Head-to-Head · 2025–26 Season

Kirkwood vs Heavenly

One calibrated, SNOTEL-backed look at snowfall, forecast accuracy, and access — so you know which to ski.

Kirkwood

CA · 9,800 ft

Grade
pending

Heavenly

CA · 10,067 ft

Grade
pending

Side-by-Side

Metric	Kirkwood	Heavenly
Region	Tahoe CA	Tahoe CA
Summit elevation	9,800 ft 7,800 ft base	10,067 ft 6,540 ft base
NWS accuracy grade	Pending limited verified storms	Pending limited verified storms
Calibrated season snowfall	132" 21 storms	3" 6 storms
Avg storm-day rate	3.8"/day	0.5"/day
Best storm	87/100 Epic	57/100 Significant
Verified storms	274 SNOTEL-verified	48 SNOTEL-verified
Community reports	84 TGR posts	44 TGR posts
Nearest airport	RNO	RNO
Drive time	1.83h 90 mi · RNO	1h 58 mi · RNO
Access difficulty	Moderate	Easy
Pass	Ikon	Epic

Snowfall totals and NWS grades come from the same SNOTEL-verified data on each resort's own page. Blank or “pending” cells mean the data is still being verified — we never fill them with estimates.

The Verdict

NWS accuracy grades are pending for both Kirkwood and Heavenly — few verified storms so far. Each earns a grade as StormDrop verifies more storms against SNOTEL.

Kirkwood got more snow this season — 132" of calibrated snowfall versus 3" at Heavenly. Kirkwood also averaged 3.8"/storm-day.

Heavenly is the easier trip — about 1h from RNO (Reno), versus 1.83h from RNO for Kirkwood.

Best for

Kirkwood — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Heavenly this season.

Best for

Heavenly — quick-strike trips — the easier drive at ~1h from RNO.

Local Knowledge

TGR Community Intel

Kirkwood

Kirkwood is excellent during storm cycles.

Heavenly

Upper mountain (gondola, Sky, Canyon, Comet, Dipper) closes at slightest breeze.

FAQ

Does Kirkwood or Heavenly get more snow?

Kirkwood got more snow this season — 132" of calibrated snowfall versus 3" at Heavenly. Kirkwood also averaged 3.8"/storm-day.

Is Kirkwood or Heavenly easier to get to?

Heavenly is the easier trip — about 1h from RNO (Reno), versus 1.83h from RNO for Kirkwood.

Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Kirkwood or Heavenly?

NWS accuracy grades are pending for both Kirkwood and Heavenly — few verified storms so far. Each earns a grade as StormDrop verifies more storms against SNOTEL.

Keep Exploring

Full resort reports

Kirkwood →Heavenly →

Lake Tahoe Season Report →Guide for Bay Area Skiers →

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