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View From the Top: Wind whips the snow as skiers pause to take in the lake at a still-tranquil Homewood. Photo by Kim Covill |
Comments (3)Save Homewood Before It's Too Late
By Kim CovillPublished: March 11, 2010
Ask any loyal Homewood skier or rider why they choose Homewood, and you’re likely to get one of these answers: “It’s smaller and cozier than the other resorts.” “I like the family atmosphere and gentler terrain.” “You can’t beat the trees!” “It’s so laid back here!” “I like the landscape and the simplicity… if I wanted more lifts and luxuries, I would go to Northstar!”
Indeed, all of these things and more are what make up the spirit of Homewood. As a four-year Homewood/Alpine skier, I have found some of the new development plans to be misleading. What will this little locals’ mountain, with all of its rough edges and unique history, be turned into when all is said and done?
Of course, there are plenty of reasons not to go to Homewood. “I spent more time on the Ellis chair than I did skiing today!” “How are these ticket lines so long and why are they intertwined with the line for the bathroom?” “You mean I have to walk upstairs to get into the lodge?” “When are they going to get a chairlift up to the top of Ellis Peak and have a real mountain?” And on and on.
Undoubtedly, Homewood needs improvements in multiple areas. One of the biggest concerns is the infamous Ellis chairlift. Both the North and South Lodges struggle to accommodate big days of 2,000 to 3,000 skiers and riders. On top of these things is the issue of revenue, which has been a concern for the entire community in the last few years with the recessed economy. This winter, business has been looking up not only for Homewood but also for many other local businesses and restaurants.
JMA has big plans for Homewood. These include restructuring both the North and South base areas, building new lodges, an ice skating rink on the north side, up to 155 new residential condos, over 75 hotel rooms, and a 15,000 square foot, mid-mountain lodge with a swimming pool for summer visitors and Homewood residents. It is stated in the plans that: “The development of the [HMR] Master Plan has been guided by three principles crafted as a result of extensive input from the community: 1) Remain consistent with the scale and character of Homewood. 2) Enhance the lifestyle and property values of West Shore residents. 3) Elevate the environmental thresholds within the Lake Tahoe Basin.” While this sounds attractive, I cannot see any correlation with these values and the actual plans, especially when looking at pictures of the future Homewood. One word enters my mind: Northstar.
There are posters in both lodges at Homewood that say if you love the mountain and believe in keeping it alive, you should sign your name in support of JMA’s proposed plans. I cannot help but question the idea that the current plans for development are the “only way” to save this mountain. Does Homewood need to become a West Shore version of Northstar? Could improvements increase revenue without giving up Homewood’s unique character?
We all enjoy the laid-back spirit of Homewood, the crystalline lake views from Quail Face, the magical trees in Hobbitland, and the old-time character of the Ellis and Madden chairs. Do we want to look out and see condos, no matter how environmentally friendly they are? Does Homewood really need a swimming pool and an ice skating rink? How accessible will this mountain be to middle and lower income folks (aka, true Tahoe locals) after changes take place? Also, how does building multiple lodges, condos, and other facilities not have a large impact on the environment, despite green building efforts? Once Homewood is developed, we can never go back.
~ Kim Covill is a West Shore resident.
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