Torn between Martis Camp, Lahontan, and Schaffer’s Mill? You are not alone. Each gated, golf‑oriented community near Truckee offers a distinct lifestyle, look, and ownership experience, and choosing the right fit comes down to how you want to live day to day. In this guide, you will compare lifestyle, homesites, architecture, membership approaches, and access so you can focus on the community that matches your priorities. You will also get a practical checklist and touring plan to make your decision easier. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: how they differ
Martis Camp at a glance
If you want privacy, a full-service club environment, and all‑season recreation, Martis Camp often rises to the top. Many buyers who plan to build a custom home or want an estate‑style setting put this community on their short list. If convenience to mountain activities matters, ask detailed questions about ski services and shuttle options to nearby resorts.
Lahontan at a glance
If you love a refined, golf‑forward club atmosphere in a quiet, natural setting, Lahontan may be a strong match. Many buyers appreciate the established neighborhood feel, thoughtful community design, and a pace that supports both seasonal and year‑round living. Verify current golf access terms and the social calendar to gauge day‑to‑day life.
Schaffer’s Mill at a glance
If you want an active, approachable club scene with convenient access to Truckee services, Schaffer’s Mill deserves a look. Buyers who want community events, outdoor trails, and a mix of finished homes and homesites often consider it. Confirm how golf access, dining, and programming work across seasons.
Amenities and services
How you spend a typical day can be the most important driver of fit. Use this section to match community offerings to your priorities. Always verify current amenities and policies directly with club staff or governing documents.
Martis Camp: what to evaluate
- Golf experience: confirm course access for members and guests, practice facilities, and tee time policies.
- Clubhouses and dining: ask about multiple dining venues, seasonality, and reservation protocols.
- Fitness and wellness: verify gym, spa, studios, and trainer availability, plus class schedules.
- Family programs: look into youth camps, juniors golf, and year‑round kid‑friendly activities.
- Mountain services: confirm any shuttle, ski valet, and storage arrangements for nearby resorts.
- Trails and outdoor life: evaluate on‑property trail networks for hiking and biking.
- Property services: ask about concierge, snow removal, landscaping support, and gated security.
Lahontan: what to evaluate
- Golf lifestyle: clarify member tee access, guest play options, and event programming.
- Club life and dining: confirm main clubhouse features, casual vs fine dining, and social events.
- Wellness and recreation: verify fitness facilities, spa services, and class availability.
- Courts and pools: ask about tennis and pickleball programs and seasonal pool use.
- Trails and open space: review on‑site trail maps and nearby access to regional networks.
- Household support: understand snow removal, landscaping standards, and gatehouse procedures.
Schaffer’s Mill: what to evaluate
- Golf and practice: learn course access rules for different membership types and guest policies.
- Dining and events: confirm clubhouse offerings, private events, and family‑friendly programming.
- Fitness and pool: verify the fitness center features, classes, and pool operations by season.
- Courts and activities: ask about tennis, pickleball, or other structured programs.
- Trails and parks: review community trail systems and nearby connections.
- On‑site services: clarify concierge options, snow removal scope, and overall property support.
Homesites and architecture
Each community has its own design guidelines, lot mix, and building process. If you plan to build, the approvals timeline, topography, and builder rules matter just as much as the lot itself.
Martis Camp
- Product mix: expect a blend of resale homes, custom homesites, and occasional builder‑spec opportunities. Confirm active inventory with a current MLS pull.
- Design guidelines: ask for the latest architectural rules covering height, materials, and exterior palette. Clarify review timelines and submittal windows.
- Lot characteristics: assess privacy, sun exposure, slope, and potential views on foot. Request site surveys and soils reports during due diligence.
- Infrastructure: verify utility hookups, broadband options, and any infrastructure extension responsibilities.
Lahontan
- Product mix: look for custom lots and resales within established neighborhoods. Confirm if any builder‑spec offerings are available.
- Architectural character: request the current design handbook to understand required materials, rooflines, and aesthetic direction.
- Lot selection: walk properties to gauge drainage, wind exposure, and proximity to golf or open space.
- Build logistics: clarify whether there are approved builder lists, seasonal construction windows, and review fee schedules.
Schaffer’s Mill
- Product mix: evaluate the ratio of finished homes, homesites, and any active developer builds or specs.
- Guidelines and approvals: obtain the design guidelines and confirm expected timelines from concept to final approval.
- Lot layout: study orientation to maximize light and privacy; verify setbacks and height limits.
- Utilities: confirm sewer vs septic, gas or electric service, and fiber or cable options.
Membership and costs
Membership models can vary by community and can change over time. Treat the membership agreement as a core contract and review it in detail before committing.
Key questions for each club
- Is membership mandatory with property ownership, or optional via initiation?
- What types of memberships exist, and how do benefits differ between golf and social tiers?
- Do memberships transfer with a home sale, and are there resale caps or waitlists?
- What are the current annual dues, food and beverage minimums, and typical ancillary fees?
- Are initiation fees refundable or partially refundable? How are resignations handled?
- Are there guest access rules, blackout periods, or limits during peak season?
Tip: Ask for the current membership summary, a recent social calendar, and written guest policies. Then compare them side by side.
Location and access
All three communities sit in the Truckee area of Placer County with access to mountain recreation, town services, and regional travel. Your day‑to‑day routine will shape which location feels most convenient.
- Skiing: verify drive times or shuttle options to Northstar and other nearby resorts. Ask about winter road conditions and chain requirements.
- Town access: consider proximity to Truckee stores, dining, healthcare, and schools if you plan to live full time.
- Airports: factor in your typical trips to Reno‑Tahoe International and how often you will need reliable year‑round access.
- Seasonality: ask how winter conditions affect neighborhood roads, snow storage, and driveways.
Who each community tends to fit
Use these personas to guide your short list, then validate on a tour.
Martis Camp: likely buyers
- Ultra‑privacy seekers who want a full‑service club experience and comprehensive amenities.
- Second‑home owners planning to build a custom residence on a premium site.
- All‑season users who want robust programming across summer and winter.
Lahontan: likely buyers
- Golf‑centric owners who value a refined club atmosphere and established neighborhoods.
- Buyers who prefer a quieter, nature‑forward setting with strong community oversight.
- Seasonal or full‑time residents seeking a measured pace and classic club routines.
Schaffer’s Mill: likely buyers
- Buyers seeking approachable club life with convenient access to Truckee services.
- Households who value community events, trails, and an active social calendar.
- Owners weighing both finished homes and homesites with flexible planning horizons.
Decision checklist: narrow your choice
Work through these questions to align your pick with your lifestyle and budget.
Lifestyle fit
- Is golf your daily focus, or does ski access and mountain recreation matter more?
- Do you prefer a low‑key enclave or a vibrant social calendar?
- Do you need robust children’s programming and multi‑generational activities?
Financial and membership factors
- What is your comfort level with upfront costs: lot or home price plus potential build costs and any initiation fee?
- What recurring costs fit your budget: HOA dues, club dues, utilities, and maintenance?
- How important is resale liquidity for your eventual exit timeline?
- Will you rent the home at all? Confirm short‑term rental rules and minimum stays.
Property and design priorities
- Do you want a large, private homesite or a lower‑maintenance lot near amenities?
- Which matters more: golf course views, mountain vistas, or forested privacy?
- What architectural style do you prefer, and do the design guidelines support it?
Logistics and access
- How often will you travel to Reno‑Tahoe International, and how important are winter travel times?
- Do you need easy access to Truckee services and schools for full‑time living?
- Do you want walkable or shuttle access to skiing, or is a short drive fine?
Legal and operational due diligence
- Have you reviewed current CC&Rs, Bylaws, Design Guidelines, budgets, and reserves?
- Do you understand membership transfer rules, guest policies, and any waitlists?
- If building, do you have preliminary geotech, surveys, and a builder plan for approvals?
How to tour like a pro
A strategic tour helps you compare communities beyond the brochure. Use this plan to get answers that matter.
Before you go
- Request current MLS listings, design guidelines, CC&Rs, membership summaries, and the latest HOA budget and reserve study.
- Ask club staff for a sample social calendar for both peak and shoulder seasons.
- Pull a 12–24 month sales summary to understand pricing and days on market trends.
On site
- Tour the clubhouse and dining venues at both peak and off‑peak times to gauge service and atmosphere.
- If possible, play a guest round or walk holes to assess course condition and tee time flow.
- Try a fitness class or spa treatment to test scheduling and quality.
- Walk homesites and resales in person to evaluate orientation, privacy, drainage, and sun exposure.
- Meet an HOA or community manager to ask about capital projects, reserves, and assessment history.
Key questions to ask
- Is membership mandatory for homeowners, and what benefits are member‑only?
- Are initiation fees refundable or transferable on resale? Is there a waitlist?
- What rental restrictions apply, including minimum stays or seasonal limits?
- Are there approved builder lists or construction windows? What are typical review timelines?
- How is snow removal handled for both roads and private driveways?
Putting it all together
Choosing between Martis Camp, Lahontan, and Schaffer’s Mill is not about picking the “best” club. It is about aligning the community’s daily rhythm with how you want to live. Start with your lifestyle, then confirm membership terms, building timelines, and location logistics. Walk the neighborhoods at different times of day, ask direct questions, and review documents before you decide.
If you want a clear, side‑by‑side plan and private tours tailored to your goals, connect with a local advisor who lives and works this market every day. Schedule your strategy session with the Tilly Mezger Tahoe Truckee Real Estate Group for hands‑on guidance, on‑the‑ground insights, and a confident next step.
FAQs
What is the biggest difference among Martis Camp, Lahontan, and Schaffer’s Mill?
- The key differences come down to lifestyle emphasis (golf intensity vs broader club life), membership structure, homesite options, and day‑to‑day access to Truckee and ski areas; confirm the current details with each community.
How do club memberships typically work in these Truckee communities?
- Models vary by community and can include mandatory or optional memberships with golf and social tiers; always review the current membership agreement for benefits, transfer rules, dues, and any waitlists.
Are short‑term rentals allowed in Martis Camp, Lahontan, or Schaffer’s Mill?
- Rental policies differ by HOA and can include minimum stay rules or limits; request the latest CC&Rs and written rental policy before you buy if renting is part of your plan.
What should I know about building a custom home in these communities?
- Expect design review, plan approvals, and potential seasonal construction windows; obtain design guidelines, fee schedules, surveys, and geotechnical reports early to map a realistic timeline.
When is the best time to tour these Truckee club communities?
- Tour at both peak and shoulder seasons to experience amenities and service levels across the year; winter visits also help you understand snow management and road access firsthand.
