Summary Heavenly

Summary of the ski resort Heavenly

Description Heavenly

Heavenly, the ski resort that spans two US states (California and Nevada), is located right on Lake Tahoe. From South Lake Tahoe, you can either take the gondola from Heavenly Village directly to the base station of the high-speed six-seater chairlift Tamarak Express. Alternatively, you can take the aerial tramway or the parallel high-speed four-seater chairlift Gunbarrel Express from the California Lodge up into the ski area.

If you take the gondola, there is a mid-mountain station called The Deck, where you can get off and enjoy a magnificent view over the lake. On the way down, you cannot get off there. At the mountain station of the gondola, also known as Adventure Peak, there is the Big Easy four-seater chairlift, which was built especially for beginners. For non-skiers, there is also the Heavenly Flyer, a zipline over the ski area, as well as tubing opportunities and the Adventure Peak Grill.

From the top station of the Tamarack Express, you have the choice of skiing down the California Trail towards California or exploring the runs in Nevada.
The California Trail leads to the two high-speed four-seater chairlifts Sky Express and Canyon Express. The Canyon Express serves wind-protected runs through the forest, while the Sky Express takes you up to the highest point in the ski area at 3,060 m. As you carve down the intermediate forest runs, you are always treated to the stunning backdrop of Lake Tahoe.

Other runs lead into the basin to Snow Beach. From here, the high-speed six-seater chairlift Poderbowl Express takes you back towards Sky and Canyon Express, or you can take one of the two short triple chairlifts, Patsy’s or Groove, to reach the Lakeview Lodge. This is where the Aerial Tramway and the high-speed four-seater chairlift Gunbarrel Express from California Lodge end.

Challenging and steep mogul runs lead down below the lifts to California Lodge, but you can avoid these by taking the Round A Bout run, which also brings you down to the base. At California Lodge, there is a small beginner area with a magic carpet and the triple chairlift First Ride.

To get from California to Nevada, there is unfortunately only one way: you have to take the very flat Skyline Trail from the top of Sky Express to the left, where you may need to push a bit, and this brings you to the Nevada side of the ski area. In Nevada, you first reach the high-speed four-seater chairlifts Dipper Express and Comet Express, which take you to intermediate runs. These lifts can also be accessed from the top of Tamarack Express. Beautiful intermediate forest runs lead down to Stagecoach and Boulder Lodge. From Stagecoach Lodge, you can take the high-speed four-seater chairlift Stagecoach Express back up, while from Boulder Lodge you need two slower triple chairlifts.

The Olympic Express, a high-speed four-seater chairlift, provides access to beautiful intermediate runs and also serves as a connection towards California.

A highlight for experts is Mott Canyon and Killebrew Canyon, which offer only difficult and very steep runs. You can only enter here through the open gates, and the Mott Canyon chairlift takes you back to the easier runs. There are also several glade runs through the forest, such as Dipper Woods, Nevada Woods, or Stagecoach Woods, which are spread throughout the area.

To return to California, you need to take Von Schmidt's Trail, which passes the top station of the eight-person gondola and Tamarak Express and ends at Sky Express. There is unfortunately no valley run to the Heavenly Gondola at the border between California and Nevada. If you want to ski down to the base, you can go to California Lodge, Stagecoach Lodge, or Boulder Lodge and then take the shuttle bus back to Heavenly Village.

Highly recommended is the magnificent view of Lake Tahoe, which accompanies you all day. The view of the Nevada desert on the other side is also breathtaking. After skiing, you can sit by the open fire at Fire + Ice in Heavenly Village or head straight to one of the casinos at the Stateline in Nevada. If you prefer to relax, do as the Americans do and soak in the outdoor hot tub.

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