RAISING THE NEW LIFT TOWERS DECEMBER 2007

Heavenly is big. It's a top-ranked resort. Heavenly has some great expert terrain—Mott Canyon and Killebrew Canyon on the Nevada side; its famous face run, Gunbarrel, on the California side; and loads of tree skiing. The resort also has excellent intermediate and advanced skiing.

The resort spreads behind Stateline, Nevada, with a collection of highrise casinos. The California side of the town is mostly a throwback to the 60s and 70s with a few newer hotels such as the Embassy Suites and the new Marriott at the base of the gondola.

The new gondola has changed this resort dramatically. Now skiers and riders can be seen walking from the casinos and other hotels to the lifts that rise right from the center of the action.

Heavenly is also the only two-state mountain resort—you can start out from either California or Nevada. The gondola provides direct access from the center of the South Lake Tahoe/Stateline district to the resort, and the 12-minute ride gives skiers and riders a killer view of the lake. There's a public parking garage at the Heavenly Village, near the base of the gondola, available to skiers and riders. More parking is available at the California base just up Ski Run Blvd. On busy weekends, skiers and snowboarders who are looking to avoid crowds can start from the Nevada side; take Hwy. 207 (Kingsbury Grade) to either the Stagecoach or Boulder bases.

But mostly, Heavenly is the view. The most spectacular view of the Lake Tahoe area and the lake itself—perhaps the most awesome view from a ski area summit anywhere—is at the top of the Sky Express (the view from the gondola isn't too shabby either). From here on a sunny day just after a storm, the lake looks like a brilliant blue sapphire, nesting in soft folds of white velvet. Pack a camera or stop at one of the photographers lining Ridge Run.

Last season, Heavenly built South Lake Tahoe's only terrain park that's open for night riding and made improvements to existing parks. Other improvements include increased off-piste access, expanded snowmaking and twice-daily grooming, more seating for on-mountain dining, and two clean-burning shuttles.

California Side—
Summit: 10,067 feet
Vertical drop: 3,500 feet
Base: 6,540 feet

Nevada Side—
Summit: 10,067 feet
Vertical drop: 2,840 feet
Base: 7,200 feet

Expert: ++++
Advanced: ++++
Intermediate: ++++
Beginner: +++
First-timer: +++

Address: Box 2180,
Stateline, NV 89449
Area code: 775
Ski area phone: 586-7000
Snow report: 586-7000, press 1
Toll-free reservations:
(800) 432-8365
E-mail: info@skiheavenly.com
Internet: www.skiheavenly.com

Number of lifts: 30—1 aerial tram, 1 gondola, 2 high-speed six-packs, 7 high-speed quads, 5 triples, 4 doubles, 6 surface lifts, 4 moving carpets
Snowmaking: 70 percent of trails
Skiable acreage: 4,800 patrolled acres
Uphill capacity: 52,000 per hour
Parks & pipes: 4 parks, 1 pipe
Bed Base: 22,000 in S. Lake Tahoe
Nearest lodging: At the base of the gondola
Resort child care: Yes, 6 weeks and older
Adult ticket, per day:
$152 for 2 days (07/08)

South Lake Tahoe Area Facts:

Toll-free reservations:
(800) 288-2463
Internet: www.bluelaketahoe.com

Dining: +++
Apres-ski/nightlife: +++++
Other activities: +++