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The new Homewood Snowcat Adventures will offer guided snowcat skiing and snowboarding – plus unsurpassed views of Lake Tahoe

HOMEWOOD, Calif. (October 2014) – A new species of cat has recently been identified on the slopes of Lake Tahoe’s 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.

Pending approval from the U.S. Forest Service, Homewood Snowcat Adventures will debut this winter on backcountry terrain on the flanks of Ellis Peak, above the resort’s traditional ski area boundary. Once transported to the summit, 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 this upcoming winter.”

All-day packages with Homewood Snowcat Adventures will feature small group sizes (10 skiers/riders 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.  Guests will enjoy laps 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.

The new terrain accessed via the snowcat is in a portion of the Tahoe National Forest that has already been open to motorized vehicular use, and has long been used for both summer and winter recreation.

“Getting out into the backcountry has always been a rite of passage for powder-seeking Tahoe skiers and snowboarders,” Mitchell said. “We hope that 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.”

Homewood’s proposed snowcat operation will take place on both public and private lands.  Part of the terrain falls within Homewood’s current property, and a portion falls on U.S. Forest Service-managed land above the resort boundaries.  Currently, the U.S. Forest service has accepted Homewood’s proposal for snowcat operations on the public lands in question, and the resort anticipates receiving a permit to operate on that property in time for the 2014-15 ski season.

Pricing and more information

In anticipation of approved permitting, reservations are currently being accepted for guided snowcat skiing/snowboarding packages on select days throughout the 2014-15 ski 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 will enjoy $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 [email protected] 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.