| It is incredible that within a one to two | | | | advanced; 45%are intermediate; and 20% are |
| hour drive of a full-feature city like Reno, | | | | beginner.Heavenly has a veritable cornucopia |
| Nevada, there are more than a dozen | | | | of additional amenities and close access to |
| world-class ski resorts. Add the attraction | | | | all the lodging, shopping, dining, |
| of gambling casinos, fabulous restaurants and | | | | recreational, entertainment and fitness |
| showrooms and you have a winter vacation | | | | facilities that you could possibly imagine. |
| destination at Lake Tahoe that is | | | | It is truly a fantastic resort.At the north |
| second-to-none.If you are in Reno for a visit | | | | end of the lake we find Squaw Valley USA, the |
| to a casino or on a business trip, it is a | | | | site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. It was |
| very simple to just rent a car or hop on a | | | | founded in 1949 amidst 8,000 acres of |
| shuttle bus down to Lake Tahoe and enjoy a | | | | wilderness preserve in the California High |
| day of awesome skiing with absolutely | | | | Sierra. Today it boasts over 4,000 acres |
| breathtaking views of the lake from the snow | | | | over six Sierra peaks.Squaw Valley offers |
| covered slopes.In the South Lake Tahoe area | | | | skiers a unique experience since there are |
| you will find a little piece of skiing heaven | | | | literally thousands of acres of open bowl |
| called, appropriately, Heavenly. This | | | | skiing as opposed to the trails that most |
| beautiful and massive ski resorts' lower | | | | people (especially Easterners) are accustomed |
| slopes can be seen from the Stateline/South | | | | to. Skiing in wide-open bowls in |
| Lake Tahoe highways and from most of the lake | | | | consistently deep snow allows skiers of all |
| itself. Many people consider Heavenly to be | | | | levels to kick their skill sets up a notch. |
| one of the most spectacular ski areas on the | | | | There are 16 open bowls to choose from and |
| planet.Heavenly opened in 1955 with only one | | | | over 100 runs that are serviced by 33 lifts. |
| chair lift and a small hut on U.S. Forest | | | | The terrain is rated at 25% beginner, 45% |
| Service land. Today it covers over 4,800 | | | | intermediate and 30% expert.The area receives |
| acres and is literally a massive operation. | | | | over 450 inches of snowfall annually and |
| The resort was purchased in the spring of | | | | boasts one of the most advanced and |
| 2002 by Vail Resorts Inc. who has pumped | | | | sophisticated grooming operations around. |
| over $36 million in on-mountain capital to | | | | Three terrain parks and two half pipes round |
| improve and upgrade the site. Enhanced | | | | out the operation to include something for |
| snowmaking on 70% of all mountain trails, | | | | everyone. The summit is 9,050 feet with a |
| expanded grooming, outstanding terrain parks, | | | | base of 6,200 feet, making the vertical an |
| new signage and access to tree skiing are | | | | impressive 2,850 feet.Squaw Valley, like |
| just a few of the improvements that have been | | | | Heavenly, offers close proximity to the Lake |
| made.The ski season at Heavenly runs roughly | | | | Tahoe area with all the added attractions and |
| from mid-November to late April. The | | | | amenities. An absolutely world-class resort, |
| vertical drop is 3,500 feet and the top | | | | you also have the additional perk of skiing |
| elevation is 10,067 feet. The mountain spans | | | | down slopes once graced by Olympic |
| California where the base elevation is at | | | | athletes.These are only two of the many |
| 6,540 feet and Nevada where the base | | | | world-class ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe |
| elevation is at 7,200 feet. Annual snowfall | | | | region but they clearly give an indication of |
| is 360 inches on average but they had 480 | | | | the fine facilities that are available. For |
| inches during the 2004-2005 season.The resort | | | | winter sports enthusiasts who enjoy a nice |
| has 30 lifts, 15 in California and 15 in | | | | meal, a relaxing spa and terrific shopping |
| Nevada, highlighted by an eight-person | | | | after a day spent on some of the most awesome |
| gondola and an aerial tram. As far as skiing | | | | runs anywhere in the world, Lake Tahoe is a |
| goes, the mountain offers something for | | | | must visit. |
| everyone. 35% of trails are rated expert | | | | |