Summer Plan at Heavenly Gets Final Approval

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SAM Magazine—South Lake Tahoe, Nev., May 15, 2015—The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board added the final stamp of approval to an extensive expansion of on-mountain summer activities at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Billed as Epic Discovery, new attractions will include multiple zip line canopy tours, a ropes course, an alpine coaster, a mountain bike park, additional multi-use trails, and interpretive and educational tours. Work is set to begin this summer.

The top of the Gondola will serve as the hub for the new activities. Plans call for a mid-mountain zip line canopy tour with six zip line segments and three aerial walkway bridges, beginning at the top of the Gondola at 9,235 feet and finishing at the Mid-Station Observation Deck at approximately 9,000 feet. A second multi-stage, two- to three-hour guided zip line tour will feature 10 platforms, with a zip over East Peak Lake.

Other planned zip lines include the Sky Meadows tour, beginning near the top of Tamarack Express chairlift at approximately 9,700 feet and ending near the base of Sky Express chairlift at approximately 8,780 feet. Meanwhile, the Sky Cycle Canopy Tour will allow visitors to traverse a 4,200 foot loop by pedaling individual bicycle-like devices suspended from a cable in the air.

Also planned are a 2,800 foot alpine coaster and a self-guided ropes course, located between Sky Deck and the base of Sky Express chairlift. The ropes course, approximately 75 to 100 feet in diameter and about 30 to 35 feet above the ground, will have four to six routes of varying degrees of difficulty.

The mountain bike park in the East Peak Basin area will offer eight to 10 total miles of trails ranging in difficulty from beginner through expert. Bike rentals, guided tours and instruction will be offered. Also a mountain bike skills parks will feature six-foot wide trails utilizing a serpentine layout totaling approximately 2,500 linear feet.

Water activities will also be added, including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing in East Peak reservoir, along with new hiking trails. Also, a new 44-foot-tall observation tower will be built near the existing Ridge Run Overlook. Finally, a Mountain Excursion Tour will connect all activity centers via motorized 4WD vehicles, and interpretive learning areas will be integrated throughout the activity zone.