Amidst speculation that it might close for good, Homewood Mountain ski resort in Lake Tahoe cleared up any conjecture by announcing this week it would be open for the 2025-26 season.
Clouded in controversy regarding expansion plans for more than a decade, last October Homewood made the decision to shut down for the 2024-25 season to the dismay of many local residents who consider it their neighborhood ski resort.
Located off Highway 89, six miles south of Tahoe City. Homewood is known for its tremendous Lake Tahoe views that are visible throughout the mountain. The lake is literally across the street from the ski resort.
After taking a season off due to ongoing discussions with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Homewood recently made the decision to return next season. The announcement comes as an assurance after it failed to open this year due to financial troubles and stalled development timelines.
Rumors of Homewood going private have been circulating for years and some speculated the process would begin in the 2024-25 season. Some locals were concerned because Homewood stated its intention in the past to become private and only be available to the uber-rich.
A new plan had quietly emerged that owners JMA Ventures appeared ready to convert Homewood into a private, members-only resort. The news created anger from Homewood locals, who opposed the change to a private resort.
The Homewood private resort plans appeared to be shelved and progress seemed to be moving forward until the bombshell-like announcement in early October 2024 of not operating this season.
“Without a clear path forward, our financial partner has withdrawn their support for this ski season,” a Homewood website statement said. “As a result, we are now in the regrettable position of being unable to operate or sell season passes for the 2024-25 season. We understand the deep disappointment this announcement will cause. It goes without saying that this decision was not made lightly.”
NO GONDOLA NEXT SEASON: Homewood will open, however, there will be no new gondola for the 2025-26 season. While plans are still in place to build a gondola, skiers and snowboarders looking forward to it will have to wait.
The new gondola is being built to replace the Madden chair. Due to the current application going through the approval process, Homewood won’t be able to get the gondola constructed this summer. According to Homewood’s website, the building of the new gondola is included as part of the Master Plan Project.
Parts of the revised master plan include the replacement of the Ellis Chair, along with the building of a mid-mountain lodge, a new hotel, and real estate developments.
Preparations will be made this summer to begin construction in summer of 2026. At this time, Homewood officials don’t expect any disruption to the ski experience for the next season.
SEASON PASS INFORMATION: Homewood has not announced details of its season pass for next season, but will reveal it soon. This is notable because last year the resort never announced season passes for the 2024-25 season, which eventually led them to announce it wouldn’t operate.
Season passes are expected to go on sale April 14. Homewood will reportedly offer multiple tiers of season passes for different price points, including a True Local pass for full-time residents on the West Shore. Prices have not yet been announced.
