Forecast today: Broken clouds
There is more to this resort than the scenery alone – the mountain is home to some of California’s finest ski terrain, including the fantastic steep runs in the Mott and Killebrew Canyons.
South Lake Tahoe makes for a excellent base, with numerous hotels (including good value rooms in the casinos) at the foot of the gondola and a great choice of vacation rentals available right down to the shores of Lake Tahoe. The town is divided by the California-Nevada stateline and this is clear to see when you arrive at it – towering casinos dominate the Nevada side. Playing poker and blackjack in your ski boots is certainly a novel way to end a day on the mountain.
4800 acres of ski terrain make Heavenly the biggest of the Lake Tahoe resorts, giving excellent variety. The beginner zone at the top of the gondola at Tamarack Lodge is one of the best around, with a decent alternative in bad weather down at California Lodge. Intermediate cruising is the name of the game across much of the mountain, but especially on the Nevada side down towards the Stagecoach base – our tip for quiet slopes would be the routes to the recently revamped Galaxy chairlift.
For more advanced skiers, the infamous bumps under the Aerial Tram are a right of passage, whilst after fresh snow the tree runs and glades really come into their own. The old pines that dominate the landscape are widely spaced, giving perfect gaps for making fast turns and great shelter on snowy days. Later in the season when the gullies fill in, head to the Mott and Killebrew Canyons for some seriously steep challenges – some of which do require a hike out however.
South Lake Tahoe is unique in ski resort terms – nowhere else can claim to offer accommodation and après ski in luxury casinos… Whilst the casino vibe may put off some, they offer cheap and good quality rooms (subsidised no doubt by people’s losses on the gambling tables) and are home to some great bars and restaurants. Alternatively there are loads of small lodges and self-catered homes to rent between the lifts and the lake – which are great value in winter as summer is the most popular season here.
Unlike many US resorts, Heavenly has a very lively après ski scene, focused on the plaza around the base of the gondola. This really comes to life during the spring, when temperatures soar and the California sunshine takes hold. Look out for live bands and DJs and be sure to make the most of the great value Happy Hours on offer.
Hiring a car is a must and access is quickest from the small airport at Reno, an hour and a half to the north. This does require an internal flight, so if you’d rather fly direct head to San Francisco and enjoy a couple of days exploring this great city before making the three and a half hour drive up to Tahoe.
Vail resorts have not confirmed closing dates for many of their resorts, instead letting conditions dictate timelines!
| Wed 15 Apr | Thu 16 Apr | Fri 17 Apr | Sat 18 Apr | Sun 19 Apr | Mon 20 Apr | Tue 21 Apr | Wed 22 Apr | Thu 23 Apr | Fri 24 Apr | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Rather cloudy |
![]() Snow grains | ![]() Broken clouds |
![]() Clear skies |
![]() Clear skies | ![]() Clear skies |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Broken clouds | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Occasional rain |
![]() Rain and snow | ![]() Rain and snow |
![]() Occasional rain |
![]() Occasional snow | ![]() Occasional snow |
![]() Light rain/snow |
![]() Light snow | ![]() Light snow |
![]() Rain shower |
![]() Occasional snow | ![]() Occasional snow |
![]() Rather cloudy |
![]() Rain/Snow shower | ![]() Rain and snow |
![]() Occasional rain |
![]() Occasional rain |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0.5 cm | 0.9 cm | 0 cm | 1.6 cm | 2.3 cm | 0 cm | 0.6 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 5°c | 6°c | 4.8°c | 2.1°c | 4.3°c | 3.2°c | 3.6°c | 8.4°c | 8°c | 8.9°c | 11°c | 9.7°c | 9.1°c | 10.4°c | 8.7°c | 6.6°c | 7.8°c | 6.2°c | 4°c | 5.5°c | 4.3°c | 3.7°c | 5.8°c | 5.2°c | 6.6°c | 9.2°c | 9°c | 9°c | 11°c | 10.9°c |
| Min temp | -3.7°c | 4.8°c | 0.8°c | -1.4°c | 2.1°c | -4.1°c | -5.5°c | 3.6°c | -0.4°c | -2.4°c | 8.9°c | 2.8°c | 1.2°c | 8.7°c | 2.4°c | -0.3°c | 6.2°c | 0.5°c | -1.6°c | 4°c | 0°c | -1.4°c | 3.7°c | 1°c | -0.8°c | 6.6°c | 2.6°c | 0.4°c | 9°c | 4.4°c |
| Feels like temp | -3.7°c | 1.4°c | 0.8°c | -5°c | -1°c | -0.2°c | -10.6°c | 0.9°c | 7°c | -2.4°c | 7.8°c | 7.8°c | -1.8°c | 6.4°c | 6°c | -2.4°c | 3.9°c | 3.5°c | -4.2°c | 0.6°c | 1.1°c | -3.4°c | 1.3°c | 2.6°c | -3.6°c | 4.7°c | 7.3°c | 0.9°c | 7.6°c | 9.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Rather cloudy |
![]() Snow grains |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm |
| Max temp | 5°c | 6°c | 4.8°c |
| Min temp | -3.7°c | 4.8°c | 0.8°c |
| Feels like temp | -3.7°c | 1.4°c | 0.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | ![]() Broken clouds |
![]() Clear skies |
![]() Clear skies |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 2.1°c | 4.3°c | 3.2°c |
| Min temp | -1.4°c | 2.1°c | -4.1°c |
| Feels like temp | -5°c | -1°c | -0.2°c |
| Wed 15 Apr | Thu 16 Apr | Fri 17 Apr | Sat 18 Apr | Sun 19 Apr | Mon 20 Apr | Tue 21 Apr | Wed 22 Apr | Thu 23 Apr | Fri 24 Apr | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Broken clouds |
Rather cloudy |
Rather cloudy | Partly cloudy |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Mainly fair |
Partly cloudy |
Broken clouds | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Light drizzle | Freezing drizzle |
Light rain shwr |
Occasional rain | Ice pellets |
Occasional rain |
Light rain | Freezing rain |
Rain shower |
Occasional rain | Rain and snow |
Light rain shwr |
Occasional rain | Rain/Snow shower |
Light rain shwr |
Light rain shwr |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 8.4°c | 9.5°c | 9.2°c | 5.4°c | 7.2°c | 7°c | 3.8°c | 10.6°c | 10.6°c | 9.6°c | 13.8°c | 13.8°c | 11.4°c | 13.8°c | 13.5°c | 9.4°c | 11.4°c | 11.1°c | 7°c | 9°c | 8.8°c | 6°c | 9°c | 9°c | 7.7°c | 12°c | 12°c | 9.7°c | 14°c | 14°c |
| Min temp | -4°c | 8.4°c | 1.6°c | -4.2°c | 5.4°c | -4.2°c | -9°c | 3.8°c | 0°c | -4.2°c | 9.6°c | 3°c | -1.2°c | 11.4°c | 3.2°c | -1.7°c | 9.4°c | 1.6°c | -3.3°c | 7°c | 0.5°c | -4.2°c | 6°c | 1.1°c | -3.8°c | 7.7°c | 2.6°c | -2.4°c | 9.7°c | 4°c |
| Feels like temp | -3.8°c | 5.5°c | 6.2°c | -7°c | 2.9°c | 3.9°c | -8.8°c | 0.8°c | 8.6°c | -4.2°c | 8.4°c | 11.9°c | -1.2°c | 9.2°c | 11.2°c | -1.3°c | 7.2°c | 8.6°c | -2.5°c | 4.3°c | 6.3°c | -3.2°c | 3.8°c | 6.7°c | -3.4°c | 5.8°c | 10.2°c | -1.8°c | 8.3°c | 12.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 8.4°c | 9.5°c | 9.2°c |
| Min temp | -4°c | 8.4°c | 1.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -3.8°c | 5.5°c | 6.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | 5.4°c | 7.2°c | 7°c |
| Min temp | -4.2°c | 5.4°c | -4.2°c |
| Feels like temp | -7°c | 2.9°c | 3.9°c |
| Snowfall | Next 3 days | 0.8 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Depths | Upper piste depth | No information |
| Lower piste depth | No information | |
| Snow conditions | Snow quality | No information |
| Lifts | Lifts open | No information |
| Resort opening date | Mon 24 Nov 2025 | |
| Resort closing date | Sun 05 Apr 2026 |
Updated 07/04
The sad demise of Left Coast skiing continues this week, with more resorts shuttering with each passing day in the wake of what is now officially a record-low snowpack in Utah. Temperatures remain mild throughout this forecast period across the Rockies, PNW, and Tetons, with a few bursts of rain along the way.
Things may turn colder into the weekend with a few flurries of snow, but whether there is a snowpack left for this to boost is anyone’s guess.
Out on the Ice Coast, things start this period cold and snowy, but rapidly turn mild as the freezing line leaps over tall buildings in a single bound. Things will fluctuate slightly, plus a flurry of rain in to start the weekend to keep things interesting.
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