Homewood Mountain Resort in California & Escape2ski provides info on; vertical drop 1650ft/503m, total trails 67, closest airport 57mi/92km, lifts 8, & more.

Homewood Mountain Resort as it is known today is located adjacent to US Highway 89, on the west side of Lake Tahoe. The origins of skiing at Homewood date back to 1961, when owner Ron Rupp and other investors installed a rope tow to service several trails on the hill. In 1962, Helen Alrich who’s family had interests in the paper company, Blake, Moffitt and Towne, purchased the Homewood Ski Hill and Hotel.

In 1962, on the neighboring property, another ski area known as Tahoe Ski Bowl was founded by Ernest Kettenhoffen. Both ski areas continued to operate, add new trails, and provide a great family experience for the next 25 years until 1987 when Helen Alrich purchased the assets of Tahoe Ski Bowl and merged the two ski areas.

The merger produced Homewood Mountain Resort with two base areas, North Lodge and South Base, along with Quail Face and skiing on the lower portion of Ellis Peak. The ski resort is the closest resort in the Lake Tahoe region to the actual lake and on a clear day provides incredible views of the lake and beyond.

Homewood Mountain Resort has grown over the years and in addition to the 67 runs it also features 750 acres of guided snowcat skiing and snowboarding on the upper portion of Ellis Peak in the Tahoe National Forest where you will discover tree runs, glades, and powder bowls.

In 2006, Homewood Mountain Resort was sold to Art Chapman of JMA Ventures. To this day, the ski resort continues to pride itself on offering a family-friendly environment for all who visit and has earned this reputation not only from its loyal customers but beyond the reaches of the Lake Tahoe area.

On the Slopes

• Homewood Mountain Resort is home to the Quail Face area that offers advanced and expert terrain on runs Main Cirque, Walley’s Folley, and “55” Chutes. The North Lodge area features The Face, an advanced trail located on the front of the mountain as you descend to the base area.
• Homewood Mountain Resort features Smart Slopes, dedicated beginner areas with lifts found at North Lodge and South Base areas of the mountain. There is even snowmaking in the area capable of covering 126 acres of terrain.
• Homewood Mountain Resort has four terrain parks that are lined with rails, boxes, other jibs, and jump lines. Each terrain park provides both a challenge and the opportunity to improve and perfect your skills. Newcomers to terrain parks, don’t be shy; you’ll enjoy the Happy Park located in the beginner area of North Lodge.
• The Homewood Mountain Resort Ski and Snowboard School employs talented, qualified instructors who provide lessons and programs that range from adult learn to ski or ride, to private or group lessons, and even private lessons for family and friends.
• When you need a break from the slopes, there is on mountain dining at 89 Bar and Grill, Big Blue View Bar, and the Madden Café, as well as, the HMR retail shop located in the North Lodge.

Off the Slopes

• The West Shore Café and Inn, situated just across Highway 89 from the ski area, provides the closest lodging to the mountain. This quaint and cozy establishment located on the shore of Lake Tahoe features six (6) rooms, four (4) suites, and two (2) villas (the Lakefront and Mountain View).
• The West Shore Café also features a full lunch, dinner, and lounge menu and is a great place to relax after a long day. The café also has a kid’s menu.
• There are a number of nearby lodging, dining and shopping options located near Homewood Mountain Resort starting north of the resort in Truckee, which is located 21mi/34km away. There is also Tahoe City, which is 7mi/17km and 24mi/39km to the south in South Lake Tahoe, where all the action takes place. Plus, South Lake Tahoe, home to great dining and many casinos to keep the entertainment going well into the night.
• If you are travelling from South Lake Tahoe and using Highway 89 North to reach the Homewood Mountain Resort or any other places in the north, it is advised to check the road report before you head out by calling 1-800-427-road as the highway is sometimes closed due to weather.
• The Dial-A-Ride is a “free” service, which operates 7 days a week and will drop you at your door on the west shore. Call 530-525-2922 for more info. Lastly, there is the Tahoe Area Regional Transit service available for a small fee, call 530-581-6365 for any info. Note, as of the writing of this article, Sept 25, 2018; no shuttle service exists to South Lake Tahoe.