Hometown Hills: A Tahoe Tradition, Vital Stats

Phone (530) 525-2992

Information Homewood Mountain Resort, P.O. Box 165, Homewood, CA 96145; www.skihomewood.com.

Ticket Price Adult $38; Junior (13-19) $25; Youth (11-12) $11; Senior (60 and older) $9; Kids under 10 ski free with an adult.

Vertical Drop 1,650 feet

Snowfall 450 inches

When to Go Natural snowfall is most abundant in February and March. When blustery storms shut down other Tahoe areas, Homewood is usually up and running because it is sheltered by Ellis Peak.

Getting There From Tahoe City, turn south and proceed 6 miles on Highway 89. From South Lake Tahoe, drive north on 89 for 19 miles.

Lodging Sunnyside Lodge ($110-$175), with its popular bar and restaurant, offers mountain chic rooms and suites close to Tahoe City and just three miles from Homewood’s slopes; (800) 822-2754. In Homewood proper, The Rockwood Lodge ($100-$200) is a quiet and luxurious, five-room bed and breakfast, with the marina 100 yards from its front door and Homewood’s base area walking distance from its back door; (800) 538-2463; www.rockwoodlodge.com.

Eats If you’re based in Tahoe City, stop in at The Fire Sign Cafe for breakfast or lunch. Another local favorite for breakfast and lunch is the Stony Ridge Cafe in Tahoma, just 1 mile from Homewood’s slopes. Make like a regular and order the Turkey a la Stony. For dinner, Wolfdale’s in Tahoe City serves California Cuisine with an Asian influence.

Drinks Anything prepared by Ridge Pub Manager Bob Kupka, who has been a Homewood institution for 20 years. Another option is to head to Tahoe City to lounge at the lakeside bar at Sunnyside. For a caffeine fix, there is a no better place than the Old Tahoe Cafe for plain, old-fashioned coffee (right in Homewood) or a fancy espresso (if you must).

Locals’ Tip On a sunny day, grab a picnic table on-mountain at the Warming Hut deck, order up a burger, catch a horizon full of Lake Tahoe and smile¿because you’re at Homewood.