A Clear, Cold Day Skiing Above Lake Tahoe

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.