Experience Review: Heavenly Gondola Ride

One of the best spots to get panoramic views of Lake Tahoe is from a high altitude! The higher up you are the more of the massive lake you can see. What better spot for an observation deck overlooking the lake than 2.4 miles up a mountain? The Heavenly Gondola in South Lake Tahoe provides a scenic gondola ride up the mountain, with photo opportunities, hiking trails, restaurants, and even a mountain coaster! During the summer season, there is hiking, zip lines, outdoor games, and the famed mountain coaster. While in winter months the gondola takes you to a snow sports dream destination. We visited in mid-July and enjoyed clear and expansive views of the lake from both of the gondolas' stopping points. In total, for three adults we paid $225, or $75 per person. 

Heavenly Valley Gondola

The Experience, Heavenly Gondola Ride:

The Heavenly Gondola starts near Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe and is located in between Marriott's Timber Lodge, and Marriott’s Grand Residence Club. The ticket office is at the base of the mountain surrounded by shops and resort hotels. There is a parking lot near the ticket office for anyone who is not staying at a nearby resort, called Heavenly Gondola Parking, and another parking lot, South Lake Tahoe Public Parking. 

You can purchase tickets in advance online, but we were able to get tickets right away by just walking up to the ticket office. Before you can get in line to purchase tickets, there are a few small tents set up with liability waivers you must fill out and sign before purchasing tickets. The form was short, and they had multiple stacks available so it was easy to grab one despite multiple people crowding the tables. 

Waiver For Heavenly Valley Gondola

Once you have your waiver filled and signed you can get in line to purchase tickets. We went early in the morning around 10:00 am and there were few people in line so it went fast. You are given your tickets and a stamp on your hand at the ticket office. The stamp allows you to go on the free ski lift at the top of the mountain.  

The boarding area for the gondola is a few seconds walk from the ticket office, we showed the staff our tickets and were directed to board the moving gondola. For those with mobility issues or aids, they can stop the gondola but otherwise, it continuously moves while you board. 

We got an entire gondola to ourselves, and that seemed to be the standard, for one gondola per group unless the group size was too large. The gondola was completely enclosed, with two bench seats facing each other. One bench looks up the mountain, and the other looks towards the lake. We went with my dad, and we forgot he has an issue with heights! He preferred to look at the mountain instead of the lake since it seemed like we were less high up. So for anyone afraid of heights facing the mountain is a good choice! 

Our gondola, unfortunately, was a little dirty and scratched up, which made it hard to take photos. The scratches do make sense, though, since the gondolas are used with skis and snowboards in the winter.

View From the First Gondola Stop

There are two stops on the gondola ride, the first stop is at an observation deck with panoramic views of the lake, a small cafe and gift shop, and a few small hiking trails and photo opportunities. It is about a ten to fifteen-minute ride up the mountain to get to the first stop. As you ride in the gondola up the mountain you will pass over the heavenly village area, and make your way up into the trees. Once you get to the first stop you can exit the gondola to explore. Make sure to stop on the way up the mountain, since the gondola does not stop on the way down! The gondola keeps moving as you exit, but it does slow to give you time to so safely. We had no problems getting off, even with my dad who is in his 60s. 

Tower Viewer Atop Heavenly Valley

The observation deck wraps around a small cafe and gift shop and has a few seating areas and even a small viewing scope. The air was cool with the high elevation and it was nice to sit back and take in the views of the lake.

There is a bathroom here and it was very clean inside. Near the restrooms, some stairs lead down to a sitting area and viewpoint. We enjoyed taking photos down there and relaxing for a few moments in the chairs while we took in the view of the lake. From here there are also a few various trails that you can take. We opted not to since we were not prepared for a hike and saw multiple signs warning of bears and mountain lions in the area.

From the first stop, you can get back onto the gondola and ride it for a few more minutes to the second and final stop of the gondola. The second stop is at a small ski lodge that is set up with various outdoor activities like ziplines, mining for gemstones, and even an outdoor coaster. Included in your ticket price for the gondola, is a ride up the ski lift, which takes you as far up as you can get on the mountain without walking. 

Ski-Lift Atop Heavenly Valley Gondola

This is a traditional ski lift, it is open-air and has a small railing that can be pulled down for extra support. Since my dad is scared of heights, the ski lift was a no-go for him, so Elijah and I rode it alone. 

We took the ski lift the mountain and were told we could either stay on the lift and circle around or get off and explore one of the hiking trails. We decided to stay on the ski lift and enjoy the ride without getting off. The open-air experience provided unobstructed views of the mountain and lake. The views were even better without the glass of the gondola!

Birds Eye-View Of Lake Tahoe

The ride was peaceful and serene, we were surrounded by the sounds of nature and felt the nice morning air as we made our way up the mountain. The ride down was breathtaking, the lake was so bright and blue, and we could see almost the entire thing from such a high vantage point. The other activities at the second stop were all available for an additional fee and were quite expensive for what they were, especially considering you already paid for the ride up there. 

The prices and activities are as follows;

• Ridge Rider Coaster (one ride): $42.00

• Gemstone Panning (one gemstone bag): $20.00

• Climbing Wall (unlimited): $27.00

• Red Tail Kids Zip Line (two zips): $25.00

• Summer Tubing (x3): $35.00

• Hot Shot Zip Line (one zip): $59.00

Heavenly Valley Play Area Around Restaurant

The ski lodge offers restrooms and a small restaurant with grab-and-go and made-to-order items, along with plenty of seating both inside and outside. On the patio, they had outdoor games like big Jenga, cornhole, ladder toss, and even disc golf, all free for guests to enjoy. The food was a bit pricey, with one drink costing over $7, though it was refillable. I recommend skipping the full meals and opting for a quick snack if you're hungry due to the steep prices. Once you decide to leave the mountain, it's a direct ride back down with no stops, so be sure to enjoy everything before heading down, as there's no turning back.

Heavenly Gondola From Observation Deck

We made our way to the gondolas and went up a large set of stairs. There is also an elevator available for anyone with mobility issues, or anyone who may have issues breathing at such a high altitude! From here you make your way back down the mountain without stopping. The views are amazing as you come down the mountain, especially facing the lake!

Exiting the gondola is the same at the final spot, it slows but does not stop and you exit as it is still moving. The exit is in the same area as the entrance and will put you right back in the Heavenly Village shopping center. 

An Important Note: 

We went later in the day on previous trips and had issues with weather warnings. We had to evacuate the mountain before lightning started. Warnings are posted when you book the ticket that the weather can result in a shortened trip. We were not refunded despite only making it to the first stop. So if the sky is looking cloudy, or there is a chance of rain it may not be the best day to try and go up the mountain! 

What to bring: 

• Closed toe shoes

• Hat

• Sunscreen 

• Camera

• Light jacket

• Hiking gear (if you plan on taking one of the trails) 

Summary: 

The Heavenly Gondola is an amazing scenic ride up into the Tahoe Mountains providing expansive views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. There are two main stops on the gondola ride, one to a scenic observation deck, and the second to a ski lodge with food, activities, hiking, and a free open-air ski lift. We enjoyed our trip up the mountain, and got to experience one of the best vantage points to see the famous blue lake! We paid $75 per adult, and that included the ride in the gondola and the ski lift at the second stop. We do not recommend going on a day when weather could become an issue, as the company does not issue refunds due to weather once you have ridden the gondola. If the weather is clear, there is no better spot to take in the lake than the observation deck of the Heavenly Gondola!

Do you think a mountain gondola ride with Heavenly Gondola in South Lake Tahoe is Worth Your Wallet? Let us know in the comments below! 

You can book tickets for the Heavenly Gondola here!