Resort comparison
Kirkwood vs Heavenly vs Northstar California
Quick take
Got yourself an EPIC PASS and thinking of making a trip out to Lake Tahoe to ski or snowboard the world class ski resorts which call this region their home? The good news is that there are three major resorts to choose from, the hard thing might be choosing which resort to visit or even base yourself at as they aren’t exactly close to each other. Combined the resorts offer over 10,000 skiable acres, have unlimited access on range of epic passes, each roughly see the same amount of snowfall as well as sunshine per season and offer terrain which is suitable to all skill levels. But, not all skiers and snowboarders are made equal and nor are the ski resorts.
First published May 3, 2026. Stats update when each resort's SnowStash profile changes.
Terrain & trails
Total runs, difficulty mix, and skiable distance
Kirkwood covers 85 runs across 2,300 acres (12% beginner, 30% intermediate, 38% advanced, 20% expert). Heavenly has 97 runs across 4,800 acres (8% beginner, 62% intermediate, 25% advanced, 5% expert), and Northstar adds 100 runs across 3,170 acres (13% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% advanced, 7% expert). The three mountains are closely matched on total trail count. Terrain character and difficulty mix will matter more than raw run numbers when choosing between them.
Kirkwood
85runs
2,300 acres
Heavenly
97runs
4,800 acres
Northstar
100runs
3,170 acres
Kirkwood
Beginner12%
Intermediate30%
Advanced38%
Expert20%
Heavenly
Beginner8%
Intermediate62%
Advanced25%
Expert5%
Northstar
Beginner13%
Intermediate60%
Advanced20%
Expert7%
Mountain size & vertical
Summit, base, and vertical drop - bigger vertical generally means more variety
Kirkwood runs from a base of 2,377m up to 2,987m - 610m (2,001ft) of vertical, Heavenly runs from a base of 2,002m up to 3,068m - 1,066m (3,497ft) of vertical, Northstar runs from a base of 1,929m up to 2,624m - 695m (2,280ft) of vertical. Of the three, Heavenly has the most to work with vertically - significantly more than Kirkwood, which makes for notably shorter sustained descents.
Kirkwood
610m
2,001ft vertical drop
Summit2,987m · 9,800ft
Base2,377m · 7,799ft
Heavenly
1,066m
3,497ft vertical drop
Summit3,068m · 10,066ft
Base2,002m · 6,568ft
Northstar
695m
2,280ft vertical drop
Summit2,624m · 8,609ft
Base1,929m · 6,329ft
Annual snowfall
Historical average - more snow generally means better powder and a longer season
Kirkwood averages 899 cm (354″) of snow a season - exceptional snowfall for the region. Heavenly averages 914 cm (360″) - exceptional snowfall for the region. Northstar averages 889 cm (350″) - exceptional snowfall for the region. The totals are close enough across all three that snowfall alone shouldn't be a deciding factor. Grooming, aspect, and terrain layout will have more impact on day-to-day conditions.
Verdict
Snowfall is close across all three - it's not a meaningful differentiator. Ski where the terrain suits you.
Kirkwood
899cm
354″ · 29.5ft
Metres8.99m
Inches354″
Heavenly
914cm
360″ · 30ft
Metres9.14m
Inches360″
Northstar
889cm
350″ · 29.2ft
Metres8.89m
Inches350″
Lift system
High-speed detachable chairs and gondolas reduce wait times most
Kirkwood runs 15 lifts in total - all fixed-grip chairs and surface lifts. Heavenly runs 26 lifts in total, including 4 high-speed chairs or gondolas. Northstar runs 20 lifts in total, including 3 high-speed chairs or gondolas. High-speed lift access is where the real difference shows. Heavenly leads the group on detachable chairs and gondolas - fewer slow lifts means more laps in the same day.
Verdict
Heavenly for on-mountain flow - the most high-speed infrastructure in the group means less standing around and more laps across the day.
Kirkwood
15lifts total
Quad chair3
Triple chair6
Double chair2
T-bar1
Surface lift3
Heavenly
26lifts total
Gondola1
Aerial tram1
6-person chair2
Quad chair8
Triple chair6
Double chair2
T-bar1
Surface lift5
Northstar
20lifts total
Gondola2
6-person chair1
Quad chair8
Triple chair2
T-bar2
Surface lift5
Season dates
Typical opening and closing - always verify on the resort's official site before booking
Kirkwood typically runs Nov 30 – Apr 19, 2026 - around ~140 days on snow. Heavenly typically runs Nov 22 – Apr 5, 2026 - around ~134 days on snow. Northstar typically runs Nov 22 – Apr 5, 2026 - around ~134 days on snow. Season lengths are closely matched across all three. Timing your trip comes down to conditions rather than availability windows.
Verdict
Season lengths are comparable across all three - not a meaningful differentiator here.
Kirkwood
Nov 30 – Apr 19, 2026
~140 days
Heavenly
Nov 22 – Apr 5, 2026
~134 days
Northstar
Nov 22 – Apr 5, 2026
~134 days
Lift tickets
Walk-up adult day ticket prices and season pass coverage
Kirkwood walk-up adult day tickets start at $150 (peak: $189). Heavenly walk-up adult day tickets start at $119 (peak: $265). Northstar walk-up adult day tickets start at $99 (peak: $169). Northstar is the more affordable day-ticket option of the three - a $99 vs $150 difference that adds up quickly if you're visiting multiple days. On the pass front, all three are covered by the Epic - worth keeping in mind if you're planning a multi-resort trip, since the pass typically pays for itself after a handful of days at walk-up rates.
Verdict
Both on the same pass - if you're skiing more than five or six days across the season, the pass is the obvious play over buying day tickets at the gate.
Northstar
$99
adult day ticket (low rate)
Peak rate$169
Season passEpic
Video review
Watch the Kirkwood vs Heavenly vs Northstar comparison
Frequently asked questions
Answers use live stats from each resort profile; names and figures update automatically.
- Which is better for beginner skiers and snowboarders: Kirkwood, Heavenly, or Northstar?
- Northstar leads this comparison on beginner-friendly stats, with 13% of trails graded beginner. That is not to say the others are bad for learners: Kirkwood still offers 12% beginner terrain, and Heavenly still offers 8% beginner terrain. Beginner percentages are only part of the story; grooming, pitch, and lesson infrastructure matter just as much on snow.
- Which has the most challenging terrain: Kirkwood, Heavenly, or Northstar?
- Kirkwood tilts hardest toward advanced and expert terrain on the numbers we show, with 58% of trails in advanced plus expert grades combined, which helps if you are hunting steeps, chutes, or less crowded black runs. Heavenly is comparatively mellower on the same measure (30% advanced + expert).
- How does annual snowfall compare between Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar?
- Kirkwood averages about 899 cm (354″) per season; Heavenly averages about 914 cm (360″) per season; Northstar averages about 889 cm (350″) per season. Totals are close enough that snowfall alone should not decide your trip; aspect, elevation, and grooming usually move day-to-day conditions more than the long-run average.
- Which resort has more vertical drop: Kirkwood, Heavenly, or Northstar?
- Kirkwood lists 610 m (2,001 ft) of vertical drop; Heavenly lists 1,066 m (3,497 ft) of vertical drop; Northstar lists 695 m (2,280 ft) of vertical drop. Heavenly offers the longest sustained descents on paper, helpful if you like big top-to-bottom laps.
- How do the lift networks compare between Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar?
- Kirkwood runs 15 lifts in total, including 0 high-speed chairs or gondolas; Heavenly runs 26 lifts in total, including 4 high-speed chairs or gondolas; Northstar runs 20 lifts in total, including 3 high-speed chairs or gondolas. Heavenly leads on detachable and gondola infrastructure in this comparison, with less time on slow fixed-grip lifts and more skiing.
- How do lift ticket and day-pass prices compare for Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar?
- Kirkwood: adult day tickets from $150 (peak from $189) Confirm on the resort's official ticket page before you pay.Heavenly: adult day tickets from $119 (peak from $265) Confirm on the resort's official ticket page before you pay.Northstar: adult day tickets from $99 (peak from $169) Confirm on the resort's official ticket page before you pay.Northstar is the lower walk-up adult day rate in this set on the numbers we show.All three are on the Epic. Compare blackout rules and partner mountains, not just the single-day gate price.Multi-day packs and season passes usually beat window singles; book inside advance windows when resorts open them. Group desks often start at 10+; ask each resort directly.
- Can I buy lift tickets online for Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar, and when should I buy for the best price?
- Yes. You can buy lift access for Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar through each resort's official website or ticket office. On this page, "lift ticket" and "ski pass" both mean paid access to lifts and trails for the window you choose; the savings usually show up when you bundle multiple days or buy a season pass instead of repeated window singles. Check each resort's published advance-purchase windows and any pass blackout rules before you lock dates.Kirkwood lift tickets & passes on SnowStashHeavenly lift tickets & passes on SnowStashNorthstar lift tickets & passes on SnowStash
- Which ski area has the longer season: Kirkwood, Heavenly, or Northstar?
- Kirkwood is shown with about 140 days on snow from typical opening to closing; Heavenly is shown with about 134 days on snow from typical opening to closing; Northstar is shown with about 134 days on snow from typical opening to closing. Season lengths are similar, so pick based on snow and terrain, not the calendar alone.
- How should I use this comparison of Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Northstar?
- Use it to shortlist which resort matches your ability, snow expectations, and budget before you book. Always confirm lift tickets, hours, avalanche and lift status, and travel rules on each resort's official site, because operations change with weather.
- Where do the numbers on this comparison come from?
- Stats are pulled from each resort's SnowStash profile. When a resort updates terrain, lifts, snowfall, or ticket fields in the CMS, this page reflects those changes on the next publish cycle.