Skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort offers an unparalleled winter experience in Lake Tahoe, California. Renowned for its stunning views and extensive terrain, Heavenly is a favorite destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Its geographical location provides a unique blend of scenic beauty and thrilling skiing conditions, making it stand out in the Tahoe area.
Adventure Guide To Skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort
Terrain Variety: Heavenly Mountain boasts over 4,800 acres of skiable terrain, including 97 runs that cater to all skill levels, from beginner to expert. The resort is particularly famous for its double black diamond runs and tree skiing, which provide exhilarating challenges for advanced skiers.
Scenic Gondola Ride: The Heavenly Gondola is a must-try attraction that transports guests to an elevation of over 10,000 feet. The ride offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains, making it an exciting prelude to your skiing adventure.
Après-Ski Experience: After a day on the slopes, you can unwind at Heavenly Village, which features a variety of dining and shopping options. The vibrant atmosphere here is perfect for enjoying local cuisine and relaxing with friends, enhancing your ski trip experience.
Local Insights
Heavenly Mountain Resort has a rich history, originating from the 1950s when it was developed as a ski resort. Today, it remains a centerpiece of winter recreation in Lake Tahoe, hosting various ski competitions and events annually. The resort's commitment to sustainable practices also reflects the local culture’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe area.
Visitor Tips
Best Times to Visit: The prime season runs from late December through mid-April, with January often offering the best snowfall.
What to Bring: Equip yourself with ski gear, and remember essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, and extra layers for warmth. If you're prone to motion sickness, consider bringing medication, especially if you're using the gondola.
Driving Directions: From Lake Tahoe, California, simply take US-50 E towards Stateline, NV. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes, making it easily accessible for a spontaneous day on the slopes.
Reviews
Benjamin Eschenbach11 months ago
I recently visited Heavenly Mountain Resort and the gondola ride up the mountain was a standout experience. It was likely the longest ride I've taken in the United States, offering breathtaking views as we ascended.
Admittedly, the cost of the ride at $90 per person felt steep, especially since I didn't partake in skiing or snowboarding. I simply went up for the view on a beautiful sunny day. Despite the expense, I must say, the experience was worth it. The panoramic scenery was simply unmatched.
The gondola has two stations where one can stop. The mid-station is a marvel in itself. It's a picturesque spot with a pleasant little walkway, perfect for soaking in the natural beauty of the area. There's also a cafe where you can grab a coffee and some snacks, which adds to the charm of the stop.
From the mid-station, the gondola journey continues up to the top of the mountain. The restaurant and bar at the top are fantastic, offering great food and drinks along with stunning views. It's a cool place to relax and enjoy the mountain atmosphere.
One thing to note is that the ride back down doesn't stop at the mid-station, so it's best to be prepared for that. Overall, the Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola ride is a memorable experience, offering incredible views and a unique way to experience the mountain's beauty. Despite the price, it's an adventure that's well worth it.
Kai Kai5 months ago
Awesome facilities, hot tub and located at the top of the mountain - The views are awesome, it gives you a feel of the outdoors and the room suites are home away from home. Its just a few minutes to get to town , the lake and to Ski.
Christine Bowden2 months ago
We had such a great experience! Went at the last week of summer season and it was absolutely beautiful! LOVED the mountain coaster!!!!
Sean2 weeks ago
Honestly a bit too commercial for a regular ski tripper’s taste. A lot of tourist shops and casinos at the bottom. Getting across the resort is a pain due to very long flat catwalks that even go uphill in places. The worst catwalks we have experienced between pnw, Canada, Colorado, and Utah. Now to be fair the views are among the best we have seen at any ski resort in the states and the staff is among the most friendly. Hence the 3 stars. If you are not linked to epic pass would recommend you explore other options in California.
Nicole Stauffer5 months ago
We went in the summer and it is very breathtaking going up there. Please arrive early because everything closes at 3:30PM. Seriously. I feel like we wasted our money because that information is not clearly posted anywhere for tourists to "plan to be here early". Plus, buying a "pass for activities" on the website is not very clear. Only "bundle" I could get was tubing and my kids were pretty bummed they couldn't do any of the other activities because we couldn't purchase them.
Also, there is no shuttle from the California Lodge to the gondola like the website says there is and staff have no idea what to do about it. Wasted precious time for a shuttle that never appeared to take us to the gondola like the website said it would. Only told us we needed to pay and make a reservation to park there before 12pm in order to take a non existent shuttle down to the village.
But hey, $75/person to get a few pictures of the lake is worth it, I guess?
