Our Visit to Homewood Mountain Resort

Yesterday, our family went exploring again. This time we scouted-out Homewood Mountain Resort. Homewood is a great mountain to learn and improve on with the majority of the terrain designated as beginner or intermediate. Equipment rentals are available and there are a number of lesson options for children and adults. Possibly one of the best features, especially for families, is that it is not difficult to get to the mountain.

In fact, you don't even need to drive yourself there. Homewood will pick you up! Brooke drives the Homewood "Dial-a-Ride" shuttle van. Simply call her, and she will pick you up where you're staying and take you back when you're ready to go home.

The shuttle vans appear new, clean and safe, including studded snow tires. Call Brooke, between 8a and 5p, for a ride: (530) 525.2922, she's looking forward to hearing from you.

We drove our own car, and had no trouble parking. It was lunchtime when we arrived, and families were enjoying grilled burgers, hot dogs and more on the North Patio. You'll find the grill open Saturdays and Sundays, during the Winter, from 11 a to 4p. The North Base also offers adult ski lessons, equipment rental, lift access, and lift ticket sales.

Our next stop was about a 1/2 mile down the road, at the Homewood's South Base Lodge. Before Homewood added this area to their resort, it was a separate ski resort called, Tahoe Ski Bowl. Homewood runs shuttle buses between the North Base and South Base lodges, and there is parking and lift access at both base lodges.

At South Base Lodge you can find Homewood's brand new Children’s Center. The "Snow Rangers" program teaches skiing to kids from 4 to 6 years old. There is a special area reserved just for the Snow Ranger lessons.

Homewood's "Mountain Rangers" program offers instruction, to kids from 7 to 12 years old, in skiing and boarding. Reservations, for both programs, can be made by calling: (530)525-1265 from 8:30am to 4pm. Kids' ski lessons at Homewood are also among the more affordable at the Lake, ranging from $70 for an afternoon lesson to $105 for a full day lesson.

Parents that don't want to ski, can watch Snow Ranger lessons or relax on the South Base Lodge patio, where you can enjoy oak fired half chickens and top sirloin steak with all the fixins.

Next year, Homewood is slated to begin construction on their 5-star boutique hotel with up to 75 rooms, approximately 40 two-bedroom, two-bath, individually-owned condo hotel suites, approximately 30 individually-owned penthouse units (top floor) and a lodge with a full service restaurant, spa and fitness facility.

In addition to underground parking, Homewood also plans 25,000 square feet of retail space designed to include: a grocery store, hardware store and an ice cream parlor.

At the current South Base Lodge, Homewood envisions a residential area complimentary to the existing neighborhood. This area is planned to included 99 multi-family condominium residences, up to three stories, replacing the current lodge and ski school site. Eleven single family lots are also contemplated,on the north end of Tahoe Ski Bowl, overlooking Lake Tahoe and the North Base Lodge.