Heavenly

If you love to ski, come and enjoy heaven on earth, in Tahoe! Heavenly Mountain rises 10,100 feet above the South Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe, making it the highest elevation of any ski resort in Tahoe and the largest bistate ski resort in the United States.

Few ski resorts match Heavenly's superior scenic beauty and expansive network of lifts, terrain, trails and snowmaking. Skiers and snowboarders can glide for miles, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Sierra, while overlooking Lake Tahoe, the high desserts of Nevada and the ranch lands of the Carson Valley.

Bright sunny days. Tons of incredible snow. Sweeping majestic vistas. Powder-filled bowls. Wickedly steep double-black diamonds. Miles of corduroy cruisers. Chutes, bowls, bumps, trees . . . it's all waiting for you!

Heavenly has 27 lifts and 82 runs, offering 4,800 acres of true skiing and riding diversity spanning two states. With a base elevation of 6,450 feet and a summit of 10,040 feet, Heavenly's vertical drop of 3,590 feet offers a mountain descent of 5.5 miles! You're guaranteed to find a challenge, whatever your skill level. One-third of the mountain puts expert terrain under your skis, while the other two-thirds are dedicated to beginners and intermediates.

Heavenly averages 76% sunny days, so sunscreen is a good thing on the mountain. Over 360 inches of natural snow falls per season. That's 30 feet! In fact, Heavenly gets more average annual snowfall than Colorado or Utah. Heavenly grooms up to 70% of its runs nightly, and has the snowmaking muscle to cover 67% of the runs, making another 120 inches of snow per season.

Main Mountain Trail Map

Activities

For more information about activities at Heavenly, see our directory or visit Heavenly Ski Resort .

Snowboarding

It's no secret that Heavenly is one of the best carving and free-riding mountains in the country. Local snowboarders have long considered Heavenly to be the ultimate mountain -- a perfect place to learn or to sharpen your riding skills and bust some air!

Heavenly is a true carver's paradise. The entire mountain is open to snowboarders and there are parks and halfpipes just for riders on both sides of the mountain. Heavenly snowboard pros can show you the cool tree runs, the hidden powder stashes, where to hit virgin corduroy and how to hang out in the parks and pipes.

Heavenly opened to snowboarding in 1988. Since learn-to-ride lessons began in 1990, Heavenly has taught more then 60,000 people to ride. During the 1997-98 season, snowboarders accounted for 20% of Heavenly's visitors.

Beginners' Park and Ski School Sales & Adventure Center

Heavenly has taken the beginner's experience to new heights, beginning with a 15-acre beginner's park at the top of the gondola. It all starts at the Ski School Sales & Adventure Center in the heart of the Heavenly Village. The state-of-the-art center provides one-stop shopping for adults and children ski school lessons with its fully computerized registration system and full line-up of ski and snowboard rental gear. The sales center offers adult and children's clinics for groups and privates.

Next, beginners are whisked from village to mountain via the Gondola. Once at the top, guests are escorted to the private learning area located in a secluded meadow near the gondola. The 15-acre parcel offers ideal learning terrain and three new lifts including a comfortable, slow-moving fixed-grip quad, a mitey mite and a magic carpet. The area is dedicated solely to beginners and provides a true ski experience without other intimidating, more advanced riders whizzing by.

Aerial Tram

The Heavenly Aerial Tram is a great way to catch "ski fever." You'll glide up an awe-inspiring mile-long flight into the sky where you'll see the jewel-like waters of Lake Tahoe, the majestic and snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, and panoramic views that seem to stretch to infinity. The only way to experience more magic is to take a ski lift and glide down the mountain on your own inertia.

Snowboard Parks

Two snowboarding parks and nine monstrous halfpipes that were designed, built and tested by the Heavenly Snowboard Team. Both sides of the mountain now have a terrain park and a halfpipe positioned near lifts for easy access with complete snowboard service stations located nearby. Sick hits and air, wicked little hips and wedges, and more snowboard activities and events this season.

Ski Instruction and Equipment Rentals

The Heavenly Ski School is internationally known for its talented professional staff and technical expertise for any ski level. Learn to ski or develop some new techniques by participating in exciting programs such as private and group lessons, specialty clinics, adventure packages and Guided Demo -- all designed to show you a fantastic time! Heavenly rents virtually every type of ski or board you may want to try.

On Mountain Tours

Every Saturday morning throughout the season, this two-and-a-half-hour tour for intermediate or better skiers and riders provides an extensive overview of the mountain. Your guide will take you up the California side of Heavenly and over to the Nevada side of the mountain -- and then show you how to get back to California.

Ski with a U.S. Forest Ranger

Twice daily throughout the season, this two-hour tour for intermediate or better skiers and riders provides an interpretive tour of Heavenly's California side. Learn details about Lake Tahoe's geology, the mountain wildlife and indigenous plant life from a U.S. Forest Ranger guide.

Heavenly Mountain Picnic

Imagine an outdoor picnic at 9,000 feet with a setting and a feast fit for royalty! At a prearranged time and trail location, a Heavenly representative will rendezvous with your party and guide you off-trail to a secluded picnic area with an outrageous view of lake and peaks and plenty of sunshine. Music, fresh flowers, wine, silverware, china, sumptuous food and a decadent five-layer chocolate torte dessert are served on a table carved out of the snow and covered with a linen tablecloth. Chairs and blankets are provided for your comfort. Your personal waiter will assure an extraordinary dining experience.

Mountain Lodges and Restaurants

Heavenly now has three base lodges and five on-mountain facilities that offer skiers and snowboarders easy and convenient access to a variety of dining options.

Heavenly  Day Care Center

This state-licensed facility provides all-day supervision and activities for infants, toddlers and preschoolers -- six months through four years of age. There are special sitting areas for mothers and babies to share quiet time, and separate play areas for each age group. The full and half-day programs include ski-related activities and good old-fashioned snowplay. The Day Care Center is located on the main level of the California Lodge.

Perfect Turn Children's Center

Heavenly is proud of it's Perfect Kids Ski and Ride programs, taught by instructors who specialize in teaching and working with children. Heavenly programs are designed with fun in mind, showing your child all of the wonders of the great outdoors while introducing them to the never ending excitement of skiing and riding. The Children's Center is at slope level because little legs get tired marching up and down stairs!

After the snow season, come back and enjoy a Heavenly summer! 

Logistics

Hours

Once the lifts are running, Heavenly is open for skiing Saturday, Sunday and Holidays for skiing between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Ticket Sales

Tickets go on sale daily, one-half hour prior to lift operations. Half-day tickets go on sale at 12:30 p.m.

Pricing

Heavenly provides a wide variety of ticket programs and options to fit your vacation plans. There is sure to be a ticket option just right for you.

Information

(775) 586-7000

24-hour Snow Phone

(775) 586-7000, press 1

Equipment Rental

Ski and snowboard equipment rentals on-site.

Ski Shuttle Systems

Most South Shore and Stateline lodging properties are located on Heavenly's ski shuttle route, with buses running from hotels and lodges to the California Base Lodge and the Nevada-side Boulder and Stagecoach Lodges. Heavenly's complimentary ski shuttle system is comprised of four different routes. The buses pick up at each of the bus stops as frequently as road and weather conditions permit, normally every 20-30 minutes. Look for the blue "Shuttle Bus Stop" signs or check with the front desk at your lodging property for Heavenly ski shuttle details. 

Physical Address

Heavenly Ski Resort
Wildwood Ave and Saddle Rd
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Directions

By Plane
Frequent commercial service by most major and regional carriers to
Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

All-Weather Highway Access

From Reno to South Lake Tahoe:
U.S. HWY 395 south to U.S. HWY 50 west
58 miles, 1.25 hours

From San Francisco:
I-80 east to U.S. HWY 50 east
198 miles, 3.5 hours

From Sacramento:
U.S. HWY 50 east
100 miles, 2.0 hours