The high alpine Lake Tahoe provides a beautiful setting for a host of ski resorts set around the lake including Heavenly and Squaw Valley which are the best known.

Lake Tahoe is an easy 3 hour drive from San Francisco and the casinos in the Nevada section of Lake Tahoe, where gambling is legal, make it a fun place to go. It is also possible to fly into Reno (indirect flight) which is only an hour or so from the skiing, although this is usually a slightly more expensive option.

The skiing at Heavenly is suitable for all abilities and recent re-development in South Lake Tahoe, including the addition of the Heavenly gondola, has helped to substantially raise the profile of the ski resort. From the top of the mountain there are superb views over the brilliantly-coloured lake on one side and the Nevada desert on the other.

Heavenly's resort, South Lake Tahoe, straddles the California/Nevada border and is home to bars and restaurants as well as the famous casino hotels. Outside the town there are condos and smaller resort hotels dotted around the Lake. If you are on a budget but do not want to compromise on skiing, Heavenly is the perfect choice.

View our 'California - See & Ski' Guide for details on how to make the most of a trip to California.

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