Heavenly Mountain Resort, in South Lake Tahoe, and Northstar, California Resort on the north shore, have announced expanded operations for the remainder of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

From Nov. 26th News Release...

South Lake Tahoe and Truckee, Calif./Nev. –Nov. 26, 2014– Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort will expand terrain for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, giving skiers and riders access to the best snow surface conditions at Lake Tahoe. Combined, the Best of Tahoe resorts will offer Lake Tahoe’s most-open terrain.
 
“If you’re planning on skiing this holiday weekend, Heavenly and Northstar are the places to be,” said Pete Sonntag, vice president and chief operating officer of Heavenly. “The forecast is calling for a significant storm right after the weekend, and we are hopeful it lives up to the prediction so we can expand terrain and also open Kirkwood.”
 
On Thursday, Heavenly will open Orion, an intermediate run accessed off Dipper Express, boosting the open terrain to 2.3 skiable miles. During the holiday weekend, beginning on Thursday, Heavenly will open daily at 8:30 a.m. Heavenly will also provide the tubing hill as additional beginner terrain. East Peak Lodge will open for the season with a renovated cafeteria area that provides guests with new dining options, including house-made soups, salads and gourmet sandwiches. Unbuckle at Tamarack will take place on Friday and Saturday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with a live DJ, half-price drinks, food specials and the lovely Heavenly Angels.
 
Northstar will open Comstock Express, which offers guests access to the summit of the mountain. With the opening of Comstock Express Friday, Northstar will offer a total of seven lifts moving into the holiday. Additional trails will also open Friday, including West Ridge and Luggi’s. Lion’s Way beginner slope, which is adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, will also open. Located at the top of Comstock Express, Summit Deck & Grille will open Friday and welcomes guests for lunch and a full bar. Thanksgiving weekend also marks the beginning of Northstar’s famous holiday celebrations. Among many highlights from Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 30, guests enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides through The Village at Northstar from noon to 3 p.m.; kids are invited to participate in the Ripperoo Parade in The Village each day at 3:45 p.m.; carolers sing in The Village from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and the famous Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled Nov. 29 at 4p.m.
 
Known for its legendary big-mountain terrain and more than 400” of average annual snowfall, Kirkwood Mountain Resort is committed to delivering the best possible experience for guests and will open when conditions permit.
 
Bypass the Ticket Lines
Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar are offering up to 25% savings on advanced purchase lift tickets this season via the new EpicDay Lift Tickets platform, now available across all Vail Resorts. Tickets can be purchased through an easy-to-use online and mobile site, www.snow.com/epicday, and picked up at a designated EpicDay Express Ticket Pick-Up lane at each resort. Once the ticket is picked up, guests can keep their ticket and load it with more days online, avoiding a return trip to the ticket window. EpicDay Lift Tickets rewards advanced planning, even if the purchase is made while walking up to the resort, with more savings and less time spent in the ticket line.
 
Early Season Lodging Deals
At Heavenly, buy one night of midweek lodging and get one night free for stays from Nov. 23-Dec. 18. The Northstar Stay & Ski Package offers guests the quickest, most convenient way of reserving accommodations and lift tickets with one easy step. Guests staying two or more nights will receive best-available rates as well as two lift tickets per bedroom, per night.