Forecast today: Generally clear
There is more to this resort than the scenery alone – the mountain is home to some of California’s finest ski terrain, including the fantastic steep runs in the Mott and Killebrew Canyons.
South Lake Tahoe makes for a excellent base, with numerous hotels (including good value rooms in the casinos) at the foot of the gondola and a great choice of vacation rentals available right down to the shores of Lake Tahoe. The town is divided by the California-Nevada stateline and this is clear to see when you arrive at it – towering casinos dominate the Nevada side. Playing poker and blackjack in your ski boots is certainly a novel way to end a day on the mountain.
4800 acres of ski terrain make Heavenly the biggest of the Lake Tahoe resorts, giving excellent variety. The beginner zone at the top of the gondola at Tamarack Lodge is one of the best around, with a decent alternative in bad weather down at California Lodge. Intermediate cruising is the name of the game across much of the mountain, but especially on the Nevada side down towards the Stagecoach base – our tip for quiet slopes would be the routes to the recently revamped Galaxy chairlift.
For more advanced skiers, the infamous bumps under the Aerial Tram are a right of passage, whilst after fresh snow the tree runs and glades really come into their own. The old pines that dominate the landscape are widely spaced, giving perfect gaps for making fast turns and great shelter on snowy days. Later in the season when the gullies fill in, head to the Mott and Killebrew Canyons for some seriously steep challenges – some of which do require a hike out however.
South Lake Tahoe is unique in ski resort terms – nowhere else can claim to offer accommodation and après ski in luxury casinos… Whilst the casino vibe may put off some, they offer cheap and good quality rooms (subsidised no doubt by people’s losses on the gambling tables) and are home to some great bars and restaurants. Alternatively there are loads of small lodges and self-catered homes to rent between the lifts and the lake – which are great value in winter as summer is the most popular season here.
Unlike many US resorts, Heavenly has a very lively après ski scene, focused on the plaza around the base of the gondola. This really comes to life during the spring, when temperatures soar and the California sunshine takes hold. Look out for live bands and DJs and be sure to make the most of the great value Happy Hours on offer.
Hiring a car is a must and access is quickest from the small airport at Reno, an hour and a half to the north. This does require an internal flight, so if you’d rather fly direct head to San Francisco and enjoy a couple of days exploring this great city before making the three and a half hour drive up to Tahoe.
Vail resorts have not confirmed closing dates for many of their resorts, instead letting conditions dictate timelines!
Fri 4 Apr | Sat 5 Apr | Sun 6 Apr | Mon 7 Apr | Tue 8 Apr | Wed 9 Apr | Thu 10 Apr | Fri 11 Apr | Sat 12 Apr | Sun 13 Apr | |||||||||||||||||||||
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AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Partly cloudy |
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![]() Generally clear | Occasional rain |
Light drizzle |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | Clear skies |
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![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Snow shower | Light snow |
Rain and snow |
Light snow |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 3.1 cm | 4 cm | 0 cm | 4.6 cm |
Max temp | 0.4°c | 3°c | 3°c | 3.8°c | 7°c | 7°c | 8.2°c | 9°c | 7.4°c | 3.4°c | 4.4°c | 3.8°c | 7.2°c | 8.6°c | 7.2°c | 10.6°c | 12.2°c | 11.2°c | 11.4°c | 12.2°c | 10.4°c | 9°c | 9.6°c | 7°c | 6°c | 7.2°c | 5.8°c | 3.4°c | 4.6°c | 4.2°c |
Min temp | -7.6°c | 0.4°c | -3°c | -3.6°c | 3.8°c | -1.2°c | -3°c | 7.4°c | 1°c | 1°c | 3.4°c | 0°c | -1.2°c | 7.2°c | 0.4°c | -0.6°c | 10.6°c | 1.8°c | 0.6°c | 10.4°c | 1.8°c | 0.4°c | 7°c | -0.2°c | -2.2°c | 5.8°c | -2.2°c | -4.4°c | 3.4°c | -2.6°c |
Feels like temp | -12.1°c | -4.7°c | -0.4°c | -8.2°c | 0.9°c | 6.2°c | -3°c | 6.1°c | 4.9°c | -3.3°c | -0.8°c | 0°c | -4.2°c | 4.5°c | 4.6°c | -0.6°c | 8.6°c | 9.4°c | 0.5°c | 9.2°c | 8.3°c | -2.5°c | 6.3°c | 4.1°c | -5.6°c | 3°c | 2.9°c | -8°c | 0.5°c | 1.6°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 0.4°c | 3°c | 3°c |
Min temp | -7.6°c | 0.4°c | -3°c |
Feels like temp | -12.1°c | -4.7°c | -0.4°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Partly cloudy |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 3.8°c | 7°c | 7°c |
Min temp | -3.6°c | 3.8°c | -1.2°c |
Feels like temp | -8.2°c | 0.9°c | 6.2°c |
Fri 4 Apr | Sat 5 Apr | Sun 6 Apr | Mon 7 Apr | Tue 8 Apr | Wed 9 Apr | Thu 10 Apr | Fri 11 Apr | Sat 12 Apr | Sun 13 Apr | |||||||||||||||||||||
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AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | Light drizzle |
Broken clouds |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Rain/Snow shower | Occasional snow |
Light rain |
Occasional snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1 cm | 1.4 cm | 0 cm | 1.8 cm |
Max temp | 2°c | 6.4°c | 6.4°c | 6°c | 11°c | 10.8°c | 10.8°c | 12.2°c | 11.2°c | 6.8°c | 9°c | 8.6°c | 9.8°c | 12°c | 11.6°c | 12.6°c | 15.4°c | 15°c | 13.8°c | 15.2°c | 14.2°c | 11.6°c | 13°c | 11.8°c | 8°c | 9.8°c | 9°c | 5.2°c | 6.8°c | 6.4°c |
Min temp | -6.4°c | 2°c | -2.2°c | -5.2°c | 6°c | 1.6°c | 0.4°c | 10.8°c | 3.6°c | 2.2°c | 6.8°c | 2.6°c | 0.8°c | 9.8°c | 4°c | 2.4°c | 12.6°c | 6°c | 4°c | 13.8°c | 5.8°c | 3.6°c | 11.6°c | 3.4°c | 0.6°c | 8°c | 1°c | -2.6°c | 5.2°c | 0.2°c |
Feels like temp | -6.2°c | -2°c | 3.5°c | -8.9°c | 3.6°c | 9.6°c | 0.4°c | 9.3°c | 9.1°c | -1.7°c | 3.4°c | 5.8°c | -2.4°c | 7.6°c | 9.6°c | -0.2°c | 11.2°c | 13.4°c | 1.4°c | 11.9°c | 12.4°c | 0.6°c | 9.4°c | 9.6°c | -2.7°c | 5.2°c | 6.1°c | -5.6°c | 2.1°c | 3.8°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 2°c | 6.4°c | 6.4°c |
Min temp | -6.4°c | 2°c | -2.2°c |
Feels like temp | -6.2°c | -2°c | 3.5°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 6°c | 11°c | 10.8°c |
Min temp | -5.2°c | 6°c | 1.6°c |
Feels like temp | -8.9°c | 3.6°c | 9.6°c |
Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 01/04/2025 |
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Next 3 days | No information | |
Depths | Upper piste depth | 241 cm |
Lower piste depth | 102 cm | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | Hard packed |
Lifts | Lifts open | 21 out of 27 |
Resort opening date | Wed 20 Nov 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Mon 21 Apr 2025 |
Updated 01/04
Seriously good mid-winter conditions are hammering Utah and Colorado through the beginning of this week after dumping serious total of at least a foot across the Sierras and Tahoe to conclude the weekend. Up to two feet in total can be expected across many areas on the US Left Coast, with only the PNW missing out on this. Snow is forecast to be light and fluffy, seeing a return to true mid-winter conditions in many places.
As the week continues, conditions return to spring, warming and turning sunny for many.
On the Ice Coast, a cold start to the week brings a burst of snow on Wednesday evening, before mild conditions bring rain and sun to many. A brief flurry of snow precedes more rain into the weekend as condition remain mild.