Heavenly, Nevada

Lake Tahoe sits nestled in the high peaks of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Over a dozen ski resorts are dotted around the massive lake (over 20 miles long, and 10 miles wide). The Heavenly ski area, which straddles the Nevada/California border, is situated on the south side of the Lake.

On the south shore of the lake, a 2.4mile gondola directly links the new development of Heavenly Village on the lake (Highway 50/Park Avenue) to the Heavenly ski-area on the mountain, topping out at an ear-popping 9156 feet. This gondola provides far more convenient access than the old lifts (situated at Stagecoach and Boulder Lodges on the Nevada side, and California Lodge on the Californa side).

From the top station, you quickly twig the wonderful view, a magnificent panoroma across Desolation Wilderness, Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe. No runs begin at the top gondola station, but a short traverse takes you to the 6 person Tamarack Express, which lifts you into true skiing territory. You can pick between skiing the Nevada side, or the California side - the two areas are really quite separate, and it's best to pick one or the other for your day. Beginners will find a lot of easy runs of the California side, while advanced skiiers will head for the double-diamonds of the Nevada side (but don't miss the famous Gunbarrel run leading down to California station).

South Shore is the busiest part of Lake Tahoe, and four casinos, Caesar's, Harrah's, Harvey's and Bill's sit on the Nevada side of the border. This gives South Shore a terrible split personality, half garish, half sensible. It's not hard to guess where most of the nightlife action lies.