L1 · Tracked

Heavenly

CA · Epic Pass·April 12–13, 2026

Snowfall

Score

Road Conditions

US-50

US-50 East — chain controls at Echo Summit (7,382 ft)

Check the state DOT for current conditions before driving.

Check Caltrans

Route Options

Pre-researched routes from major origin cities. Drive times are airport → resort.

OAKOakland

3.5hdrive

190 mi

~$225

Backup airport. Similar to SFO with often cheaper flights on budget carriers.

Ground Transport

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty~$90

Often cheaper rental rates than SFO. Same route and conditions. AWD/4WD recommended.

RNOReno

1hdrive

58 mi

No flight needed

Primary airport. Hwy 395/580 South to Carson City, Hwy 50 West over Spooner Summit to South Lake Tahoe. Avoids I-80 Donner Summit entirely. Spooner Summit (7,140 ft) is lower and less avalanche-prone — more reliable storm route. Storm conditions 2–4hrs.

Ground Transport

Shuttle — South Tahoe Airporter~$40

$35–45 one way, $60–70 round trip. ~10 departures daily. Pickup at RNO behind National Car Rental or Door D. Drops at South Lake casinos. Walk-ons accepted if seats available. Route via 395/50 is more reliable than I-80. Free Heavenly resort shuttle connects gondola and all base lodges once in town.

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt~$140

Same RNO rental center. Spooner Summit R2 chain controls common but more reliable than I-80. Parking reservation-based at California Lodge. Free no-reservation parking at Stagecoach and Boulder bases on Nevada side. AWD/4WD recommended.

Rideshare — Uber, Lyft, Lake Link~$150

$100–$200 from RNO. Within South Lake: Lake Link free on-demand shuttle (7am–9pm weekdays, 7am–10pm weekends).

SMFSacramento

2hdrive

100 mi

~$391

Secondary airport. Hwy 50 East the entire way — Sacramento to Placerville to Echo Summit to South Lake Tahoe. Echo Summit (7,382 ft) has chain controls and occasional closures. Weekend traffic on Hwy 50 is notorious. Storm conditions 3–6+ hrs.

Ground Transport

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty~$105

On-airport rental center. $60–$150/day for SUV. Echo Summit chain controls at Kyburz or Strawberry. AWD/4WD recommended. No direct shuttle from SMF.

SFOSan Francisco

3.5hdrive

190 mi

~$391

Alternate airport. Same Hwy 50/Echo Summit concerns as SMF route. Storm conditions 5–8+ hrs.

Ground Transport

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt, Fox~$100

$60–$140/day for SUV. Huge inventory. AWD/4WD recommended for Sierra portion.

Flight prices via Google Flights · Updated every 6 hours

Lodging

Ski Village

Basecamp Hotel South Lake Tahoe

Boutique hostel/hotel, walking distance to Heavenly Gondola. Decent midweek availability.

$100–$170/night

Book

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

At the Stateline. Casino rates can be good value. Close to Heavenly Gondola.

$150–$280/night

Book

The Landing Resort & Spa

Boutique lakefront resort in South Lake Tahoe.

$200–$350/night

Book

Zalanta Resort

New luxury condos, walking distance to Heavenly Gondola.

$200–$400/night

Book

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Lakefront luxury. Premium tier. The Lodge at Edgewood $500–$1,200.

$400–$800/night

Book

Nearby Town

South Lake Tahoe Motels (Hwy 50 corridor)

Various motels along Hwy 50 in South Lake Tahoe. Budget-friendly, convenient to resort.

$70–$130/night

Cost Estimate

Rough estimate for a 2-night trip. Flight price via Google Flights.

Flying from

Ground Transport

Lodging

Trip Length

Nights

Days skiing

✈ Flight (est.)~$225

🚗 Rental Car~$90

🏨 Lodging × 2 nights~$140

🎿 Lift tickets × 2 days

Epic PassFree

Total (est.)~$455