Mountain Improvements
The improvements continue in year two of Heavenly’s ten-year master plan that promises a steady stream of new lifts, on-mountain restaurants, lodging and base villages that will greatly improve the overall experience. Following the debut of Olympic Express and the Heavenly Flyer ZipRider last season, this winter guests can expect more investment in the resort, including three new gladed trails on the resort's California side; two in Ski Ways glades and another in Powderbowl Woods. The two Ski Ways trails are accessed from the newly re-graded Skyline Trail. The re-grade will allow all levels of skiers and snowboarders easier access to Nevada terrain from the California side of the mountain.
In addition to the big trail improvements, Heavenly is doubling the number of indoor seats at East Peak Lodge, expanding and remodeling the rental shop at the California Lodge, adding six new, low-emission grooming machines to the country's largest fleet of Prinoth350 snow cats, and installing a magic carpet surface lift at the California ski school. On the high-tech side, Heavenly season passes will offer "easy scan" RF technology that will expedite access to the lifts. As part of the Vail Resorts Appetite For Life program, Heavenly will be serving 100 percent Certified Organic Starbucks coffee and Fair-Trade espresso and eliminating the use of all artificial trans fats at all of its dining establishments.
Other future projects approved under Phase One of the Master Plan include: Replacement of another existing fixed-grip chair lift on the mountain’s Nevada side with high-speed, detachable lift technology; a 1,000-seat, LEED-certified, on-mountain restaurant with incredible views of Lake Tahoe called Powderbowl Lodge; 152 acres of new ski trails; and a skier bridge that will allow skiers and riders to ski from the Gondola top station to Tamarack Express. Every project contained in the Master Plan Amendment was designed to minimize environmental impact and maximize water clarity from the watersheds draining Heavenly, earning the endorsement of the League to Save Lake Tahoe.
To learn more abaout the Heavenly Mountain Resort Master Plan, please visit the
USDA Forest Service web site.