It’s amazing what two days can do to your mindset. On Sunday I was still thinking about all the great fall mountain bike rides I wanted to get in this year; and today I’m insanely jealous of Jennifer and Tat, who I found skinning through Homewood’s parking lot, taking advantage of the 20 inches of fresh snow the resort now has at the base for a little ski tour.

And while it’s been a quick mental transition to winter mode, I am stoked to see how excited all of the Homewood family is about the early-season snow that the Lake Tahoe region has received this October. We’d love to see how you’re getting ready for the upcoming season of riding and skiing, so share your photos, thoughts and videos on our Facebook page if you’re feeling inclined.

Lake Tahoe, California – San Francisco and Truckee, California based JMA Ventures, LLC announced today the acquisition of Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Cafe, a full service lakefront property located in Homewood, California, adjacent to Homewood Mountain Resort.

JMA’s acquisition of West Shore Cafe represents a new beginning for the inn and restaurant, which closed its doors during the summer of 2009.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to offer the West Shore Cafe,” said Art Chapman, Chairman of JMA Ventures, LLC. “The re-opening fits JMA’s commitment to restore the vitality of the west shore. We intend to bring back good food at an affordable price to those looking for a lake view dining experience; and to have some fun at the same time,” he said. “The Cafe will create new employment opportunities in both the winter and summer; and will encourage destination visits to Lake Tahoe’s west shore,” he added.

The West Shore Cafe is the fourth property acquired by JMA Ventures within California’s North Lake Tahoe destination. Other current holdings include Homewood Mountain Resort; Alpine Meadows Ski Resort; and the Hotel Avery – a full service four star hotel slated for construction, which received approval from Truckee, California’s Planning Commission during November, 2008. Within San Francisco, JMA holdings include Ghirardelli Square; Fairmont Heritage Place; 706 Mission Street; and Epic Roast House and Waterbar restaurants along San Francisco’s famed Embarcadero.

JMA has plans to announce the re-opening date for dining and lodging later this summer. For additional information about West Shore Cafe, visit WestShoreCafe.com.

West Shore Cafe viewed from Lake Tahoe

It seems like yesterday we were skiing/riding deep powder fields; hitting the long perfectly groomed runs; and memorized by Lake Tahoe water at the tips of our skis. Yes, another snow season has come and gone.  Just as our quadriceps muscles have committed to memory the feeling of gliding down the hill, all good things come to an end…at least until next season! From all of us at Homewood Mountain Resort, we wish you a safe summer season and look forward to having you on our slopes again in the 2010/2011 winter season. As always, stay tuned to our website for the latest news for season passes, lift tickets, and events.

Homewood Mountain Resort held its annual Pro Patrol Tuesday, March 9. This event is truly legendary – a Tahoe tradition. HMR Patrol Race serves as a beacon for California patrol teams from all Tahoe mountains; as well as the southern Sierra and northern Nevada mountains.

The Homewood Patrol Race, though, is a ski/snowboard race in a way that Bay-To-Breakers is a running race; or Mardi Gras is homage to the approach of Ash Wednesday. As there are skilled players in every football game, there are racers at this race; but as there are tailgaters at a football game, there are the rest of the folks at the Homewood Patrol Race.

Before we digress too much, a big congratulations goes to Team Kirkwood, who left with the Patrol Race trophy for 2010. Strong work.

Now back to digressing. If you missed the 2010 Homewood Patrol Race, below is a quick recall. If you see yourself in it, fantastic. If not, be sure to mark the date next year and join us for an evening of fun, racing [kind of], taco eating, and a chance to be posted on the internet while dancing by yourself in the middle of a driving snow storm.

Homewood Patrol Race 2010

Also, this man simply deserves his very own video:

I can’t even begin to tell you how amazingly DEEP the powder was today!  My first run off Quail, the snow floated so high up to my waist, I began to giggle.  Yes, I know I’m on tele’s but I had not even begun to dip a knee yet!  That’s how you know this is going to be the most talked about day ever!!  And the best part…the National Weather Service is calling for more!

So, if you wanted actual proof as to how deep it really was, try and find the snowboard!

And as always here at Homewood, we put a smile on your face.

If you are like me, you probably never call in sick.  However, if those weather men and women are right, you may feel a cough coming on.

What ever you are doing to make it snow, keep it up!

~Bob