Heavenly Unveils Summer Activities: Ropes Courses, Zip Line, Day Camp

Heavenly Mountain Resort has upped the ante on summer fun, introducing new adventures at the top of the Heavenly Gondola for Summer 2014. Summertime guests will have the opportunity to swing through the trees and fly through the air on new experiences including the Boulder Cove and Black Bear Challenge Courses, the Discovery Forest Canopy Course and the 3,300 foot-long Blue Streak zip line. On Friday, June 13, Heavenly Mountain Resort will open these expanded offerings to the public seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through September 1. From September 5 until September 28, summer activities will be available Friday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“Our new activities appeal to the spectrum of summer visitors: Families with young children will love the Black Bear Ropes Course, with routes for all ability levels,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and COO of Heavenly. “The Blue Streak zip line is great for the adrenaline junkie looking to take in Heavenly’s breath-taking views while flying along at speeds up to 55 miles per hour. While there is a wide variety of fun to be had at the top of the Heavenly Gondola this summer, all of our guests will enjoy the unique experience of getting away and above it all in one of the most beautiful alpine environments in the world.”

The three new ropes challenge courses and Blue Streak zip line will add to the current summer activities at the top of the Gondola including hiking, sightseeing, Spider Climber, climbing wall, and dining at Tamarack Lodge. Tahoe’s only summer tubing hill is also expected to open in late June, and the Boulder Cove Challenge Course will open on June 27. Gondola sightseeing tickets are $39 for adults, $21 for children (5-12), $33 for teens (13-18) and seniors (65+). Kids four years and younger are free. Access to Tamarack Express chairlift at the top of the Gondola is free with Gondola ticket purchase. Prices for activities at the top of the Gondola are $50 for the Blue Streak zip line, $60 for the Discovery Forest Canopy Course, $50 for the Black Bear Challenge Course and the Boulder Cove Challenge Course, and $10 for each ten minutes on the climbing wall. Once open, summer tubing will cost $10 for three rides. All activity tickets are available for purchase at the bottom of the Gondola. The Spider Climber, Black Bear Hollow play area, and hiking trails are free.

Construction will resume on a four-line zip line center adjacent to Big Easy chairlift, with an estimated debut in late summer. The second phase of Heavenly’s expanded summer activities has been submitted and is currently under review by the USDA Forest Service and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Discovery Day Camp for Kids
New for Summer 2014, Discovery Day Camp welcomes children ages 5-12 for a day of exploration and adventure. From June 20 to September 1, Discovery Day Camp will operate seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Children begin their day with a scenic 2.4 mile gondola ride to the top of Heavenly Mountain Resort, including a stop at the observation deck with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Once they reach the top, the day is filled with varying activities ranging from tubing, rock wall climbing, challenge courses, chair ride to the summit, hiking, relay games, conservation education and nature crafts. The cost for one day is $95 and two consecutive days is $170, including lunch at Tamarack Lodge, with menu options available at check-in. Discovery Day Camp drop off and pick up is centrally located in the Heavenly Village, between Patagonia and Heavenly Sports, adjacent to the Gondola base station. Reservations are required to guarantee a spot. Walk-ins are based on availability. For information and reservations, call 1-800-HEAVENLY or contact Michelle Peterlin: mpeterlin@vailresorts.com.

Gondola and Lunch Special
The Gondola and Lunch Special includes a scenic Gondola ticket and $15 Food and Beverage voucher. The Gondola and Lunch Special is $49 for adults, $43 for teens (13-18), $28 for children (5-12, with $10 Food and Beverage Voucher) and $43 for seniors (65+). Kids four and under ride the gondola for free.

Summer Season Pass
For the best value on two or more Gondola rides, the Summer Season Pass offers unlimited and unrestricted access to the Gondola and Tamarack Express chair for Summer 2014. The Summer Season Pass is $70 for adults, $50 for children and teens (5-18), and $50 for seniors (65+).