Heavenly Valley Ski Resort a Haven for Snow Lovers
Tahoe's Heavenly Valley Offers the Complete Ski Vacation
Dubbed the number one ski destination in Lake Tahoe by Ski Magazine readers, Heavenly Valley Ski Resort has everything the snow-loving individual or family needs for the perfect ski holiday.
From nearly 100 fine trails to dozens of restaurants and clubs, you'll find everything you want and need within the confines of the Heavenly Valley resort, meaning there's little reason to ever leave the mountain area during your ski vacation.
About the Mountain
Heavenly is located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe and boasts property in both California and Nevada. There are four individual base lodges at Heavenly: two in California - The California Lodge and The Gondola at Heavenly - and two in Nevada – Stagecoach and Boulder Lodges.
For skiers, however, it's not about the accommodations but about what the mountain offers. There are 91 runs at Heavenly, appropriate for all levels. About 20% are beginner slopes, 45% intermediate, and 35% difficult.
The Lake Tahoe area receives more snow per year than any other ski resort in the U.S., assuring visitors that the skiing will always be fine! That also means the season is quite long, starting in mid-November and often not ending until early May.
Thirty lifts - fifteen on each side - carry skiers to the top of the mountain, where the highest skiing elevation is just over 10,000 feet. Snowboarders are heartily welcomed also and Heavenly Valley Ski Resort provides four excellent terrain parks for their enjoyment.
Ski Schools of Heavenly offer lessons and clinics for skiers of all ages and ability levels and even have an adaptive ski program for guests with disabilities.
Rental equipment is readily available at the nearly one dozen sport shops located in and around Heavenly, so you can be sure that there's enough excellent state-of-the-art equipment on-site for you and/or your family.
More Heavenly Fun
If downhill and snowboarding aren't your thing, there's still plenty for you to do in and around the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.
Adventure Peak is the ideal location for those who don't ski or board but still enjoy the snow. Ride 2.5 miles up the mountain on the Gondola to reach this fun play area where visitors can go sledding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, or snow biking, enjoy cross country, or just romp in the snow. There's even a climbing wall here and a grill where you can grab a sandwich or warm drink.
When the day is over, the après ski scene is fine. There are 165 restaurants and 108 clubs in the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort area. If you prefer to stay in and prepare your own meal or enjoy drinks with your friends, grocery and liquor stores in the area are plentiful so you can always find what you need.
Shopping is fun as well, with more than 70 shops in the village area and literally hundreds of stores and boutiques located throughout Lake Tahoe. You'll find a variety of stores, including designer clothing stores, exceptional art galleries, and plenty of souvenir shops.
A Heavenly Summer
A visit to Heavenly Valley Ski Resort in the summer is also tons of fun and Tahoe, in general, is quite a popular summer vacation destination.
The lake itself, of course, is one of the major attractions during the warm months. Guests can enjoy boating, sport fishing, jet skiing, and parasailing on this expansive body of water.
Biking and hiking are also quite popular and there are many excellent golf courses in the South Shore area and throughout Tahoe. Don't forget…your ball flies further in the high altitude, so be prepared to knock a few points off your handicap!
Summer is festival time in Lake Tahoe as well, so visitors to Heavenly Valley will enjoy everything from top-notch fine and performing arts to a gala Renaissance event.
Getting to Heavenly
If you're flying to Lake Tahoe, you can get to Heavenly Valley Ski Resort via any of the more than 200 flights that land at the Reno/Tahoe or Sacramento International Airports each and every day from numerous major cities across the U.S.