system would be an upgrade as well.

Homewood reports a 40% decline in skier visits and a 60% drop in passholders since other Tahoe ski areas joined the popular EPIC Pass– Northstar, Kirkwood and Heavenly, and IKON Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley). Little Homewood can’t compete but recognizes a niche opportunity for a limited-access private ski area model like Yellowstone and Hermitage.

Homewood is super friendly, and the views of Lake Tahoe are superb as you ski down toward the blue water. Part of the big plans for Homewood are a mountainside hotel, on-mountain lodge, new lifts and trails, stay tuned. Homewood also offers 750 acres of backcountry guided snowcat terrain.

Homewood is a great Lake Tahoe ski area to visit on big holidays (when Palisades Tahoe, Northstar and Heavenly are busy) and on windy weather days, as they don’t get the crowds and their lifts are low profile. If you are staying at South Lake Tahoe near Heavenly, you can take a Lake shuttle to reach Homewood and end the day with an après ski cruise across the beautiful Lake back.

Homewood Stats:
7 lifts, 66 runs
1,650 vertical
1,260 acres plus 750 acres of backcountry guided snowcat terrain
Summit 8,740′, vertical 1,840′