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Homewood Mountain Resort to offer guided snowcat skiing/snowboarding

Staff report
Homewood Mountain Resort on Tahoe's west shore will offer guided skiing and snowboarding to the top of Ellis Peak this winter.
Courtesy Sierra-at-Tahoe |

HOMEWOOD — A new species of cat has recently been identified on the slopes of Homewood Mountain Resort — this one a Bombardier snowcat complete with a 12-person carrier, designed to ferry powderhounds and adventurous skiers and snowboarders to the top of Ellis Peak this winter.

Homewood Snowcat Adventures will debut this winter on 750-plus acres of backcountry terrain on the flanks of Ellis Peak, pending U.S. Forest Service permits to operate on public lands above the resort’s traditional ski area boundary.

Once transported to the peak, groups of up to 10 skiers and riders will enjoy guided access to a wide variety of terrain options — from perfectly-spaced tree runs to steeps, powder bowls and intermediate-level glades — all leading guests back to the in-bounds terrain at the resort.



“Backcountry skiers and our resort staff have long known that the terrain behind the resort off Ellis Peak offers truly amazing skiing and riding,” said Kevin Mitchell, general manager of Homewood Mountain Resort. “We are very excited to be able to offer our customers guided snowcat access to this new mountain playground during the upcoming winter.”

All-day packages with Homewood Snowcat Adventures will feature small group sizes (10 skier/rider max) and a fully guided experience — with guides trained by the North American Ski Training Center — in the out-of-bounds terrain accessed by the snowcat.



Participants will enjoy laps of up to 1,828 vertical feet from the 8,740-foot summit of Ellis Peak — where panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness await — to the bottom of the Old Homewood Express chairlift.

“Getting out into the backcountry has always been a rite of passage for powder-seeking Tahoe skiers and snowboarders,” Mitchell said. “Our new guided snowcat operation will make that adventure more attainable for those who may not have the proper gear or training to explore the backcountry on their own.”

Getting in on the fun

Reservations are currently being accepted for guided snowcat skiing/snowboarding packages on select days throughout the 2014-15 season.

All-day packages with Homewood Snowcat Adventures will start at $399 per person per day for the snowcat and lift access. Homewood season pass holders receive $100 off the price of all-day snowcat tours for themselves and any friends they choose to share the adventure with, when all members of the party are booked together.

Groups or companies wishing to enjoy a day of private guided snowcat touring are encouraged to call or email Homewood’s Group Sales department at 530-584-6840 or sales@skihomewood.com for availability and group pricing options.

All participants must be advanced skiers or snowboarders during normal operations; however, private group tours for intermediate-level skiers/riders can be arranged with full buyout.

Homewood’s demo shop will also offer special snowcat package rates on its line of powder-specific demo skis to allow snowcat skiers to get the most out of the untracked terrain they will be exploring.

For more information or to book a snowcat adventure at Homewood this winter, please see SkiHomewood.com/Snowcat or call 530-525-2992.


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