Sky Tavern Announces Lease Extension to 99 Years with City of Reno, Names Thomas J. Powell Board Chairman

RENO, Nev., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sky Tavern, the nation's oldest nonprofit ski and snowboard training facility, has secured a lease amendment with the City of Reno extending its existing lease to a total term of 99 years, through October 31, 2118, and appointed Thomas J. Powell as Chairman of its Board of Directors. The extension provides the long-term stability needed to build toward the community organization's goals as it prepares to celebrate its centennial in 2038.

Sky Tavern's skiing history dates to 1938, with the Reno Junior Ski Program establishing its tradition of youth instruction in 1948. Since then, more than 100,000 children have learned to ski and snowboard on its slopes. Among those who have emerged from this tradition are World Cup champions and Olympians such as Tamara McKinney, Lane Spina, and three-time Olympic medalist David Wise. The community mountain is supported by generations of volunteer instructors, parents, donors, and community members.

"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," said Powell, who first learned to ski at Sky Tavern in the early 1970s. "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."

"Sky Tavern represents what makes Reno special: a community that comes together to create opportunities for its children and families. This extension of Sky Tavern's lease to 99 years marks a historic milestone in preserving land for outdoor recreation, ensuring that Our Community Mountain remains accessible to all across Northern Nevada for generations to come. It is an investment in our community's future and a commitment to providing a place where people of all ages can learn, explore, and connect with the outdoors," said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.

The lease extension will allow Sky Tavern to plan significant expansion and ambitious fundraising to support its offerings of traditional winter recreation, mountain biking, and year-round educational programs. The organization is heavily focused on accessibility for families of all financial circumstances, with a long-term goal of providing children under 12 access to mountain recreation at no cost through community sponsorships.

Powell brings decades of experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and nonprofit governance. A fully certified alpine ski instructor, Sky Tavern resort trainer, and Ambassador for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation, he has remained closely connected to skiing and youth development throughout his life. As Chairman of The Brehon Group, through his work with The Founders Office, Powell helps founders find their path through growth and exit, much like he teaches his students resilience and determination on the slopes.

About Sky Tavern

With skiing roots dating to 1938, Sky Tavern is home to the nation's oldest nonprofit ski and snowboard training program. Located on Mount Rose Highway near Reno, Nevada, the volunteer-driven organization has introduced more than 100,000 children to winter sports. Today, Sky Tavern offers year-round outdoor recreation, education, and community programming.

Learn more at skytavern.org.

Media Contact

Lucy O'Brien
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212-683-8100

SOURCE Sky Tavern