Lake Tahoe’s only dual State resort. Heavenly sits in two states, providing a one-of-a-kind skiing experience with its iconic, breathtaking views nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Tahoe is Heavenly, and you’ll certainly feel it while skiing or riding the Sierras and absorbing views of Lake Tahoe’s deep blue, high alpine water. Heavenly Mountain Resort is Lake Tahoe’s mountain playground that provides a social vacation of experiences that bring people together to find unexpected fun both on and off the mountain.
Owned by Vail resorts and with nearly 5,000 acres of skiable terrain and 97 trails ranging from groomers to chutes, you won’t get bored exploring the mountain’s wide breadth of terrain. Whether you are taking in the unbelievable panoramic views of Lake Tahoe on the California side, or seeing the Carson Valley extend for miles on the Nevada side, you are sure to have your breath taken away by both beauty and adventure.
Add in the option for one of the most scenic rides in the world with the Heavenly Gondola which takes visitors from the Base in South Lake Tahoe to the top of the resort where skiers can find a full menu of mountain resort options, for the winter and summer enjoyment. Don’t miss the opportunity to stop mid mountain at the Scenic overlook for lake Tahoe and learn a little more history of the mountains relationship with the lake.
Diverse Terrain
Terrain for all skiers can be found across the mountain at Heavenly. From world-class glades that will challenge more advanced skiers as they float through secret stashes, to intermediate groomers that can be carved with Lake Tahoe on the horizon, the terrain at Heavenly will satisfy your appetite, no matter what you like to ski or ride.
The terrain varies at Heavenly, with 97 trails ranging from wide-open cruisers to plunging 1,600-foot chutes.
Enjoy the convenience of 28 chairlifts around the mountain, including:
- Nine high-speed lifts.
- 4,800 skiable acres—the most in Lake Tahoe.
- 3,500 vertical feet (1,067 meters)—unmatched on the West Coast.
- 10,067 feet in elevation (3,068 meters)—the highest in Lake Tahoe.
- Cross the state line between California and Nevada.
- One Terrain Park
Push yourself in expert areas (and local favorites) Mott Canyon and Killebrew Canyon. And with three access gates around the mountain, there’s no shortage of intense backcountry terrain.
Terrain Parks
Groove Park
Heavenly’ s progressive parks take things to the next level, with nearly 20 features and three jump this season. Whether trying a trick for the first time or out for some jibbing fun, Groove is the place for you.
LRT Park
New this season we added a new beginner park area, called LTR, a terrain park area accessed by Patsy’s that is geared toward beginners. LTR features one jump and four features.
All Within Reach
The resort offers a wide range of experiences on-and-off the mountain, with Heavenly Village sitting in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, surrounded by snow-based activities, restaurants, and events throughout the winter season. If the views of Lake Tahoe inspire you on the slopes, a trip to the shore is just minutes away.
- Weekend trips to Heavenly and South Lake Tahoe are a safe and easy drive over Highway 50 from Folsom/Sacramento area. But there is also a daily shuttle that runs form the Sacramento area with several stops. This is a very affordable way to travel to the mountain for a day of skiing.
Epic Lift Upgrade
Heavenly’s upgraded North Bowl Lift will be open for the upcoming season! Upgraded from a fixed-grip 3-person chair to a high-speed detachable 4-person chair, this upgrade will increase uphill capacity by more than 40% and reduce the combined ride time of the Boulder and North Bowl lifts. This is expected to also reduce wait times at the Stagecoach and Olympic lifts and will provide better access to some seriously cool and underutilized terrain at our resort.
With an average of 360 inches of snowfall per year, Heavenly gets some of the best snow around. Bluebird days are enjoyed 300 days a year on average. Go ahead, soak in that California sun. Snowmaking is able to cover 60% of Heavenly’s trails. And the grooming team uses 15 Prinoth Bison X Snowcats, ensuring the best snow surface conditions in Lake Tahoe.
Special Events
DJ Cat: You’ve likely never experienced anything like it! On weekends starting in December, party with your friends as rotating guest DJs play some of your favorite songs out of a snowcat on the mountain. Your dance moves always look better in ski boots!
Heavenly Holidays: Join us to celebrate the holidays in style! In December, our resort partners with Heavenly Village to create activities the whole family will love, including skiing with Santa, an ice sculpting contest, tree lighting, live music, and more!
Helly Hansen Après Tracks: A fun, laid-back experience for our guests staying Sunday nights at Zalanta, Lakeland Village, or Gondola Vista, Après Tracks offers our guests the chance to meet members of our Patrol team and ski down the lake-view Ridge Run after normal hours. Waiting at the bottom for participants are delicious culinary offerings paired with beverages.
Ski with a Ranger: The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is pleased to announce the return of Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Skiers and snowboarders are invited to Ski with a Ranger. The tours start traditionally in January & last approximately one-hour and will continue through March , conditions and weather permitting.
Spring Loaded Series: There is nothing quite like spring skiing at Heavenly, and we make the most of it. This event series includes Gunbarrel 25, where skiers lap Heavenly’s iconic mogul run 25 times in this long-standing tradition, plus Pond Skim, and Spring Fling Rail Jam. Gunbarrel These competitions are designed to highlight the fun-loving, adventure-seeking vibe that epitomizes spring skiing in Tahoe.
Dates and Hours
2022-2023 Season: Opening day was November 12, 2022, because of early November Snow storm.
Winter Hours of Operations (PST):8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and holidays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays
Mountain Stats
Base Elevation6,540 feet / 1,993 meters – California 7,200 feet / 2,195 meters – Nevada Vertical 3,500 feet / 1,067 meters Top Elevation 10,067 feet / 3,068 meters Skiable Terrain4,800 acres / 1,942 hectares Terrain Type (beg/int/adv)35 percent / 45 percent / 20 percent Trails97 Terrain Parks1 Groove Park Total number of lifts28 14 lifts in California & 14 lifts in Nevada)
1 Gondola (eight-passengers per cabin)
1 Aerial Tram (50 passengers per cabin, 2 cabins)
2 High-speed Six Passenger Lifts8 High-speed Quads1 Fixed grip Quad
4 Triple Chairs3 Double Chairs3 Surface Lifts
5 Magic Carpets Total Uphill Capacity/Hour 52,000 Longest Run5 miles / 8 km Snowmaking73 percent of mountain trails Mountain ResturantsBooyah’s Boulder Lodge Cafe Blue California Lodge Lakeview Lodge LAT38 Sky Deck Steins Tamarack Lodge
Heavenly’s Adventure Peak Activities
Summer Activity Details*
Important note for all summer activities at Heavenly – we strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance online. While some tickets will be available on-site at our ticket windows, the best way to assure access is to purchase in advance, especially for those activities which do have a limited number of daily participants.
Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster
This gravity-powered alpine coaster will exhilarate you and your family as it coasts through forest and natural rock formations. As always, the views are incredible, and the memories will be too! The coaster sleds fit up to two riders, so you can enjoy this activity with others. To experience this mountain ride, drivers must be at least 16 years old (if accompanied by a passenger) and between 54 – 84″ tall. Make sure to wear or pack closed-toed athletic shoes as they’re required to take part in the downhill coaster fun!
Scenic Gondola Rides and Hiking
A 2.4-mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola of Lake Tahoe will leave you breathless as you take in panoramic views of the lake. On your way up, stop at the Observation Deck for photos, a latte at Cafe Blue or a unique Heavenly souvenir at The Gondola Sports shop. Once you get to the top, head
up the Tamarack Express chairlift with your Scenic Gondola ticket for some of the best views of Lake Tahoe and access to a series of hiking trails, ranging from beginner to expert.
49er Gem Panning
Gemstone Panning is an interactive activity simulating the gold panning that made the gold rush such a fascinating historical phenomenon in the 1800s and gives kids and adults alike a great historical context for the kids. Many may not know that the California Gold Rush began in El Dorado County with almost 300,000 people travelling to pan the waters of the Sierra Nevada, and just like back in 1800s, if you find it (unique gems, fossils, arrows, and more) you keep it!
Granite Peak Climbing Wall
The Climbing Wall is an exhilarating man-made rock wall inspired by the legendary rock climbing available in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. The permanent rock-climbing wall is 25-feet-tall with 15 defined climbing routes varying in difficulty and utilizes TruBlue auto-belays on each route. A unique feature of the wall is the quick-jump, 35-foot rapid descent that emulates free-falling, accessed by an adventurous climb up the Goat Trail.
Hot Shot Zip Line
The Hot Shot Zip Line is a thrilling 1000-foot zip line that will have you reaching speeds up to 40mph! Four lines run parallel to each other making this the perfect activity to do alongside family or friends. You must be 8 years or older, at least 42” tall, and between 55 and 275 pounds to access the Hot Shot
Zip Line.
Red Tail Zip Line
The Red Tail Zip Line is perfect for those adventurous kids seeking a safe adrenaline rush and those parents looking for the perfect photo op! The 100-foot cable is perched just fifteen feet off the ground, providing a great introduction to zip lining for children ages 5-8.
Summer Tubing
Breeze down the tubing hill with no snow or water! The summer tubing surface will keep you gliding all summer long with smiles abounding.
*All summer operational dates/hours of operation are subject to snowmelt + conditions
Fun Facts
- Heavenly averages more than 300 days of sunshine per year
- The Scenic Gondola Ride is 2.4 miles long and offers the best views of Lake Tahoe
- Heavenly has the most skiable acres and the highest elevation of any ski resort in Lake Tahoe
FAQ
Is Heavenly a good ski resort for beginners?
Yes, besides multiple runs that provide safe and fun slopes for beginners to get some turns. New this season we added a new beginner park area, called LTR, a terrain park area accessed by Patsy’s that is geared toward beginners. LTR features one jump and four features.
Location: Access Groove Park via Patsy’s or Groove Chair on the California side.
