Heavenly plans delayed opening Monday with limited operations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Mountain Resort is aiming for a start on Monday at 11 a.m. for both the lower California and Nevada sides. The gondola and top of the gondola lifts and facilities will be closed.

Access to the mountain will be from the California Base Lodge and Nevada.

They will try to expand lifts and terrain as they can.

Heavenly was unable to open Sunday due to conditions. A few feet of new snow and high wind drifts hampered operations and staff spent the day digging out lift terminals and ramps, maintaining clearances, raising rope lines, and grooming, according to Heavenly VP/COO Tom Fortune.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is working with Heavenly to ensure safety on Ski Run Blvd. Monday. With gondola operations closed, many skiers are expected to head up on Ski Run, the scene of several crashes on icy roads Saturday. Fortune reminds drivers that 4WD with snow tires on all four tires, or chains will be required to access the mountain in California.

SLTPD Detective Ross Molesworth said conditions for parking around Heavenly have not been the best with a smaller parking lot due to snow storage, and a lack of parking on streets around the base lodge.

Molesworth said Heavenly communicates with the department in the morning about daily operations so they can do what they can to mitigate traffic issues.

For Heavenly operations, visit https://www.skiheavenly.com/#main_nav__dropdown__2.