Heavenly Gondola

Overview

The Heavenly Resort gondola hauls you 2.4 miles up the mountain in about 12 minutes, eight per cabin, floor-to-ceiling windows. You'll stop twice on the way up.

First stop: The Deck, at 9,123 feet. Mid-mountain platform with clear views of Mount Tallac, the lake, and Carson Valley. Interpretive plaques tell you what you're looking at. Cafe Blue's got coffee, and Gondola Sports has gear if you forgot something.

Second stop: 9,136 feet, the summit. From here, it depends on what you came for. The Smokehouse Grill does lunch and barbecue, plus there's a bar. Want to hike? Take the Tamarack Express lift to reach the trailheads. The terrain's worth the extra ride.

Check conditions before you head up. When weather turns, they shut it down.

Location/Directions

The gondola base sits at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, right on Highway 50, just west of the California-Nevada line.

Call (775) 586-7000 for details.

Hours/Seasons

The gondola runs seasonally, mostly summer. Operating dates and hours shift, so call the resort for what's current.

Fees/Cost

Ticket prices vary by age, discounts for seniors, teens, and kids. Youngest riders go free. Rates change, so check with Heavenly for current pricing. The Tamarack Express lift costs extra.

Hiking Trails

Summer access opens up some solid trails from the top:

• Easy: Upper Bonanza Lookout (1 mile roundtrip)
• Moderate: East Peak Lake, 8,700 feet (3.8 miles roundtrip)
• Difficult/Steep: Sky Meadows, 8,625 feet (2.2 miles roundtrip)

• Lift fees: $48/adults and $24/child
• Located in South Lake Tahoe near the CA/NV stateline
• Open 7 days/week in summer and winter; limited hours on weekends in the shoulder-seasons
• Heavenly Resort, (775) 586-7000, press 0