Published on: January 20, 2026, 12:10h.
Updated on: January 20, 2026, 12:10h.
- The proprietors of Ellis Island Casino have initiated the reconstruction of the Mt. Charleston Lodge.
- This favored Las Vegas retreat was reduced to ashes in a fire in 2021.
- The former lodge on this location was also lost to flames back in 1961.
- The establishment’s history spans over a century and formerly included a casino that was owned by the Hacienda Hotel owners and leased to the Frontier.
Construction has officially commenced on the new Mt. Charleston Lodge, more than four years following the devastating fire in 2021. This new lodge, with just under 11,000 square feet, will feature a two-story A-frame design, an enlarged restaurant, an outdoor patio, and a bi-level parking garage.
“We are eager to provide additional information as the county finalizes our plans,” stated Christina Ellis, VP of development. “Our progress will continue seamlessly as weather permits.”
The Ellis family, proprietors of the renowned Ellis Island Casino in Las Vegas, acquired the Mt. Charleston Lodge in April 2018 for an estimated $2.1 million from the Orcutt family, who managed it since 1974.
Mt. Charleston, located just a 40-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip, has been a cherished year-round retreat for both tourists and locals for well over a century.
Perched at an elevation of 7,717 feet near the summit of Kyle Canyon, it provides the closest skiing experience to Las Vegas in the winter months and offers significantly cooler temperatures in the summer, frequently 20 degrees lower than those on the Strip.
Tragedy on the Mountain
Just three years after Ellis Island acquired the resort, the main lodge that had stood for 60 years was engulfed in flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the fire originated in a storage area, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
Following the fire, the lodge’s 23 surviving cabins remained operational, yet their desirability significantly waned due to the absence of amenities like a restaurant or a social bar for guests.
The original Mt. Charleston Lodge’s dining and social areas were also consumed by flames in 1961 when it was owned by the Hacienda resort.
This earlier building, established in 1915, was part of Griffith’s Camp, a dude ranch that served visitors from out of state for six weeks, enabling them to qualify for expedited Nevada divorces.
During the 1930s, the lodge operated under the name Charleston Park Lodge and Casino, and in 1948 it was leased to the Frontier Hotel, during which period it was commonly referred to as The Ponderosa. Detailed records concerning the end of this lease are not available.