Ski Advice - Tahoe

[Robert D]

My daughter and I are going skiing at Heavenly in So. Tahoe. I've never skied before so it will be interesting. Wanted to see if anyone has advice on a good place to rent skies and buy lift tickets. Thanks.

 

[itradehilton]

We just got back from Tahoe on Friday, we rented ski's at Don Cheapos. It is a very small shack right on the Main street and was only $10 a day to rent skis and boots. $1 a day for the insurance. The service was great.

 

[DeniseM]

It is absolutely pouring in the Central Valley today, which means snow in Tahoe!

 

[HudsHut]

http://chevrec.mybigcommerce.com/heavenly-northstar-lift-tickets/

Have also seen some lift tickets at Costco in the San Francisco east bay area, but not certain if I saw Heavenly. I know I saw Sierra at Tahoe at a 2 for 1 price at Costco.

http://www.skifreedeals.com/
This offer is for a few Tahoe resorts, but not for Heavenly

http://www.employeeactivities.com/memberb/category.asp?CategoryID=2
This site has discounts for a few Tahoe resorts, but not for Heavenly

 

[california-bighorn]

After you rent your skis /boards, head up Kingbury Grade, buy your lift tickets and take the chair lifts on the Nevada side. In addition to avoiding the crowds some of the best skiing is on that side. With the interconnecting ski lifts you can still get over to the California side. The chairlifts on the Nevada side are Stagecoach and Boulder.

 

[DAman]

Heavenly

Traditionally Heavenly has few, if any, discounts. It is a great place to ski. As a beginner you have access to runs that start at the top of the mountain.

If you are staying a Timber Lodge just buy your lift tickets at the ticket window. You should have access to some places to rent skis within walking distance. You may want to factor in convenience. If you rent at Heavenly for multi days you usually get a discount. If you need to change equipment,eg, boots too tight or loose or skis not right you can do it right there with little hassle.

As mentioned above, it's raining in the Central Valley/Bay Area so conditions should be ok. The snowpack is one of the worst in 40 years according to our local newspaper. So you picked a good time to ski with your daughter.

 

[Robert D]

Thanks for the good info. We are staying at Timber Lodge but the $10/day deal sure sounds good down the street. Any idea what it costs to rent them in Heavenly Village? Sounds like there really aren't any discounts on Heavenly lift tickets and buying them at the ticket window is as good as anywhere. I hope it keeps snowing!

 

[HudsHut]

When are you going to be there?
Heavenly got 2 1/2 - 3 feet of snow yesterday.

 

[HudsHut]

When are you going to be there?
Heavenly got 2 1/2 - 3 feet of snow yesterday.

On Heavenly's website, if you buy 7 days or more in advance, they have an $11 discount for adults, $5 off for teens, and $4 off for kids.
http://www.skiheavenly.com/plan-your-trip/lift-tickets/lift-tickets-explorer.aspx

However, since you haven't skied before, I recommend getting a package that includes the rental and a lesson.

 

[DAman]

I agree

When are you going to be there?
Heavenly got 2 1/2 - 3 feet of snow yesterday.

On Heavenly's website, if you buy 7 days or more in advance, they have an $11 discount for adults, $5 off for teens, and $4 off for kids.
http://www.skiheavenly.com/plan-your-trip/lift-tickets/lift-tickets-explorer.aspx

However, since you haven't skied before, I recommend getting a package that includes the rental and a lesson.

I second that. Get a package that includes everything. Heavenly is first rate.

 

[itradehilton]

Yes, heavenly has a discount but the rate for rentals was $25 a day for ski/snowboards.

 

[Robert D]

We'll be there March 25-31. I hope it keeps snowing! I was planning on taking a lesson. I think they only offer half day lessons - is that usually enough to get you going on the easy slopes?

 

[lorenmd]

if you have never been skiing i would recommend snow boarding not skiing. it is easier for an adult to pick up. i also recommend the beginner package where they give you lessons lift and rental.

 

[wcfr1]

if you have never been skiing i would recommend snow boarding not skiing. it is easier for an adult to pick up.

And you get to spend the whole day on your butt.

I prefer skiing and think that is better served for the casual winter sport enthusiast.

Are you sure they only offer 1/2 day lessons? That would be pretty strange. I always tell newbies to start with at least a full day and go for a second day if you can afford it.

Expensive sport so why not enjoy it by doing it properly. Ans whatever you do, don't let your "friend" try and teach you. That rarely works.

 

[Robert D]

As best I can tell on Heavenly's website they only offer half day group lessons but I'll call them and verify this is correct. At Vail, they actually have a 3 day program for new skiers and you'd think it would be similar at Heavenly since Vail Resorts owns both of them.

 

[itradehilton]

I tried a snowboard lesson once after many years off the slopes. IMHO skiing is easier.

 

[DanM]

As an older expert skier I tried snowboarding and concluded that snowboarding is 'easier' to learn in the sense that you can become an intermediate in 3-5 days. It is a shorter but much steeper learning curve. You spend the first two days falling on your back. Hard. I would recommend it if you are young or in good shape to start with, otherwise you will probably do less damage learning to ski even if you don't improve that fast.

 

[itradehilton]

As an older expert skier I tried snowboarding and concluded that snowboarding is 'easier' to learn in the sense that you can become an intermediate in 3-5 days. It is a shorter but much steeper learning curve. You spend the first two days falling on your back. Hard. I would recommend it if you are young or in good shape to start with, otherwise you will probably do less damage learning to ski even if you don't improve that fast.

I totally agree about the learning curve. Thus I only ski.