On the Heavenly slopes, resort polishes its moves

By Tom Gardner
Associated Press

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Buoyed by a hefty infusion of cash from its new owner, Heavenly Ski Resort wants to climb into the top 10 of the nation's ski areas, becoming a destination resort instead of a day-use facility.

Lake Tahoe is a backdrop to the slopes at Heavenly Ski Resort. With an infusion of spiff-up cash, the resort's new owner is trying to position it as a premier ski destination.

A deck at Heavenly Ski Resort overlooks Lake Tahoe. The resort is upgrading its lifts, lodges and restaurants. Associated Press

"There are 700 ski resorts in North America and 500 in the United States," he said. "All five of ours are in the top 15."

The October issue of Ski magazine ranked Heavenly 13th, up four spots from last year's list.

"The bear that's Heavenly has been in semi-hibernation, but the grizzly is awakening and stretching its limbs again," the magazine said.

Vail Resorts, based in Vail, Colo., bought Heavenly in May 2002 from financially struggling American Skiing Co.

Vail since has spent more than $16 million to add and upgrade restaurants, improve snowmaking and build a high-speed detachable quad chairlift. When it bought the resort, Vail said it would spend some $40 million over five years to improve Heavenly.

"This year, we'll continue improving our food and beverage operations, the on-mountain infrastructure and our guest service, all of which should help to continue propelling us to a higher level in the eyes of our guests," said Blaise Carrig, Heavenly's chief operating officer.

"We need to work harder on the people side to get where we are going," he said.

Heavenly's partnership with the exclusive Marriott Grand Residence Club time shares in South Lake Tahoe and the upscale shops and restaurants in the nearby Heavenly Village are helping solidify its goal of becoming a destination resort, Aron said.

Next on the improvements list is the aging California Lodge, which is scheduled to be replaced with upgraded facilities, possibly in a village concept mirroring the Marriott property.

Eating areas also are targeted for improvement.

"Some of the restaurants were a little bit tired and we're giving three of them a facelift," Aron said.

Heavenly, which straddles the Nevada-California line, soars some 3,000 feet above Lake Tahoe.

It operates 29 lifts and a year-round $25 million, eight-passenger gondola a two-block walk from the high-rise hotel-casino corridor in Nevada.

It is Vail's first resort outside Colorado. The other are Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone.