Heavenly Mountain Resort

On the third day, we drove to Heavenly Gondola at Heavenly Village, grabbed a coffee, had breakfast, and leisurely took the gondola up the mountain to enjoy the breathtaking lake views. Operating hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Ticket prices are $63 for adults, $49 for teens/seniors, $32 for children aged 5-12, and free for those 4 and under. Honestly, the tickets are a bit pricey. Initially, we planned to visit in the afternoon, but after breakfast at Heavenly Village, we decided to visit this attraction first before heading to other lake beaches. It's recommended to visit this spot in the afternoon, first securing a parking spot at popular beaches, and then enjoying the gondola ride afterward. The gondola stops at a mid-station, which is the best spot to overlook Lake Tahoe. Here, you can enjoy the stunning lake views and the endless mountain scenery. You can take photos, use the restroom, or even take a short trail walk nearby. After the first stop, continue on the gondola to the mountain top, the second stop, which is the final station. Here, you can enjoy various outdoor activities like rock climbing, a mountain coaster, and ziplining, all thrilling and exciting. We even encountered staff introducing various animal furs. Heavenly is the top ski resort in Lake Tahoe, offering spectacular winter views. You can enjoy the freedom and joy of skiing while admiring the serene Lake Tahoe beneath the snowy mountains. However, it's not very beginner-friendly, mainly featuring blue and black runs. By taking the gondola, you can see how steep the mountains are. Beginners can get off at the second stop (California base), where there are three green runs and a beginner's carpet. #BayAreaLife #BayAreaWeekendGetaway #LakeTahoe #Skiing #HealingScenery #BeautifulAutumn #BayAreaFamilyTrip #DreamBeachDestination #FavoriteCoastalCity

Having seen several crowded images of Tahoe ski mountains, as someone who has skied at Heavenly for many years, I’d like to share some tips on how to enjoy your time there. 1. Arrive early. It’s crucial to get there early, as the gates open at 8:30 AM, and arriving after 9 AM can lead to a less enjoyable experience. Early arrivals get fresh powder, noodles, and parking spots. Arriving later means dealing with traffic and parking headaches, and by noon, you might only find icy slopes. Especially on bluebird weekends, if you can’t make it by 9:30 AM, it might be better to stay home and avoid the crowds. 2. Avoid the four major Disney-like lifts: Sky, Canyon, Dipper, and Comet. You can try them in the morning when there are fewer people, but if it gets crowded, switch to other lifts like Tamarack. Olympic and North Bowl are less crowded and are all express lifts. Even during busy bluebird holiday weekends, North Bowl remains empty. If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, many lifts have bars you can lower to study the map before skiing. Escape from CA to NV, though the only issue this year is that North Bowl’s black runs aren’t open yet. For black runs, you’ll have to go to the big four. In normal years, North Bowl offers slopes ranging from blue to black and nearly double black, with everything from groomed runs to small tree areas, providing plenty of fun. Beginners should avoid Heavenly as it’s not very beginner-friendly. Smaller resorts like Diamond Peak are better suited for learning. #LakeTahoe #Tahoe #Skiing #TahoeSkiing #BayAreaWeekend

Heavenly is so beautiful, it's no wonder it's one of the most beautiful ski resorts in California. Highly recommended! Recommended must-ski blue trails: to California and ridge run have the most beautiful scenery, you can see the lake view! comet, olympic downhill are quite good to ski, wide enough, and the snow is also very flat. These are all intermediate blue trails. Advanced blue trails: world cup and highfive are quite steep. Blue trails that require physical strength: skyline, crossover and Nevada are very flat, you need to ski a long flat ground. Snowboarders may need to take off their snowboards and walk a bit. Accommodation and parking: We stayed at the holiday inn near the stagecoach lodge. Advantages: affordable price, close to the lodge, 5 minutes by car, can also be reached on foot. Disadvantage: The hotel is quite old. The parking lot on the stagecoach lodge side is not large, basically it will be full around 8:30 on weekends. Heavenly is not suitable for beginners (green trail players), it is recommended to learn parallel, at least half-plow style can go to heavenly after the blue trail, otherwise it is a waste of snow tickets. There are not as many people as imagined, we went on the weekend of 3/5, we thought there would be a lot of people after the snow, but many cable cars do not need to queue, the longest queue for skyline express is only about 10-15 minutes.

Visiting Lake Tahoe for skiing for the first time, I bought a lift ticket in advance for $188. Upon arrival, I found a coach for just $50 for two and a half hours, which was a great deal. Jamie, the instructor, was excellent and very patient. The scenery was truly beautiful, although carrying the ski gear was quite tiring. I stayed at The Coachman Hotel, where you can roast marshmallows outside, which was quite charming. However, the heater was very noisy, and the skylight was very bright, waking me up early. #laketahoe #laketahoeskiing #heavenly #usatravel

Heavenly is my favorite ski resort, with its stunning blue skies and warm temperatures. Surprisingly, despite the high temperatures, the snow quality remains excellent. This year, I didn't even need hand warmers while skiing. However, getting there is quite a hassle; it took me four hours to drive from the Bay Area on a Friday night. As an intermediate skier who enjoys blue runs, I find Heavenly very suitable. The map is a simple PDF, and the abundance of blue runs allows you to enjoy the entire mountain's beauty if you can ski them. Here's some practical information: Heavenly has three bases - the village gondola, California lodge, and Nevada side's stagecoach lift. The stagecoach area is not recommended for beginners. The best views are from the sky express lift; skiing left takes you to the Nevada side, which can be challenging for snowboarders. Skiing right keeps you on the sky express, where the views are stunning but crowded, mostly with blue run skiers. The Nevada side is less crowded, allowing you to get on the lift immediately after skiing down, unlike the busy sky express. However, the initial section of the stagecoach lift's left path is steep and icy, making it difficult for snowboarders. Once past that, the skiing becomes easier. Skiing right from the lift takes you back to the California side, which can be challenging for snowboarders, leading some to carry their boards. When leaving, avoid the gondola due to long queues; instead, take the shuttle from the Nevada side. #LakeTahoe #HeavenlySkiResort #Skiing

After visiting three epic ski resorts near Lake Tahoe, Heavenly remains my favorite. It offers a variety of slopes and stunning views of Tahoe Lake. The Nevada side is usually less crowded. For the best experience, rent an Airbnb near the Nevada lift entrance, allowing you to walk to the lift without worrying about parking. Heavenly is a large resort with diverse slopes, allowing you to mix and match as you please. For those who enjoy long blue runs, try this route: head to East Peak, take the Dipper Express, descend from Big Dipper, and at each fork, keep right to reach Perimeter to Galaxy Bowl lift. #BayArea #Skiing #SanFrancisco

Take advantage of the last weekend in February to visit Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe. Known for offering the most beautiful lake views, Heavenly is the third-largest ski resort in the area, featuring 27 lifts and 112 trails. My last visit to Heavenly was a few years ago when I had a season pass. Since then, I've mainly visited Squaw Valley (now renamed Palisades Tahoe) and other resorts like Sugar Bowl, Mt. Rose, and Homewood. This season, I purchased a four-day Epic Day Pass, which is perfect for revisiting these resorts. Heavenly Ski Resort has four access points for taking the lift up the mountain: Stagecoach Lodge and Boulder Lodge in Nevada, California Lodge, and Heavenly Village in California. We arrived at the parking lot around 8:50 am, and it was already 80% full. Arriving any later might mean parking outside. We chose to head to California Lodge and took the Aerial Tramway lift up the mountain. After reaching the top, we skied down Patsy's to take the Powderbowl Express to Sky Express. We spent the morning taking Sky Express and Canyon Express four or five times. For lunch, we planned to go to Tamarack Lodge. After reaching the top of Sky Express, we followed the super flat Skyline Trail. Snowboarders often had to remove their boards to walk due to the gentle slopes and occasional uphill sections, which were quite exhausting. Finally, after a bit of downhill skiing, we reached the Nevada Side at Dipper Express and Comet Express. From there, we took Dipper Express and then California Trail to Tamarack Lodge. However, by the time we arrived, it was already past 2 pm, so we decided to skip lunch and just bought some beer and candy for a quick break. In the afternoon, we took Tamarack Express back to the California Side to continue skiing.

In the vast rural landscape, winter seems to offer little entertainment beyond skiing. Heavenly ski resort is truly beautiful! The view of the lake from the cable car makes the trip worthwhile. I skied for two days; the first day was filled with falls, but by the second day, I improved significantly, falling much less. I rented my ski gear from Sports Basement, which is reportedly cheaper than renting directly at the resort. You can rent skis, boots, helmets, and even ski clothes, though I opted to buy my own as wearing previously worn clothes felt odd. I purchased goggles, gloves, scarves, and hats from Shein, choosing cute options perfect for photos. If anyone's interested, I can share a recommendation post. #LakeTahoe #SouthLakeTahoe #WinterSkiing #BeginnerSkiing #HeavenlySkiResort

#newyearnewtrip Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, South Lake Tahoe is a year-round paradise. In winter, hit the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort for world-class skiing and snowboarding. As snow melts, the landscape transforms into a haven for hikers, bikers, and kayakers. Emerald Bay State Park offers jaw-dropping views of crystal-clear waters and Fannette Island. Stroll along the bustling Heavenly Village, dotted with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. For a serene escape, relax on the sandy shores of Zephyr Cove or take a scenic cruise on Lake Tahoe. As the sun sets, the vibrant nightlife comes alive with casinos and live music. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, South Lake Tahoe delivers unforgettable memories amidst breathtaking natural beauty.

Last snow season, I visited all four bases of Heavenly. The weather was often snowy and foggy, so I stayed at the lifts on each base's summit. This season, with warm weather and sunny skies, I roamed between the snow-covered mountains and forests of different bases, feeling like a king of the mountains. It felt like the perfect moment for Zhao Yingjun's song "The King Calls Me to Patrol the Mountains." California Lodge: Located at 3860 Saddle Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, this is the closest base to the Bay Area and also the most crowded. Starting this year, parking fees are charged on weekends and peak weeks, costing $20 a day. I've never successfully paid their parking system, making it my least favorite base. The descent from the mountain is via the double black diamond Gunbarrel run, which is quite challenging. Gondola: Situated at 1 Bellamy Ct. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, the Gondola parking lot is a public lot managed by Lake Tahoe, costing $25 a day. After a long gondola ride up, you can take the Tamarack lift and decide whether to go left to Dipper or right to Sky Express. Generally, Sky Express is more crowded and has longer wait times. The Gondola closes early, so it's recommended to take the lift down by 3:30 PM, requiring careful time management. Boulder: Located at 140 S. Benjamin Drive, Stateline, NV 89449, this was the first base I visited at Heavenly. It offers blue and green runs, suitable for beginners and families. If you don't aim for the highest and longest blue runs, Olympic is a good choice. The only downside is the small parking lot. Stagecoach: Found at 375 Quaking Aspen Lane, Stateline, NV 89449, Stagecoach is about half an hour further than California Lodge. It has a larger parking lot and fewer crowds. Typically, you take the Stagecoach lift, descend along Pepi's to the Dipper lift, and enjoy skiing there. If you're staying in Lake Tahoe for an extended period, Stagecoach is the best option. If you prefer not to shuttle between bases on your own, you can take the convenient shuttle bus. There is a shuttle between the two California bases, California Lodge and Gondola, and another between the Nevada bases, Boulder and Stagecoach. #BayAreaLife #BayArea #BayAreaWeekend #LakeTahoe #Skiing #TahoeLake #TahoeLakeSkiing #Heavenly #HeavenlySkiing #SkiingIsLife

Heavenly Ski Resort truly lives up to its name with its stunning beauty, making it an ideal destination for families. Located next to Lake Tahoe, the resort offers activities for all ages. Seniors can enjoy a leisurely stroll by the lake or take a gondola ride to enjoy panoramic views of Tahoe. The gondola stops twice, first at a mid-mountain observation deck and then at the main ski area. The base camp offers various activities for children, such as tubing and climbing, making it worth a visit even if you're not skiing.

After Thanksgiving, Heavenly wasn't quite ready. The artificial snow was harder than A Basin's, with hidden obstacles like stones, branches, and pine cones under the thin snow. My teammates and I had just waxed our new boards, only to have them scratched. Last Thursday, a snowstorm arrived as predicted, making skiing in the wind and snow exhilarating. Unfortunately, my teammate's glasses fogged up, causing a fall and an arm injury, though no bones were broken. As a result, I skied solo for a few days, experiencing Heavenly's sun, fog, rain, and snow from opening to closing. Whenever the sky cleared and the lake was visible, you'd hear on the lift, 'It's a lovely day in paradise.' With my previous experience skiing in Tahoe in March, this 'move' was more organized. I have great respect for Tahoe's 'food desert' reputation, so I brought four boxes of food, half a box of condiments, coffee powder, a moka pot, a milk frother, chopsticks, a slotted spoon, a stew pot, and even a pillow. I recommended Jenny's Kitchen's smoked chicken legs, braised duck wings, and scallion pancakes to Bay Area ski friends. I vacuum-sealed them in small portions, which was quite clever. The scallion pancakes are soft and fragrant after a minute in the microwave, making for a convenient quick breakfast. I bought lamb racks at Baraka Halal Market, which were tender and had a milky aroma without a gamey taste. I also vacuum-sealed them after blanching. I made hand-grabbed lamb chops and roasted lamb chops, which were easy to prepare in the vacation rental. Other ski staples included spicy hot pot and lamb hot pot, as well as tomato gnocchi soup for warming up on snowy days. The slightly more complicated dish was water-boiled beef, with beef from the nearby Whole Foods and sweet potato noodles I had brought with me. This time, I booked a vacation rental in the apartments opposite the Aerial Tram, a cute duplex with a high ceiling and large windows. I initially planned to stay for a week but extended for two more days because the lift was so convenient. I was so excited that I woke up before seven every morning, and on some days, I skied on 'noodle snow.' Before the 4 PM closing, I'd speed up to squeeze in one last run. Regardless of skill level, if Heavenly had a full attendance award for skiing, I'd be a contender. These nine days might be the most significant progress I've felt since practicing parallel skiing at Mount Buller in August. My wide stance has improved, and my weight transfer is much better. Thanks to California's beautiful ridge run, a very friendly blue trail, I was able to practice various advanced techniques. Hopefully, I won't revert to old habits on more challenging slopes next time. #HeavenlySkiing #TahoeSkiing