Snowflake Lodge Replacement Project
3/5/26 Project Update:
SE Group will present the Needs Assessment at the March 25, 2026, Board of Trustees Meeting.
- Space Use Programming – Confirm the appropriate size and range of services to be provided at the new lodge. The existing building is outdated and undersized. A capacity analysis of current winter operations has identified a significant resort-wide seating deficit.
- Capital Expenditures Analysis – Identify the capital investment required to construct a new Snowflake Lodge facility and any related improvements.
- Financial Modeling – Evaluate the potential revenue generation and operational costs associated with the new lodge and assess its impact on the overall financial performance of the resort.
- Community and Stakeholder Collaboration – Engage key stakeholders and the broader community at critical project milestones to ensure alignment and incorporate feedback throughout the planning process.
Needs Assessment Scope Expansion:
Within the original scope of the Needs Assessment, SE Group was tasked with evaluating two operational alternatives:
- Winter “ski-focused” use only (minimal option)
- Winter use with limited summer operations (optimal option)
During the initial meetings with District stakeholders and SE Group, it was determined that an additional operational alternative should be evaluated to more fully understand potential opportunities for the facility.
- Full winter and summer use (maximum option)
This additional work also required updating the benchmark analysis, which was last completed in 2017–2018, to incorporate more current data and industry trends.
What is the Snowflake Lodge Replacement Project?
Snowflake Lodge at Diamond Peak Ski Resort is an iconic mid-mountain lodge offering panoramic Lake Tahoe views unrivaled in the Lake Tahoe area. Renovations to the main Diamond Peak Base Lodge were last made in 2008; however, the Snowflake Lodge has never been upgraded since originally constructed in 1966 (other than the addition of more outdoor seating on the deck).
As noted in the 2015 Diamond Peak Master Plan document: “The Snowflake Lodge is a much beloved destination for the Diamond Peak community. The site is tremendous, affording unprecedented views of Lake Tahoe, and has the added bonus of being close and accessible from the base. The existing building is small and is in need of modernization. In addition, the capacity analysis of the existing winter operations identified a resort-wide seating deficit, which was particularly pronounced at the Snowflake location.”
Where is the project at in the planning/design/construction process?
As of July 2025: IVGID has hired the SE Group to study and come back with recommendations on many aspects of the potential project including space use programming, capital expenditure analysis and financial modeling, as well as to conduct future community and stakeholder collaboration meetings/outreach. Click here for the SE Group’s statement of qualifications for the project (PDF).
What is the history of this project?
You can find more details on the Diamond Peak Master Plan page of the Diamond Peak website, including video tours and more.
