Heavenly Opens California Side for Skiing and Snowboarding
The West Coast’s Largest Snowmaking System Gives Skiers and Riders More Options, Convenience
South Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – December 16, 2011 – 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.
Holiday Fun at Heavenly
Celebrate the 13 days of Christmas at Heavenly Holidays 2011, a two-week festival for the whole family at the Heavenly Village featuring professional ice skating shows, ice sculptors, carolers, local artists and a 16-foot snow globe where kids can have their photos taken with Santa. It all starts with Local’s Day on December 19, 2011 and culminates December 31 with A Heavenly New Year’s Celebration, including ice sculptors, live music, fire dancers and a 9:00 p.m. ball drop and fireworks show.
Heavenly Preferred Parking
For the first time ever, Heavenly is offering guests VIP access to some of the premier parking at the California parking lot. Every day, starting a half-hour before the lifts open, Heavenly will reserve 100 to 250 prime parking spaces for those guests who want easy access to the California Lodge and Gunbarrel Express. The cost will be $20 per day with tickets available at the Tram ticket office. Parking season passes will also be available for as little as $229 for a restricted pass, and $299 for an unlimited pass. Visit the California Lodge Season Pass Office for more details or to purchase the pass. There will still be over 1,000 free parking spaces at the California lot.
B-roll Alert
Fresh video footage of Friday’s opening will be available by 1:00 p.m. PST.
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About Heavenly
Heavenly Mountain Resort is a world-class destination offering guests a one-of-a-kind combination of scenic beauty and exhilarating on-snow experience. Heavenly is a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc., the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. One of the largest resorts in North America, Heavenly spans 4800 acres, climbs to Lake Tahoe’s highest elevation at 10,067 feet and features 97 trails for every level of skier or snowboarder. For more information on Heavenly Mountain Resort, please visit www.skiheavenly.com or call 800-HEAVENLY.
About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resort properties of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone mountain resorts in Colorado, and Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties across the United States and in the Caribbean. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.