Tahoe Ski Resort Abandons Controversial Plan to Go Private

Developers have abandoned their plans to transform Homewood Ski Resort on Lake Tahoe’s west shore into a private, members-only ski club. This decision was revealed during a community meeting where resort staff announced they would maintain daily lift ticket sales and sell lifetime memberships as part of the private club model.

Homewood Mountain Resort sits on the west end of Lake Tahoe, with its beautiful slopes opening up to some of the best views of the lake. It’s a favorite of west shore locals, but its location on Highway 89 can make it an arduous journey driving in from either Highway 80 to the north or U.S. 50 to the south.

In 2022, the resort was developing a plan to move to a semi-private business model, allowing only season pass holders to ride the mountain, eliminating all single day tickets. After local backlash, they have rolled back that plan.

The reversal came in response to local resistance, feedback from Placer County, and the pushback from organizations like Keep Homewood Public, which challenged the proposed private resort model. Critics argued that it deviated from the approved 2011 Homewood Master Plan, which allowed for public access.

Ed Divita, a partner at Discovery Land Co., co-developer of the resort, mentioned that upon learning about the opposition they decided to engage with local residents, businesses, and organizations. They realized that the public-private model could be as lucrative as a members-only resort. This decision was also influenced by feedback from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, which stated that going private would require an amendment to the 2011 Master Plan.

Despite the change in plans, the resort aims to bring significant improvements to Homewood. These include the installation of a high-speed gondola, expansion of the base area with dining outlets and event spaces, and the addition of a winter ice skating rink.

While Keep Homewood Public views this as a victory, they remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of enforceable specifics on public access, architecture, and community enhancements.

Homewood Ski Resort is now focused on balancing improvements with preserving the resort’s personality and heritage, ensuring it remains a key gathering center for the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.