Heavenly

Closed
Ron Thompson
SnowPak Local Insider
Ron Thompson
Pros
  • Fun party atmosphere at base
  • Spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the desert
  • Tons of lodging options keep prices competitive
Cons
  • Crowds can be a problem here

Overall

4.1

One of the best ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, Heavenly is not only known for it's skiing but also it's partying. Split across the California and Nevada state line, the resort is 5th largest in North America and has the longest vertical drop in California. The tree-skiing is phenomenal as is the nightlife, entertainment as well as the gambling at the casinos sitting at the base.

Best month to go

January to March

Janurary to March are the best months to visit as Heavenly gets extremely busy with tons of holiday goers coming in December and around the Easter Weekend.

FLY TO

Reno-Tahoe International Airport

DRIVE/TAXI TO

Heavenly Mountain Resort (1 hour 10 minutes)

Stateline (1-2 mi)

  • Has Casino's near Gondola or private homes a short drive away
  • Has the cheapest accommodation
  • Close to various restaurants, shops and activities

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South Lake Tahoe (1-3 mi)

  • Wide range of affordable and luxury lodging
  • Close to Heavenly Village
  • Close to various restaurants, stores and activities

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California Base area (Walk)

  • A range of condos and private homes
  • Expensive lodging but better for large groups
  • Far from dining, shopping and activities

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Stagecoach Base Area (Walk)

  • Has a lot of condos and timeshares that are almost ski-in/ski-out
  • Far from restaurants, shopping and activities
  • Range of accommodation including Airbnb's

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For beginners

There is limited beginner terrain at Heavenly with only a few mellow trails and practicing areas around. Our pick for new skiers and snowboarders is around Boulder Lodge where you can easily hop on the Boulder lift and wind down Boulder Bowl. It's a nice wide green trail that's great for practicing turns!

For intermediates

Heavenly is a heaven for intermediates with blue trails at almost every lift! For a fun winding run with an amazing view of Lake Tahoe, check out our favorite, Liz's, which starts at 9,846 ft! Big Dipper and Skyline are sure to impress as well.

For experts

Heavenly is a place to be for advanced skiers and snowboarders! Ellie's is the best black-diamond groomer! North Bowl is even better when it is groomed too but no advanced skier and snowboarder would want to miss out on double black-diamond runs, Killebrew Canyon and Mott Canyon!

Find freshies

Freshies are everywhere after a storm (especially between the trees!) and with so much terrain to explore at Heavenly, you're bound to ski some untouched powder!

Ditch the crowds

Sky Express and Dipper Express are the busiest chairlifts since they serve some of the best terrain on the mountain. Opt for other chairlifts if you aren't a fan of queues.

Non skiers

Non-skiers can try out snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing here at Heavenly.

Families

Tamarack Express is the most popular chairlift for families to be around with the Tubing Hill close-by at the base of the chairlift.

Save up to 39% when you book a Heavenly package!

View Heavenly packages

Heavenly Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 125 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Superb!4.8 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsJordan Y.
advanced snowboarder
I've been going out west to ride for quite some time now, and have gone to Heavenly the last three years straight. Why fix something that isn't broken, right? The riding and atmosphere alone make for a great experience. Gorgeous views of the lake are a heck of a bonus as well. To each their own, but I honestly have no desire to ride elsewhere.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Jul 01, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsJarett S.
advanced skier
My favorite mountain of all time. It's the biggest and best in the tahoe basin and from what I hear the best in the nation. Most of my great memories as a child were made here!!!... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5May 03, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsMo C.
expert skier
Heavenly is the premier Tahoe Ski Area. Excellent and varied terrain combined with amazing views, plus plenty of vertical make this resort a “must visit”. You will not be disappointed!... More
Superb!5 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsDavid J.
expert snowboarder
From the cocoa at the gondola to the epic backwoods tree runs to town, Heavenly Mountain is the absolute perfect combination of every desire in an alpine resort. I’ll never tire of exploring the terrain there, and after at least 20 days on the mountain through the last few years I still have not been everywhere. Believe me, it’s not for lack of... More
Good!3.6 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsTravis B.
expert skier
Love Heavenly. Lives up to its moniker for sure. It has definitely grown on me over the years and my heart grows fonder for it each time I spend away from it. Hey - you can ski in two states. How many other joints can say that? Views are second to none and the riding - especially on a great pow day - phenomenal as well. Ca't wait to get back there.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsTerese S.
intermediate skier
The snow was fabulous! Our group was able to ski Heavenly mid week saw the whole mt, lift operators were friendly. Lots of options to take a break. Joined in some of events. Basically we spent so much time on the mountain we had to schedule a break to go sightseeing! We will definitely be back!... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsMike T.
advanced snowboarder
Panoramic views of Lovely Lake Tahoe! Big, wide, steep runs. Great snow@ 10,006' . All the amenities of a Big time global destination. Amazing Spring skiing and riding. Love, Love, Love me some Heavenly!... More
Good!3.8 / 5Mar 22, 2019
AMA M.
intermediate skier
Great views of the lake and well groomed runs. Lines, even on a very busy weekend, moved quickly. The kids ski school has excellent and friendly instructors. Would highly recommend their program for new skiers. The trails are well marked, possibly the easiest to navigate in the Tahoe area. But the difference between the beginner and... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Jan 14, 2019
Heavenly ReviewsMatthew E.
expert snowboarder
Loved everything about this place Kama just didn't like how small it was. I grew up on big mountains like Mount Werner where it takes days to ride the mountain. The snow is great and people were great the train was fun just kind of small.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 04, 2018
Heavenly ReviewsCarlos W.
expert snowboarder
Hi guys my name is Carlos. I’m from Connecticut and I just came out to Tahoe and Sacramento for a week. Since I’m from the east coast as you know, I was not ready for all of this fresh pow! It was so beautiful. The view from the top of the mtn looking down at Lake Tahoe was breathtaking! So B E A utiful!now there wasn’t a lot open, but itwas still... More