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Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Heavenly Resort has a mix of terrain for all abilities, but in particular it’s an intermediates’ paradise, so if you’re looking for super expert and extreme terrain, this may not be the resort for you. However, if you have young children, it’s a perfect mix to keep everyone happy.

Heavenly Lake Tahoe has 29 lifts that include a gondola and lots of high speed six-packs and quad chairs, and Vail Resorts has been investing heavily in more lifts and terrain.

Heavenly Mountain Resort is extremely convenient for travelers from all over the world, located within an hour of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and two hours of the Sacramento International Airport. Click here to learn about Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe.

Traveling by car is easy as well since Heavenly is located off three major U.S. highways and interstates. The drive from the Bay Area and Northern California only takes a few hours and is easy at any time of year.

Check out this video to get a sense of the insanely beautiful terrain at Tahoe.

Ski at Okemo Mountain Resort

I like Okemo because it’s not Killington. Don’t get me wrong, I love Killington, but Okemo Mountain Resort has a family friendly vibe AND it’s just a little bit further down the path than Killington.
So while everyone’s heading to Killington and meeting up at the Wobbly Barn to party (I still can’t believe that thing has not come down), head over to Okemo for the same great snow without the volume of humanity that you get at Killington.

Located in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountains, Okemo offers eight different properties, all with their own character and charm. Okemo Mountain Resort has plenty of trails for all abilities.

Okemo has:

121 trails and glades
667 acres of terrain
96% of trails covered by snowmaking
Novice 32% Intermediate 36% Advanced/ Expert 31%Vertical Drop: 2,200 feet (most vertical in southern Vermont)
Base Elevation: 1,144 feet
Summit Elevation: 3,344 feet
1 high-speed six-pack bubble chair with heated seats
9 quad chairs (4 highspeed quads)
3 triple chairs
7 surface lifts

Other cool things to do at Okemo:

Snowcat Excursions

Ever watched those snow cats go up at night to groom the hill and get a twinge of jealousy? Some brilliant person came up with a way to make everyone happy. See the mountain from the view from inside a specially-designed cabin, attached to an Okemo snowcat! See the top of the mountain, and the valley below like you’ve never seen it before, lit up at night.

Each ride departs from the Jackson Gore base area and will last just over one hour, with time to get out at the summit, take pictures and learn a bit about the mountain and the area along the way. You must register in advance to take in this incredible experience, and we will begin offering rides as soon as weather permits.

Ride a Mountain Coaster

The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster is Central Vermont’s favorite four-season attraction, offering a scenic and exhilarating ride through alpine forests and along the contours of the mountain at Okemo’s Jackson Gore. The roller coaster ride heads down 3100 feet of track following the contours of the mountain with added waves, camel back and banking loops down the mountain, at up to 25 miles an hour. Sled-like cars carry two passengers in comfort but can be handled easily by one alone. The riders are in control of the speed, and this gives them a unique hands-on experience, encouraging repeat visits.