Heavenly Mountain Resort spans two states

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Resort covers 4,800 acres

Overlooking Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort straddles the border of California and Nevada across 4,800 acres within its ski-area permit. Negotiating that huge expanse can be challenging for first-time visitors.

Skiers can start at one of four different base areas-- two in each state. The oldest base, the California Lodge, sits below the famous Gunbarrel mogul run. The gondola in Heavenly Village is located a few hundred yards inside California, just a short walk from the "casino corridor" across the border in Nevada. The Boulder Lodge, catering to beginners, and the Stagecoach Lodge are the two options actually in Nevada.

Gondola acts as stairway to Heavenly

The gondola carries visitors above terrain outside the ski area boundaries from an elevation of 6,255 feet in Heavenly Village to at 9,156 feet. The top of the gondola puts skiers in the midst of trails as blue as the lake itself. For intermediate skiing, the Tamarack Express, Comet Express and Dipper Express chairlifts serve classic Heavenly cruisers such as Comet, Orion and Big Dipper.

Tree-skiing found throughout ski area

Much of the more advanced skiing at Heavenly is found in the trees in between the blue cruisers. On the plus side, the layout allows groups of differing abilities to ski together. The downside for advanced skiers, however, is that the intermediate masses are more difficult to avoid as far as the liftlines that can build up on weekends.

Experts head to Mott, Killebrew Canyons

While Heavenly has a reputation as an intermediate mountain, expert terrain definitely exists within its boundaries. Mott and Killebrew Canyons offer plenty of steeps. The areas are accessed through gates on the Nevada side. 

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