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Introduction
One of the largest ski areas in North America, Heavenly is in the top three for skiable vertical. It also has unique attributes including spectacular views of Lake Tahoe below and bases in two separate states - California and the gambling Mecca of Nevada.
Another major asset is the abundant snowfall that's the norm at Heavenly, meaning the ski season often lasts from November to May. Lake Tahoe is a major factor in the snowfall figures. It's the North American continent's largest alpine lake and is 35km (22 miles) long and 19km (12 miles) wide.
The resort has seen hundreds of millions of dollars of investment over the past decade and has been transformed from ‘big' to ‘world class' with both lifts and the resort base upgraded. The ski centre itself is now owned by Vail, their only ski area outside Colorado.
Another major asset is the abundant snowfall that's the norm at Heavenly, meaning the ski season often lasts from November to May. Lake Tahoe is a major factor in the snowfall figures. It's the North American continent's largest alpine lake and is 35km (22 miles) long and 19km (12 miles) wide.
The resort has seen hundreds of millions of dollars of investment over the past decade and has been transformed from ‘big' to ‘world class' with both lifts and the resort base upgraded. The ski centre itself is now owned by Vail, their only ski area outside Colorado.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,993m (6,540ft).
Top elevation: 3,068m (10,067ft).
Base elevation: 1,993m (6,540ft).
Number of lifts: 29.
Number of runs: 91.
Average annual snowfall: 9m (30ft).
Where in the world?
Heavenly is located at the south end of Lake Tahoe on the west coast of the USA, due east of San Francisco. It straddles the border between the states of California and Nevada with skiing and resort bases on both sides.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from November to April, extending into May if snow allows.
A modern gondola from the revitalised Californian lakeside resort whisks skiers high up to snowsure terrain for all ability levels.
Beginners can enjoy terrain ideally suited to them and easy to access with nursery areas at the base of the slopes. There are special tuition programmes designed to accelerate learning and increase your chances of getting hooked on snow sports.
The whole area is open to intermediate skiers and boarders and a special ticket is available for non-US residents that allows for skiing at seven of the largest resorts around Lake Tahoe if you need still more choice.
A third of the ski area is graded advanced level - infamous runs include Gunbarrel and Killebrew Canyon.
A modern gondola from the revitalised Californian lakeside resort whisks skiers high up to snowsure terrain for all ability levels.
Beginners can enjoy terrain ideally suited to them and easy to access with nursery areas at the base of the slopes. There are special tuition programmes designed to accelerate learning and increase your chances of getting hooked on snow sports.
The whole area is open to intermediate skiers and boarders and a special ticket is available for non-US residents that allows for skiing at seven of the largest resorts around Lake Tahoe if you need still more choice.
A third of the ski area is graded advanced level - infamous runs include Gunbarrel and Killebrew Canyon.
Beyond the slopes
There's a vast choice of activities at the base of the ski area and in the wider South Lake Tahoe area. The new Heavenly Village at the base of the gondola has an ice rink and cinema. Also available are ballooning, casinos, cabaret shows, horse riding, paragliding, scuba-diving, waterskiing and swimming pools. Back on the snow there are also dog sled tours, sleigh rides and snowmobiling.
For a non-skiing adrenaline thrill back on the slopes, whizz through the air on the new Heavenly Sky Flyer, a 945m (3,100ft) zip line running from the top of the Tamarack Express chair to the top of the gondola.
For a non-skiing adrenaline thrill back on the slopes, whizz through the air on the new Heavenly Sky Flyer, a 945m (3,100ft) zip line running from the top of the Tamarack Express chair to the top of the gondola.
Family fun
South Lake Tahoe has many family-friendly attractions. Even though the gambling halls on the Nevada side are strictly adult only, the casinos offer very affordable dining for the whole family and there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy when not on the slopes, including cinemas, bowling, ice skating and swimming to name but a few.
Heavenly has an excellent nursery for children aged from two months - there are 30 places, so reservations are recommended. From age three, the Heavenly Kids Centre teaches children to ski and there's an indoor skill development play area for four- and five-year-old beginners.
Heavenly has an excellent nursery for children aged from two months - there are 30 places, so reservations are recommended. From age three, the Heavenly Kids Centre teaches children to ski and there's an indoor skill development play area for four- and five-year-old beginners.
Retail therapy
There are hundreds of shops to choose from around South Lake Tahoe including several mid-sized malls housing many national chains.
Sports shops abound with a dozen at the base of the gondola alone, including outlets for many well known brands, such as The North Face (Cecil's Fountain Plaza), Quiksilver (Heavenly Village), Burton (California Lodge) and Patagonia (adjacent to the gondola).
Sports shops abound with a dozen at the base of the gondola alone, including outlets for many well known brands, such as The North Face (Cecil's Fountain Plaza), Quiksilver (Heavenly Village), Burton (California Lodge) and Patagonia (adjacent to the gondola).
Après ski
There are more than 150 nightspots along the south shore of Lake Tahoe so the choice is huge. The casinos which start, literally, a few inches into Nevada are a centre for 24-hour partying with lively bars, cabaret shows and dancing as well as the vast halls of gambling machines, which tend to subsidise low prices for food and drink. One of the biggest is Harveys (988 Stateline Avenue).
Amongst the pick of the bunch in the long list of bars and clubs, Mulligan's Irish Pub (3600 Lake Tahoe Boulevard) is a popular sports bar and received The James Joyce Pub Award for its service, atmosphere and ‘being a true representative of Irish pub life'.
Amongst the pick of the bunch in the long list of bars and clubs, Mulligan's Irish Pub (3600 Lake Tahoe Boulevard) is a popular sports bar and received The James Joyce Pub Award for its service, atmosphere and ‘being a true representative of Irish pub life'.
Eating out
As with all things Heavenly, there's a huge choice, with more than 160 places to eat and almost every style of food available.
Of the longer established venues, Nepheles Restaurant (1169 Ski Run Boulevard) has been serving creative Californian cuisine since 1977 and is considered a locals' favourite. Nepheles specialises in fresh fish, game and seasonal specialities.
At the top end of the dining chart, The Cedar Room (178 Highway 50 in Round Hill) offers some of Lake Tahoe's finest dining with an elegant fireside lounge and contemporary dining room.
Of the longer established venues, Nepheles Restaurant (1169 Ski Run Boulevard) has been serving creative Californian cuisine since 1977 and is considered a locals' favourite. Nepheles specialises in fresh fish, game and seasonal specialities.
At the top end of the dining chart, The Cedar Room (178 Highway 50 in Round Hill) offers some of Lake Tahoe's finest dining with an elegant fireside lounge and contemporary dining room.
Getting around
Heavenly's shuttle system covers five different routes, marked by blue bus stops, stopping at most major lodging properties and Heavenly's base facilities: the California Base Lodge, the base of the gondola in the new village, and Stagecoach and Boulder Lodges in Nevada. The shuttles typically circulate every 20 to 30 minutes.
Splashing out
Cross Lake Tahoe on a genuine Mississippi paddle steamer with Lake Tahoe Cruises (website: www.zephyrcove.com/ski-shuttle/index.cfm), spend the day skiing at 1960 Olympic venue Squaw Valley, then enjoy the on-board après-ski party as you return to Heavenly.
Accommodation
Luxury
Marriott Grand Residence ClubLuxurious lodging next to the gondola, new village facilities and a short walk from the lifts.
4100 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Tel: 1 800 845 5279.
Website: www.grandresidenceclub.com
Moderate
Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & SpaThe only all-lakefront property on South Shore with a beautiful view of the lake from every room and a free shuttle to the ski slopes (and casinos...).
930 Bal Bijou Road
Tel: (530) 541 2180 or 1 800 448 4577.
Website: www.tahoelakeshorelodge.com
Budget
Horizon Casino Resort539-room budget-priced hotel with the area's largest heated outdoor pool, cabaret shows, nightclub, live music, dancing, three affordable restaurants, cinema and 3,900 sq m (42,000 sq ft) of 24-hour gambling space if you miss the free ski shuttle bus.
50 Highway 50
Tel: 1 800 648 3322.
Website: www.horizoncasino.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Reno/Tahoe (RNO); Sacramento (SMF); San Francisco (SFO).
Distance to resort: 90km (56 miles); 187km (116 miles); 322km (200 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 2 hours 15 minutes; 3 hours 30 minutes.
Distance to resort: 90km (56 miles); 187km (116 miles); 322km (200 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 2 hours 15 minutes; 3 hours 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Intermediates, Experts, Non-skiers, Après ski, Beginners, Snow reliability, Families, Snowboarders
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