Heavenly Ski Resort Guide

I live in South Lake and ski Heavenly regularly. It's a huge mountain when the snow is soft and you can ski all 4,800 acres in the trees. Great terrain is available on Mott and Killebrew canyons for advanced/expert skiers. The groomed terrain is usually only a very tiny portion of the 4,800: about 200 acres, so if you are a piste skier there isn't that much for you.

Crowds have been epic this year due to Vail selling so many more season passes after dropping the price. Not a good trend. Get to the California parking lot by 8:30 on a weekend or you are not going to be skiing that day.

Someone in a previous review mentioned the mountain safety "Nazis". They are gone, probably a victim of COVID staffing issues. The resort has fared better than other VAIL resorts this year with most of the lifts and terrain open. They are definitely short-staffed but it's not that noticeable. Out of the normal lifts that run every year, only the useless Galaxy chair is not running.

Bottom line is: don't ski there on a Saturday. Soft snow will open up the whole mountain for you. If it's a freeze/thaw cycle you will be limited to a few groomed and crowded runs with everyone else. Ski the trees for the most fun.