Heavenly

About Heavenly

If partying is the name of your ski vacation game, then Heavenly should be a top-of-mind choice for the next mountain getaway. Between the rowdy après-session at Unbuckle in Tamarack and late-night excursions at one of the many “Stateline'' hotel-casinos, a Heavenly ski vacation is meant for those who look for excitement around every corner. With a top elevation of 10,067 feet, Heavenly has the highest peak in Lake Tahoe, providing 4,800 skiable acres mainly for intermediate and expert skiers.

Beginners have dedicated terrain off the Powderbowl Express chairlift, where they can enjoy safe runs with stunning alpine views. Intermediate skiers will delight in blue runs like Skyline Trail and Ridge Run, which offer iconic skiing from summit to base, while experts can challenge themselves on the double-black “Hollywood line” under Gunbarrel Express and in the hike-to canyons. It’s also a great ski destination if you value tons of terrain, exceptional views of a glittering Lake Tahoe, endless dining options, swanky lodging, and great shopping. Families visiting Heavenly on a ski vacation will also be pleasantly surprised to find plenty of fun and healthy activities like tubing, snow biking and sledding at Adventure Peak below Tamarack Lodge.

Heavenly Ski Resort is very large with a lot of trails. You can stay there for a week and not cover all of them! The views are beautiful and the whole experience is very enjoyable. Stay in the middle of the week and trails can be fairly empty. Heavenly is easily accessible, located just an hour from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and a few hours from San Francisco. The combination of convenience, stunning scenery, and diverse activities makes it a top choice for ski enthusiasts and vacationers alike.

How to get to Heavenly

Getting to Heavenly Ski Resort is as simple as it is convenient, with Reno-Tahoe International Airport just a short trip away. Reliable shuttle services make it easy to get from the airport to the slopes, although, if you're driving, you'll find well-maintained roads and plenty of parking that will ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. Talk to a Mountain Travel Expert who can get you set up with a the shuttle service or a rental car. 

Getting around

Heavenly Ski Resort makes getting around a breeze with its complimentary shuttle service. Whether you're heading to different areas of the resort or checking out nearby attractions, the shuttle has you covered. Renting a car will give you the most freedom to explore the rest of the Tahoe basin. 

Skiing in Heavenly

Intermediate and expert terrain comprise the majority of the mountain’s 4,800 skiable acres. Beginner skiers are relegated to one or two sections of the mountain, which may be frustrating for some novice skiers who are used to more comprehensive access. But the more contained access is actually beneficial as beginners don’t have to navigate the many fast, steeper blue trails and worry about avoiding other skiers. 

Beginner Skiing in Heavenly Ski Resort:

With 20 percent of California's largest resort to explore, beginning skiers will find a wide variety of slopes to suit their terrain needs with incredible options offering breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Mountain Resort's beginner ski is located high on the mountain, providing a unique alpine experience with epic views. However, unlike the intermediate-level ski slopes at Heavenly, you won't find green runs spread across the resort's 4,800 skiable acres. This may sound daunting but there is a good reason: beginners will ski surrounded by other beginner skiers at slower speeds.

There are two “learn to ski” areas with magic rugs - one in the California Lodge base area and one in the Boulder Lodge base area - so beginners can rest assured that Heavenly has the right facilities for you. that they learn in a safe and comfortable way. Skiers ready to explore the rest of what Heavenly has to offer should start at the California Lodge base area as there are no green runs from the Boulder Lodge base area all the way up the mountain. So, head over to Gunbarrel Express and enjoy the beginner slopes around the Lift Patsy. Once you are comfortable in the higher parts of the mountain, take the Lift Powderbowl Express and explore the slopes of Mombo and Maggie.

Heavenly Ski School:

The local ski school offers a wide range of lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels. With their "Green Run Guarantee," beginners are promised they'll confidently ski a green run within three lessons, or they'll receive a fourth lesson for free. Lessons are available at convenient locations, including California Lodge, the Gondola base and Boulder Lodge. Whether you're looking to learn in a social setting with group lessons or prefer the personalized touch of private instruction, staying at Heavenly Ski Resort will have you covered.

Expert Skiing in Heavenly Ski Resort:

With so much intermediate terrain to choose from, the task of deciding where to go can be a daunting one. So, we’ve pointed out the most notable intermediate runs for your convenience. 

To bypass the crowds and get yourself on the mountain start your day off at the Heavenly Village base area and hop on the Gondola. From there you can head to either the Comet Express, Dipper Express or Tamarack Express chairlifts. All three lifts access tons of pristine, groomed cruisers, but the list toppers in that zone include California Trail, Orion and Dipper. Intermediate skiers looking for a challenge can test their legs on Big Dipper, which turns into Perimeter trail and can be skied all the way down to the Stagecoach or Boulder Lodge base areas. Intermediates should take California Trail over to the Sky Express chairlift, which drops skiers and boarders off atop Heavenly’s 10,040-foot summit. Intermediate skiers have terrain options on either side of the lift. 

If you’re staying on the California side of Heavenly, or are looking for a morning leg warm-up, start your day on the slopes off the Gunbarrel Express chairlift. From the top of the lift drop into the gravity-defying steeps of double-black The Face into East Bowl or Gunbarrel. You can take another lap in the area and check out the glades in East Bowl Woods or Hogsback. When you’re ready make your way to Sky Express chairlift via Powderbowl Express chairlift. 

From the top of Sky Express you can drop into an extremely long (and fun) gladed area. Start in Ski Ways Glades, but stay high so you connect back up with Pinnacles trail. Take Dipper Express chairlift back up and then head skier’s left off of the chairlift and cut into Dipper Woods. This gladed, yeehaw-inspiring area drops skiers off in front of Mott Canyon, one of Heavenly’s gate-accessed areas. Killebrew Canyon, and the open steeps of Milky Way Bowl, which sits above Mott Canyon, are accessed by foot only.

Family vacations in Heavenly

Heavenly is an excellent family-friendly resort with activities and facilities geared towards all ages. From the Ski and Ride School to Adventure Park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The resort's expansive terrain includes dedicated beginner areas like the Enchanted Forest near the California Base Lodge and Boulder Bowl on the Nevada side, ensuring that even the youngest skiers can enjoy the slopes safely. Beyond skiing, families can try snow tubing, which is a favorite activity featuring a 500-foot track for an adrenaline kick. There's also a mini tubing track for younger children, making it a perfect family-friendly adventure.

Heavenly's ski school is ideal for children and teens, focusing on fun while teaching essential skiing techniques. The school's experienced instructors are dedicated to helping students master everything from basic snowplow turns ("pizza") to advanced carving and parallel turns.

Families will love the specialized child group lessons that make learning fun and engaging for younger kids, while older children and teens can join group lessons designed to challenge and excite them. Heavenly also offers adaptive programs for individuals with special needs, ensuring everyone can enjoy the mountain. The focus is on creating a supportive and enjoyable environment, helping students build confidence and progress in their skiing or snowboarding journey.

The resort also offers childcare services for infants as young as six weeks, allowing parents to enjoy the slopes knowing their little ones are well cared for. After a day on the mountain, families can unwind at Heavenly Village, which boasts a variety of kid-friendly activities such as ice skating, mini-golf, and even sleigh rides through the pine forests.