Pro tip: Heavenly is one of the vanguard ski resorts of the Tahoe region. It stands smack at the south edge of Lake Tahoe, and its gondola takes off straight out of town (South Lake Tahoe). The resort offers skiers lots of places to find their own speed and terrain. Experts will love Mott's and Killebrew Canyons. Gamblers will love the casinos lining South Lake Tahoe's strip. MORE
Overall
Rank
Rank in
Region
Rank in
State
Accounts for resorts' snow quantity, moisture content, latitude, elevation, and slope aspects.
Heavenly is ranked No. 76 in North America for its total snowfall during an average season.
% of days with more than 6" of snow
14.3%% of months with more than 90" of snow
25.8%% of months with less than 30" of snow
31.8%Heavenly is ranked No. 76 in North America for its total snowfall during an average season.
Accounts for resorts' snow quantity, moisture content, latitude, elevation, and slope aspects.
This score accounts for total snow quantity, its moisture content, the resort's latitude, elevation, and its slope aspects, which affect total snow preservation.
A few words on the Snow at Heavenly
Heavenly Ski Resort has good snow frequency of 15.7% of winter days with 6 inches or more and 21% of winter months with 90 inches or more, but also endures 31% of winter months with less than 30 inches. Snowfall is less than at areas farther west on the Sierra Crest, but Heavenly has a better snowmaking system. Sierra average snow density of 12% is not the blower of the Rockies but easily managed on modern fat rockered skis
Heavenly averages 67% open at Christmas and is less than half open in the worst third of holiday seasons. In the worst 20% of seasons it is less than 1/4 open. The steepest terrain in Mott and Killebrew Canyons is usually not open until mid-January. Over half of Heavenly faces north, and the Sky and Dipper chairs serve terrain as high as anywhere at Tahoe. Thus the upper half of Heavenly has some of Tahoe's best preserved snow. Spring conditions are more common lower down, and the famous west-facing Gunbarrel moguls are usually best skied after noon.
Epic Pass
