Forecast today: Mainly cloudy
There is more to this resort than the scenery alone – the mountain is home to some of Californiaโs 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 โ 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 โ 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 โ some of which do require a hike out however.
South Lake Tahoe is unique in ski resort terms โ nowhere else can claim to offer accommodation and aprรจs ski in luxury casinos… Whilst the casino vibe may put off some, they offer cheap and good quality rooms (subsidised no doubt by peopleโs 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 โ which are great value in winter as summer is the most popular season here.
Unlike many US resorts, Heavenly has a very lively aprรจs 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 youโd 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 25 Apr | Sat 26 Apr | Sun 27 Apr | Mon 28 Apr | Tue 29 Apr | Wed 30 Apr | Thu 1 May | Fri 2 May | Sat 3 May | Sun 4 May | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | Mainly cloudy |
Rain/Snow shower |
Light snow | Light snow |
Light snow |
Light snow | Light rain/snow |
Rain/Snow shower |
![]() Rather cloudy | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Clear skies | Mainly fair |
![]() Rather cloudy |
Mainly fair | Partly cloudy |
Light rain shwr |
Mainly fair | Mainly fair |
Light rain shwr |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Mainly fair |
Light rain | Occasional rain |
Light rain shwr |
Light rain shwr | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Clear skies |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1.4 cm | 5.1 cm | 3 cm | 2 cm | 1.3 cm | 0.1 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 |
Max temp | 4ยฐc | 4ยฐc | 1.2ยฐc | -0.4ยฐc | -0.4ยฐc | -1.6ยฐc | -1.2ยฐc | 0.4ยฐc | 0.2ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc | 9.6ยฐc | 9.6ยฐc | 10.8ยฐc | 12.2ยฐc | 10.2ยฐc | 10ยฐc | 11.4ยฐc | 10.8ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 13.4ยฐc | 11.6ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 12.8ยฐc | 10.6ยฐc | 10ยฐc | 11.6ยฐc | 10ยฐc | 12.4ยฐc | 14.8ยฐc | 13.8ยฐc |
Min temp | 0.4ยฐc | 1.2ยฐc | -1.2ยฐc | -2ยฐc | -1.6ยฐc | -3ยฐc | -3ยฐc | -1.2ยฐc | -2.6ยฐc | -3.8ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc | 1ยฐc | -0.2ยฐc | 10.2ยฐc | 2.6ยฐc | 1.6ยฐc | 10ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc | 2.2ยฐc | 11.6ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc | 2ยฐc | 10.6ยฐc | 2.4ยฐc | 0.8ยฐc | 10ยฐc | 3.8ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc | 12.4ยฐc | 5ยฐc |
Feels like temp | 0.4ยฐc | 1ยฐc | -2ยฐc | -2ยฐc | -3.9ยฐc | -5.9ยฐc | -7ยฐc | -5.5ยฐc | -2.9ยฐc | -3.8ยฐc | 5.7ยฐc | 8.8ยฐc | -0.2ยฐc | 9.8ยฐc | 8.9ยฐc | 1.5ยฐc | 8.5ยฐc | 10.1ยฐc | 2ยฐc | 10.8ยฐc | 10.5ยฐc | 1.9ยฐc | 10.4ยฐc | 8.9ยฐc | 0.7ยฐc | 8.3ยฐc | 8.4ยฐc | 1.4ยฐc | 10.5ยฐc | 12.3ยฐc |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Mainly cloudy |
Rain/Snow shower |
Light snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1.4 cm |
Max temp | 4ยฐc | 4ยฐc | 1.2ยฐc |
Min temp | 0.4ยฐc | 1.2ยฐc | -1.2ยฐc |
Feels like temp | 0.4ยฐc | 1ยฐc | -2ยฐc |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Light snow |
Light snow |
Light snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 5.1 cm | 3 cm | 2 cm |
Max temp | -0.4ยฐc | -0.4ยฐc | -1.6ยฐc |
Min temp | -2ยฐc | -1.6ยฐc | -3ยฐc |
Feels like temp | -2ยฐc | -3.9ยฐc | -5.9ยฐc |
Fri 25 Apr | Sat 26 Apr | Sun 27 Apr | Mon 28 Apr | Tue 29 Apr | Wed 30 Apr | Thu 1 May | Fri 2 May | Sat 3 May | Sun 4 May | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | Mainly cloudy |
Light rain shwr |
Snow grains | Light snow |
Light snow |
Occasional snow | Snow grains |
Rain/Snow shower |
Partly cloudy | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Mainly fair |
![]() Broken clouds |
Generally clear | Partly cloudy |
Light rain shwr |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Light rain shwr |
Mainly fair | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Light rain shwr |
Mainly fair | Mainly fair |
Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1.7 cm | 5.7 cm | 1.7 cm | 2.2 cm | 0.9 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 |
Max temp | 6.6ยฐc | 7.2ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc | 2ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc | 2.4ยฐc | 5.4ยฐc | 5.4ยฐc | 8.8ยฐc | 13.4ยฐc | 13.4ยฐc | 13.2ยฐc | 15.2ยฐc | 14.8ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 14.4ยฐc | 14.4ยฐc | 13.6ยฐc | 15.8ยฐc | 15.2ยฐc | 13.8ยฐc | 15.6ยฐc | 15ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 14.6ยฐc | 14.4ยฐc | 14.4ยฐc | 18ยฐc | 17.8ยฐc |
Min temp | 0.4ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc | 1.4ยฐc | -3ยฐc | 2ยฐc | -1.2ยฐc | -4.2ยฐc | 2.4ยฐc | 0ยฐc | -2.6ยฐc | 8.8ยฐc | 4.8ยฐc | 1.2ยฐc | 13.2ยฐc | 6ยฐc | 2.6ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 6.6ยฐc | 3ยฐc | 13.6ยฐc | 7.2ยฐc | 4ยฐc | 13.8ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc | 2.8ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 6.8ยฐc | 4.6ยฐc | 14.4ยฐc | 8.4ยฐc |
Feels like temp | 1.3ยฐc | 4ยฐc | 3.5ยฐc | -1.8ยฐc | -1ยฐc | -0.2ยฐc | -7.3ยฐc | -1.3ยฐc | 2.6ยฐc | -2.4ยฐc | 7.3ยฐc | 11.8ยฐc | 1.1ยฐc | 12.2ยฐc | 13.6ยฐc | 3ยฐc | 10.8ยฐc | 13.3ยฐc | 3ยฐc | 12.7ยฐc | 14.1ยฐc | 4ยฐc | 12.9ยฐc | 13.6ยฐc | 3.2ยฐc | 10.5ยฐc | 12.9ยฐc | 4.5ยฐc | 13ยฐc | 16.3ยฐc |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1.7 cm |
Max temp | 6.6ยฐc | 7.2ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc |
Min temp | 0.4ยฐc | 6.2ยฐc | 1.4ยฐc |
Feels like temp | 1.3ยฐc | 4ยฐc | 3.5ยฐc |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 5.7 cm | 1.7 cm | 2.2 cm |
Max temp | 2ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc | 3.4ยฐc |
Min temp | -3ยฐc | 2ยฐc | -1.2ยฐc |
Feels like temp | -1.8ยฐc | -1ยฐc | -0.2ยฐc |
Snowfall | Next 3 days | 20.6 cm |
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Depths | Upper piste depth | No information |
Lower piste depth | No information | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | No information |
Lifts | Lifts open | No information |
Resort opening date | Fri 21 Nov 2025 | |
Resort closing date | Sun 12 Apr 2026 |
Updated 15/04
Some weird weather patterns are in store for much of the US Left Coast this week, with cold air flowing down over the Great Plains to push snow east-to-west over the region. This will start on Wednesday and into Thursday in Montana and Colorado, making its way south and west until it peters out before hitting western Idaho and the Sierras. In total this can bring up to about 20″ in many areas between Wednesday and Saturday.
Over the Ice Coast, a cold patch in the middle of this week keeps things steady, albeit with limited to no snowfall to show for it. Things then turn incredibly mild over the end of this weekend into the weekend, with significant rainfall possible.