Getting Here & Parking

Q: Why are you making this change and why now?

A: Traffic/road congestion and parking challenges have been a serious topic of conversation within our community for a while, and this past winter has perhaps been the most challenging yet. These are not just Heavenly issues – they are deeply felt across all of Tahoe, and certainly at every resort in the region. After taking a deep dive into our current parking practices and traffic patterns, learning from other resorts across our network, and much consideration and conversation here in-resort, we believe that a reservations-based parking program can, and will, make a difference.

We have many choices for guests related to parking, including plenty of free parking options.

Q: Which parking lots are impacted by this change?

A: This winter 2023/24, only the California Base Area parking lot will transition to a reservations-based paid lot during peak periods. We have many choices for guests who join us, with a mix of paid and free options across our resort and within the community.

Q: When will the California Base Area lot require paid parking, and what does that mean?

A: Parking at the California Base Area during the winter season will require reservations with a fee during peak periods. We define peak periods as:

• Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays)
• Holiday Periods/Epic Pass Restricted Days
  • These dates include:
    • December 16, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 (please note, NOT on the 25th)
    • January 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28
    • February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
    • March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
    • April 6, 7, 13, 14

Q: What hours of the day will paid parking be enforced during peak periods at the California Base Area lot?

A: At our California Base Area lot, reservations will be required and there will be a fee for vehicles with 3 or fewer occupants before 12pm on weekends, holidays, and restricted days (peak periods). If you have 4+ people in a vehicle, you still need a reservation but there will be no fee to park during these times at the California Base Area. After 12pm on peak period days, parking will be free, and no reservations are required.

Q: What are my options to park for free?

A: The California Base Area will remain free without need for reservations on Monday – Friday during the winter season (with the exception of peak periods). It will also be free (without reservations) after 12pm on weekends and holidays/peak periods. Ski Run Boulevard parking will also remain free with a shuttle service to and from the California Base Area. Saddle Road (between Ski Run and Wildwood) and Keller Road (between Saddle and Sherman) will also remain free with shuttle service from Ski Run Blvd to the California Base Area and back.

Boulder Base Area and Stagecoach Base Area parking will remain free every day, including on weekdays, weekends, and peak periods.

Q: How will this parking system be managed?

A: In partnership with a third-party parking management company, our parking attendants will support this new parking system – including parking transactions as appropriate and carpool validations.

Q: When can I start making reservations, and how?

A: We anticipate opening reservations in November, prior to our season starting. At that time, reservations can be made via our website, SkiHeavenly.com.

Q: How far in advance do you expect parking reservations to fill?

A: We anticipate reservations to go quickly and recommend you secure a spot in advance, should you want to park at California Base Area on a weekend or holidays/peak period this winter.

Q: How many reservations can I make at once?

A: Each guest can hold five reservations at one time. Once a reservation has been used, guests can add another to their account to return back to five at any one time. There is no limit to how many reservations a guest can make throughout the course of the season.

Q: How can I cancel a reservation?

A: Cancellations can be made for a refund until 8am the morning of the reservation.

Q: What happens if I make a reservation and don’t show up?

A: If you no longer plan to use your reservation, you should cancel by 8am the day of your planned arrival for a refund; we ask that you cancel regardless of if you no longer plan to use your reservation. We reserve the right to restrict anyone’s ability to make future reservations if the reservation system is being abused or manipulated in any way.

Q; Is there a cutoff time to make a reservation?

A: No. Until reservations are sold out for any given day, you can make your reservation up to the time you arrive.

Q: Is there a season-long parking pass I can purchase for every weekend and peak period?

A: Not at this time.

Q: I have an ADA/Disabled license plate or placard. Do I need to make a parking reservation?

A: Yes, during peak periods (weekends, holidays, restricted days). There is an option to reserve an ADA spot for free. Enforcement on the day you park will be subject to verification of ADA plates or hang tag. Reservations for ADA parking spots are not required at any time at our Boulder and Stagecoach lots.

Q: If I have a lesson booked with Ski and Ride School, do I need to make a reservation?

A: Yes, if your ski and ride school lesson is out of the California Base Area during a peak period (weekends, holidays, restricted days), you will need to make a parking reservation and there will be a fee for vehicles with three or fewer occupants; reservations are required for vehicles with four or more occupants during peak periods but will not be charged a fee. Additional ski and ride school meeting locations can be found at Boulder Base Area and the Gondola.

Q: If my child is on race team, do I need a reservation?

A: Yes, a reservation will be required during peak periods (weekends, holidays, restricted days). We highly recommend and encourage carpooling with other race team families, and our Ski and Ride School team will send information to participating families prior to the 2023/24 season beginning.

Q: What if I am driving a rental vehicle and don’t have my plate information yet to make a reservation?

A: When you make your reservation, add your private vehicle license plate number to make the reservation. When you receive your rental car, login to your account and change your license plate number to match your rental car plates.

Q: Do employees need to make a parking reservation?

A: No, employees will register their vehicle to reserve employee parking located in the lower parking lot at California Main Lodge.

Q: If reservations-based parking is so effective, why not transition all lots to this model?

A: We know that locating free lots outside of the main base area will reduce congestion by keeping cars from the busiest areas. To that end, we don’t see an immediate need to put this system in place universally, and we do want to continue to provide free parking options on weekends, holidays, and peak periods. We are always watching traffic patterns and evaluating our approach and will make changes to our parking plan as needed in the future.

Q: What is the cost of paid parking during peak periods?

A: At the California Base Area, parking during peak periods will cost $20 for 3 or fewer people. For 4+, it will be free.

Boulder Base Area and Stagecoach Base Area parking will remain free every day, including on weekdays, weekends, and peak periods.

Q: Do I pay at the parking lot or ahead of time online?

A: Parking at California Base Area requires reservations during peak periods and payment will be required ahead of time online when you make your reservation. Payment is not required if you have 4+ people in your vehicle – in that case it is free, but a reservation is still required. More information on the carpool validation process will be shared prior to winter 2023/24.

Q: How many people do you have to have in your car to qualify for free parking at the California Base Area?

A: During peak periods, the California Base Area lot will require a $20 flat fee for three or fewer passengers in a single vehicle; four or more occupants will always park for free. Regardless of how many people are in a single vehicle, you must still make a reservation during peak periods (weekends, holidays, restricted days) to secure your spot before 12pm. After 12pm during peak periods, the lot will be free, and no reservations will be required.

Q: What if my car doesn’t fit three additional people and ski gear, and I don’t want to pay the flat fee in one of the paid/reservations lots?

A: There are plenty of free lots at Heavenly if you are unable to accommodate four or more passengers in your vehicle. Drop-off lots/areas are also available should you want to drop off people in your party and then park.

Q: Where will revenue from paid parking go?

A: Our objective is to create a routine amongst our guests that encourages carpooling. We continually assess needs for reinvestment in parking and transportation efficiency and experience at our resorts, and revenue from paid parking will be prioritized accordingly.

Q: How do you see this impacting traffic at Boulder and Stagecoach on weekends now since these lots will remain free?

A: We don’t anticipate major backups at Boulder or Stagecoach based on prior years and patterns but will continue to monitor and shift our approach as needed.

Q: Will the reservation slow down traffic on Wildwood?

A: The format will be a free-flowing entry to the parking lot. Reservations will be checked by our third-party parking management partner.

Q: Can I park on neighboring streets?

A: Typically, no. Please obey all posted signage about where you can and cannot park, especially within neighboring areas of the resort. We are working with the city in partnership to improve the parking and traffic plan in the California Base Area, which includes the City of South Lake Tahoe’s enforcement plan.