Sky Tavern, the historic Reno nonprofit that has taught generations of children to ski and snowboard, is set to sign a lease extension with the City of Reno at 2 p.m. this Thursday. The agreement extends the organization’s lease to a total of 99 years, providing the long‑term security needed to plan major projects, pursue fundraising, and expand year‑round educational programs, according to 2news.com.
The City approved the extension in October, and the signing ceremony will take place on the mountain itself at Sky Tavern. The lease’s length gives the nonprofit the runway to pursue significant expansion, including plans to make mountain recreation free for children younger than 12 through community sponsorships.
Sky Tavern’s roots run deep in Reno’s outdoor culture. The ski area opened in 1938, and its Reno Junior Ski Program began teaching children in 1948. Since then, more than 100,000 children have learned to ski and snowboard on the mountain, producing athletes such as World Cup champions Tamara McKinney, Lane Spina and three‑time Olympic medalist David Wise.
Board Chairman Thomas J. Powell, who first skied at Sky Tavern in the early 1970s, highlighted the generational impact of the mountain. “From pioneers like Wayne Poulsen and Marce Herz to leaders like Bill Henderson and Yale Spina, this mountain exists because generations of people believed every child deserved an opportunity to experience the outdoors,” Powell said. “We have 12 years before our centennial to build on that legacy and prepare Our Community Mountain for generations to come. This next chapter would not have been possible without the leadership and commitment of Mayor Hillary Schieve and the City of Reno.”
Mayor Hillary Schieve described the extension as an investment in the community’s future, noting it will help preserve outdoor recreation opportunities for Northern Nevada families. With the centennial slated for 2038, the lease gives Sky Tavern a longer runway to raise funds, expand facilities, and continue offering traditional winter recreation, mountain biking, and other year‑round programs.
Accessibility remains a core focus. The nonprofit aims to keep mountain recreation affordable, especially for families facing financial challenges, by seeking community sponsorships and other support mechanisms.
What’s next: The lease extension signing at 2 p.m. Thursday will be open to the public, and Sky Tavern plans to roll out its expanded programming schedule later this year as it moves toward its 2038 centennial celebration.
