About Us:
The Heavenly Valley Lodge in South Lake Tahoe has a unique location at 1261 Ski Run Blvd just off Pioneer Trail. It is the ideal location for lakefront activities and skiing at the world famous Heavenly Ski Slopes. Download our Brochure here.
Prior to the current owners renovation in Summer 2011 the property had a long history since the 1960's, and was previously operating as The Inn at Heavenly, St. Moritz Inn, and Heavenly Valley Motel.
It has now been completely remodeled- replacing EVERYTHING in the rooms and the lodge, as well as upgrading the outdoor amenities. We also have 4 Vacation Rentals adjacent to our property, forming a large compound which can be booked for large groups up to 80 people. On the map on the right you can see their roofs on David Lane.
South Lake Tahoe is about 55 minutes from the Reno, Nevada Airport, which is a main hub for several major airlines. Reno Airport is a short flight from the major CA city airports, such as San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
It is also a reasonable car drive from/to surrounding cities like Sacramento, Napa Valley, Carson City, San Francisco, Yosemite. The drive from San Francisco is approximately 4 hours, Sacramento 2 hours, Napa Valley 3 hours, etc. The 70 mile driving around Lake Tahoe is a wonderful experience, with many must-see sights along the way.
Heavenly Ski Slopes
Heavenly Valley spans both California and Nevada making it the largest skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe. The Heavenly Valley Gondola comes right down into downtown South Lake Tahoe making both sides of the mountain easily accessible. Heavenly Valley is filled with run after run and is the largest of all the ski rensorts in Lake Tahoe.
Cross Country Skiing & Snow Shoeing
Cross-country Skiing is an entirely different experience than skiing at a downhill resort. Besides lacking chairlifts, cross-country skiing is a lot less expensive and brings the skier closer to nature and away from the crowds. Cross-country ski resorts offer groomed trails, rentals and gear. Each area sports a unique character, so pick one that suits your needs. Sierra Ski and Cycle Works on Lake Tahoe Blvd rents ski packages for around $15, and you can try them out of the Bijou Golf Course or on the Beach.
Tubing and Sledding hills
Not much beats the simple pleasure of tubing or sledding down a hill in the famous Tahoe sunshine. It's not exactly a high-tech sport and doesn't take much in the way of equipment.
You'll need warm clothing and a sled of some kind. Most supermarkets, drugstores and sporting goods stores in Tahoe sell sturdy, inexpensive models in all shapes and sizes. Some of the private sledding hill areas require that you rent their sleds, or they are included in the cost, so call first.
Three basic types of Tubing hills exist in Tahoe: Snow-Parks, free public sites, and private fee sites. Snow-Parks are plowed parking lots near snow play areas run by the state of California. A permit costs $5 for the day, and $25 per season and are available at the U.S Forest Service office located mid-town near the College. Call (530) 543-2600.
The perfect Beach for every body
Only oceans have beaches, right? Think again. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a beach as "the shore of a body of water, especially when sandy or pebbly". With 72 miles of shoreline including plenty of sandy and pebbly spots, Lake Tahoe has its share of real beaches. Some Tahoe beaches even come complete with sunbathers, volleyball players, families, sun umbrellas and police boat patrols. Others are far from the hustle and bustle, tucked among granite boulders in miniature coves reachable only by a good, solid hike or kayak
SOUTH SHORE TRAILS
Moraine Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6,360'/6,410'
Mileage (one-way):1 mile
Stroll along a relatively flat trail through the forest and along the shore of picturesque Fallen Leaf Lake. Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Road. Continue approximately 2/3 of a mile to Fallen Leaf Campground. Drive through the campground and park just before campsite #75 on the right. There is no fee for day use. Look for the trailhead sign near the parking area. In the winter, when the campground is closed, you must park just beyond Fallen Leaf Campground off of Fallen Leaf Lake Road and walk to the trailhead.
Angora Lakes Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 7,200'/7,470' Mileage (one-way):½ mile to Angora Lakes
An easy ½ mile hike leads to two lakes framed by cliffs. Swimming and fishing are popular activities. Summers are crowded, so arrive early. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road and turn left. Turn left at the first paved road. Continue to Forest Service Road 12N14 and turn right. Watch for bicyclists along this road. Continue past Angora Lookout to the road's end at the parking lot.
Tallac Historic Site
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: Flat
Mileage (one-way):3 mile on Lake of the Sky Trail
AStep back into the past and explore the personalities, events and summer homes of turn-of-the-century Tahoe landowners. The trail begins from the Kiva Picnic Area and is accessible to persons with disabilities. The site can also be reached from the Lake of the Sky Trail that begins at the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center.
Echo Lakes Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 7,420'/8,430'
Mileage (one-way):2½ miles to NW corner of Upper Echo, 4 miles to Tamarack, 5 miles to Lucille and Margery, 5 miles to Lake of the Woods, 6 miles to Aloha
See a variety of alpine lakes on this moderate trail. Take Highway 50 to Echo Summit and turn onto Johnson Pass Road. Stay left and the road will lead you to the parking area by Lower Echo Lake. For a short walk, hike to the far end of Upper Echo Lake. A longer hike leads you to one of the many lakes farther down the trail. A boat taxi operated in the summer by Echo Lakes Resort cuts three miles off your trip. A nominal fee is charged for this service. A wilderness permit is required.
Glen Alpine Trail
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Elevation: 6,560'/9,735'
Mileage (one-way):2 miles to Grass Lake, 4 miles to Susie, 5 miles to Heather, 6 miles to Aloha, 4½ miles to Half Moon, 5½ miles to Alta Morris, 6 miles to Tallac (strenuous)
Many different hikes can be taken from this trailhead. For a short walk, try the 2 mile hike to Grass Lake. Another hike to Lake Aloha leads you past a small waterfall, a beautiful meadow and three alpine lakes. A third option is a moderate hike to Half Moon, Alta Morris or Gilmore lakes. If Mt. Tallac is your goal, the Glen Alpine Trail offers a more moderate approach. Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Watch for bicyclists and other cars on this narrow, one-lane road. Continue until you see the Glen Alpine trailhead sign and turn left. Trailhead parking is across from Lily Lake. A wilderness permit is required. Click to see Yelp reviews for Glenn Alpine Trailhead and Lower Glenn Alpine Falls.
Clark Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 6,420'/7,470'
Mileage (one-way):1.6 miles to Upper Angora
For the more adventurous, this strenuous hike can provide some solitude. Traversing through loose shale up a steep grade, the trail ends at Angora Lakes. Take Highway 89 north from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Parking is located at the Glen Alpine Trailhead described in the previous hike. From the parking area, walk back down the road to the junction of Fallen leaf Lake Road. Look for the small church to your right. A little post located behind the church marks the hard-to-find trailhead.
Mt. Tallac Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 6,480'/9,735'
Mileage (one-way):1.7 miles to Floating Isle, 2½ miles to Cathedral, 5 miles to Tallac
Providing a spectacular view of Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness, this strenuous hike is well worth the effort. The first part of the trail to Floating Island and Cathedral lakes is moderate and can be enjoyed by the novice hiker. Beyond Cathedral Lake, the trail becomes steep and strenuous as it continues up the front face of Mt. Tallac. The trailhead is located approximately 3½ miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. Look for the Mt. Tallac Trailhead sign directly across from the entrance to Baldwin Beach and turn left down the dirt road. Continue to the trailhead parking. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Sierra mountains; bring a jacket, carry lots of water and allow plenty of time for your trip. A wilderness permit is required.
WEST SHORE TRAILS
Cascade Creek Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6,800'/6,910'
Mileage (one-way):1 mile
Spectacular views of the 200 foot high falls and Cascade Lake can be seen from this short trail. For best viewing try springtime, when runoff from snow melt is high. Take Highway 89 north from South Lake Tahoe approximately 8 miles to the Bayview Campground across from inspiration Point. Parking is Located at the far end of the campground.
Eagle lake
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage (one-way):1 mile
Follow a roaring river flasnked by grnaite crags to a quaint alpine lake in Desolation Wilderness. No wonder this is one of teh most populkar trails in the Lake Tahoe basin. Drive to Emerald Bay on Highway 89 and park at the Eagel Falls trailhead (go early to get parking, especially on holiday weekends!) and head up the canyon.
Vikingsholm Estate
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage (one-way):1/2 mile
Walk a half mile down a moderate grade with views of Tahoe's Emerald Bay to a picturesque turn-of-the-century estate on the beach at Emerald Bay, tucked away in the gigantic pine trees. Tours of the estate are given every helf-hour and cost $5. Drive to Emerald Bay on Highway 89. Just north of the Eagle Falls Trailhead, on the opposite side of the road, is a large parking lot (go early to get parking, especially on holiday weekends!) where the Vikingsholm trail begins.
Rubicon Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage (one-way):4 1/2 mile
This hike extends between the Vikingsholm Estate and D.L. Bliss State Park to the north, and you can do the hike either direction. The footpath connects rocky points and sandy coves along an untamed shoreline that once intimidated mountain men. Today, the paths have been cleared and the steeper sections shored up. The most popular trailheads are at D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park. It's 4 1/2 miles between those points; also, you can take the new 2-mile extension past Vikingsholm.
Want to whack a ball in one of the most beautiful places on earth?
Go golfing in South Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe South region has six distinctive golf courses, each with its own vibe and views. Whether you’re a fan of argyle or tie-dye, you’ll find a green where you feel at home.
It’s a little-known fact that a morning of vigorous golfing can sometimes cure a hangover. So grab your clubs and get out here, soldier. You can golf with your family, golf with celebrities – or just take your first swing. And yes, spectacular scenery is par for the course at Lake Tahoe South Shore.
We’ve provided a list of Lake Tahoe area golf resorts along with reasons why each one rocks.
There's lots of great fishing in these parts
Fishing is big at Lake Tahoe and there are also some very big fish including the prized deep-water mackinaw Trout which can grow to be several feet long. The Lake itself is open to daytime fishing year-round, except within 300 feet of its tributaries during the cold season from October 1 until June 30. Area lakes and rivers provide excellent trout fishing and most are open seasonally from the last Saturday in April until November 15. Be sure to obtain a state fishing license (Nevada or California, depending on where you plan to fish) and a copy of teh Fish & Game regulations available at local sporting goods stores. Following are some of teh key spots in the Lake Tahoe region.
HORSEBACK RIDING
There are two wonderful options for horseback riding around South Lake Tahoe.
ZEPHYR COVE STABLES
Located about 5 miles from our property on the Nevada side, trails offer beautiful views from the west side of the Lake.
Guided Horseback Trails Rides Daily AND Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Rides!\
Paddling on the Lake
The sun is glimmering on Lake Tahoe and you want to get out there and experience it for yourself. Well, you're in luck because 72 miles of shoreline and great weather make Tahoe an irresistible setting for kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP). And with today's easy-to-ride open deck kayaks and SUP's, first time paddlers, with a few instructional tips, can master the craft all on their own.
