Heavenly Information

Apres-ski

There are more than 150 nightspots for lively après-ski in Heavenly, spread along the south shore of Lake Tahoe, with the highest concentration located near the main gondola base.

The strip of casinos, which starts just a few inches into Nevada, is a centre for 24-hour partying with lively bars, cabaret shows and dancing; as well as the vast halls of gambling machines that tend to subsidise low prices for food and drink. One of the biggest is Harveys (tel: +1 775 588 6611; www.harveystahoe.com).

For a real American sporting experience, head to Turn 3 (tel: +1 530 542 3199; www.facebook.com/turn3Tahoe), a NASCAR-themed bar with a range of beers and pool tables.

Eating out

There's a huge choice of restaurants in Heavenly, encompassing more than 160 places.

Nepheles Restaurant (tel: +1 530 544 8130; www.nepheles.com) has been serving creative Californian cuisine since 1977 and is considered a locals' favourite. It specialises in fresh fish, game and seasonal specialities.

The wood-lined Café Fiore (tel: +1 530 541 2908; www.cafefiore.com) offers an intimate and sophisticated Italian dining experience and is very popular.

At the top end, Evan's American Gourmet Café (tel: +1 530 542 1990; www.evanstahoe.com) offers some of Lake Tahoe's finest gourmet dining, set within a traditional cabin.

Of the many pizza restaurant choices, Base Camp Pizza Co (tel: +1 530 544 2273; www.basecamppizzaco.com) is considered one of the best, serving large, rustic pizzas and hosting live music events each evening.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

There's a vast choice of activities at Heavenly's resort base and in the wider South Lake Tahoe area.

Heavenly Village, at the base of the gondola, has an ice rink and cinema alongside a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants. Ballooning, casinos (on the Nevada side of the border), cabaret shows, horse riding, paragliding, waterskiing and paddle steamer rides on the lake are also popular activities in the area.

Back on the snow, take control of a pack of huskies on a dog sled tour, enjoy the scenery on a sleigh ride, or speed through the powder on a snowmobiling excursion.

The resort also boasts a tubing hill branded as the '#1 tubing hill in America'. Described as the perfect winter family activity, riders slide 150m (500ft) down the slopes on an inflatable ring. For younger children, a mini-tubing hill is located adjacent to the main hill in Adventure peak.

Family fun

South Lake Tahoe has many family-friendly attractions, including cinemas, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks and swimming pools, which, when coupled with Heavenly's easy-going vibe, make the resort a great choice for those with children.

Heavenly has an excellent nursery for children aged from two months – reservations are essential. From age three, the Heavenly Kids Centre teaches children to ski and there's an indoor skill development play area for four- and five-year-old beginners.

On the slopes, kids can learn at one of the resort's various ski centres (tel: +1 800 432 8365). Young snowboarders can try the terrain park at Adventure Peak with its great facilities geared to small children.

Retail therapy

There are hundreds of shops to choose from around South Lake Tahoe, including several small shopping centres housing many national and international chain stores.

There is an abundance of sports shops in Heavenly, with a dozen at the base of the gondola alone – including outlets for many well-known brands such as The North Face, Quiksilver and Patagonia.

Splashing out

Cross Lake Tahoe on a genuine Mississippi paddle steamer with Lake Tahoe Cruises (tel: +1 775 589 4906; www.zephyrcove.com). Options include the Captain's Dinner Dance, which involves a four-course dinner, cocktails and music aboard the M.S. Dixie II.

Hotels

Accommodation in Heavenly and South Lake Tahoe is spread along the lakeside area and is varied and abundant, from budget motels to massive luxury casino hotels across the Nevada border. There is also a selection of catered chalets and apartments closer to the slopes.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap