Heavenly

On Tahoe’s south shore, Heavenly—one of the world’s biggest ski resorts—offers jaw-dropper lake views from runs as wide and bump free as freeways. This enormous resort has absolutely everything—not just these big groomers with head-swiveling views, but also a wide range of terrain parks, mogul runs with names like Gunbarrel, and peaceful, untracked glades where the world seems to slip away into snowy bliss.

Heavenly has also bumped up the fun even if you don’t ski or board, with on-mountain zip lines, tube runs, scenic gondola rides, and a party-like atmosphere on and off the mountain, making it especially popular with international travelers who might be new to snow sports. The on-mountain Tamarack Lodge gets rockin’ at the end of the day with its late-afternoon Unbuckle après party; you don’t have to be a skier or boarder to join in the fun. Heavenly’s base village is another star attraction, with an ice-skating rink, outdoor fire pits, and a wide array of restaurants. And Heavenly straddles the California/Nevada, and the adjacent Stateline area offers top entertainment and gaming in high-rise casinos and splashy hotels.

Insider tip: Consider getting an Epic Pass for access to Heavenly, Northstar California, and Kirkwood; there are various options and pricings, so check to see which one could work for your vacation plans.