"Crossing a state line on skis here is a pure dopamine hit—this is the only American resort that straddles two states—and I spend an embarrassing amount of time filming myself sliding past the “Welcome to California” poppies and the pensive forty-niner on the Nevada sign. The scale is massive, with base areas in each state and 4,800 skiable acres; on Ridgerun, a wide intermediate with unobstructed lake views, it briefly feels like I could ski straight into the water, and from the top of Sky Express, the highest chairlift in Tahoe, the panorama takes in the entire lake and surrounding mountains. The gondola drops into South Lake Tahoe, where a block away the Nevada side stacks high-rise casinos, and while skiing all day and gambling all night is a draw for some, I prefer decamping to Desolation Hotel on the California side. Plenty of dense, undeveloped forest remains around the resort, a visual reminder of the many who have fought to protect this corner of the High Sierras." - Rebecca Misner
"The largest ski area in Tahoe by size and vertical drop pairs diverse terrain with those signature, edge-of-the-lake views that make it feel like you’re skiing straight toward the water." - Elise Taylor, Chadner Navarro
"Celebrating its 70th season with nearly 5,000 acres, Heavenly mixes wide groomers, glades, and 1,600-foot mogul runs with sparkling Lake Tahoe panoramas and about 300 days of sunshine a year; must-do experiences include the Skyline Trail that crosses from California to Nevada and the bustling Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, making it an ideal pick for groups seeking big-mountain terrain and a high-energy après scene." - Jen Murphy
"Taking the scenic gondola at Heavenly Ski Resort near South Lake Tahoe provides a viewing platform with epic bird's-eye views of the lake and opportunities for snow tubing." - Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Skye Sherman is a travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A high-elevation resort favored by intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, featuring vast terrain (thousands of skiable acres), a mountain-top gondola with dining and shopping, and relatively easy access via roughly one-hour shuttle service from the nearest major airport." - Stacey Lastoe Stacey Lastoe Stacey Lastoe is an Emmy Award-winning editor and journalist who covers travel, food and drink, wellness, and more. A former senior editor for CNN Travel, she now contributes to publications including Food & Wine, The New York Post, and Condé Nast Traveler. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
