Travel to Heavenly with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Rising above Lake Tahoe’s southern shores, and straddling the states of California and Nevada, massive Monument Peak is home to the aptly named Heavenly ski resort.

Since its takeover by Vail, Heavenly has been massively upgraded, and definitely stands among the flashier resorts. There is something for everyone here; besides the ski trails that traverse a colossal area, Heavenly offers opportunities for all kinds of winter recreation alternatives, both indoor and outdoor. It’s a fast-paced, pulsating ski resort that teems with activity, both on and off the slopes.

Heavenly’s extensive ski area is one of North America’s largest, covering 1,920 hectares, and features over 90 trails. It is famous as the site of the west coast’s longest vertical, a phenomenal drop of 1,067m, and a thigh-burning nine-kilometre run.

The ski resort caters to all levels of ability, with 20 per cent of slopes designed for beginners, 35 per cent for intermediates and 45 per cent for advanced/expert skiers. A state-of-the-art system of 30 lifts provides access to the slopes, and one of America’s largest snowmaking systems ensures ultimate snow conditions. Snowboarders will love Heavenly’s terrain parks, half-pipes and limitless carving and free-riding opportunities.

Heavenly lodging is provided by 11 establishments within walking distance of the ski resort, and countless hotels and motels in South Lake Tahoe. A day centre provides childcare while you tackle the slopes, and children’s ski lessons are also available.

Skiing in Heavenly

Heavenly is one of North America’s skiing gems, featuring the west coast’s longest vertical drop (1,067m) and a massive ski area with trails for all levels of ability. Its endless outdoor recreational opportunities are coupled with a raging nightlife and social scene, making Heavenly one of America’s most popular ski destinations.

Over 90 runs traverse Heavenly resort, which extends over a 1,920-hectare ski area. Of these, 20 per cent are geared to a beginner level and 35 per cent to an intermediate level. The resort is an expert’s paradise, with 45 per cent of the total number of slopes designed for advanced level skiers.

Long distance fans have a nine-kilometre stretch to get the wind behind their skis. Heavenly also caters to snowboarders, with several terrain parks, half-pipes and a multitude of carving and free-riding options.

South Lake Tahoe is renowned for its casinos, and non-stop entertainment is the name of the game here. As enticing as the nightlife options is the huge selection of recreational pastimes offered in and around the resort. In addition to skiing, visitors to Heavenly can take part in dog-sledding, ice-fishing, mountaineering, sleigh rides, ice-skating, indoor tennis, swimming, tobogganing, tubing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and racquetball. Shopping is another favourite form of amusement in the area, with a host of fashion stores, sports shops and other money-burning outlets to peruse.

The ski season at Heavenly extends from mid-November to late April. The resort can be accessed by car via highway 50, but visitors utilising air transportation to reach the area are likely to touch down at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Après-ski in Heavenly

Heavenly is a party people’s resort, with a pulsating social scene that never seems to end. Lake Tahoe’s southern shore is peppered with vibrant casinos, and nightlife in this area features more or less seven days a week, 365 days a year. The area is also a shopping Mecca, and Heavenly ski resort even has its own line of retail stores in Heavenly Village, located in the central Stateline/South Lake Tahoe area.

If sports and leisure excite you more than late nights and retail therapy, Heavenly has plenty of alternatives to keep you amused. Dog-sledding, ice-fishing, mountaineering, sleigh rides, ice-skating, indoor tennis, swimming, tobogganing, tubing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and racquetball are all available in or nearby the ski resort.

Accommodation at the resort is supplied by 11 lodges within walking distance of the ski area, and over 250 hotels/motels on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Amenities supplied by Heavenly include a childcare centre, children’s ski lessons, and several on-slope and base area eateries.

South Lake Tahoe, besides its plethora of recreation and entertainment opportunities, is home to a multitude of alternative ski resorts, so in the unlikely event that you get bored of Heavenly’s slope selection, there are plenty of other skiing options in the area.

Transportation to Heavenly

Heavenly ski resort is located directly above the towns of South Lake Tahoe (California) and Stateline (Nevada) on the southern edge of Lake Tahoe. It is located 88kms from Reno (Nevada), via highway 50.

To get to Heavenly by car from Reno, follow highway 395 south to highway 50 west and continue until you reach South Lake Tahoe, from where the resort is clearly signposted. The journey takes approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes. From San Francisco, the journey is approximately 3 hours, 30 minutes via I-80 east and highway 50 west. From Sacramento, Heavenly can be reached in approximately two hours via highway 50 east.

For out-of-state visitors who are after the quickest and most convenient form of transportation to Heavenly, there is regular commercial service by most major and regional carriers to Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located approximately one hour from the ski resort.

Most South Shore and Stateline accommodations are connected to Heavenly by means of a ski shuttle system. Buses run from a wide range of hotels to the base ski area, running as regularly as road and weather conditions permit, usually every 20 to 30 minutes.

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