Head-to-Head · 2025–26 Season

Mt. Rose vs Heavenly

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

Mt. Rose

NV · 9,700 ft

Grade
pending

Heavenly

CA · 10,067 ft

Grade
pending

Side-by-Side

Metric	Mt. Rose	Heavenly
Region	Tahoe NV	Tahoe CA
Summit elevation	9,700 ft 7,900 ft base	10,067 ft 6,540 ft base
NWS accuracy grade	Pending limited verified storms	Pending limited verified storms
Calibrated season snowfall	49" 19 storms	3" 6 storms
Avg storm-day rate	1.9"/day	0.5"/day
Best storm	52/100 Significant	57/100 Significant
Verified storms	213 SNOTEL-verified	48 SNOTEL-verified
Community reports	— no local intel yet	44 TGR posts
Nearest airport	RNO	RNO
Drive time	0.42h 25 mi · RNO	1h 58 mi · RNO
Access difficulty	Easy	Easy
Pass	—	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 Mt. Rose and Heavenly — few verified storms so far. Each earns a grade as StormDrop verifies more storms against SNOTEL.

Mt. Rose got more snow this season — 49" of calibrated snowfall versus 3" at Heavenly. Mt. Rose also averaged 1.9"/storm-day.

Mt. Rose is the easier trip — about 0.42h from RNO (Reno), versus 1h from RNO for Heavenly.

Best for

Mt. Rose — quick-strike trips — the easier drive at ~0.42h from RNO.

Best for

Heavenly — Epic pass holders who want calibrated numbers before booking.

Local Knowledge

TGR Community Intel

Mt. Rose

Local intel is still being compiled for Mt. Rose.

Heavenly

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

FAQ

Does Mt. Rose or Heavenly get more snow?

Mt. Rose got more snow this season — 49" of calibrated snowfall versus 3" at Heavenly. Mt. Rose also averaged 1.9"/storm-day.

Is Mt. Rose or Heavenly easier to get to?

Mt. Rose is the easier trip — about 0.42h from RNO (Reno), versus 1h from RNO for Heavenly.

Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Mt. Rose or Heavenly?

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

Keep Exploring

Full resort reports

Mt. Rose →Heavenly →

Lake Tahoe Season Report →Guide for Bay Area Skiers →

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