Changes at Homewood Ski Resort

Big changes are in store at Homewood Mountain ski resort in Lake Tahoe.  JMA Ventures, the San Francisco development company, best known for rebuilding Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, owns both Homewood and Alpine Meadows and plan some major changes at Homewood.  The plans include a small village at the north base, a mid mountain lodge with gondola, and even underground parking.  They are also planning private residences at the South Lodge.  The village at the North Base will have an ice rink and community swimming pool.

Construction is still a couple of years away, but the plans for the North Base have been solidified.  The small village will contain an ice cream shop, hardware store, market, 50 room hotel, spa and a 40 condo complex.  They are also considering making the resort “green” by using hydro powered lifts and increased public transit.

I guess this is good and bad.  For us die hard Homewwod skiers and boarders gone will be the days of $27 lift tickets.  I tried buying my mid-week pass the other day that used to cost me $175 and is now $299.  It sounds like it will be an amazing facility though.  I wonder how long it will take to connect both Alpine and Homewood.  You can buy a dual pass now for both resorts.

We’ll see how it goes.  The environmental review process is expected to be completed by around 2008.