Heavenly

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.

• Total Pistes: 4800 acres
• Beginner: 19%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 36%
• Lifts: 24
• Altitude: 2001m – 3060m

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.

• Reno airport: 1.5 hours
• San Francisco airport: 3 hours