Heavenly announced that it is rolling back prices for its 2009/10 ski and snowboard season passes to 2007/08 levels. The Heavenly Pass – which grants access to Lake Tahoe’s biggest mountain, highest elevation, longest vertical drop, most breath-taking scenery, largest snowmaking and grooming operation, finest tree skiing, and only zip line – will be available starting March 14, for a limited time, for renewal or purchase at $329 for an adult pass –a $170 savings off the retail price. Teen, child and senior pass pricing has also been rolled back.

“During these tough economic times, Heavenly wants to connect people with their passion for skiing and snowboarding as easily and affordably as possible,” said John Wagnon, Heavenly’s vice president of marketing and sales. “Three hundred and twenty-nine dollars is an amazing value for the freedom to ski or ride one of North America’s premier mountain resorts whenever you’d like. And the benefits for early purchase are significant.”

Indeed, the $329 Heavenly Pass will only be available through June 21, 2009. Heavenly offers a $49 down-payment option that will hold the $329 price until the balance is paid in full in September. Pass use, benefits and incentives will not be awarded until the pass is paid in full. The remainder of the pass price will be charged to the purchaser’s credit card on or around September 15, 2009.

Existing pass holders who renew their pass before the end of the winter season will receive two $50 buddy tickets good for the remainder of 2008/09 season only.

The Heavenly Pass is valid all season long, seven days per week, with only nine holiday blackout dates. The Heavenly Pass also includes unlimited and unrestricted half-price lift tickets to any of the Vail Resorts’ four Colorado resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. The Heavenly Pass is available in adult, teen, child and senior prices.

All Heavenly season pass holders receive numerous benefits:

* Skiing and riding seven days per week (with nine holiday blackout dates).
* Unlimited and unrestricted half-price tickets to any of Vail Resorts’ four Colorado resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone (no blackout dates).
* Option to purchase four, single-day, $50 Buddy tickets for friends and family during the 2009/10 season (if purchased prior to June 22, 2009).
* Option to purchase personal lift tickets on blackout dates for a $20 discount.
* Summer 2009 Gondola access (when paid in full).
* Exclusive pass holder e-mails offering savings on resort purchases, including Ski School, food & beverage, retail and more (e-mail address must be provided).
* A one-year subscription to both TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine and Skiing Magazine (if purchased prior to June 22, 2009). Not applicable on the Heavenly Child Pass.

Season passes can currently be purchased in-person at the two Heavenly season pass offices, located at the Gondola and California Lodge, by calling 1-800-HEAVENLY, or by visiting www.skiheavenly.com.

Blackout Dates for the Heavenly Passes:

Thanksgiving: Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, 2009

Holiday: Sunday, December 27 through Thursday, December 31, 2009

Presidents’ Weekend: Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2010

Epic Season Pass
For the ultimate season pass experience offering unlimited, unrestricted skiing and snowboarding at five of America’s top resorts, the Epic Season Pass (www.epicpass.com) offers 17,400 acres of terrain, 128 chairlifts and 722 trails at six resorts – Heavenly, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin – from opening day in the fall until closing day in the spring, including every holiday in between with no blackout dates, for only $579 for adults and $279 for children, ages 5-12, through April 9, 2009. The $49-down payment option is also available on the Epic Season Pass.

Hey gang, time is almost up! Season Pass prices will increase for the rest of the 2008/09 season on Monday, January 12, so get yours while you can!

Enjoy the best Tahoe has to offer - before prices go up and save $120 while your at it on an Adult Heavenly Pass!

Click here to find out more on Heavenly Season Passes.

Hey everyone, as I look outside my window at “Lake Level” I can see plenty of new snow falling out of the skies! Although the holidays are just wrapping up, the ski & ride season has just begun and it looks as if another powder day might be in the picture tomorrow! It is truely a winter wonderland outside, and with skies clearing for tomorrow you just might want to make a trip up.

Don’t forget, Heavenly Season Passes are still on sale at the same price of $379 for a limited time! The best deal in Tahoe won’t be around for long, so make sure to get yours!

Check out our web cams for the latest views on the mountain!

Hey, gang. Our critically-acclaimed webisode, “The Bird Chronicles,” is back with another fun look at our two local Lake Tahoe skiers vying for the sacred first chair on Gunbarrel. In this episode, Ty and Brandon struggle with their camp set up and The Bird finds it in his old, withered heart to impart some wisdom.

If you missed the first episode, view it here.

And if you want more info on the Heavenly Passholder Club, it’s right here.

Hey, gang. You might have already seen this in the HeavenlyTV portion of the site, but I wanted you all to check out “The Bird Chronicles” webisodes. It’s a fun look at small ski town culture following the escapades of up-and-coming locals Ty and Brandon as they try to outwit the venerable “Bird” to grab first chair of the year on Gunbarrel.

Hope you guys enjoy the video! Keep an eye out for future “Bird Chronicles” in this space, on HeavenlyTV, or where ever you get your ski and ride video!

Snowmaking is set to begin this weekend! Who’s ready for some SNOW?!!!