Sky Tavern Secures 99-Year Lease Extension in Reno
The nonprofit facility will remain open for youth training programs through October 2118.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Skiing
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Families and local youth who frequent the nonprofit training facility will have access to the mountain for the next century. Sky Tavern recently secured a 99-year lease extension with the City of Reno, ensuring the long-term future of the historic ski and snowboard site.
Why it matters
This agreement locks in space for outdoor recreation in the valley for generations to come. It provides the stability the organization needs to grow its programs and pursue its goal of offering free mountain access to all children under 12.
The new agreement secures the facility land through October 31, 2118, extending a legacy that has served more than 100,000 children since the Reno Junior Ski Program began in 1948. Specific fundraising targets for the upcoming expansion phase remain undetermined.
The players
Sky Tavern
A nonprofit ski and snowboard training facility serving the Reno area.
Thomas J. Powell
The newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sky Tavern.
City of Reno
The municipal government that holds the land lease and manages city operations.
The details
The City of Reno and the nonprofit organization finalized the amendment to preserve the land for ongoing winter and potential year-round use. Supported by volunteer instructors and local donors, the facility intends to use this tenure to cement its role in regional youth sports. Leadership changes accompanied the news, with Thomas J. Powell stepping in as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors to guide these future goals.
Timeline
1938 marks the beginning of the facility's history.
1948 was the year the Reno Junior Ski Program was established.
October 22, 2026, was the date the extension and leadership change were announced.
2038 is the planned year for the facility's centennial celebration.
October 31, 2118, is the new expiration date for the facility lease.
The Truckee Meadows View
The agreement builds directly on the 1948 establishment of the Reno Junior Ski Program, which transformed the mountain into a cornerstone of local youth recreation. By locking in tenure until 2118, the city ensures this historic training ground remains a fixture of the Sierra winters.
Local families can count on consistent programming at the facility as the organization moves toward its centennial in 2038. Parents should keep an eye on the group's upcoming fundraising campaigns as they look to expand access for children under 12.
The takeaway
This long-term lease provides the rare certainty needed for non-profit infrastructure in the Truckee Meadows. Follow the organization's progress leading up to the 2038 centennial to see how these new goals for children under 12 take shape.
Further reading
Find more updates on local winter sports and mountain recreation in Skiing.
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