Current Weather:
Snow Showers
weather 32°

Base Depth:
57-87"

24hr Snowfall:
3"

Surface:
Powder

Heavenly

Saddle Rd. & Wildwood Ave., South Lake Tahoe, 96150
Phone: 775-586-7000
Heavenly Website

by Ann Marie Brown

Heavenly Ski Resort is known for its superlatives. Comprising 4,800 skiable acres—over 20 square miles--on and around the slopes of mighty Monument Peak, this is California’s largest resort. Heavenly is so big that it doesn’t contain itself to California—much of it spills into Nevada, so you can ski from one state to another and back again.

Heavenly also has the highest summit elevation of any resort around Lake Tahoe (10,067 feet), and a greatest vertical drop of 3,500 feet, one of the most extreme on the West Coast. The resort’s longest run covers a prodigious 5.5 miles. Servicing Heavenly’s 94 runs requires running 30 chairlifts and a two-mile-long gondola.

This megaresort is also notorious for having the highest ticket prices of any ski hill in the Tahoe basin—even higher than Squaw Valley. What you are paying for is Heavenly’s ultra-convenient location smack in the middle of the South Shore. Most skiers access the resort from the base of its gondola on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, which is flanked by upscale Marriott properties on both sides. Dozens more hotels, motels, and restaurants are within walking distance, plus a passel of casinos, nightclubs, and cinemas. You can park your car at your lodging and lose your keys for a couple days.

If you aren’t a city slicker, forego the gondola and the downtown bustle and access Heavenly from one of its more sedate entrance points. Heavenly’s California Lodge offers the easiest access and parking. You can also get to the slopes from the Nevada side (good for morning sun), at Boulder or Stagecoach Lodge.

Heavenly isn't the best place for beginners to try out their first pair of sticks, but it's tons of fun for intermediate and advanced skiers. One-third of the mountain is for experts (try the mogul-studded precipice known as Gunbarrel, or the famous World Cup run), nearly half is intermediate terrain, and beginners get the scraps: a mere 20 percent of the mountain. From a ridge near the top of Heavenly’s Olympic chair, three gates access the backcountry for daredevils who want fresh lines, offering a route to two infamous runs: Palisades and Fire Break. These two backcountry canyons are now as popular, or more so, than Mott Canyon, Heavenly’s equally famous in-bounds expert area. Beginners are best staying close to the neatly groomed corduroy near the Boulder Lodge learning center. On Heavenly’s California side, the lake views are outstanding from almost every run. On the Nevada side, skiers look down on the Carson Valley and the desert beyond.

The resort typically sees 360 inches of snow per season, and they have abundant snowmaking equipment, so there's usually plenty of white stuff from December to March. If Heavenly has one shortcoming, it's that its season usually ends a bit early. Annual snowfall at other Tahoe resorts is typically much greater.

Heavenly was purchased by Vail Resorts, Inc. in the spring of 2002 and a blizzard of success has fallen upon it since. The resort has been posting record seasons and is consistently rated one of the Top 20 Ski Resorts in North America by Ski Magazine, both for “overall best resort” and for “off-hill activities.” All these accolades mean big crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.

Part of the reason for Heavenly's good fortune is its $23 million gondola, built in 2001. Traveling 2.4 miles in about 12 minutes, the gondola is California's longest, and its 138 cabins ferrying eight passengers apiece give it the most uphill carrying capacity of any gondola in the state. Plenty of non-skiers ride it, too, just for the chance to enjoy the winsome Lake Tahoe views.

Whether you are buying an adult ticket, child’s ticket, or half-day ticket, expect to pay about 20 bucks more to ski here than you would at Kirkwood, Squaw, Northstar, Sugar Bowl, or Alpine Meadows. The best values are available by purchasing multiple-day tickets at least a week in advance (click here for deals on SkiResorts.com).

If you are staying on the South Shore, there’s no need to drive and hassle with parking near Heavenly’s gondola. Instead, take the free Heavenly Shuttle, which is operated by BlueGO (www.bluego.org), and stops at all major casinos and hotels in town.

*all photos courtesy of Heavenly Ski Resort

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:
Snow Showers
weather 32°

Forecast:
Mostly Sunny
weather 42°

SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20100310T07:28:00
24hr Snowfall:
3"		 Last Snowfall:
Mar 09 - 4"		 Surface:
Powder
Base Depth:
57-87"		 Trails Open:
94		 Total Trails:
94
Percent Trails Open:
100%		 Lifts Open:
icon 28		 Total Lifts:
icon 29
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
10067 ft 3068 m Vertical:
3500 ft 1067 m Base Elevation:
6540 ft 1993 m		 Total Acres:
4800 Total Miles:
N/A
Longest Run:
Ridge Run to Round About
5 miles		 Easiest Run:
Poma Trail		 Steepest Run:
Stateline Chute
Best Bumps:
Gunbarrel		 Best Trail Name:
Widowmaker		  
 

Heavenly Overview from a Local's Perspective

Submitted by Wally Johnson on January 31, 2010.

Heavenly Mountain Resort ‘s main lodge is located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, with lots of acreage, 29 lifts, and terrain spread over 2 states…California and Nevada. Go up Ski Run Blvd. from Lake Tahoe Blvd., Hwy. 50.
Two lodges with base lifts are in Nevada…Boulder and Stagecoach. From Lake Tahoe Blvd., Hwy. 50, go up Kingsbury Grade and follow the signs.
Some people view Heavenly’s terrain strictly for skiers and riders with beginning or intermediate skills. Certainly, that’s what it’s best known for…however...(for more visit laketahoehouses.wordpress.com

Heavenly Mountain Resort ‘s main lodge is located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, with lots of acreage, 29 lifts, and terrain spread over 2 states…California and Nevada. Go up Ski Run Blvd. from Lake Tahoe Blvd., Hwy. 50.
Two lodges with base lifts are in Nevada…Boulder and Stagecoach. From Lake Tahoe Blvd., Hwy. 50, go up Kingsbury Grade and follow the signs.
Some people view Heavenly’s terrain strictly for skiers and riders with beginning or intermediate skills. Certainly, that’s what it’s best known for…however...(for more visit laketahoehouses.wordpress.com

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.
Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

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Air Travel

Heavenly and Lake Tahoe are conveniently located to four major international airports...Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) is the closest, followed by Sacramento International (SMF), Oakland International (OAK) and then San Francisco International (SFO).  Follow the driving directions below to get to Northstar from any of the four...

 

 

Driving Directions

For those who choose to arrive by car, lush forests, scenic mountains, and Lake Tahoe's pristine beauty highlight the trip to Heavenly. Highway 50 provides direct, all-weather access...

From Reno (1.25 hours): Follow U.S. Highway 395 S to Carson City. Through Carson City to the junction of Highway 395 & U.S. Highway 50. Follow right-hand bend on Highway 50 up Spooner Summit. Continue on Highway 50 to the Nevada / California state line. California access is at the gondola in Heavenly Village on Highway 50 and also via Ski Run Blvd. to the California Base Lodge.

From Sacramento (2 hours): Follow U.S. Highway 50 East to junction of U.S. Highway 89 North. Continue on Highway 50 making right hand turn, following the bend in the road. Drive approximately 5 miles to Ski Run Blvd. Turn right and follow the signs to Heavenly!

From San Francisco (3.5 hours): Follow Interstate 80 East to Sacramento. Continue on I-80 until the junction of U.S. Highway 50 East. Follow U.S. Highway 50 East to the junction of Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 89 N. Continue on Highway 50 making a right hand turn, following the bend in the road. Drive approximately 5 miles to Ski Run Boulevard. Turn right and follow the signs to Heavenly!

From San Jose (3.5 hours): Follow Interstate 680 North to Interstate 580 East towards Oakland and Stockton until Interstate 205. Take Interstate 205 exit towards Tracy and Stockton. Drive approximately 12.5 miles and take the Interstate 5 North exit. Take I-80 BR/US 50/CA 99 RAMP towards San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe. Stay straight on Highway 50 E until intersection of Highway 89 North. Continue on Highway 50 making a right hand turn, following the bend in the road. Drive approximately 5 miles to Ski Run Boulevard. Turn right and follow the signs to Heavenly!

From Los Angeles (8 hours): Follow U.S. Highway 395 North to Bishop, CA and then to Minden, NV. At the intersection of State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade), turn left. At the top of Kingsbury turn left on Tram Way Drive and drive approximately 2 miles to Stagecoach Lodge. Or, after starting the descent on Kingsbury Grade, turn left on South Benjamin and drive approximately 1 mile to Boulder Lodge or continue on Kingsbury Grade to the Intersection of U.S. Highway 50 West. California access is at the gondola in Heavenly Village on Highway 50 and also via Ski Run Blvd. to the California Base Lodge. 

Ground Transportation

South Tahoe Express provides shuttle service between Reno-Tahoe International Airport South Lake Tahoe Resort Casinos. Multiple daily departures are offered each way with service to MontBleu, Embassy Suites, Harrah's, Harveys, Horizon, and Lakeside Inn.

Cost:
• $26.00 per person, one way
• $46.50 per person, round trip
• $13.50 per child (4-12) one way
• $24.85 per child (4-12) round trip

*The above information is subject to change at any time without notice. Contact South Tahoe Express for the most up-to-date pricing and schedule, 1-866-89-TAHOE.

BlueGO Heavenly ski shuttles make stops at most major lodging properties, all six casinos with connections to the South Tahoe Express Reno airport shuttle and to Heavenly's base facilities: the California Base Lodge, the base of the Gondola at Heavenly Village, and Stagecoach and Boulder Lodges in Nevada.  The shuttles pick-up at each stop as frequently as road and weather conditions permit, typically every 15 to 30 minutes. Look for the white BlueGO Heavenly shuttle stop signs or check with the front desk at your lodging property for Heavenly Ski Shuttle details. For more information, call (530) 541-7149.

Express shuttle service is also available from the Heavenly Gondola to the California Lodge daily via Orange route.

All shuttles are free, wheelchair accessible and can accommodate bicycles. Shuttles are open to all riders. Shuttles generally operate from late November to early May.