Welcome to Heavenly Ski Resort, where the name truly says it all. This scenic mountain, straddles the California-Nevada border and overlooks the sapphire waters of Lake Tahoe. Heavenly offers a skiing experience that’s nothing short of epic.
Whether you’re shredding fresh powder, taking in the amazing views, or simply enjoying the vibrant après-ski scene; Heavenly Ski Resort promises an unforgettable winter adventure.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know. How to get here, the best places to stay, ski resort amenities and the inside scoop on the après-ski scene.
Heavenly Ski Resort -Mountain Information
Before we dive into the details, let’s take a look at what makes Heavenly Ski Resort stand out:
- Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
- Skiable terrain: 4,800 acres
- Number of lifts: 28
- Highest elevation: 10,067 feet
- Vertical drop: 3,500 feet
- Average annual snowfall: 360 inches
- Vibe: Family-friendly with a touch of Vegas-style entertainment
- Distance to Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport is approx 60 miles
With these impressive stats, it’s clear why Heavenly is a top choice for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
How to Get to Heavenly Ski Resort
Getting to Heavenly Ski Resort is part of the adventure.
By Air: The nearest major airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), located about 60 miles northeast of South Lake Tahoe.
Southwest Airlines is the largest operator at RNO. Southwest Airlines offers free bags which allows you to fly your gear bag for free. Flying Southwest is our number #1 recommendation if you are traveling by air.
Alaska Airlines is also a large operator at RNO. Flying on either of these airlines offers more flight options and cheaper prices due to the volume of flights operated.
Rental Car: Most major car rental companies are available at the airport.
The drive to Heavenly takes about an hour. The drive offers scenic panoramic views along the way.
Always check road conditions and carry chains during winter. In addition, renting a 4×4 or AWD vehicle is a must when driving through snowy mountains.
Shuttle Service: The South Tahoe Airporter provides convenient shuttle service from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to various South Lake Tahoe hotels.
Buses run every 2 hours daily, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. This is a cost effective alternative to renting a car. We highly recommend using this shuttle service.
By Car: A breakdown of driving distance from nearby cities:
- San Francisco: About 3.5 hours (200 miles)
- Sacramento: About 2 hours (100 miles)
- Reno: About 1 hour (60 miles)
Upon arrival in South Lake Tahoe; Heavenly’s gondola is centrally located and easily accessible. You do not need a car to experience the best of South Lake Tahoe.
Where to Stay – Heavenly Ski Resort Hotels
Heavenly Ski Resort offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. Here are our top 3 picks:
The Landing Resort & Spa
Luxury: The Landing Resort and Spa
For those seeking the ultimate in comfort and elegance, The Landing Resort and Spa is the perfect choice. This lakefront property offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe, luxurious rooms, and high-end amenities.
After a day on the slopes, unwind with a massage at the spa or enjoy a gourmet meal at the on-site restaurant.
Margaritaville Resort
Mid-range: Margaritaville Resort
If you’re looking for a fun, Caribbean-inspired atmosphere, Margaritaville Resort is an excellent option.
This family-friendly resort offers comfortable rooms, multiple dining options, and a lively atmosphere.
Margaritaville Resort is a great option for groups; as well as those who want to enjoy close vicinity to the slopes and resort amenities.
Mellow Mountain Hostel
Budget Friendly: Mellow Mountain Hostel
For solo travelers or those on a tight budget, Mellow Mountain Hostel provides a cozy and affordable option.
With its community atmosphere and shared spaces, it’s a great place to meet fellow ski enthusiasts and save money for more time on the slopes.
The Heavenly Experience
What sets Heavenly Ski Resort apart from other ski destinations?
- Dual-State Skiing: One of Heavenly’s unique features is the ability to ski across state lines. Start your run in California and end it in Nevada! How many skiers can say they’ve done that?
- Breathtaking Views: Heavenly lives up to its name with incredible panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. The View Trail offers the most scenic display of any run in Tahoe.
- Diverse Terrain: With 97 runs and 4,800 acres of skiable terrain, Heavenly caters to all skill levels. From wide-open cruisers to challenging chutes, there’s something for everyone.
- World-Class Snowmaking: Even when Mother Nature is being stingy, Heavenly’s extensive snowmaking system ensures great skiing conditions throughout the season.
Ski Rentals and Lessons
It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-timer or simply looking to level up your game; Heavenly has you covered:
Heavenly Ski Rentals: Heavenly offers convenient on-site rental shops where you can get fitted for skis, snowboards, and other equipment. Pre-booking online can save you time and money.
Ski and Snowboard School: Heavenly’s experienced instructors offer lessons for all ages and skill levels. From “first-time on snow” experiences to advanced technique clinics, you’ll find a program to suit your needs.
Best Time to Visit
The Lake Tahoe skiing season typically runs from mid-November to mid-April, with peak season Jan- March.
Holidays and weekends are extremely busy and lodging becomes more expensive. For a combination of the best snow and smaller crowds, consider visiting weekdays Jan- March.
Heavenly Ski Resort – Local Advice
Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, Heavenly is a great place to start. Here are some tips:
Start at the Beginner Area: The wide, gentle slopes near the Patsy’s and Groove chairlifts are perfect for beginners. Always check the trail map before getting on the lift.
Take a Lesson: Investing in professional instruction will accelerate your learning and make your experience more enjoyable.
Dress in Layers: Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so dressing in layers allows you to adjust to changing conditions.
Our favorite budget friendly under layers to keep warm are: Mens Thermals, Womens Thermals.
Stay Hydrated: The high altitude can be dehydrating, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
A hydration pack is a great addition to your gear accessories. Electrolyte drink mix packets help to fight against altitude sickness.
Wear a Helmet and Protective Gear: Stay safe and don’t worry about not looking cool. Helmets are common place these days. Not wearing one actually makes you look out of place.
Join the cool kids and get a new Helmet! If you are new to snowboarding, Wrist Guards are a key to saying safe. Crash Shorts are also helpful to cushion the impact when taking a fall.
Tips for Experts
Heavenly’s backcountry access gates allow experienced skiers and snowboarders access to some of the best tree skiing terrain around.
If you are ready to find some fresh powder stashes, head to the fire break gate located near the top of the Olympic chair. It’s a short walk to get to the gate, however it can be tougher to navigate in fresh snow.
Once you pass through the gate, there are a couple options for getting down. Make sure you don’t go alone and someone in your crew knows the way.
There are hazards, trees and a creek towards the bottom. This is the backcountry, there are no ski patrol. In case of emergency, you are responsible for your own rescue.
Before leaving the gates it’s always a good idea to chat with the ski patrol to find out current conditions. Low tide conditions can be sketchy if the coverage isn’t good or avalanche danger may exist after a storm.
Be smart and have a plan, use the buddy system. Do not attempt if you are not an experienced skier or snowboarder.
Best Places to Après-Ski
After a long day on the slopes, Heavenly’s après-ski scene is not to be missed. Here are our top picks:
Fire + Ice: Located in the Heavenly Village
The scene for the best outdoor après-ski in the village. Enjoy a fireside cocktail or hot toddy with an amazing view.
Fire + Ice offers indoor and outdoor dining along with a unique interactive dining experience. Choose your ingredients and watch as skilled chefs cook your meal on a large circular grill. It’s perfect for groups and offers a fun, lively atmosphere.
The Lucky Beaver: Located next to Harrahs
A locals Favorite! For the best burgers and beers in town, head to The Lucky Beaver. The portions are huge and will definitely fill you up after a long hard day of skiing.
The casual pub style atmosphere, great burgers, and plenty of TVs make this a prime spot to catch the latest sports action.
Azul Latin Kitchen: Located in the village vicinity
In the mood for a margarita? Azul Latin Kitchen serves them up just right! Delicious tacos, burritos, fresh guacamole and tequila shots await you at this Latin cocina.
The Azul Bowl is a local favorite on the menu and our favorite dish!
The vibrant decor and fresh flavors make it a great spot to grab dinner and unwind after a day on the mountain. Check the menu for the current daily drink specials, including Group Therapy Thursdays! $5 off pitchers of beer on Thursdays!
Budget Traveler: Path to Heavenly Ski Resort
How to book heavenly on a budget. Let’s be honest, snowboarding and skiing isn’t cheap. But there is a way to get more bang for your buck.
Here’s how we do Heavenly:
We purchase the Epic Pass when it goes on sale in March/April every year to get the best price on the pass. We ride 50+ days a season, so our cost per ski day is low.
If you don’t plan to ski as much as we do, a more cost effective pass might be an Epic multi-day pass.
Already have the Epic Pass? Make your trip to Tahoe a multi mountain adventure and check out Northstar Ski Resort too! Our article “Northstar Ski Resort: Everything you need to know” has all the info you need for a successful ski trip.
Flights
Airline points give us the ability to fly for less. We use points to book flights to RNO on Southwest Airlines whenever possible.
Check out the Southwest Credit Card Bonus Offer and start stacking up points for free flights!
Airline points allowed us to book 2 round trip flights to RNO for just $24 in taxes.
Baggage & Food Travel Hacks
We check 2 bags for free; a snowboard gear roller bag and a backpack cooler bag.
We recommend the Titan backpack cooler. It’s easy to travel with and holds up well with repeated use.
**Do not check a cooler with ice!! Ice melts & leaks!!**
We stock the cooler backpack with food that we eat for breakfast and lunches on our trip.
Foods we like to pack that travel well: (Hard boiled eggs, yogurts, frozen breakfast burritos, lunch meat, cheese, sliced veggies, nut butters etc.)
We pack everything we need: sandwich size zip lock bags, reusable cutlery, single size condiment packets, tea bags, microwave popcorn and protein bars.
We carry dry food items on the plane such as, chips, crackers, nuts and bread.
Having a small ski/snowboard backpack allows us to bring our lunch and drinks with us to the mountain each day. This small bag fits easily inside our checked gear bag.
This saves hundreds of dollars on breakfasts and lunches vs eating out or at the ski resort.
Ground Transport To Heavenly Ski Resort
The South Tahoe Airporter is our preferred form of transportation from the RNO airport to South Lake Tahoe.
Once in South Lake, there is no need for a car. We walk and take the Heavenly Village Gondola to the mountain.
Lodging
Booking lodging in South Lake well in advance using the booking.com mobile app allows us to get the best price on a decent room. Reserving a room that includes a mini fridge and microwave is a must when traveling with food.
Booking a refundable lodging option that allows for cancellation lets us change our plans if the forecast looks better somewhere else. If the price on the room decreases; we can cancel and re-book at the lower price!
When traveling solo, I book the Mellow Mountain Hostel. It’s not fancy, but it’s a comfortable place to sleep if you get a private room.
We always plan to travel Sunday – Thursdays to avoid the weekend crowds and the expensive weekend lodging rates.
This flexible way of travel enables weekly powder chasing missions to different ski resorts around the US.
Conclusion
Heavenly Ski Resort truly offers a slice of winter paradise. With its stunning views, diverse terrain, and vibrant après-ski scene, it’s no wonder that Heavenly ranks among the top ski destinations in North America.
Getting to heavenly ski resort is easy when you book a hassle free shuttle (South Lake Airporter) from the Reno Airport to South Lake Tahoe.
Once you arrive to the Heavenly Village, the ski resort is just a gondola ride away. The walkability of restaurants and shopping alleviates the need for a rental car.
Stay in luxury at the Landing Resort and Spa, or enjoy a vibrant atmosphere at the Margaritaville Resort just steps from the Heavenly gondola.
If budget travel is more your speed, the Mellow Mountain Hostel offers an affordable shared accommodation.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time skier, Heavenly provides an unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back year after year.
Take a lesson if you’re new to the sport, or drop the backcountry access “fire gate” for fresh untracked powder if you’re a seasoned pro!
From the moment you step off the gondola and take in the breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe, you’ll understand why they call it Heavenly.
So pack your gear, book your stay, and get ready for an adventure that combines world-class skiing with the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe. Make your next winter ski trip, Heavenly!
Interested in exploring more ski resorts in Lake Tahoe? Check out our article “Discover Tahoe: The Best Ski Resorts For Beginners.”
