Downhill Lodge Replacement
CURRENT STATUS
Updated March 21, 2023
After years of analysis and feedback, the board voted on April 23, 2022 to proceed with a lodge of approximately 24,490 square feet with a total cost of $23,419,661. Staff have submitted applications and reviews to the Town of Truckee and provided the environmental studies requested by the Town of Truckee to date and are currently waiting on an environmental review from the Town’s consultant. Once the environmental determination by the Town is complete, a project timeline should become clearer. Check the timeline and key documents page for the latest updates.
In the meantime, Tahoe Donner staff continue working with project consultants to focus on value engineering – looking at ways to reduce costs that don’t impact the member experience or operations – while the project is currently out to bid.
To find the latest downhill ski lodge update in the February GM Update, click here.
BENEFITS OF THE NEW LODGE
Easy, direct access to lifts from deck
Enhanced restaurant + bar area to meet membership needs and reduce crowding
Additional bathrooms
Dedicated space for ski school in the lodge
ADA-compliant, skier-friendly stairs
BACKGROUND
DOWNHILL SKI LODGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT TIMELINE →
2017 Member subcommittee formed to investigate ski lodge renovation
2018 Ecosign Ski Industry consultant master plan recommends a 28,000-square-foot building
2019 Board of directors votes to “rebuild” after studying how “renovation” is unfeasible
2019 Ward-Young Architecture analyzes operation and recommends a 30,779 square-foot building
2020 PROS Consulting conducts member focus groups and member survey
2021 PROS Consulting develops a business plan and pro forma based on member engagement findings
2021 Bull Stockwell Allen (BSA) selected as design team; hosted tours of the current ski lodge
2022 Project questionnaire sent to membership with 3,053 of 6,439 households responding
March 2022 Staff present six building options to board of directors and membership
April 2022 Staff present three building options to board of directors and membership; board selects Option D at 24,490 square feet
August 2022 Town of Truckee deems permitting application compete and begins conducting environmental review
The ski lodge was originally built as real estate sales office in 1971. Shifting from real estate transactions to ticket, rental, food and beverage transactions, this once-great building is now creating a consistently poor experience for members and guests on most weekends and holidays. In December 2019, after years of researching information, asking questions, working with experts and looking at current needs without growing operations, the board of directors voted to replace the dilapidated facility due to design challenges and extensive California and ADA building requirements. Tahoe Donner is excited to soon provide a new building that will provide:
- Easy lift access from the sun deck
- Reduced crowding and enhanced space in the restaurant and bar areas
- Improved bathroom areas
- A dedicated and safe indoor ski school space
- Streamlined ticket and rental areas
- Inclusive infrastructure so that skiers of all abilities can utilize the lodge and ski area
THANK YOU TO MEMBERS
Thank you to all members who have participated in this project over the last five years in the many opportunities for member feedback and input.
- Regular board meetings
- Special board meetings
- Dedicated monthly member meetups
- Open house tours
- Membership meeting
- Focus groups
- Surveys
- Questionnaire
- Online feedback form