Heavenly
4,800 acres across CA-NV border, 1,066m vertical, 97 runs. Epic Pass access at Lake Tahoe's highest resort.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
24 Nov 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
131
Annual snow
360in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Heavenly spans 4,800 acres across the California-Nevada border at Lake Tahoe, with a summit elevation of 3,068 metres making it the highest resort in the basin. The 1,066-metre vertical drop feeds 97 runs spread between four base areas, whilst the ski area receives an average of 9.1 metres of snowfall annually and maintains extensive snowmaking across more than 60 per cent of terrain. The resort opened in 1955 and has been owned by Vail Resorts since 2002.
Terrain breaks down to 8 per cent beginner, 62 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent advanced and 5 per cent expert. Ridge Run and California Trail deliver panoramic Lake Tahoe views across long intermediate cruisers on the California side, whilst Mott Canyon on the Nevada side offers steep chutes and glades with over 490 metres of sustained vertical. The ski area's unique straddling of two states creates distinct characters - California slopes face the lake with wider groomers, Nevada terrain delivers steeper pitches and Carson Valley vistas.
The base village sits in South Lake Tahoe at Heavenly Village, where the 8-person gondola rises 900 metres from the casino corridor. On-mountain lodges include Tamarack at the gondola's upper terminal, California Lodge with the aerial tram, and East Peak Lodge on the Nevada side. Crowds concentrate at weekends and holidays, particularly on connector runs between states, though the sprawling footprint disperses traffic across multiple pods.
Epic Pass provides unlimited access, with the resort also honouring Epic Local Pass with holiday restrictions. The 2025-2026 season runs from 22 November through 5 April. Heavenly suits strong intermediates and groups mixing abilities, though beginners face isolated learning zones with limited progression routes between sectors and experts may find the double-black percentage modest for a resort of this scale.
3,497ft
Vertical
97
Runs
4,800 acres
Skiable
360in
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
97 runs across 4,800 acres skiable
Heavenly is the big resort on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, with about 4,800 acres (1,943 hectares) straddling the California-Nevada line. From a 6,570 ft (2,002 m) base to a 10,070 ft (3,068 m) summit, the vertical is 3,500 ft (1,066 m) across 97 runs. Intermediate terrain takes up 62%, with 25% advanced, 8% beginner and 5% expert, so cruising skiers get the most from it. Twenty-seven lifts, including a gondola, serve the mountain, though crossing between sides takes planning. Size is the draw here, with Lake Tahoe views from the California side.
Ridge Run and Big Dipper offer long, scenic descents with views of Lake Tahoe, and the California side is home to well-groomed cruisers. The Nevada side faces Carson Valley, with more varied terrain and fewer crowds. Advanced skiers head for the steeper pitches of Mott Canyon and Killebrew Canyon, where chutes, tree skiing and natural features reward confident riders, and Mott Canyon's north-facing chutes hold snow longer after a storm. Milky Way Bowl gives wide-open skiing and deep snow after storms. Heavenly suits strong intermediates, mixed groups and anyone wanting a large area to explore across two states, plus evenings in the casinos at Stateline.
Terrain split
97
runs
97 runs across 4 grades
Beginner8 runs · 8%
Intermediate60 runs · 62%
Advanced24 runs · 25%
Expert5 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Heavenly
The 2025-2026 season opens 22 November 2025 and closes 5 April 2026, delivering a 135-day operating window. Heavenly typically opens in the third or fourth week of November depending on snowmaking windows, with Thanksgiving weekend reliably seeing gondola and multiple base areas operational. The resort celebrated its 70th anniversary in the 2025-2026 season, having first opened as Heavenly Valley on 15 December 1955.
Annual snowfall averages 9.1 metres at upper elevations, with the 3,068-metre summit and extensive grooming fleet maintaining cover throughout winter. Snowmaking blankets approximately 60 per cent of terrain via over 200 snow guns, concentrated on lower and mid-mountain zones. The Tahoe basin's relatively moderate elevation for a major resort means rain can affect base areas during warm cycles, though upper mountain snow quality benefits from cold storms tracking across the Sierra crest.
January through March deliver peak powder reliability, with the first week of March historically the snowiest period averaging 43 centimetres across 3.3 snowy days. December and April offer thinner but often uncrowded conditions. Spring corn develops by late March on sun-exposed California faces. Base depths held at 104 centimetres mid-season 2025-2026, with 477 centimetres of cumulative snowfall recorded.
The resort hosts the Toyota Air and Après event in late February featuring professional athletes on a 14-metre jump constructed on World Cup terrain. A weekend DJ Cat programme runs December through March with guest DJs performing from a snowcat on weekends. Night operations are not offered, though the gondola operates for summer sightseeing from May, and tubing at Adventure Peak typically opens mid-December.
Season 2026 - 2027
24 Nov 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
131
Days open
360 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Heavenly
Daily snow reports at Heavenly go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
40 in
Snowiest day
18 Feb 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
219 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Heavenly, and where to stay
Heavenly occupies the southeastern corner of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada, with the ridgeline summit forming the California-Nevada state border at 3,068 metres elevation. The resort sits directly above the town of South Lake Tahoe on the California side and Stateline, Nevada, where casino hotels cluster along the boundary. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit oversees the permit area through the USDA Forest Service, with approximately one-third of the 4,800-acre permit currently developed for skiing.
South Lake Tahoe, population 21,330, provides the primary base with lodging concentrated along Highway 50 and around Heavenly Village at the gondola plaza. Stateline casinos including Harrah's and Harveys sit 500 metres from the gondola base. The California Lodge base lies 3.4 kilometres south along Ski Run Boulevard, whilst Nevada's Stagecoach Lodge sits 9 kilometres northeast via the winding Kingsbury Grade Road climbing 450 vertical metres from the lakeshore.
Highway 50 delivers all-weather access from Sacramento, 177 kilometres west via Echo Summit, a drive of two hours. From the San Francisco Bay Area, the journey covers 320 kilometres and takes approximately 3.5 hours via Interstate 80 to Truckee then Highway 89 south, or via Highway 50 through Placerville. Winter chain controls apply regularly on both routes during active storms.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport lies 88 kilometres northeast, a 75-minute drive via Highway 395 and Highway 50 through Carson City. Multiple shuttle operators including South Tahoe Airporter run hourly services taking 75 minutes. Sacramento International Airport sits 177 kilometres west with a two-hour transfer. Amtrak serves Reno with connecting shuttles to South Lake Tahoe. No passenger rail serves the immediate area, though the BlueGo bus system operates free routes between Heavenly Village, California Lodge, and both Nevada bases with service every 30 minutes during ski season.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Heavenly, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Heavenly's ski season?
Heavenly's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 24 through April 4. That window is roughly 131 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in California, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Heavenly have?
Heavenly lists about 4,800 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 97 named runs (1,942 hectares alongside 4,800 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Heavenly?
Trail grading at Heavenly breaks down roughly as 8% beginner, 62% intermediate, 25% advanced, 5% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Heavenly have?
Heavenly operates 26 lifts across 8 lift types. The fleet includes 8 quad chairs, 6 triple chairs, 5 surface lifts, 2 6-person chairs, 2 double chairs, 1 aerial tram, 1 gondola, and 1 t-bar.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Heavenly?
Base elevation at Heavenly is about 6,568 ft (2,002 m), with the summit around 10,066 ft (3,068 m), giving roughly 3,497 ft (1,066 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Heavenly get each season?
Heavenly averages about 360 inches (914 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Heavenly accept the Epic?
Heavenly is affiliated with the Epic. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Epic, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Heavenly lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$97 to US$284, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Heavenly before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 8 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Heavenly so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Heavenly have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Heavenly. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Heavenly located?
Heavenly sits in California, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
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Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
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4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
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4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
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3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026