Palisades Tahoe vs Heavenly
One calibrated, SNOTEL-backed look at snowfall, forecast accuracy, and access — so you know which to ski.
Palisades Tahoe
CA · 9,050 ft
pending
Heavenly
CA · 10,067 ft
pending
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Palisades Tahoe | Heavenly |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Tahoe CA | Tahoe CA |
| Summit elevation | 9,050 ft 6,200 ft base | 10,067 ft 6,540 ft base |
| NWS accuracy grade | Pending limited verified storms | Pending limited verified storms |
| Calibrated season snowfall | 38" 11 storms | 3" 6 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 2.7"/day | 0.5"/day |
| Best storm | 81/100 Epic | 57/100 Significant |
| Verified storms | 111 SNOTEL-verified | 48 SNOTEL-verified |
| Community reports | 198 TGR posts | 44 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | RNO | RNO |
| Drive time | 0.83h 42 mi · RNO | 1h 58 mi · RNO |
| Access difficulty | Easy | 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 Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly — few verified storms so far. Each earns a grade as StormDrop verifies more storms against SNOTEL.
Palisades Tahoe got more snow this season — 38" of calibrated snowfall versus 3" at Heavenly. Palisades Tahoe also averaged 2.7"/storm-day.
Both are a similar trip — roughly 0.83h from RNO.
Best for
Palisades Tahoe — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Heavenly this season.
Best for
Heavenly — high-alpine, stays-cold terrain topping out at 10,067 ft.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelPalisades Tahoe
Monitor Pali Face opening time (often 11:30 AM with metered access).
Heavenly
Upper mountain (gondola, Sky, Canyon, Comet, Dipper) closes at slightest breeze.
FAQ
Does Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly get more snow?
Palisades Tahoe got more snow this season — 38" of calibrated snowfall versus 3" at Heavenly. Palisades Tahoe also averaged 2.7"/storm-day.
Is Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly easier to get to?
Both are a similar trip — roughly 0.83h from RNO.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly?
NWS accuracy grades are pending for both Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly — few verified storms so far. Each earns a grade as StormDrop verifies more storms against SNOTEL.
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