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!
Wed 12 Feb | Thu 13 Feb | Fri 14 Feb | Sat 15 Feb | Sun 16 Feb | Mon 17 Feb | Tue 18 Feb | Wed 19 Feb | Thu 20 Feb | Fri 21 Feb | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Occasional snow | ![]() Heavy snow |
![]() Heavy snow |
![]() Heavy snow | ![]() Snow |
![]() Light snow |
![]() Light snow | ![]() Freezing fog |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Partly cloudy | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Light rain/snow |
![]() Freezing rain | ![]() Mist |
![]() Broken clouds |
![]() Freezing fog | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Partly cloudy | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Light rain/snow |
![]() Mist | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly cloudy |
Wind | ![]() |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 2.8 cm | 31.7 cm | 20 cm | 23 cm | 9.8 cm | 4.2 cm | 0.9 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -4.6°c | 0.4°c | -0.6°c | -0.2°c | -0.2°c | -1.6°c | -2.4°c | -2.2°c | -2.4°c | 0.8°c | 4.6°c | 3.4°c | 2.8°c | 3°c | 1.2°c | 0°c | 1.4°c | 0.6°c | -0.2°c | 2.6°c | 2.2°c | 1.8°c | 2.8°c | 1°c | -1°c | 1°c | 0.2°c | -0.6°c | 2.2°c | 1.6°c |
Min temp | -18.2°c | -4.6°c | -5.6°c | -0.8°c | -1.8°c | -2.2°c | -3.4°c | -2.4°c | -4.6°c | -10°c | 0.8°c | -2°c | -3.4°c | 1.2°c | -1°c | -4.6°c | 0°c | -5.6°c | -8.6°c | -0.2°c | -4°c | -5.4°c | 1°c | -3°c | -7.2°c | -1°c | -5.4°c | -8°c | -0.6°c | -4°c |
Feels like temp | -18°c | -4.6°c | -3.3°c | -6.8°c | -6.2°c | -8.1°c | -9.7°c | -8°c | -7.2°c | -9.8°c | 0.7°c | 3°c | -6.5°c | -0.8°c | -3.1°c | -7.3°c | -3.8°c | -2.2°c | -12.8°c | -2.9°c | 2°c | -5.4°c | -1.1°c | -2.9°c | -6.2°c | -4.7°c | -3.3°c | -12.9°c | -4.1°c | 1.4°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Occasional snow |
Wind | ![]() |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 2.8 cm |
Max temp | -4.6°c | 0.4°c | -0.6°c |
Min temp | -18.2°c | -4.6°c | -5.6°c |
Feels like temp | -18°c | -4.6°c | -3.3°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Heavy snow |
![]() Heavy snow |
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Wind | ![]() |
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Snow expected | 31.7 cm | 20 cm | 23 cm |
Max temp | -0.2°c | -0.2°c | -1.6°c |
Min temp | -0.8°c | -1.8°c | -2.2°c |
Feels like temp | -6.8°c | -6.2°c | -8.1°c |
Wed 12 Feb | Thu 13 Feb | Fri 14 Feb | Sat 15 Feb | Sun 16 Feb | Mon 17 Feb | Tue 18 Feb | Wed 19 Feb | Thu 20 Feb | Fri 21 Feb | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Occasional snow | ![]() Heavy snow |
![]() Heavy snow |
![]() Snow | ![]() Snow |
![]() Occasional snow |
![]() Occasional snow | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Partly cloudy | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Partly cloudy | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Partly cloudy | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Broken clouds | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Clear skies |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Rather cloudy |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1 cm | 30.8 cm | 13.9 cm | 20.4 cm | 5.1 cm | 2 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -2.4°c | 4.8°c | 3.6°c | 1.8°c | 3.6°c | 2.4°c | -1°c | 3°c | 1.8°c | 3.2°c | 8.4°c | 7.2°c | 4.4°c | 7.6°c | 5.8°c | 1.4°c | 5.8°c | 4.2°c | 1.2°c | 7.2°c | 5.8°c | 3.4°c | 7.4°c | 5.4°c | 0°c | 4.8°c | 3.6°c | 0.6°c | 6.2°c | 5°c |
Min temp | -12.4°c | -2.4°c | -2.2°c | -0.6°c | 1.8°c | 0.2°c | -4.2°c | -1°c | -3.2°c | -6.8°c | 3.2°c | 1.8°c | -1°c | 4.4°c | 1.8°c | -3.8°c | 1.4°c | -2.8°c | -6.4°c | 1.2°c | -0.8°c | -3°c | 3.4°c | -0.8°c | -6°c | 0°c | -3.6°c | -6.8°c | 0.6°c | -1.2°c |
Feels like temp | -11°c | -2.4°c | 3.1°c | -4.7°c | -3.5°c | -2.7°c | -8.8°c | -6.6°c | -2.4°c | -6.6°c | 2.8°c | 6.4°c | -4.6°c | 1.1°c | 2°c | -6.5°c | -1.7°c | 1.3°c | -6.4°c | 1.1°c | 5.1°c | -6.4°c | 0.9°c | 2.1°c | -4.4°c | -2.6°c | 0.7°c | -6.4°c | 0.5°c | 2.8°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() |
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Wind | ![]() |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1 cm |
Max temp | -2.4°c | 4.8°c | 3.6°c |
Min temp | -12.4°c | -2.4°c | -2.2°c |
Feels like temp | -11°c | -2.4°c | 3.1°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() |
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Wind | ![]() |
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Snow expected | 30.8 cm | 13.9 cm | 20.4 cm |
Max temp | 1.8°c | 3.6°c | 2.4°c |
Min temp | -0.6°c | 1.8°c | 0.2°c |
Feels like temp | -4.7°c | -3.5°c | -2.7°c |
Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 07/02/2025 |
---|---|---|
Next 3 days | 126.7 cm | |
Depths | Upper piste depth | 144 cm |
Lower piste depth | 65 cm | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | Hard packed |
Lifts | Lifts open | 23 out of 27 |
Resort opening date | Wed 20 Nov 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Mon 21 Apr 2025 |
Updated 11/02
Another excellent low pressure system will make its way over the Left Coast over the course of the backend of this week, bringing several feet of snow to some parts. This will create another insider slider system, delivering goods to the Sierras from Friday morning onwards – up to a foot-and-a-half will fall over Friday and Saturday.
This system – pushing in from the Pacific off San Francisco – will keep moving inland, hitting Utah and Colorado – delivering one of Colorado’s first big dumps of the season so far. This could see two feet of snowfall over this weekend.
Mild conditions will follow this system as the weekend concludes, especially over the Sierras.
Out East, an unsettled week will continue with temperatures swinging drastically between bitterly cold and mild. Accompanying this will be bursts of snowfall, with around 15cm down overnight Wednesday into Thursday, and a further 25cm down over the weekend.