Timberlodge no longer a viable ski base?

[klkaylor]

We have skied Heavenly from the Timberlodge annually for 15 yrs give or take one and skiing from the gondola base has become harder - at least in my opinion and after skiing from Mountainside I wonder if either Marriott or Epic needs to make it better or loose my business. In the early years the gondola rarely closed for wind now it has either been closed (30%) last three trips up or may close (an additional 10%). In the early years this was not a problem there were buses from both Stagecoach - the NV side- and the CA tram side. The buses were free stopped in front of the gondola and for the most part and easy return if the gondola closed mid day. If Sky or Tamarck closed due to wind you could get back to the Timberlodge from either side. Now there are no or few buses from the NV side and the buses start and end from the "transportation center" about a half mile walk from the condo. This is not fun when you don't plan on the walk so no cat-tracks for boot or other shoes. Should we be asking Marriott to add buses (for the GR and TL) to the bases and stops at the TL/GR to help with this issue. Marriott was letting Vail resorts do the heavy lifting on transportation but they no longer provide a viable choice if the gondola closes (and it closes a lot) then Marriott needs to step up in my opinion. I understand there was a disagreement over CA/NV bus commercial bus drivers but ... I may be just me getting old and wanting easy ski in/out so I am interested in other opinions. I love the rooms, the staff and the ease of getting reservation at the TL but my goal is actually easy skiing and if that is not possible then there are other locations.
I understand that Heavenly is using Twitter as its main lift/terrain communication system but I hate checking my phone while skiing. If wind closures are possible the only way to find out is twitter - no signs at the lifts.

 

[eyedude]

I had the same experience a couple of years ago when we stayed at Timberlodge....the Gondola was closed more days than it was open during the week we were there. I do not own there and traded in a week through II. I do not have the same problem at Mountainside...they have two lifts at the base. Love my mountainside ski week.

 

[sjsharkie]

Long story short, this is expensive for TL to run their own shuttle at similar frequency as the Heavenly shuttle. I can't see them taking this on.

1. The transit center is not a half mile walk (maybe .3 miles at best?), unless I am mistaken about the drop off location (I admittedly haven't taken the shuttle in years). Doesn't it drop off in the lot along Transit Way behind the gondola? But yes, it is more of a hassle than pick up/drop off right on Lake Tahoe Blvd (especially with boots and equipment)., but I'm sure you are accustomed to the zoo of traffic and the always full loading zone in front. I don't think the city wants the big Heavenly adding to the congestion -- hence why they now pickup/dropoff at the transit center. It is unfortunate that TL is on the opposite side of the village from the transit center if we use the gondola as the center point but not sure much can be done.
2. COVID-19 reduced capacity of the shuttles and I think you can expect capacity to return to normal if not this season, next season. (obviously YMMV here -- I don't know what the future looks like, but things seem to be opening up rapidly).
3. The site says the buses come every 20 minutes weekday, 15 minutes weekend. That's pretty frequent IMHO.
4. Do you own here or rent? If enough owners complain, maybe there is a case... but not sure if you visited in a bad week or if wind holds will continue to be a frequent issue on any given week. Renters not sure they care as Tahoe seems to have had an increased demand for tourism during the pandemic -- so other renters will be there (at least in the near term) to take your place.
5. Shuttle service is expensive. If you are expecting shuttle service every 15 minutes, that means running 2 shuttles back and forth. I'd bet this would have an impact on maintenance fees if they were to start this up.

I do agree that if ski in ski out is important to you, you may want to look being closer to Stagecoach, but the timeshares there are not of the same quality as TL, and the access to options like the village and casinos are not there without a car.

-ryan

 

[Marathoner]

I just took a look at Google maps. The transit center is less than a 100 yard walk to Timber Lodge. I realize that after a long day of skiing, we all want convenience of a front door drop-off but this is really not an inconvenient distance.

 

[tahoe]

I also wonder if COVID is impacting the shuttle schedules for this season.

We've stopped skiing Heavenly for a different reason the last few years - their prices are out of control.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I just took a look at Google maps. The transit center is less than a 100 yard walk to Timber Lodge. I realize that after a long day of skiing, we all want convenience of a front door drop-off but this is really not an inconvenient distance.

If you are speaking of the "stateline" transit center, it is pretty close, just past the visitor center. I supoose it's a little further if you exit on the other side towards the Grand Residence. But it's not very far for sure. Could be a few hundred feet by the time you take a path.

 

[klkaylor]

Good points - I did a google and going out via the parking exit it is .3 mile - might make it closer by going out the side gate between the two building. I was going the gondola and then around the front - needless distance. Thanks
One issue is that we like the NV skiing side and if they close dipper/comet for wind (they all tend to close together) and you are on the NV side there is no good way to get to the CA side for the Shuttles between CA lodge and the gondola. There used to be shuttles between Stagecoach and the Gondola but no more - uber or public bus. Lastly the only way down to the CA Lodge is either by a long catwallk or Gunbarrel etal (blacks down the face). Maybe it was just easier and fewer wind hold and I miss the old times. As I said just wondering what folks thing and a reality check for me.
I agree that the old bus stop in front of the gondola was not the best for traffic but best for the skiiers and that SLT is trying to reduce traffic in that location.
Thanks all for the input hope more will chime in - we do own there and the management is responsive - I really love the management at the TL and GR so might poke that bear a little.

 

[tomvc]

First world problems . Wind holds and long lines at gondola. Even before covid, expect to wait an hour coming down if you don't wrap up your day by 3.

There's a shortcut by walking from/to transit center near where you see Boardinghouse on the map below. Over Thanksgiving when only CA side was open, we took either the Heavenly or Local bus, whichever one came first.

 

[davidvel]

Most of what you say is true but I don't see your focus on the resort as a solution, unless they institute a paid shuttle just for guests. There is no doubt that Vail shuts down the Gondola/lifts much more than the prior owners, at lower wind speeds and frequency. Many say it's a greedy corporation cutting expenses after everyone has paid. Other say they are just being more careful and making safety a priority. I think it's combination of all of these as well as dealing with the lack of shuttles that you note.

At some point the lifts have to close due to high winds, including the gondola. If so they have to get lots off people off the mountain, including lots of beginner skiers. The best way is down the gondola, so they get people moving earlier. Anyone that skis at Heavenly knows this is a recurring problem.. Also, I've never skiied down to Ca lodge, always downloaded on the Tram or Gunbarrel lift.

I don't see any of this as a Marriot problem that they can solve. No way could they (we) afford a shuttle system if Vail won't do it.

 

[funtime]

I have walked from transit center to my room at Timber lodge. I used to carry a very light pair of slippers in my fanny pack to wear on the walk so I could carry my boots. Bought them at Walmart specifically for this purpose. Not as heavy as tennis shoes, but had non-skid soles.

 

[sgiersch]

We have skied Heavenly from the Timberlodge annually for 15 yrs give or take one and skiing from the gondola base has become harder - at least in my opinion and after skiing from Mountainside I wonder if either Marriott or Epic needs to make it better or loose my business. In the early years the gondola rarely closed for wind now it has either been closed (30%) last three trips up or may close (an additional 10%). In the early years this was not a problem there were buses from both Stagecoach - the NV side- and the CA tram side. The buses were free stopped in front of the gondola and for the most part and easy return if the gondola closed mid day. If Sky or Tamarck closed due to wind you could get back to the Timberlodge from either side. Now there are no or few buses from the NV side and the buses start and end from the "transportation center" about a half mile walk from the condo. This is not fun when you don't plan on the walk so no cat-tracks for boot or other shoes. Should we be asking Marriott to add buses (for the GR and TL) to the bases and stops at the TL/GR to help with this issue. Marriott was letting Vail resorts do the heavy lifting on transportation but they no longer provide a viable choice if the gondola closes (and it closes a lot) then Marriott needs to step up in my opinion. I understand there was a disagreement over CA/NV bus commercial bus drivers but ... I may be just me getting old and wanting easy ski in/out so I am interested in other opinions. I love the rooms, the staff and the ease of getting reservation at the TL but my goal is actually easy skiing and if that is not possible then there are other locations.
I understand that Heavenly is using Twitter as its main lift/terrain communication system but I hate checking my phone while skiing. If wind closures are possible the only way to find out is twitter - no signs at the lifts.

As a former Marriott owner and as a former Marriott employee, my first reaction was "great thought, you should tell the Timberlodge HOA". But then it became apparent that you thought reporting it to Marriott should resolve it. I am sure that MVW has their preference on how you handle it, as likely does Marriott. But the people who actually govern that resort are the members of that HOA's board of directors. You know, the people whose names are on that annoying proxy request that you get every year, most of whom are names you don't know and have never knowingly vacationed with. The very best way (my own opinion, not that of MVW or Marriott or anyone else) to get an amenity addressed at a resort is to bring it up to the HOA or COA. Their names are listed on those proxies and on a bunch of other documents that you get from that resort every year if you are an owner there. If you are a member of a points product that owns at the resort, they likely have documents available that tell you who those people are. Then, write to that person, identifying yourself as an owner at the resort or a member of a points system that owns at the resort, or as a frequent exchanger at that resort. Express your suggestion as outlined, including potential solutions (things like running an internal shuttle, reimbursing an external shuttle, contracting with a third party for the service) and ways that the resort could pay for it. Yes, getting the resort general manager on your side would go a long way toward gaining an advocate for your proposed solution and a reality check on costs and ways of paying for doing so. In fact, if you are passionate about it, that gm is the one person you can pretty much count on being there to hear your concerns and your solutions while you are staying at the resort. So I'll bet if, in anticipation of your next stay there, you look up that gm and ask for some of his or her time, I'll bet you will likely get that gm's ear. If nothing else, find him or her at a resort breakfast or cocktail party or owners update and give him or her an earful. Captive audience.