Heavenly adds more runs today

Heavenly Mountain Resort has done it again, opening more skiing and snowboarding terrain on the strength of the West Coast’s largest snowmaking system, just in time for the upcoming holiday season.

“We’ve enjoyed a continuous machine-made snowstorm for the last four days,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “We’ve put a lot of time and expense toward creating the best possible ski and snowboard experience for our guests. We’re extremely excited to have the California side of our mountain open in time for the Christmas holiday.”

On Friday, December 16, 2011, Heavenly will open Gunbarrel Express and the Aerial Tram to access the upper mountain, Patsy’s Chair accessing Patsy’s Run, Powderbowl Express accessing Maggie’s Run, and Canyon Express accessing Ridge Run. The resort will also open three surface lifts at the California base that access Ski and Ride School terrain.

“It’s important to note that there is currently no connection between the California and Nevada sides of the mountain – they’re skiing like two separate resorts,” said Sonntag. “We’re working on making that connection as soon as possible.”

Until the on-mountain link between the California and Nevada sides is complete, Heavenly is operating frequent, free, low-emission buses to shuttle guests between the three separate base areas.
Heavenly will also add Olympic Express on the Nevada side, giving skiers and riders top-to-bottom access to Olympic Downhill, the popular 8,650-foot-long cruiser. All told, Heavenly will be able to offer nearly 11 miles of skiing and snowboarding on the finest snow surface conditions Lake Tahoe has to offer. Overall, Heavenly will operate 18 lifts and 20 trails, with advanced, intermediate and beginner terrain available. Snow depths on the open trails range from 18-24 inches and snow coverage is wall-to-wall.

The Ski and Ride School of Heavenly is offering the full lineup of lessons out of both the Gondola as well as California Lodge. Heavenly’s California Lodge Day Care, the ski industry’s only California-licensed day care available for children from six weeks to six years old, is also open and accepting reservations. The California Lodge cafeteria, Cal Bar, Sky Deck and Steins, Heavenly’s new beer garden at the base of Patsy’s Chair, will all be open for dining. Heavenly Sports in the California Lodge, and the California Lodge Rental Center and Repair Shop will also be open.

With cold temperatures in the forecast, Heavenly’s snowmaking is focused on making the connection between Nevada and California, as well as opening the Boulder area on the Nevada side