Heavenly Ski Resort Guide
Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe could not have a more incredible location. Divided across the states of California and Nevada, Ski Heavenly has panoramic views of Lake Tahoe in one direction and Nevada desert vistas in the other. A snowboarding trip to Heavenly is more than just incredible views though with Heavenly offering everything from steep tree-skiing, to two terrain parks, and some great family fun. This Heavenly Mountain ski resort review aims to give you all the information to make the best out of your trip to Heavenly.
HEAVENLY FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Heavenly after the long drive from San Francisco I headed straight up for an afternoon of exploration. Taking the gondola from the Heavenly village on the California side I was first struck by stunning views across Lake Tahoe. I don’t think it is over the top to say this may just be the prettiest place I have ever snowboarded. Certainly, it would be up there with Cerro Catedral, Argentina, and the views from Coronet Peak in Queenstown. At the top of the gondola, there is a small beginner area and a lodge, but a quick ride up the Tamarack Express provides you with a dilemma.. to stay in California or head over to the Nevada side. Wherever you go you will be able to find; awesome tree runs, big bump lines, great groomers, and of course insane views!
HEAVENLY SKI AREA
Heavenly is the largest ski area in Lake Tahoe, around 800 acres larger than the popular Squaw Valley Resort. The amount of terrain is a fantastic pull for skiers and snowboarders to Heavenly, especially given how it serves all abilities of skiers and snowboarders.
There are dedicated beginner areas at both the California Lodge and the Tamarack Lodge which are both meeting places for the ski school. The slopes at Heavenly are particularly suited to intermediates who will make the most of the groomed terrain on both California and Heavenly side. The groomers at Heavenly are exceptional with High Five being a particular favorite.
If you want to avoid the crowds then the Nevada side certainly sees less traffic. Looking for more challenging terrain? You will not be disappointed! Heavenly has an expanse of exciting tree runs across the resort with Mott Canyon offering steep skiing in bounds. At Heavenly you will also find a lot of moguls and it seems that Heavenly skiers like their bumps big.
An iconic run down Gunbarrel at the end of the day will ensure the best views as well as sore legs! Heavenly ski resort offers the most vertical drop as well as the largest ski area in Lake Tahoe. Heavenly also has two terrain parks, both on the California side of the resort. You will find that the Groove and Remix Parks cater to different abilities but both are excellent. Groove Park has entry-level through to medium size features and is served by its own chairlift. Remix Park is home to the large jumps and rails.
LIFTS AT HEAVENLY
Heavenly ski resort has a modern system of 24 lifts across the resort, but they are not without fault. Let’s start with the positives, you have a choice of where you would like to access the mountain with three main uplift sites. California Lodge offers two options for uplifting, a tram and the Gunbarrel chairlift both take you to the top of Patsy’s run so you can start your day. Alternatively, you can take the gondola from Heavenly village which rises over 1000m to the Tamarack Lodge. If you are looking for a quieter start to your day consider heading to Nevada and Stagecoach lodge where you can uplift on the Stagecoach Express chair. Nevada side in general sees fewer crowds.
Once on the mountain, the modern lift system mainly consists of fast quad or six-seater chairs, although beware of the bottleneck at Sky Deck, with Sky and Canyon chairs having serious crowding on weekends.
One major negative about the lift system at Heavenly is that key chairs are prone to wind closures. This is common across many ski resorts but sadly it can really affect your day at Heavenly. If you park on the California side and ski over to Nevada before Dipper and Comet chairs close, you can then find yourself stranded across the state line.
If this occurs, Heavenly does not run its bus service between the two states so you could end up needing to pay for a taxi. The best advice is to pay attention to the weather and if in doubt stay on the side you park.
HEAVENLY SNOW RECORD
Heavenly ski resort receives an average of 9m snowfall throughout its winter season, which is plenty to keep the fun rolling well into April. Helped by its elevation and extensive snowmaking Heavenly does a pretty good job of maintaining snow quality throughout the season.
SEASON DATES
The ski season at Heavenly runs from late November until the third week of April with snow permitting. Nearby Squaw does have longer season dates with skiing possible into July!
HEAVENLY LIFT TICKETS
Buying a day pass for Heavenly isn’t cheap with prices above $100 per day. If you intend to ski at Heavenly book your multi-day pass in advance of your trip to secure a discount. I visited Heavenly as an Epic Pass Holder and found being an Epic Pass holder to be an affordable way to ski across many resorts. With an Epic Pass, you can also ski at nearby Kirkwood and Northstar.
TRAVEL TO HEAVENLY
WHERE IS HEAVENLY?
Heavenly ski resort is split between the states of Nevada and California and is located in South Lake Tahoe. To access Heavenly is easiest with self-drive car hire although shuttles are available from downtown San Francisco.
HOW TO GET TO HEAVENLY
INTERNATIONAL
If arriving internationally you will be best served to fly into San Francisco International Airport. From San Francisco, you can continue your journey by either taking an internal flight to Reno or take the 3-hour drive to South Lake Tahoe straight from San Francisco.
DOMESTIC
An internal flight to Reno will bring you to your closest access point to the South Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts, but realistically you will still require car hire to get you the 1.5hr from Reno to Heavenly ski area.
HEAVENLY ACCOMMODATION
At Heavenly you will find an array of accommodation options available. The unique opportunity to stay in a casino at a ski resort is possible here, but be wary of low room prices that may tempt you to spend your spare change in the slots. Alternatively, you can opt for a stay in condos, lodges, or motel-style accommodations.
SEARCH HEAVENLY ACCOMMODATION
HEAVENLY PROS
Heavenly Ski Resort has insane views that are unrivalled!
Heavenly Mountain’s modern lift system with various entry points to the mountain
Heavenly is a purpose-built town with a lively Apres scene.
Mott Canyon offers a great inbounds challenge with steeps and bumps accessible by Heavenly’s lift system
Heavenly Ski Resort has a really good beginner’s area.
HEAVENLY CONS
Lifts at Heavenly Ski Resort can close due to high winds, which can lead to you getting stranded and needing to find a way back across the Stateline.
Heavenly Mountain, like many US ski resorts, is incredibly expensive with budget options few and far between.
Heavenly gets way more crowds at peak times than nearby Kirkwood and Northstar.
HEAVENLY ACTIVITIES
Despite being a pretty epic ski resort at Heavenly there are many alternatives on and off-snow activities to take part in. Near Tamarack Lodge you will Adventure Peak, which has a mountain coaster and tubing hill. These activities are an additional cost to your ski lift ticket.
Near the resort, it is possible to take snowmobile tours, skate at the village ice rink, or see the latest films at Heavenly Cinema. A trip to Lake Tahoe is a must, with a walk along the beach possible as well as lake cruises or fishing excursions.
The Casinos at Heavenly provide entertainment with regular shows, nightclubs, and of course the casino floor itself. But don’t get sucked into spending too much time in the casinos. Heavenly Village has a number of really good restaurants and bars to explore.
HEAVENLY GALLERY
NEARBY SKI RESORTS
HEAVENLY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS HEAVENLY SKI RESORT GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
Heavenly has a really good beginners area near the Tamarack Lodge and another at the California Lodge base area. Heavenly resort is mostly suited to intermediates but beginners will find it a good place to learn as they will find plenty of blue graded pistes to progress onto.
IS HEAVENLY A GOOD SKI RESORT?
Honestly, the simple answer is yes. I would struggle to find reasons other than price why people would not enjoy a trip to ski at Heavenly. The pistes are well maintained, the terrain parks are great, and the tree skiing is so much fun. Add to this the location and the views that Heavenly ski resort offers and it all adds up to being a fantastic ski resort.
HOW MUCH IS THE GONDOLA RIDE AT HEAVENLY?
Don’t panic, if you are at Heavenly to ski then the gondola price is of course included with your ski pass. If however, you are a foot passenger than the $50 sightseeing pass may seem a bit steep. This pass will allow you a return trip on the gondola from Heavenly village.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY WHILST STAYING AT HEAVENLY?
This question really depends on what you are in fact looking for from your ski holiday. I stayed at Econo Lodge as I was looking for the most budget option I could find. It was well placed to explore the village and for access to both California Lodge and the Heavenly Village gondola. It was actually much nicer than I was expecting as well and would stay again.
A lot of people I spoke to at Heavenly opted for casino accommodation to be in the thick of the action, alternatively, if you are looking for a quieter holiday then head to Nevada where the accommodation is cheaper and less in your face.
HEAVENLY FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting Heavenly ski resort was a trip I had wanted to take for years and it did not disappoint. In California, you are spoilt for choice with a number of quality ski resorts but Heavenly is up there with the best. I would say for an all-round experience if you were looking for everything in one place then Heavenly is a good choice that will meet most people’s requirements from a ski holiday. For me, I would love to return if only to take in the Lake Tahoe view just once more.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Heavenly ski resort review and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Heavenly ski resort? What were your opinions? Are there better ski resorts in Lake Tahoe?
RELATED HEAVENLY POSTS
A Guide To Snowboarding In the USA
America is a powerhouse in the ski and snowboard community and this reflected in its people. On the East Coast, you have a hardened bunch of locals passionate enough to #skitheeast although it doesn’t always offer the rewards. On the West Coast you have the lucky Californians who have it all, 12m of snowfall a season at Kirkwood, masses of terrain at Heavenly, Squaw Valley and Mammoth, a freestyle heaven at Northstar and views that take your breathe away when the cold doesn’t. The USA can be considered amongst the greatest places to ski on earth and is the birthplace of snowboarding, whats to complain about!
Getting to the USA may take longer for us Europeans, and depending on where you ski, you could pay a premium for lift passes. Despite the cost of lift passes in America I wouldn’t rule out an American ski adventure. There are ways to get value for your buck whilst skiing in America and you wont regret the outlay.
My first ever ski trip was to the US and Killington ski resort in the Vermont mountains. East Coast skiing offers a number of advantages over a trip out west. The mountains in Vermont and Maine can offer the full package at resorts like; Okamo, Stowe and Killington or you can opt for a more local feel at the family resorts of Jay Peak and Smugglers’ Notch. The East Coast resorts are known for beautiful pistes lined with trees but sometimes also known for their icy conditions. Skiing and snowboarding on the East Coast is possible from November into June with Killington offering the longest season. Although it is worth noting, that this involves largely one run remaining open on Killington late into the season. That run does happen to be Superstar my first ever Black diamond run. Another bonus to East Coast ski trips is the shorter flight time from Europe. The shorter flight time combined with cheaper flights is certainly a big pull for skiers from this side of the pond.
When it comes to skiing and snowboarding in America there is one image that sticks in my mind, Corbet’s Couloir. Although I have not been fortunate to ski Corbet’s yet, this iconic line at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is reflective of some of the possible gnarly runs possible in the USA. Jackson Hole is not alone and there are plenty of resorts with terrain that is certain to make your heart skip a beat.
Although always popular, the last few years Colorado’s incredible terrain and reliable snow conditions have been showcased by Youtubers such as Jonathan Buckhouse and TJ from BoardArchive. Colorado is home to the world famous and slightly controversial Vail resort, which is now infamous for introducing the Epic Pass (more info to follow) and the resort of Breckenridge. Breckenridge is the resort where Ryan Knapton can be found tearing up the groomers and this is a showcase of how great the pisted terrain is at Breckenridge.
Away from Colorado you have Utah whose ski resorts of A*** and Snowbird receive some of the best snow on the continent. It is just a shame that A*** and other Utah resort D*** V***** wont let snowboarders access their slopes, lame. With that off my chest it’s important to remember that Utah is still home to the USA’s largest ski area in Park City and the incredible landscape of Brain Head.
In 2020 I was lucky enough to visit California and the resorts of Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar. We all know what happened to the 2020 ski season, but those early turns on the West coast were enough to sustain my lust for snow for the rest of winter. California is an incredible destination for a US ski trip with some of the best resorts in the country. Heavenly, situated in South Lake Tahoe, is a resort that spans two states. The California side has some great tree skiing, two terrain parks and one of the best views I have ever seen at a ski resort. Across the state line in Nevada, Heavenly offers a different perspective across the Nevada desert and some superb cruisey blues. Nevada is also home to Mott Canyon which I think would excite even the most hardened skiers and snowboarders. Tahoe is an exciting place to be with Squaw Valley, Sierra at Tahoe, Northstar, and Kirkwood all within driving distance of each other.
American ski trips are more than just the time you spend on show with resorts putting on a range of Apres ski activities. Using Tahoe as an example there are; casinos, snowmobile tours, ice-rink, cinema, and some great restaurants to keep you occupied after your day on snow. This should illustrate the quality of facilities on offer at American ski resorts with many being purpose built resorts with everything within walking distance of the accommodation.
Unlike European resorts, American ski resorts can be spread out with the need to drive to get your provisions but if you want everything on your doorstep this is also a possibility. The ski towns normally have a great selection of restaurants and bars, most of which will offer good deals on certain days or happy hours. It’s worth planning out where you want to eat on which day like this as it is likely to save you money.
The largest downside to a trip stateside is the abhorrent prices of lift tickets. Day passes are extortionate and America can be an expensive place to ski if only taking a one-week trip. Your best option is to make use of the multi-resort season pass options that have become quite controversial in the states. Epic and Ikon are the two major options of multi-resort ski passes with the Epic also offering some great options to ski in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. In 2020, I used my Epic Pass to ski at the resorts of Ski Rama Dolomiti, Italy, The 3 Vallees, France and Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar in the US. For me this represented great value, but if you can only get a one week trip every year then the USA may be an expensive option for lift passes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can you ski year round in the USA?
In Europe there are a number of ski resorts that are open for year round operation, sadly in the US this is not the case. The sole 365 ski resort in the US is Timberline Lodge at Mt Hood in Oregon. The Timberline lodge ski area is open throughout the summer months and offers some freestyle focussed terrain on the Palmer Glacier.
What is the largest ski resort in USA?
Utah is home to the largest ski resort in the USA with Park City taking the title. Park City ski area outside of Salt Lake City offers 250km of pistes between an elevation of 2080m-3049m. The masses of terrain at Park City is serviced by 39 chairlifts. Park City is great for intermediates with 152km of the trails being graded for intermediate level riders.
What is the most expensive ski resort in the USA?
Completely at the opposite end of how I like to ski this question asks for the most expensive ski resort in the USA. I am just grateful that the answer is D*** V***** which I have no intention of heading to due to their stance on snowboarders. It is reported that guests spend over $500 per night for a room in a 3* hotel at D*** V*****.
Which State in the USA has the most ski resorts?
In total, there are around 476 operating ski resorts in the USA which open across 37 different states. The state with the most ski resorts is New York which has 51 resorts. The following states only have 1 ski resort; Alabama, Maryland, Rhode Island and Tennessee.
WHY SKI OR SNOWBOARD IN THE USA
There are many reasons to choose the USA for your next ski or snowboard trip. The US is home to a large number of ski resorts that can be considered amongst the best in the world. The profile of resorts like Vail, Killington, Heavenly and Jackson Hole ensure that America is firmly on the map.
The USA offers a huge amount of choice and flexibility in terms of a ski vacation. There are huge resorts, in terms of terrain, with Park City in Utah being the largest. The USA is also home to a number of unique smaller resorts like Mt Bohemia which have a cult following.
It is possible to ski year round in the USA, with resorts like Mt Hood open for summer skiing and snowboarding and Mammoth in California open for a longer season.
USA SKI RESORT SNOW RECORD
If you are looking for guaranteed powder days then a ski trip to the USA could be just what the powder Dr ordered. Utah is home to number of ski resorts that regularly receive over 12m of annual snowfall! That is Japan kind of crazy snowfall.
Sadly, although it has a cult following skiing the East Coast of the US offers less reward in terms of snowfall. There are some incredible East Coast ski resorts but this side of the US is more renowned for ice then powder days.
MULTI RESORT PASSES USA
Unless you have been buried under a rock for the past few years, you will have heard of both the Ikon and the Epic Pass. There is some debate over whether these season passes are a good or bad thing for the ski industry in America.
From a selfish standpoint I used the Epic pass for a season that allowed me to ski in the US, Japan, Europe and i’d planned a Australia trip (before Covid curtailed that idea). That is well… pretty Epic. To be able to ski across a number of resorts in different countries and continents is a unique. The Epic and Ikon are great for being able to access a number of resorts at what I deem to be a pretty reasonable price.
Sadly, these passes also come with a large downside. Crowds. The Epic and Ikon passes have encouraged more people to purchase season passes and have raised the profile of a number of resorts. The increased profile and accessibility has led to crowds, especially at peak holiday periods or weekends.
Although many locals view Epic or Ikon as a negative, potentially bringing more crowds to the resort, these passes have also led to a huge effort to increase the quality of infrastructure. Many resorts on the passes have received upgrades to their lift system and lodges which leads to a greater overall experience.
There are a number of other combined ski passes in America such as the Mountain Collective or Indy Pass. These tend to offer a few days skiing or snowboarding across their member resorts.
THE US SKI SEASON
The ski season in the USA is pretty long with a number of resorts having extended seasons. It is not uncommon for US ski resorts to open in November and to have their closing weekend towards the end of April. A number of ski resorts in the USA have extended seasons that can run into June or July. Mammoth in California in particular being one of the last to close.
In addition to the long ski season in the USA, it is possible to ski throughout the summer. Oregan is home to Timberline which sells itself as the only year-round ski resort in North America. Timberline is popular with freestyle camps with a good terrain park set up. Another great summer ski or snowboard trip option is Beartooth Basin, Montana. Beartooth Basin is strange as it actually isn’t open during the winter months. This summer only ski resort only opens once the snow has been cleared from the access roads in May. Think of Beartooth Basin as small but steep summer skiing.
RESORT REVIEWS
USA GALLERY
USA VIDEOS
NORTHSTAR
HEAVENLY
KIRKWOOD
COST OF A USA SNOWBOARD TRIP
The cost of skiing and snowboarding in the USA is a complicated issue. From a European perspective a ski trip to the USA can seem very costly. In fact, out of the snowboarding I have completed across South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America, US ski trips hurt the wallet the most. Even when compared to their nearest neighbour Canada a US ski trip is costly.
The main difference in price can be found in the lift tickets. Lift tickets in the USA can seem extortionate with some of the larger resorts charging hundreds of $ for a day pass. Purchasing an Epic or Ikon pass will significantly reduce these costs.
One positive of a US ski trip in terms of cost is your dining costs. I found that in South Lake Tahoe I was able to eat out for a reasonable price and still have a decent quality of meal. Similarly, having an Apres ski drink will set you back less in the US then it would in Europe.
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Everything You Need To Know About Heavenly Ski Resorts California Side | Video
Looking at the Heavenly ski resort map you will see that the resort is split across two US states; California and Nevada. It is possible to ski between the two sides however having an understanding about what each side has to offer can help save you time and potentially effort traversing. This post is all about Heavenly ski resorts California side but if you want to take a tour of the California side be sure to watch the video below.
HEAVENLY VILLAGE
Heavenly has a purpose-built resort village with; restaurants, accommodation and shops. For a full overview of the Heavenly Village Map look here. For visitors staying in the village, the Heavenly gondola is probably the route they will choose to access the mountain. The heavenly village provides the most direct route into the centre of Heavenly ski resort via the gondola. Unloading at Tamarack Lodge, the Heavenly gondola takes 15 minutes from the village to reach the top. The views from the gondola are worth the journey alone with an open panorama looking back at Lake Tahoe. If you need to park, then consider avoiding the gondola and instead head to California Lodge. Parking at the Heavenly gondola costs around $25 per day, whereas parking at California Lodge is free.
CALIFORNIA LODGE
A short drive from the Heavenly Village and you will be at California Lodge. California lodge offers two routes of uplifting onto the mountain, The Tram and Gunbarrel Express. The Heavenly Tram uplifts around 650 people per hour from the California Lodge car park to the top of Patsys run. The Tram is a popular method of getting onto the mountain but personally, I prefer the Gunbarrel Express chair. Gunbarrel Express runs parallel to the Heavenly Tram and uplifts to a very similar drop off point, the top of Paty’s run. A four-person quad chair, I prefer to ride Gunbarrel as you can ski off away from the lift with your gear already on. Just makes for a faster start to the day.
From the top of Gunbarrel or The Tram, you will find yourself at the top of Patsy’s run with two options… one take Patsy’s run or head down The Face, where you will find a number of Double Black Diamond graded trails and the perfectly groomed blue, World Cup.
Patsy’s is a mellow green and with its own chairlift, this is a popular place for people to learn. The area can get busy as it is an access point to the mountain but this clears outside of peak times. At the bottom of Patsy’s run, you will find two further chairlifts.
GROOVE CHAIR
The Groove runs parallel to Patsy’s chair and accesses the first of two terrain parks on the California side. The Groove Park is great with a beginners line that features small jumps and ride on box features. There is are also some larger jumps, two medium and two large, at the top of the Groove Park with a rail garden following both these lines. The rail garden allows for progression from the ride on boxes found in the small line. The Groove Park laps back down to the Groove Chair meaning you can just lap until your legs are done. The Groove chair is a slow 2 person chair but it gives a great view of the features as you ride back up.
POWDERBOWL EXPRESS
If you want to access further Heavenly ski resort terrain, you will want to take the Powderbowl Express chair. This fast 6 person lift takes you to the top of Powderbowl Woods. This area has a few Black Diamond graded trails, with bumps found on Powder Line and Waterfall. One of the most fun trails here is Mombo, a blue groomer that just feels great to bomb first thing in the morning.
If you want to head further into the resort, take the bottom of Ridge Run towards the Sky Deck.
SKY DECK
Sky Deck offers some really cool outside dining and access to two of the most popular chairs on the California side; Canyon Express and Sky Express. On the weekends this area can become hectic so potentially it is best to avoid it.
CANYON EXPRESS
Canyon Express Chair is one of my favourites on the California side. Shorter and less crowded than the Sky Express it accesses my favourite groomed run High Five. High Five is one of a few really nice groomed runs off the Canyon Express that are perfect to explore first thing in the morning.
SKY EXPRESS
Sky Express gives you some fantastic options with it possible to ride down Ridge Run back towards Canyon or Powderbowl Express chairs. My favourite option from here however is to take the Skyline trail and then find a spot to drop into the Ski Ways Glades or Pinnacles. These two areas have some really fun tree skiing and allow you to get away from the crowded groomers.
Skyline trail will also take you all the way over to Milky Way and the Nevada Side, but as this post is about California I’ll save that for another day.
Interested in Nevada Side Click Here.
From Skyline Trail you can take California Trail and Cascade, two fun Blues that will take you to the Tamarack Lodge and the top of Heavenly Gondola. Perfect if you want to head into the village for some lunch. Staying on the mountain? Well, the area around Tamarack Lodge is a base for ski school, with Easy Street and Big Easy perfect learner trails. There is also a Tubing Hill and Mountain Coaster found here in the Adventure Peak area.
The Tamarack Express is a fast 6 person chair that will give you access to California trail for the traverse back to California Lodge. The trails off the Tamarack Express are shorter than off Sky Express but are perfectly suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
CALIFORNIA SIDE BEST FOR…
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
The ski school is based at Bear Cave near Tamarack Lodge with good access to Easy Street. This is a pretty good place to learn as the lodge is nearby if you need some rest. There is also progression close by with the opportunity to take the Tamarack Express to access some blue terrain.
Similarly, there is beginners terrain at California Lodge with Green runs Puma Trail and Enchanted Forest of the First Ride chairlift. There is another ski school base at California Lodge.
BEST FOR INTERMEDIATES
For me, its a choice of two places on the California side, either the Powderbowl Express or Canyon Express chairs. I am excluding the Tamarack Express as the runs there are quite short and could become boring very quickly. The runs off the Powderbowl Express chair are really fun having already mentioning Mombo. The Powderbowl Woods are a great place for intermediates to get their first experiences of glade skiing or snowboarding. Similarly, High Five and Ridge Run, accessed from the Canyon Express chair are great for intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Nice long groomed trails, leading back to the chairlift for another lap.
BEST FOR ADVANCED
It is hard to look past The Face for challenging terrain on the California side. The runs back down Gunbarrel and East Bowl are legendary and the moguls here are some of the largest on the mountain.
High Roller Park
High Roller Park has features much larger than I feel comfortable riding so would offer those with a freestyle focus more challenge than the Groove Park.
BEST FOOD WITH A VIEW
The best views from a restaurant on the California side at Heavenly has to be Booyah’s, Lakeview Lodge. The Lakeview Lodge has an outside terrace with uninterrupted views of Lake Tahoe. The Lodge can be found adjacent to the Heavenly Tram, near California Lodge.
BEST DRINK STOP
If you are looking for a place to celebrate your last run, or just have a cold one at lunchtime then Steins is a pretty good place to do it. Steins can be found next to Patsy’s and have lots of outdoor seating with deck chairs. If you have weary legs this is the best place to reboot.
BEST VIEW CALIFORNIA SIDE
At the top of Sky Express, there is a ski patrol station. Directly opposite, near the ski area boundary line, there is a scenic photo spot. Take off your ski’s and your board and head through the trees where it will open up to views across to Nevada. Stunning!
In terms of views from a run, the views from The Face or Gunbarrel looking back over Lake Tahoe are also pretty epic.
LOOKING FOR MORE HEAVENLY INSPIRATION? CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS
GET IN TOUCH
You’ve heard from me, now it’s your turn to get involved! Have you visited Heavenly Ski Resort? What is your favourite run on the California side? Do you prefer skiing at Heavenly California or Heavenly Nevada? Let me know in the comments or via socials.
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Best Snowboard Shops Heavenly
When heading out on your ski trip finding the right equipment or place to tune your gear can be really important. Regardless of age or ability, you will want to find the best equipment at the lowest prices but most importantly get top advice. Well, South Lake Tahoe has a ton of ski and snowboard shops and I visited them all before breaking them down into this list. The ski shops on this list will guarantee to have you heading out the door with high-quality gear so you can make the most of your day on the snow.
THE VILLAGE BOARD SHOP
Hands down the best service I received whilst in Heavenly was at The Village Board Shop. The team at VBS was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful but not in a pushy kind of way. VBS is split across two floors with the downstairs being the location for their rental gear. You will also find your accessories downstairs with displays for; goggles, gloves, socks etc. Upstairs is where it gets interesting for me as this is where the hard goods are found. VBS had a good selection of snowboards with brands like; Jones, Salomon, and Nitro available. Even better they had a couple of last year’s boards available at pretty decent prices. When it comes to bindings and boots VBS had a decent selection of beginner through advanced gear with Union Bindings and a good selection of boot brands including; Thirty Two and Vans.
VBS can also take care of your tuning needs and I used their workshop for a full tune on my board. I was pretty happy with the finish and would use them again.
Probably worth mentioning if you are looking for ski gear then VBS isn’t going to be the store for you.
The Village Board Shop is a short drive from Heavenly Village and the main hub of accommodations but it is worth it. At VBS they do get less foot traffic due to their location but this means you get a better service as there are fewer customers in the store at one time.
FINDING VBS
If you are driving there is space for one car in front of the store, but there is parking around the back. To get to the store you will need to head along Route 50 towards the Bijou golf course. You should see the big VBS sign from the road.
SHORELINE OF TAHOE
If you are looking for a ski shop on the Nevada side then look no further than Shoreline. Shoreline probably had the best selection of equipment and outerwear out of all the ski stores at Heavenly. The vibe at Shoreline was pretty relaxed which is really nice for an American shopping experience with staff giving you the time to browse without being hassled.
Shoreline had a good selection of snowboards and splitboards, as well as probably one of the larger boot collections out of the various South Lake Tahoe stores. Shoreline does have a rental department and a tuning workshop so you can ensure your gear is in perfect condition.
I visited Shoreline in search of snowboard boots and I was really impressed with the knowledge of the staff and how un-pushy they were when it came to making a sale. I was a much more relaxed shopper in this environment and it made for a really nice experience.
Check out the shoreline website
FINDING SHORELINE
Getting to Shoreline is fairly simple although you will have to leave the Heavenly village area and cross the Stateline. There is ample parking outside the store and if you are hungry after all that shopping you can grab a decent burger next door.
SPORTS LTD
Possibly the biggest shop for outdoor gear at Heavenly is Tahoe Sports Ltd. Sports Ltd is basically a one-stop-shop for; skiers, snowboarders, mountain bikers, walkers, campers, and fishermen. In terms of ski and snowboard gear Sports Ltd has a good selection of hardware and soft-goods from big-name brands; Salomon, Jones, Armada, Black Diamond, and Capita but also makes room in its line up for the likes of Academy.
Sports LTD South Lake Tahoe
Sports Ltd is ideally located for those based in Heavenly Village and is one of the stores accessible without the need for a car. Because of its location, it gets a lot of custom and you can spend time waiting to be served at the peak periods. I was pretty happy with the service I received in Sports Ltd who helped me to deal with a warranty replacement, although it did seem like they didn’t really want to help initially.
If you are looking for one store that has all your needs covered then Tahoe Sports Ltd could be the best option for you. Check out their website here.
FINDING SPORTS LTD
Head towards the Heavenly gondola and in the retail park next door, you will find two Sports Ltd stores. One store is specifically for rentals and the main store has all the gear that’s for sale.
THE BOARDINGHOUSE LAKE TAHOE
The Boardinghouse Lake Tahoe gets an honorable mention on this list. The boardinghouse isn’t the largest store in Tahoe and it doesn’t have the greatest range of equipment but it is a great snowboard store. There is a refined list of brands and equipment for retail at The Boardinghouse and they have narrowed their offering to the brands they clearly trust. The friendly retail staff is on hand to assist with any questions and they are clearly knowledgeable about the products they sell. If you are not looking for a massive collection but instead want to find the most trusted brands in snowboarding, head to The Boardinghouse.
The BoardingHouse South Lake Tahoe
GET IN TOUCH
I have had my say, now it’s time to have yours… What is your favourite ski shop at Heavenly ski resort? Where has the best deals? And who provides the best service? Let me know in the comments or via the socials.
