While we are focused on working through the approval process for the amendments to the 2011 approved Master Plan, we are deeply concerned by the continued circulation of misinformation. Homewood Mountain Resort has created an FAQ, outlined below, to answer questions from the community and correct misinformation.
Will I be able to ski at Homewood in the future?
Yes. When Homewood Mountain Resort (HMR) can reopen, we will provide a great skier experience available for locals and visitors alike as stated in the 2011 approved Homewood Mountain Resort Master Plan. There are no proposed changes to public access from the approved Master Plan.
Has HMR put its proposed public access commitment in writing?
Yes, below is the HMR public access commitment provided to TRPA and which HMR shared in the September 25th TRPA Regional Planning Commission (RPC) public hearing presentation.
Homewood Mountain Resort’s (HMR) snow skiing products and packages (e.g., season passes and day tickets) will be available for purchase by anyone on a first-come, first- served basis.
Anyone with a valid ski pass or ticket for any given day can access the mountain to ski during operating hours.
During the ski season, all skiing recreational areas on the mountain, including lifts, will be accessible by anyone with a valid ski pass or ticket during operating hours.
Access to the restrooms, lockers, recreation, retail ski rental shops and select food and beverage outlets, hiking trails, and parking facilities for the general public will be available to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis during operating hours, some of which (not including hiking trail access) may require a fee. Parking reservations may be required in peak periods.
Has HMR agreed to enforceable specifics as requested by community members?
Yes, HMR agreed to the below draft enforcement language provided by TRPA. This language was included in HMR’s written community access commitment provided to TRPA and which HMR shared in the September 25th TRPA RPC public hearing presentation.
“Monitoring/Enforcement: HMR shall submit an annual report to TRPA staff demonstrating compliance with these requirements. Violation of these permit conditions may result in monetary penalties or other enforcement actions as determined by the TRPA Governing Board. ”
Why did Homewood close the mountain this year?
At the September 25th RPC Meeting, KHP leadership repeatedly made requests that TRPA require a “hard reset” of the approved Master Plan. This new request to disregard over a decade of work from the community, developers and other local stakeholders is not in good faith and has resulted in significant and unnecessary delays in the timeline for the review of the minor Master Plan amendments and gondola/site plan application process. With no clear path forward for the project approval, HMR’s financial partner withdrew support for the 24-25 season. We did not want to have to close the mountain as evidenced by our operating the mountain for our community at a loss for most of the last two decades. We share the community’s desire to deliver the 2011 approved Master Plan so we can move forward in revitalizing the resort for everyone to enjoy.
With the Mountain closed, what is happening to the current HMR staff?
We have fantastic staff, and we want to keep them at Homewood. We are retaining our current HMR staff through the ski season at a minimum. Once we get our approvals, we will be able to keep them and start installing the new gondola and hiring for next season.
Will you continue with the Forest Fuels reduction program at Homewood even though operations are closed for the season?
Yes, we are pleased to report that over forty-three acres of forest health management has already been completed this Fall prior to season close. As many in the community know, Homewood has made significant investments in fuels reduction and reforestation efforts on the mountain over the last 20 years under current ownership. Homewood Mountain Resort covers almost 1,260 acres in total, and the HMR-funded fuels reduction project represents approximately 252 acres and reduces wildfire spread risk to further protect the West Shore community. Additional forest fuels management work on the remaining acreage will continue seasonally.
What is the status of the improvements for the Homewood Fire Station?
Homewood’s Fire Station 53 will be expanded and updated with the Homewood Master Plan’s implementation. If the project is approved, additional staffing and new fire equipment will also be funded by HMR, and which will be accommodated by the upgraded fire station. HMR is working with NTFPD to finalize an agreement.
Do all the partners involved with Homewood Mountain Resort support continued public access to the mountain?
Yes – we all support continued public access at Homewood Mountain Resort.
Is Homewood located on public or privately-owned land?
Homewood Mountain Resort is a privately-owned mountain and visitors predominantly ski/ride on privately-owned land with the exception of the Quail Face, directly above Quail Lake. Access to Quail Face is granted through a US Forest Service special use permit.
Additionally, the resort operates a backcountry outfitter permit granted by the US Forest Service on land adjacent and above the privately-owned ski area, allowing access to Ellis Peak. There are no changes planned or proposed for this use and designation.
If the approvals were given in 2011 how come there has been no development to date?
There has been significant environmental improvement work completed at HMR since the 2011 approvals along with some residential development. HMR was sued by vocal groups following the 2011 Master Plan approvals which required years of discussions and settlements. Since the settlements design, engineering, and entitlement work has been ongoing and diligent pursuits made to execute on the approved Master Plan.
Does the Master Plan Revision conform with the TRPA’s CEP program eligibility requirements?
Yes, HMR is in full conformance to the CEP program. In fact, HMR has already delivered on a few of the environmental improvement projects (EIP) required by the CEP including significant and measurable sediment reductions into Lake Tahoe, stream environment zone protections, forest fuels reduction and improved forest health (all of which help preserve the Tahoe Basin’s environmental health). To date, HMR has already surpassed all its land coverage restoration goals with the Master Plan approvals without receiving the necessary residential building permits that help and will continue to help fund all the community and environmental benefits of the Master Plan. The Master Plan Minor Revision currently with TRPA for review and approval exceeds CEP program eligibility expectations with the advancement in green engineering code requirements, significant improvements in opening view corridors and improved gondola access for skiers and visitors and additional workforce housing.
The 2011 Ski Area Master Plan is already approved – why are you changing it, and what are you changing?
The 2011 Ski Area Master Plan was completed at a conceptual level more than 10 years ago. We need to meet current code and safety requirements, support practical operational requirements, and show minor revisions to the Gondola’s path. We are also reducing building massing and refining the architecture. What is NOT changing is any access to recreation for the general public. Everything contained in the Master Plan Minor Revision is an aesthetic, operational, or skier experience improvement over what was contemplated in concept back in 2011.
In response to the mountain closure, local agencies said they were waiting for additional details in the Master Plan to be provided. What is the status of these items?
Our submittal from May 2024 was complete and we are currently reacting to additional requests made at the September 25, 2024 meeting. These include finalizing plans regarding fire response and public access. Our team is actively providing these answers as additional questions are received.
When will HMR make season passes available for 2025-2026 season?
If the Master Plan Revision is approved, we are hopeful to open for the 25-26 ski season and hope to commence season pass sales next Spring or Summer 2025.