Journeys›Photograph

A Clear, Cold Day Skiing Above Lake Tahoe

·Truckee, California·#winter#california#skiing#lake tahoe#heavenly-mountain-resort
Gondolas ascend through a snowy pine forest with a large blue lake and snow-capped mountains in the background.

We made it up to Heavenly for a day trip at the end of December 2010. The ride up the gondola offered an immediate, stunning view of the lake, rising above the snow-covered pines. It was one of those perfectly clear, bluebird days you hope for.

From the top of the slopes, the views were immense. The deep blue of the water stood out against the white of the surrounding mountains. On the Nevada side, you could see the whole Carson Valley stretching out into the distance. The snow was good, and the slopes were busy, but not overwhelmingly so for a holiday week.

I was skiing with a couple of friends, making our way across the various runs that crisscross the mountain. It's a pretty unique experience to ski with that massive body of water constantly in your peripheral vision. We stopped for a few photos to capture the scale of it all. It was a simple, straightforward day on the mountain, and a great way to close out the year.

Snow-covered ski slopes with a chairlift and people, overlooking a large blue lake and distant mountains under a clear sky.A blue ski sign and two skiers are on a snowy mountain overlooking a wide valley under a clear sky.Multiple people ski and snowboard down a snowy slope overlooking a large blue lake and distant snow-capped mountains.A person in ski gear stands on a snowy slope overlooking a vast blue lake and distant snow-capped mountains.Two people in ski gear stand on a snowy mountain overlooking a large blue lake and distant snow-covered mountains.A smiling man in a blue jacket and orange hat on a snowy mountain overlooking a lake and distant peaks.A panoramic view of a snowy mountain slope with several people, a large blue lake, and distant snow-capped mountains.Many skiers on a snowy mountain slope overlook a large blue lake framed by snow-capped mountains under a clear sky.

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