Heavenly
South Lake Tahoe · California · USA
1,067m
Vertical Drop
97
Runs
28
Lifts
1,942 ha
Skiable Area
914 cm
Avg Snowfall
Nov 2026 – Apr 2027
Season
About
Straddles California and Nevada on Lake Tahoe's south shore with unmatched views over the lake from nearly every chair. 4,800 acres of varied terrain across two states. The Stateline base village sits at the foot of the Heavenly Gondola and connects directly to the Nevada-side casino strip — making Heavenly the most accessible Tahoe resort for nightlife. Owned by Vail Resorts; Epic Pass partner.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
3,060m
Base
2,003m
Vertical Drop
1,067m
Lift Breakdown
1
Gondolas
19
Chairlifts
8
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
1,500–2,200
Main Employers
- Vail Resorts (operates Heavenly)
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe
- Bally's Lake Tahoe
- Harrah's Lake Tahoe
- Hilton Vacation Club Lake Tahoe Resort
- Heavenly Ski & Snowboard School (Vail Resorts)
- Stateline casino F&B operations
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- International workers usually arrive on J-1 Exchange Visitor visas (Work & Travel) for 4-month seasonal roles, or H-2B for longer-term hires. Vail Resorts runs the EpicSeasonal program through major J-1 sponsors. Australians can apply for E-3 visas; PSIA/AASI-certified instructors sometimes sponsored on H-2B.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Vail Resorts begins recruiting in May–June for the November opening. J-1 placements through major agencies (CIEE, InterExchange, CCUSA, GeoVisions) finalise by September–October. Most lift, F&B, and housekeeping roles fill by October. Instructors require PSIA / AASI certification.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- USD $400–$600 (South Lake is more affordable than the North Shore)
- Public Transport
- BlueGo public buses around South Lake Tahoe. Free Heavenly shuttle from key village stops. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is 80 min by car (chain control common in winter). Most staff don't need cars — Stateline is walkable and the gondola is in the village.
Staff Perks
- Free Epic Pass (valid at 80+ resorts worldwide)
- Staff meals at some employers
- Pro deals on gear and apparel
- Discounted lodging at sister resorts
- Wellness benefits and gym access
- Casino entertainment access (free shows, etc.)
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- Tamarack Lodge and Café Blue at Heavenly Village for direct-from-the-gondola après. The Stateline casinos (Hard Rock, Bally's, Harrah's) for nightlife — concerts, clubs, late-night dining. McP's Taphouse and Brewer's at Lake Tahoe for craft beer. South Lake Tahoe has the best ski-town nightlife after Reno.
- Healthcare
- Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe — full-service hospital. Heavenly Medical Clinic on-mountain during ski season. Renown Regional in Reno (1.5 hrs) for major care. Pharmacies in South Lake Tahoe.
- Shops & Services
- Heavenly Village has retail and restaurants. South Lake Tahoe has full supermarkets (Safeway, Raley's, Grocery Outlet), Target, banks, pharmacies, and gear shops. Reno (1.5 hrs) for major shopping.
- International Community
- Large — strong J-1 community especially from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Eastern Europe, the UK, and Australia. Vail Resorts is one of the largest seasonal employers of international workers in the US, and Heavenly's casino-side hospitality scene also draws international staff. English is the working language; Spanish widely spoken in housekeeping and F&B.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Heavenly →Season
Nov 2026 – Apr 2027
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -8°C to 1°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 70% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 914 cm/yr
Location
38.9350°N, -119.9400°W
Nearest town: South Lake Tahoe