Exploring Truckee’s Luxury Neighborhoods For Mountain Living

February 19, 2026

Picture your mornings starting with alpenglow on the peaks, a fresh cup of coffee, and the mountain right outside your door. If you are weighing Truckee’s top luxury neighborhoods, you have great choices, each with a distinct rhythm and set of amenities. This guide gives you a clear, side‑by‑side look at Martis Camp, Lahontan, Schaffer’s Mill, and Tahoe Donner so you can match your lifestyle to the right fit. Let’s dive in.

Define your priorities

Before you fall in love with a view or a great room, get clear on what matters most to you day to day. Use this quick list to guide your search.

Ski access: direct lift access, a private slope lounge, or easy drives to Northstar and other resorts.
Golf: designer course, tee time access, and the level of club life you want.
Club culture and services: dining, spa, fitness, pools, and kids’ programming.
Trails and lake access: on‑property trail networks, boathouse or beach access.
Privacy and scale: gated estate living or a larger, all‑season HOA with broad amenities.
Membership costs: HOA vs club dues and initiation or transfer requirements.
Rental flexibility: short‑term rental rules and guest amenity access.
Town access: drive times to historic Truckee, I‑80, and the airport.

Martis Camp essentials

Location and feel

A private, gated estate community in Martis Valley, Martis Camp spans about 2,177 acres with low‑density homesites that average roughly 1.5 acres. The feel is polished, service‑oriented, and built for multi‑generational club life. Learn more on the community’s overview page for what Martis Camp includes.

Ski and trails

Martis Camp operates the private Martis Camp Express high‑speed chairlift that connects members to Northstar’s Lookout Mountain, along with a members’ Lookout Lodge. You also get about 26 miles of private trails and a seasonal Beach Shack on Tahoe’s north shore for members, all noted on the official amenities page.

Golf and club life

The Tom Fazio championship course anchors a robust club that includes the 50,000‑square‑foot Camp Lodge, the Family Barn, spa and fitness, pools, and racquet sports. Club membership is separate from the HOA, and initiation, transfer, and annual dues should be confirmed directly with the club as they change over time. Details are outlined on Martis Camp’s official site.

Homes and buyer fit

Expect custom mountain modern and classic lodge estates at Truckee’s top price tier. Martis Camp suits buyers who want privacy, on‑property luxury, and unmatched Northstar access within minutes of Truckee.

Lahontan essentials

Location and feel

Lahontan is a gated private golf community in Martis Valley with curated landscaping and a classic “Old Tahoe” and Arts & Crafts aesthetic. Architectural review helps maintain a cohesive look and a calm, private setting. Explore the community overview on Lahontan’s official site.

Ski and trails

You are a short drive to Northstar, historic Truckee, and regional trail systems. The club highlights trails, a small lake and boathouse, and convenient access to I‑80 and the Truckee‑Tahoe Airport. See features on the Lahontan site.

Golf and club life

The Tom Weiskopf‑designed championship course includes 18 holes plus a par‑3. Club facilities include a lodge and restaurant, spa and fitness, pools, pickleball and tennis, and the Camp Lahontan family center. Club membership is separate from the HOA, with initiation and annual dues that are significant. Review amenities on Lahontan’s official page.

Homes and buyer fit

Custom mountain homes on roughly half‑acre to one‑acre lots are common. Lahontan attracts buyers who want a traditional private‑club golf lifestyle with a timeless mountain‑lodge look.

Schaffer’s Mill essentials

Location and feel

A gated, four‑season neighborhood in Martis Valley, Schaffer’s Mill blends detached homes with shared‑wall mountain lodges. The social calendar and clubhouse scene are active and community‑minded. In 2025, Troon was selected to manage club operations, a notable shift for buyers to track. See the management update from Troon’s announcement.

Ski and trails

You are a quick drive to Northstar, and the club provides a members’ Basecamp lounge at the resort during winter, as described on the Schaffer’s Mill site. Trails and North Tahoe access are close by.

Golf and club life

The award‑winning course was designed by Johnny Miller and John Harbottle III. Club offerings include The Sawyer restaurant, pool, spa and fitness, and racquet courts. Some homes can participate in members’ accommodations programs. Learn more on Schaffer’s Mill’s official site.

Homes and buyer fit

You will see a mix of luxury townhome‑style lodges and detached homes. Schaffer’s Mill suits buyers seeking an engaging clubhouse culture, golf, and convenient Northstar access.

Tahoe Donner essentials

Location and feel

Tahoe Donner is one of the region’s largest association communities with thousands of homes and broad year‑round amenities. Its scale and choice of property types make it a practical option for many full‑time and second‑home owners. Get the big‑picture history and scope on Tahoe Donner’s 50‑year overview.

Ski and trails

You have an on‑site downhill ski area that is well suited to learning and a nationally recognized cross‑country center. The trail network spans more than 60 miles and there is a Beach Club Marina on Donner Lake. Amenity access rules have been actively updated, with changes phased through 2027. Review current policy on Tahoe Donner’s amenity access page.

Golf and club life

The 18‑hole championship course, driving range, multiple clubhouses, restaurants, pools, and fitness centers create a comprehensive lineup. Programs often distinguish members, resident tenants, and short‑term tenants, so check the latest rules.

Homes and buyer fit

From modest condos and classic cabins to custom homes, Tahoe Donner offers a wide price and style spectrum. Many buyers choose it for broad amenities, easier access to Truckee, and a simpler ownership structure compared to private clubs.

Quick compare highlights

Ski access
- Martis Camp: private chairlift into Northstar with members’ Lookout Lodge.
- Lahontan: short drive to Northstar and other North Shore resorts.
- Schaffer’s Mill: short drive to Northstar with a members’ Basecamp lounge.
- Tahoe Donner: on‑site downhill area and a major cross‑country center; resorts are a drive away.
Golf pedigree
- Martis Camp: Tom Fazio championship course.
- Lahontan: Tom Weiskopf championship course plus par‑3.
- Schaffer’s Mill: Johnny Miller and John Harbottle III design.
- Tahoe Donner: 18‑hole championship course with robust programming.
Club structure
- Martis Camp, Lahontan, Schaffer’s Mill: HOA and club are separate, with significant initiation and annual dues for full access.
- Tahoe Donner: amenity access is governed by HOA rules, with different provisions for members and tenants.
Neighborhood scale and feel
- Martis Camp: ultra‑private, low‑density estates.
- Lahontan: gated, curated lodge architecture and traditional club culture.
- Schaffer’s Mill: social clubhouse energy with a mix of home types.
- Tahoe Donner: large HOA with wide, family‑oriented amenities and many property choices.

Buyer checklist: verify before you tour

Club vs HOA costs
- Confirm whether club membership is separate from ownership and whether there are initiation, transfer, and annual dues. Verify current figures directly with each club. Start with the overview for Martis Camp membership context.
Rental rules and guest access
- Short‑term rental policies vary by community and can affect amenity access for guests. Review the current rules on Tahoe Donner’s amenity access page and ask private clubs for their most recent policies.
Winter drive times
- Storms can impact I‑80 and local roads. Check conditions and chain controls on Caltrans resources such as this overview of QuickMap tools from Caltrans District 3.
Schools and full‑time living
- The Truckee area is served by the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. For the most accurate information, confirm attendance zones and open enrollment directly with TTUSD.
On‑site amenities to test
- When touring, plan time to experience clubhouse dining, spa and fitness, pools, kids’ or youth programming, trailheads, boathouse or beach access, and any members’ ski lounge or private lift access.

Next steps

Choosing between these standout neighborhoods comes down to how you want to live in the mountains. If you want a private, lift‑linked resort lifestyle, Martis Camp is hard to match. If you love a classic golf club setting with a cohesive lodge aesthetic, Lahontan is a strong fit. If you want an active, social scene with options for both detached homes and mountain lodges, look to Schaffer’s Mill. If you prefer a larger HOA with broad amenities and a wide range of homes near town, Tahoe Donner delivers.

When you are ready to tour, we will help you compare membership structures, drive times, and day‑to‑day lifestyle details so you can move with confidence. Let’s align your priorities with a short list and make the most of your time in Truckee. To start a tailored plan, schedule a Concierge Consultation with JB Benna.

FAQs

Which Truckee neighborhood has direct ski access to Northstar?

Martis Camp operates a private high‑speed chairlift, Martis Camp Express, that links members into Northstar’s Lookout Mountain, along with a private members’ lodge at Lookout, as outlined on Martis Camp’s site.

What is the difference between HOA dues and club membership?

In many private communities, HOA dues cover neighborhood services while golf, dining, spa, pools, and other club facilities require a separate membership with initiation and annual dues; always confirm current terms with each club.

Does Tahoe Donner allow guest or tenant amenity access?

Yes, but policies differ for members, resident tenants, and short‑term tenants, and rules were updated starting in 2024 with changes phased through 2027; review the latest on Tahoe Donner’s amenity access page.