Homewood is hometown. It’s that smaller mountain that has all the stuff you want and feels comfortable all the time. One of the best features of Homewood is the view. Board down any of the 59 runs and look east for the gem blue Lake Tahoe set inside the white rim of the Sierras. Since Homewood is truly lakeside skiing you get the view from all over the mountain. With just over 1200 acres Homewood is on the smaller side. But, they do have some impressive snow.
Homewood’s main 7880’ peak is on the slopes of the West shore providing an impressive 450 inches average of snowfall annually. Here’s a little secret Lakeside meteorology. Tahoe sits just a little to the East of the peak of the Sierras. As the winter, snow filled clouds move East they rise, cool and dump the largest snowfall on the Western slopes, right on Homewood’s 1650’ of vertical. The locals know this and Ski magazine has ranked Homewood 12th overall.
Homewood’s stats are well balanced, 15% beginner and 50% intermediate makes for an acceptable family resort. They have a fine beginner program. Homewood also recognizes the need to provide some steep and deep and tree-y for those more experienced riders. Check out the trees anywhere in Hobbit Land or the Quail Face chutes for a little leg testing fun. I know, the names aren’t adrenaline inducing but the runs are better than the names, trust me. They have even tucked in three terrain parks.
Giving them credit of a less snow tech and more high tech nature, please check out their website. It has to be one of the best designed ski area sites ever. They have 360 degree webcams, video clips, food locations, parking and route tips. Excellent!
The food is average but plentiful and tasty. They serve the typical and filling made to order breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, chili and BBQ at four mountain locations. Two of those have full service bars for some après ski time.
But, here’s the real deal. Stay and ski packages start at $75/person at Tahoma Lodge. Try their private cabins, housekeeping and a full kitchen in all units to save a buck on meals for up to 8 people. Tahoe Lake Cottages add the fun of an outdoor hot tub to the Stay and Ski package for only a couple of dollars more. Going upscale today? Try Sunnyside Lodge. No stay and ski package here but one of their lakefront suites with a balcony and wet bar may just make skiing irrelevant. Sunnyside also presents the best West shore dining I’ve found. A glass of Pinot with a medium rare steak served in their lakeside dining room is perfect.
A small town atmosphere, top notch snow, wall to wall views of the lake, a rating of 12th overall from Ski magazine and a fine après ski dinner only a minute or two away puts Homewood on everyone’s to do list.
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