SAM Magazine—Homewood, Calif. Jan. 27, 2025—The saga of Homewood Resort took another turn last week when the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) governing board approved Homewood's revised master plan.Photo credit: Homewood Mountain Resort The plan will allow for major improvements, including a new gondola, replacement lift, mid-mountain lodge, hotel, and other real estate developments. It's possible, and even likely, the resort will reopen for the 2025-26 season after closing for the current season.

The plan helps clarify Homewood's future. In June 2022, the resort declared its intention to become a private, members-only resort. Strong negative feedback from locals and TRPA nixed that plan, and Homewood committed to remaining open to the public. When Homewood's master plan revisions failed to gain approval last year, the area's financial partner withdrew its support, and the area did not open for the current season. The resort said that reopening was contingent on receiving approval of its revised plan.

Although Homewood must still get TRPA approval for the individual projects in the revised plan, it's likely those approvals will be forthcoming. For example, after the board approved the master plan amendments at last week's meeting, it gave the green light to the gondola permit. Construction is expected to start this spring, and the lift should be ready for 2025-26.

Following the TRPA decision, Homewood released the following statement on Instagram:

“We want to take this moment to share our gratitude for everyone in the community that has put effort and care into sharing their feedback and envisioning the future of Homewood for everyone to enjoy. We are excited as this is a new beginning in rebuilding the heart of the west shore for our future generations."