Homewood Jacks up 1-Day Prices to as High as $279, Becomes Most Expensive Lift Ticket in North America
A look down at Lake Tahoe from mid-mountain at Homewood.
In the wake of rumors that the resort will go private within the next few years, Homewood is skyrocketing its cost of access for the 2022-23 season. This small California resort—which is right on the edge of Lake Tahoe—already charged up to $200 for 1-day tickets last year, but prices for the 2022-23 season have now risen as high as $279 at the ticket window during peak times. Walk-up rates are now $229 on weekends and $159 on off-peak weekdays.
Discounts of as low as $99 during the core season are still available ahead of time, and select age groups, such as kids, seniors, and teens, still qualify for discounted rates. But the average ticket price across all dates and early-bird specials has increased by 40% for adults, 55% for teens and seniors, and a whopping 70% for children ages 5-12.
Our Take
In the wake of declining visitation, it seems that Homewood is trying to curb its revenue problem by jacking up its lift ticket prices. But they’ve increased the prices so much that their most expensive ticket rate is now higher than every other ski resort in North America. At $279, Homewood’s walk-up adult rate is even more expensive than Vail and Beaver Creek’s $275 rate, as well as the $269 rates at Steamboat and Palisades Tahoe. Homewood’s peak walk-up rates are also within the top five for child rates and top ten for senior rates.
Homewood’s lack of crowds during peak times is a huge plus, and the resort’s lakeside location gives it one of the most amazing vibes of any resort we’ve tried. However, these factors do little to make the $200+ cost of entry for a 400-acre footprint any less insane. Some other Tahoe resorts may charge nearly-as-absurd prices, but they’re much bigger, better mountains overall.
For the 2022-23 season, Homewood has the highest adult 1-day lift ticket price in North America (all prices in USD). The resort has the fifth highest child 1-day price, and the eighth highest senior 1-day price. Sourced from ski resort websites and resort representatives.
Homewood does offer significant discounts with in-advance purchases. However, the resort is one of the most fickle ski areas in the Tahoe region, with a low elevation and limited snowmaking resulting in variable conditions. In years’ past, complete resort shutdowns were not unheard of if conditions deteriorated past a certain point. Homewood’s lift tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable, so guests will be taking a bet by booking their tickets in advance of their vacation date.
Ultimately, we believe these pricing changes will effectively turn Homewood into a passholders’-only mountain on weekends and peak holidays, essentially achieving privatization during those times before it’s even official.
Considering a trip to Homewood this winter? Check out our comprehensive review of this Tahoe resort, as well as our full Lake Tahoe rankings.
