Heavenly Mountain Resort
Updated September 30, 2026 · 8 min read
Heavenly opens Nov. 20, 2026 (target). Lift tickets are priced by date and cheapest online ahead; it's on the Epic Pass. Parking, base areas and North Shore options.
Heavenly is the big ski resort above South Lake Tahoe, straddling the California and Nevada state line. For 2026-27, Vail Resorts has set a target opening day of Friday, November 20, 2026. Lift tickets are priced by date and are cheapest when you buy online ahead. Heavenly is on the Epic Pass, not Ikon. It has four base areas: the gondola in Heavenly Village, the California Lodge, and the Stagecoach and Boulder lodges in Nevada.
A note on who is writing this: MG Vacation Rentals has no homes in South Lake Tahoe. Our homes are on the North and West Shore, about an hour's drive around the lake from Heavenly. We send guests here for a day, and we'll tell you honestly when a North Shore resort is the better fit. Our North vs. South Lake Tahoe guide covers the bigger choice.
Where to stay for Heavenly
Search by datesIf Heavenly is the whole trip, stay on the South Shore: Heavenly Village, Stateline or up Kingsbury Grade. Our Heavenly vacation rentals guide explains the South Shore neighborhoods and the permit caps that limit rentals there.
If Heavenly is one day of a longer Tahoe trip, a North or West Shore base works well. Approximate drive times to Heavenly's Nevada lots in good conditions:
- Incline Village: about 45 minutes down the East Shore on Highways 28 and 50. Diamond Peak is minutes away on your other days.
- Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay: about an hour. Northstar is 20 minutes away on your other days.
- Tahoe City and the West Shore: about an hour via Highway 89 and Emerald Bay, which Caltrans closes after big storms. Otherwise go the long way around through Kings Beach and Incline.
In a storm, any of these can take much longer, and chain controls apply. Our Lake Tahoe in winter guide covers chains and street-parking bans.
We manage 41 homes on that side of the lake. Browse them here. If you book, do it on our own site: our nightly prices on Airbnb are set 28% higher than on our site, and 17% higher on Vrbo, and each home page shows the dollar saving for your dates.
Enchanted Woods Cabin
Tranquil Tahoe Haven
Trout and About
Book direct and pay less than for the same home on Airbnb: pick dates on any home to see the difference.
Heavenly at a glance (2026-27)
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening day | Friday, Nov. 20, 2026 (target, weather permitting) |
| Owner and pass | Vail Resorts; Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Day Pass |
| Size | About 4,800 skiable acres across two states |
| Summit | 10,067 ft, the highest lift-served point at Tahoe |
| Base areas | Heavenly Village (gondola), California Lodge, Stagecoach Lodge (NV), Boulder Lodge (NV) |
| Parking | Reservations no longer needed for 2026-27, per the resort; Nevada lots free |
| Lift tickets | Priced by date; cheapest online and in advance |
| From the North Shore | About 45 min from Incline Village; an hour or more from Kings Beach or Tahoe City |
Sources: skiheavenly.com and Vail Resorts' 2026-27 announcements, checked late September 2026. Prices and policies change, so confirm before you go.
Heavenly lift tickets: prices and how to pay less
Most people searching for Heavenly lift tickets want one number. There isn't one. Vail Resorts uses date-based pricing, so a Saturday in the holidays costs far more than a Tuesday in early January, and the ticket window costs more than buying online ahead. The only reliable way to know is to price your dates on skiheavenly.com.
A few rules of thumb that hold every season:
- Buy online, early. Advance online prices are lower than at the window, and busy days can sell out.
- Ski midweek. Weekday tickets cost less, and the gondola line is shorter.
- Several days? Look at the Epic Day Pass. You choose 1 to 7 days and buy before the season. The per-day price is usually well below a window ticket, and it works at Northstar and Kirkwood too.
- Passes are sold only before the season. Vail stops selling Epic passes in early winter, so decide in the fall.
Epic Pass 2026-27
The 2026-27 Epic Pass launched at $1,089 for adults, and Vail added a new discounted price of $869 for skiers 30 and under. The Epic Local Pass costs less but has holiday restrictions at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. Check epicpass.com for current prices, which rise as the season approaches, and for the restricted dates.
If your group mixes passes, note that Palisades Tahoe and its Alpine side are on Ikon, while Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose sell their own tickets. Our Alpine Meadows guide and Mt. Rose vs. Diamond Peak cover those.
Heavenly Mountain: where it is and how it is laid out
Heavenly sits on the south end of Lake Tahoe above the city of South Lake Tahoe, California, and Stateline, Nevada. The resort spreads across both states, and you can ski from one to the other.
The four base areas
- Heavenly Village gondola (South Lake Tahoe, CA): the gondola starts in the middle of the Stateline and Heavenly Village hotel and casino district. Walkable from many hotels, and the busiest start on weekends.
- California Lodge (3860 Saddle Rd., South Lake Tahoe): the main California base lodge at the top of Ski Run Boulevard, with its own lot and lifts.
- Stagecoach Lodge (375 Quaking Aspen Ln., Stateline, NV): a Nevada-side base with free parking. It fills early on busy days.
- Boulder Lodge (140 S. Benjamin Dr., Stateline, NV): another free Nevada lot, with a shuttle to Stagecoach.
On the mountain
Tamarack Lodge sits near the top of the gondola, and East Peak Lodge is in the middle of the mountain. The California side looks over the lake. The Nevada side looks east over the Carson Valley.
Parking at Heavenly
Heavenly's getting here and parking page says parking reservations are no longer needed for the 2026-27 season. For comparison, last season:
- California Lodge: free on weekdays; on weekends and peak days, a reservation was needed before 11:30 a.m. ($20 for one to three people, free for four or more), and parking was free after 11:30.
- Stagecoach and Boulder lodges: free every day, including weekends. Come early.
- Heavenly Village garage (1 Bellamy Ct.): owned by the City of South Lake Tahoe and paid.
Heavenly also runs free shuttles between the California Lodge and Heavenly Village and on routes serving lodging and the Nevada bases. If you are staying on the South Shore, the shuttle is often easier than parking.
From the North Shore, the Nevada lots are usually the easiest: come down Highway 50 through Zephyr Cove, turn up Kingsbury Grade, and you are at Stagecoach without driving through the Stateline casino corridor.
Best runs at Heavenly by skill level
Beginners
Heavenly is not the easiest mountain at Tahoe to learn on. The beginner terrain is in a few areas rather than spread out, and first-timers start at the top of the gondola or at the base areas, depending on the lesson. Book lessons online ahead for weekends and holidays. If your group is mostly beginners, Diamond Peak or Northstar is often a gentler first day.
Intermediates
This is where Heavenly shines. The California side has long groomers with the lake below you, and the Nevada side has wide cruisers down toward Stagecoach and Boulder. Strong intermediates can cross between states in a day.
Advanced and expert
Gunbarrel, straight above California Lodge, is the famous bump run, with more than 1,600 vertical feet of moguls. On the Nevada side, Mott and Killebrew canyons are expert-only terrain entered through gates. Tree skiing is spread across both sides.
Snow and the best months to ski
- Late November to mid-December: early season. Terrain depends on snowmaking until the storms arrive.
- January and February: the most reliable snow and the busiest holiday weekends.
- March: deep snowpack, longer days and fewer crowds outside spring break.
- April: spring snow in a good year. The 2025-26 season ended early at many Tahoe resorts after a warm spring, so check before you book late-season dates.
The Heavenly Gondola
The gondola starts in Heavenly Village and climbs toward Tamarack Lodge, with an observation deck partway up that has one of the best views of the whole lake. In winter it is part of the lift system. It also runs as a scenic ride, including in summer, when the top of the mountain has hiking and activities. Schedules and prices change by season, so check skiheavenly.com.
Heavenly vs. Northstar vs. Palisades
| Heavenly | Northstar | Palisades Tahoe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | South Lake Tahoe / Stateline | Off Hwy 267, between Kings Beach and Truckee | Olympic Valley and Alpine, off Hwy 89 |
| Pass | Epic | Epic | Ikon |
| 2026-27 opening (target) | Nov. 20 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 25 |
| Known for | Size, lake views, two states | Groomers, village, families | Steeps, two mountains, gondola link |
| From Kings Beach | About an hour | About 20 minutes | About 30 minutes |
If you hold an Epic Pass and are staying on the North Shore, Northstar is the same pass and a far shorter drive. Heavenly makes sense as one special day, or as the main mountain if you are staying on the South Shore.
Getting to Heavenly
From Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Most visitors fly into Reno. The usual winter route is south on I-580 and US-395 through Carson City, then west over Kingsbury Grade (Nevada Route 207) to the Nevada base areas, roughly an hour and a quarter in good weather. The Mt. Rose Highway through Incline Village is shorter on the map but crosses an 8,911-foot summit that is often worse in storms. Our flying into Reno guide covers both routes.
From Sacramento and the Bay Area
US-50 over Echo Summit is the direct route into South Lake Tahoe. It is the road most affected by chain controls and holiday traffic, so leave early on Friday and check QuickMap. If you are heading to the North Shore instead, I-80 over Donner Summit is the usual route; see our Bay Area driving guide.
Chains
Under California's R-2 chain controls, only 4WD or AWD vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels are exempt, and Caltrans says they must still carry chains. Nevada requires chains under controls unless the vehicle is 4WD or AWD with snow tires. Many rental cars come on all-season tires, so ask at the counter.
Non-ski days near Heavenly
If part of your group doesn't ski, the South Shore has plenty for a day: Heavenly Village's shops and ice rink, a sightseeing gondola ride, and, road permitting, Emerald Bay under snow. Our guides to things to do in South Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm have more. Highway 89 around Emerald Bay is often closed after big storms, so check before you set out.
Tips for a first Heavenly day
- Pick a base area that fits where you're coming from. From the North Shore, Stagecoach or Boulder via Kingsbury Grade avoids the Village traffic.
- Arrive early on powder days. Nevada lots fill early and the gondola line grows fast.
- Book lessons and rentals online. Weekend slots sell out.
- Check the roads before you leave. Use QuickMap in California and nvroads.com in Nevada.
- Sun and cold both. At 10,000 feet the sun burns fast, even on a cold day.
Plan your 2026-27 Heavenly day
Heavenly is worth a day for the size and the lake views from the top. Price your tickets early, decide on a pass before the fall sales end, and pick a base area that suits your drive. If you'd rather base on the quieter North Shore and ski Heavenly once, search our homes for your dates or call us at (530) 317-0291. For more ideas, see things to do in Lake Tahoe.
Questions
How much are Heavenly lift tickets?
Heavenly doesn't publish one fixed price. Vail Resorts prices lift tickets by date, with weekends and holidays the most expensive, and buying online ahead is cheaper than the ticket window. Price your exact dates at skiheavenly.com. If you'll ski several days, an Epic Day Pass or Epic Pass bought before the season is usually cheaper per day, but passes are only sold before the season starts.
When does Heavenly open for 2026-27?
Vail Resorts has announced a target opening day of Friday, November 20, 2026 for Heavenly and Northstar, weather and conditions permitting.
Is Heavenly on the Epic Pass?
Yes. Heavenly is owned by Vail Resorts and is on the Epic Pass, which also covers Northstar and Kirkwood at Tahoe. The 2026-27 Epic Pass launched at $1,089 for adults, with a new discounted price of $869 for skiers 30 and under. The cheaper Epic Local Pass has holiday restrictions at Heavenly, so check epicpass.com for its dates.
Do you need a parking reservation at Heavenly?
Heavenly's parking page says parking reservations are no longer needed for the 2026-27 season. Last season the California Lodge lot needed a paid reservation on weekends and holidays before 11:30 a.m. Stagecoach and Boulder lodges on the Nevada side have free parking. The Heavenly Village garage is city-owned and paid. Check the page again before you go.
How far is Heavenly from North Lake Tahoe?
In good conditions it is about 45 minutes from Incline Village to Stateline, and roughly an hour or more from Kings Beach or Tahoe City. In a storm, add time, and check whether Highway 89 at Emerald Bay is open if you're coming from the West Shore.
Are there vacation rentals at Heavenly?
Yes, in South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, Nevada, but both the City of South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County cap vacation-rental permits. MG Vacation Rentals has no homes on the South Shore; our homes are on the North and West Shore, about an hour's drive around the lake.
What is the difference between the California and Nevada sides of Heavenly?
The California side, reached from Heavenly Village's gondola or the California Lodge, faces the lake and has much of the cruising terrain and Gunbarrel. The Nevada side, reached from the Stagecoach and Boulder lodges, looks over the Carson Valley and includes the expert terrain of Mott and Killebrew canyons. You can ski between the two on the mountain.
Can you ride the Heavenly Gondola without skiing?
Yes. The gondola from Heavenly Village runs as a sightseeing ride in summer, and non-skiers can buy a scenic ride in winter as well. Schedules and prices change by season, so check skiheavenly.com for current tickets.