Heavenly Valley Ski Resort Review

Heavenly Valley Ski Resort is located on the California Nevada border in South Lake Tahoe. By area this is the largest ski resort in California and is the highest ski area in Tahoe. This resort is known simply as Heavenly, or officially Heavenly Lake Tahoe, or possibly Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort.

Heavenly has 94 trails of which 20% are beginner, 45% are intermediate and 35% are advanced/expert. Getting to the tops of these runs is taken care of by 30 lifts, 1 eight passenger gondola, 1 aerial tramway, 2 high-speed six passenger, 8 high speed quads, 5 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, 6 surface lifts and 4 magical carpets. All total these lifts transport 52,000 skiers per hour. The vertical drop is 3,500 feet and snowmaking covers 73% of the trails.

Heavenly has some of the best rough terrain that can be found anywhere for advanced and expert skiers. Beginners and intermediate skiers are taken care of also. Most of the beginner terrain is on the California side, about mid-mountain. Four lifts take off, where the tram unloads, and takes you to plenty of interesting terrain. Intermediate skiers will enjoy Rim Run from the top off Sky Express.

Snowboarders at Heavenly have plenty to choose from, something for every skill level. The different parks are Jackpot Park, Comet Park, Groove Park, Cascade Boardercross Park and Powderbowl Park. At Adventure Peak a host of other snow activities take place, like sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snow bikes and Heavenly Flyer.

Express Chair at Heavenly Valley - Lake Tahoe.
Thanks to twoGiraffe for the picture at flickr.com

There are many other activities at Heavenly Ski Resort, other than just skiing and boarding. How about a balloon ride over Lake Tahoe, or a sleigh ride? That's just the start, you could visit the nearby David Walley's Hot Springs, ice skating at Heavenly Village, scenic gondola rides, dogsled rides, backcountry skiing and snowmobiling.

Dining at Heavenly is one of the toughest choices you will have to make. The selections include Boulder Lodge, Care Blue, California Lodge and Bar, East Peak Lodge, Higher Grounds, Lakeview Lodge, Seattle's Gest at Heavenly Village, Sky Deck Burger Bar and Slice of Heaven at Stagecoach Lodge.

Planning your stay at Heavenly Lake Tahoe begins with lodging, so many options. The Casino Area is in the middle of everything, casino's, nightlife, restaurants and shops. The gondola takes you back and forth to the slopes. California Base is at the bottom of Gunbarrel run and was the resorts original base area. With the Gunbarrel Chair or the Ariel Tram you have access to the entire mountain.

Snow-making machines running at full blast at Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe.
Thanks to ScottSchrantz for the picture at flickr.com

The Nevada Base includes both Boulder Lodge and Stagecoach Lodge. All the usual services are available here as well as access to the entire Mountain. Gondola Base/Heavenly Village is home to the gondola as well as shops, dining and the Adventure Peak. Lodging in nearby South Lake Tahoe and Stateline is in the shuttle route for fast access to the ski area.

Gambling is a popular activity at Heavenly with many locations available. You can gamble all you want at Horizon Casino Resort, Montbleu, Lakeside Inn and Casino, Harveys Resort Hotel/Casino and Harrah's Lake Tahoe.

The season at Heavenly runs from mid November to late April or even early May. The hours are 9 am to 4 pm weekdays and 8:30 am to 4 pm on weekends and holidays. For general resort information call 775-586-7000. The address is Heavenly Mountain Resort, 3860 Saddle Road, Corner of Saddle and Wildwood, South Lake Tahoe, California 96150.

Heavenly Valley Ski Resort Map & Directions (click on "Marker" for your personalized directions)